Summer 2026 brought us a great joy. It was extraordinary — we had the highest number of mission activities and visits in the history of the CCE. In the world full of divisions and misunderstandings, we work together with our US partners to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Slovakia. God’s love unites us and is amazing!

The first visit was the Schnitkers. Bill and Samantha, our longtime friends and supporters, shared the CCE mission with their lovely family. In a special private worship service held in a medieval chapel, their daughter Kimberly and her husband Nick renewed their marriage vows. Their visit concluded with a traditional Slovak wedding celebration that included some old-fashioned Slovak customs and music. We praise God for their faithful support!

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Here at the Center for Christian Education (CCE), April and May were filled with many meaningful and memorable activities. Each event carried out our mission by proclaiming the gospel, building community, and helping those in need.

In April our school and church communities joined forces and worked together all day Saturday to improve our campus. More than 200 parents, students, and teachers planted trees and flowers, refurbished the school playgrounds, and renovated the long-jump runway. There were other smaller and larger jobs that were accomplished, but more importantly our community was strengthened, and we all had a great time together making the campus more functional and beautiful.

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March was the month of Lent, during which we accompanied Jesus in his Passion. In this story Jesus gives us an example of obedience to God’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane we find Jesus struggling with his fate, asking God to remove the suffering and death on the cross from him (Mark 14:32–42). However, after three prayers Jesus not only accepts his destiny but also is able to face it with courage, knowing that accepting God’s will is best for him and for the world. Our prayers might not change the circumstances that trouble our hearts, but they can help us find God’s will, accept it, and face it with courage and creativity. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31b)

Seeking and accepting God’s will is important for all our activities, but it is especially important for teachers. We are grateful for teachers who see their vocation not merely as a profession but as God’s call. Two members of our staff, Ivana Čermáková and Monika Krystýnková, were recognized by the bishop’s office as outstanding teachers from our Lutheran Christian schools in Slovakia. We are glad to have such creative and extraordinary colleagues and wish them God’s blessing for their future careers.

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Each February we remember all Ukrainians. For four long years many have lived under the constant threat of death, freezing, or losing loved ones. Despite relentless Russian bombings, power shortages, and other dangers, they stand firm and continue to resist. Sadly, those of us who live in peace grow wearier of this war with each passing year. We grow tired of hearing about crimes and atrocities, tired of supporting Ukrainians, and tired of empty promises of peace.

Yes, long conflicts are exhausting. Any enemy — whether an aggressor or sin — seeks to wear us down so that we become self-absorbed and eventually surrender. But as Christians we must not yield to exhaustion. The author of Hebrews calls us to run our race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–3). Jesus not only pioneered the way and defeated our greatest enemies, but he also sent us the Holy Spirit — our Advocate and Comforter — who renews our strength to overcome difficulties and continue our mission.

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