Progress Report – 2025 – January

Januarys in our school are full of tests and project presentations due to half-term grading. Walking through the school halls, one could see and feel the increased level of stress among the students and teachers. This elevated tension can be observed also in our country these days. Our political leaders have made the schism in our society even deeper by openly flirting with Russia and questioning our membership in the Europe Union (EU) and NATO. Many Slovaks filled city squares peacefully demonstrating not only against these signals but also expressing their disappointment with the quality of our justice system, health care, and education. The message to our leaders is clear:  we want to stay in EU and NATO, and we want our leaders to make Slovakia a good place for everybody, not just for their buddies and sponsors. We also keep reminding them that peace they speak so much about, goes hand in hand with justice and righteousness which they often distort or neglect. Once justice and righteousness are firmly established, peace appears as their consequence.

January was also unique for a very special visit of 18 students, two teachers, and two parents from Timothy Christian School in Elmhurst, IL. They came to enhance our Christian mission through education. They were engaged in classes, improving conversation skills of our older students and rehearsing the play “Three Little Pigs” with younger ones. During the afternoons, they were learning about the dark eras of Nazism and Communism in Europe visiting the Auschwitz Memorial Museum and listening to those who fought the Communist regime. Along with our students, they also visited a local Center for Children and Families and spent the whole day with its residents: playing soccer and dodge ball, cooking lunch, having fun around table games, and quizzes. By sharing their faith through words and actions, they have inspired many of our students and teachers. We hope that a visit like this will turn into a regular activity in the future.

As a way to help others, our school regularly organizes a “Drop of Blood” event, encouraging students and teachers to donate blood. This January, along with the regular donors, four of our students donated blood for the first time.

This activity is a great example of doing something voluntarily for others to improve their well-being or even save their life. This lesson was ultimately demonstrated by Jesus’ live and sacrifice on the cross and should be followed by all of us. May the Holy Spirit empower all of us to follow the steps of Jesus who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

in His service,