Having travelled overnight from Prague, on arrival in Slovakia we were whisked off to Levoca, a mediaeval walled town in the Spis region in the centre of the country.

This was the start of a wonderful time working with River Fellowship and the Redemptorists in schools and colleges, sharing the gospel with literally hundreds of people over the five days we were there. Through simple dramas, testimony and song, the Good News about Jesus was clearly presented, and well received.

Paul and Colin kilted up for the occasion, a source of fascination to many. In the Blind School, we invited those who couldn't see us to touch the kilts and our hairy knees ! We also danced the traditional sword dance as a symbol of Jesus' victory over Satan at the cross.

On the Saturday of the mission, a youth meeting was held in one of the churches in the town. It was packed with young people, and a clear message was delivered about the battle between good and evil, and the need to follow to Jesus. At the end, many didn't want to leave, as this was the first time a lot of them had encountered such worship and freedom in God's presence.

Podolinec

Our time in Podolinec, in the Tatra mountain area, where the River of Life Fellowship is based, began with a day with the Fellowship there, sharing on the nature of God. Through testimony and teaching, we shared what God had placed on our hearts for the encouragement of these people who have grown to be dear brothers and sisters in Christ to us.

Over the weekend there we were also joined by Anna Viškova from Prague in the Czech Republic, who has been in Edinburgh, and is now studying at the Evangelical Czech Brothers' seminary in her home city.

In the afternoon, at a meeting of the wider fellowship, we shared on the need to allow one another to grow, in the context of a covenanted community, so that we can each become what God intends us to be in Christ.

In the evening, the monastery church was packed with in excess of 1200 people for the 'First Sunday' meeting, where worship mingled with words of knowledge and traditional Catholic liturgy, as God's Spirit ministered and brought us to heaven's door again.

Banners waved around the crowded altar area, and Colin was able to share on the face of God in Christ, at exactly the moment when Ralph Martin, leading Catholic speaker was sharing in a meeting back at home in King's Hall, Edinburgh.

Wild at Heart

The few days in Podolinec also developed into something of an impromptu 'Wild at Heart', outward-bound type retreat ! With the help of fellowship leader Bohus Zivcak and his brother Miro, a mountain guide, Paul and I were taken through our paces in rock-climbing, deer tracking to hear the rutting at 5am in the nearby forests, and an ascent of a 2,137m peak in the Tatras, Jastrabia Veza, which was a great challenge, but extremely rewarding.

<< Jastrabia Veza (The Hawk Tower) 2137.3m

On the expedition to the Mountains we were joined by Father Michal, the priest and founder of the community, and had a wonderful time sharing with him something of the story of the community since the days of his life as a secret priest, under the communist atheist regime.

Father Michal became a priest in secret in the 1960s in communist Czechoslovakia ; he worked for 19 years for a local metalwork factory, making screws. Even his father, who died in 1977, did not know of his priesthood.

In the 1980s he led secret retreats of young people to the mountains and forests, to train them for life with Jesus.

In 1991 his order regained their monastery in Podolinec, following the 'Velvet Revolution', and he is now involved in missions across the nation.

Founder members and leaders together of River of Life Fellowship, both of them were part of the secret group set up by Father Michal to disciple young people. They now have three children, Jan, Klara and Jozue.

We also visited Košice with community leader Kubo, and were given the rare opportunity to climb the bell tower of the cathedral there, guided by a Dominican brother from the local friary.

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye to the folks in Podolínec , from there trundling by train through the beautiful mountain scenery and along the banks of the great River Vah, down to Bratislava, capital of the Slovak Republic.

It was also heartening to hear that the Christian School in Bratislava, with which some of us had contacts a number of years back, is continuing under the leadership of Daniel's community, and is thriving, with 160 pupils coming along.

The theme was the God of Covenant, and over a number of sessions we explored the Biblical basis for our relationship with Christ and each other. We also had the opportunity to pray for and minister to many people over the weekend, as well as to fellowship over mealtimes and get to know them better.

Our last morning before flying home was spent in Prague, visiting this beautiful city in the company of Anna and her sister, Ora; in the mighty cathedral on the castle hill, I was struck by the colour of the windows, particularly the one over the main altar, of the Father supporting the crucifed Son, with the Dove of the Spirit at his shoulder. It was an image I had used several times in the trip, and it was wonderful to see it there in such prominence at the end of our time.

We are grateful for the opportunity to go to Slovakia and to represent you to our brothers and sisters there in River Fellowship. There will be future trips, and we would love you to think about being part of them with us. Not only is Slovakia a beautiful and restful place to be, but the fellowship and bridge-building which are taking us across traditional barriers and cultural differences are a sign of God's heart to bring his wider church together in increasing unity.