From Sister Nye

July was “Slovak culture month” for us. When we realized that one of the three largest folk festivals in Slovakia would be held in Detva, just 30 minutes from our home in Zvolen, we juggled our schedule so that we could spend a day there. It far exceeded our expectations! We thought that after a year in Slovakia we had experienced quite a lot of the culture, but the festival at Detva was an incredible immersion in Slovak culture and history. Traditional crafts ranged from iron work and woodwork to needlework and straw weaving to musical instruments (bells, flutes, fujari). Of course there were spirited folk dances with lively music---watching this man play a cimbál was fascinating---beautiful traditional costumes on children and adults, and even foods that were new to us and SO delicious! Our Slovak friends were as thrilled as we were that we could go to Detva and they wanted to know what we thought of it all. IMPRESSIVE!

Also in July, we were able to take a day trip to Banska Štiavnica. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is such a beautiful, picturesque town. Because of its UNESCO designation, there are continual facelifts to the buildings in order to maintain its historic, medieval appearance.

Banska Štiavnica has a mining history from at least the 3^rd century BC (gold and silver). We went on a mine tour, sometimes squeezing through very narrow shafts. The tour was also a great escape from the heat wave Slovakia was enduring. The cool air in the mine shafts felt wonderful.

Of course we ate lunch at a sidewalk cafe! After the cool air of the mine, we felt every degree of the +100 day, but we sat in the shade and there was even a breeze. The scenery was fairy-tale-quaint, the flowers were lovely, and the food was delicious. We could not have asked for anything more!

As July 24^th approached, the early Mormon pioneers were honored in talks and lessons at our branches. We also used pioneer stories in our English classes. They turned out to be some of the best classes we have had. We were touched by the interest and compassion of members, investigators, and our English students. Those struggling with personal problems and facing economic uncertainty seemed to find encouragement from the sacrifices of the pioneers. In the church hymn, “They, the Builders of the Nation,” one phrase reads: “stepping stones for generations were their deeds of every day.” We’re sure this will one day be said of these Slovak “pioneers” of Cirkev Ježiša Krista Svätých Neskorších Dní.

It's true that we miss home, and yet we can't imagine missing this opportunity to be missionaries in the Czech/Slovach Mission. We are so grateful to be here! 

Laskou, [with love]

Phil and Susan

aka Nyeovci