December 26th - Slovenian Independence and Unity Day

I have always loved history, social studies, and the likes.  So, whenever we visit somewhere I like to know a little about the people and customs of that place.

Now imagine that same desire, but this time knowing that we are not only going for a visit, but rather to live indefinitely.

Google has met its match.

One of the interesting Slovenian national holidays we came across was December 26th.  No, it is not boxing day, nor is it the day the most things are returned to stores.  In Slovenia, it is called Independence and Unity Day, or as they say in Slovenian, "Dan samostojnosti in enotnosti".  We contacted a friend from college, who just so happens to be Slovenian, to gain better understanding of the significance of this holiday.

25 years ago Slovenia decided to go out of Yugoslavia 

On December 23rd of 1990, the Slovenian people voted in a plebiscite to become a separate state from Yugoslavia in a land-slide.  The results were announced on December 26th of that same year.  Many of you reading, may still remember Yugoslavia.  It was a socialist state, which consisted of people from many different ethnic groups - one of which was Slovenia.  

Slovenian Parliament declaring results of independence referendum on 26th December 1990.

The actual separation didn't happened until June 25th of the following year, however December 26th marks a monumental mile stone in the history of Slovenia.  Until 2005, it was only called "Independence Day".  The "Unity" part was added as a reminder that yes, they were becoming independent from Yugoslavia, but they as a people group were standing united.  The friend that we spoke to also stressed this point.

So, why are we giving you this brief history lesson?

Well, think about it.  Isn't that exactly what it is like, when we surrender our hearts to Christ?  We are claiming independence from the things that have held us back in the past - unforgiveness, hurt, sin, and addictions; and uniting ourselves to God, as well as the body of Christ.

This is our prayer for the people of Slovenia.  That through a personal relationship with Jesus, they would find the ability to shake free of their strongholds, and cleve to the one who gives hope and joy.  

So today, on December 26th, please stand in prayer for the Slovenian people with us.

Christmas In Slovenia

Vesel Božič!  Merry Christmas!

As we draw nearer to Christmas, the end of 2015, and the official beginning of our family becoming missionaries, I thought I would take a closer look at what Christmas looks like in the country we soon hope to call home - Slovenia.

Slovenia is traditionally Catholic, however 22.8% of the population claim no religious ties, and 10% claim to be atheists.  

And yet, according to all the articles I could find, Christmas is a time of "church, music and food".  Because Catholicism is such a part of the tradition that surrounds Christmas and this time of year, it is a perfect time to shine the light of Jesus Christ.  Like many countries in Eastern Europe, it is not Santa who brings children gifts on Christmas, but rather baby Jesus.  Families erect nativity scenes in the corner of the house.  Churches are lit.  Christmas markets have handmade goods to sell - many surrounding the birth of Christ.

According to one article I found, Slovenia is one of the last places you find, where the hustle and bustle often associated with the Western mentality of Christmas.  It seems that there is much more focused on family, and quiet contemplation.

The perfect setting for a message of hope and love.

Christ came to shine into the darkest places of our souls.  To bring a sense of hope, when there doesn't seem to be a future.  Joy, where all laughter seems to have been lost.

Pray with us, that this holiday season, while singing songs about a baby born in a manger, while gazing at a beautiful nativity, the heart of the people of Slovenia would be moved towards He who came to Earth as the lowliest, to save us from our lowest.

And so, vesel Božič from our family to yours!

Why “Hope” for Slovenia?

As Dan and I were talking about hashtags, and social media presence when keeping in touch with people about our upcoming adventure of becoming missionaries to Slovenia, Dan kept saying “Hope for Slovenia”, and I kept saying “The Blairs Love Slovenia”.  Slovenia is the only country that has the word “love” in it (seriously, go read it again, it’s there – so cool!), so I thought it was perfectly genius – as are ALL my ideas.  But Dan kept going back to “Hope for Slovenia”, and lucky for him, “The Blairs Love Slovenia” was too long of a twitter account name, so he won.

Little did I know that he didn’t only like the name because it was his idea, but there was a message behind it that he shared with our students yesterday.

Slovenia, like much of Europe is traditionally Catholic.  I grew up with many friends and teachers who were Catholic, and have nothing but love and respect for the denomination as a whole.  However, the majority of people are not actually practicing Catholic, rather were probably baptized as a baby, and perhaps go to mass on Christmas or Easter.  As is true for the rest of Europe, in reality most people are atheist – meaning they don’t believe in anything, as far as deities and religion is concerned.  

Do you know what happens when you don’t believe in anything?  They don’t have hope.  There is no hope for a better future, for relief from pain, and healing of generational wounds.

When people feel hopeless, they turn to whatever they think will make them feel a little better.  According to worldlifeexpectancy.com, Slovenia is 10^th in World in alcoholism and 7^th in the in suicide (this website actually puts them in 5th - very informative article.).  There is also a heavy bondage of drug abuse.  People need things in their life to make them feel whole – the problem is when they look in the wrong places.

And that’s why it’s “Hope for Slovenia”.  When people encounter the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, and with his help are able to break the strongholds in their lives, not only are they creating a better future for themselves, but for their whole families.  That is why we are going to Slovenia.  That is why our message is one of hope.

Taking The First Steps

Today was a big day.

Today we announced to our home church, that Dan would be leaving his position as youth pastor at the end of December, and we will start the process of itineration in January.

It's been an emotional-packed and bitter-sweet day.  There were hugs and tears.  Questions and congratulations.  It is very hard to say goodbye to people who have become family.  And yet, when God calls us to a life of serving him, there is always a sacrifice.  Sacrifice doesn't look the same to everyone.  For us, at this time, it is leaving a place we feel comfortable, and loved - for a new and unknown.

Let me tell you a little bit about ourselves:

Dan is from Ohio, and Abigail is a missionary kid who grew up in Hungary.  We met at Continental Theological Seminary in Belgium, fell in love, graduated and got married.  We lived in Ohio for a year (2, for Dan), and then moved to Florida.  We've been serving at a wonderful church, First Coast Christian Center, and Abigail has been a kindergarten teacher at Seacoast Christian Academy for the past 3 years.  We have both felt a call to missions since a young age, and are very excited to embark on this new journey.

Thank you for following along with us.