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.