Wooden Churches

Religion has played a major role in the history of Slovakia. The Roman Catholic church accounts for up to 60% of the population. And within the last few decades up to 80% Roman Catholics. Throughout the country we saw many Cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, and churches. They are designed after European architecture such as Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance.  

Villages were built around houses of worship. In every village, town, or city, a church building is the center place. Even small villages of a couple hundred people will have a church in the center. Larger cities have several, often in the same block. These edifices are all made of stone, cement, and metal. Their steeples tall, strong and firm. 
We heard Slovakia has the highest density of wooden churches in Europe. Many are UNESCO World Heritage sites, so naturally we had to take a drive and discover this for ourselves. We drove near the Poland border where at least ten of them are found in close proximity. You may wonder why there are a handful of wooden churches among such beautiful stone built churches. I had to research to find the answer.

In the seventh century, the Roman Catholic Emperor opposed other religions coming into the area. He dictated how other churches were allowed to build their churches. They were required to be built entirely of wood, and without the use of metal. The construction must be completed within one year and the building site could not be located in the center of town.  

These small wooden Churches are made entirely of unpainted wood. The whole interior and exterior, even the smallest details were made of wood. What makes them unique is the fact, they were built without any nails. 

We noticed a few similarities between the rustic looking churches. Each was built with a similar design and architecture. Some are surrounded by a unique wooden skirt fence about three feet high.

Each wooden church we saw has three belfries in onion shape, and the walls are all overlapped planks. The expertise of carpenters skill in making the buildings has left them standing today, most in very good shape.

The wooden churches are located on the outskirts of villages or in a more remote location. Some of the churches didn't appear to be used anymore as more modern ones were observed nearby.

At one locked wooden church, we had an old man approach us. He offered to open up the church and allowed us to walk inside. It was like entering a small cabin with hand painted religious mural interior. For a small donation he offered to ring the bells in the belfry.

The surviving wooden churches are visible reminders of the tenacity of Slovakia's minority religions in the northern part of Slovakia.

Sound the Warning

Every castle we visit has a watchtower built as part of the fortress walls. The watchtowers are lookout stands placed to guard the castle.

Each is positioned to see afar off and warn of intruders or enemy approaching. A watchman would usually sit in the tower being vigilant.

If an intruder or enemy was approaching, he would sound the alarm. The watchtowers protected the kings and their kingdom from harm or attack. We couldn't help imagining what it was like inside the walls of these castle centuries ago.

This recent castle we hiked up to is called "šariš hrad".

We noticed there were several watchtowers positioned along the walls surrounding the castle. The walls were 20+ feet high and several feet thick. To this day, the walls are still standing strong and firm. The watchtowers rise above the walls another 10-20 feet and were located about 100 yards apart.

There is no shortage of medieval castles ruins to see in Slovakia and Czech Republic.  The views from on top of these castles are spectacular. Once we could see 12 villages off in the distance from a tower. Another castle was positioned on a high cliff overlooking a river.

Today, we can see the original castle rooms, stairways, tunnels, and archways still standing just like they were hundreds of years ago. Imagine the battles that must have been avoided by having a castle to keep protected.

The watchtowers were strategically place in such a position to have the best view of the valley below and afar off. 

Some of the castle walls have a footpath along the top so guards could walk along and strike at enemies trying to climb up.

It took an enormous skilled workforce and millions of carved stones to build such a fortress. All these castles are built on top of the highest hill or cliff with steep inclines deterring the enemy from attacking. Inside the walls can be a very large area.

We have seen structures and open terrain as large as 5 acres. What an amazing construction project.

Back then there were no tractors or cranes to lift the massive stones into place. Today, we see renovations taking place at some of the sites to repair structures that have fallen into decay. 

Thankfully, the Lord has provided us with modern day watchtowers.

He has called prophets and apostles who act as watchmen upon the tower to warn us of the dangers of our day.

Prophets are allowed to see things from a heavenly view, and to guide us on a safer path than we might take ourselves. We are living in the last days upon the earth which is full of wickedness and temptations of all types, surely we need the Lord's watchmen now more than ever before.

Stand Tall and Follow the Son

All flowers thrive and bloom because of the sunshine, their source of life.

I learned about flowers from my mother who surrounded herself with daffodils, snapdragons, tulips, gladiolas, and black-eyed Susan. Today, I surround myself with flowers as much as possible. I remember mom planting bulbs, and in the spring, crocuses would be the first to bloom. Every year the garden was ablaze of color from rhododendrons and azaleas. Once, she planted sunflowers along the garden and they grew fast, tall, and bright yellow. I believe God made flowers to share his love and kindness with us.

Sunflowers exude brightness and happiness. They have the endearing capability to brighten anyone’s day or decorate any room.

 

Sunflowers are magnificent creations. They not only look like the sun they also need lots of it.  The young flower buds face east and track the sun across the sky to generate energy for bearing fruit (seeds). The flower’s head are the size of dinner plates.

At close glance, you will notice each sunflower head is thousands of tiny flowers. The insects, mostly bees, come along and pollinate every little flower which will yield one tiny seed. A single sunflower can produce up to 2000 individual seeds. The arrangement of seeds are a scientific spiral formula. They easily grow up to ten feet tall and are the fastest growers of all flowers.

In some ways, sunflowers are an ideal model on how to live life. Sunflowers have a beautiful bright golden face, all growing together in harmony. The sunflower never takes its gaze off its source of life. 

Elder Quinton L. Cook, referenced sunflowers in a recent General Conference. He said, “Like the young sunflower, when we follow the Savior of the world, the Son of God, we flourish and become glorious despite the many terrible circumstances that surround us. He truly is our light and life.”

Matthew 13:43, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” 

“As individuals ... we thrive and bloom if we are rooted in our love of the Savior and humbly follow His teachings.” (The Lord is My Light, April 2015)

What Tender Mercy Have You Witnessed This Week?

In nature we acknowledge the simplicity of God's creations. A simple colorful wildflower growing on the side of a hill, or the flutter of butterfly wings. In these small exchanges we show reverence for nature. As we walk along, we pause and consider our role in this wide world we live with relation to God. I know that God is aware of me and my needs, He is eager to bless me and grant me the things I stand of need of.

Like this small butterfly hidden from public view, someone is watching and can be seen and noticed by those who are looking for beauty.

To celebrate the Mormon pioneers who settled in Utah in 1849, this Friday our branch is hosting a Church History presentation. The Košice missionaries are preparing to sing a song from the film, 17 Miracles. Our pianist worried about her performance in the musical number.

A unexpected visitor from Utah came to church today. Afterwards, we ate a light snack and she and her husband were preparing to leave when she heard music coming from the chapel. She entered the chapel and saw the missionaries practicing their musical number. The missionaries quickly invited her to sit and play. All the missionaries stood in amazement as she played without error. Our missionaries found a way to record the notes being played for playback later. This accomplish pianist was an answer to sincere prayer. She was a tender mercy sent to our missionaries in their time of need.

This reminds me of a General Conference talk I heard in April 2005 by Elder David A. Bednar, he talked about the Lord's willingness to bestow blessings on every one of us in our times of need. He referred to these blessings as "tender mercies."

He said, "The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Have I done any good in the world today?

This week I was drawn to some beautiful purple flowers buzzing with bumble bees collecting pollen. It reminded of a conference talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard. He taught how honeybees work together in the hive, and the important work of each bee. He said, "Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bee's one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive.

Work that would be overwhelming for a few bees becomes lighter because all faithfully do their part". (Be Anxiously Engaged, October 2012)

As humanitarian missionaries we certainly are seeing a wide assortment of ways to help the poor and needy. 

One day this week, we visited a night shelter for the homeless where the facility was a large drafty old warehouse without any insulation. They accept anyone who comes to the door and have over 100 beds scattered throughout the open floor. Summer may be okay but long cold winter's below freezing can be tough to endure.

One euro gets you a bowl of soup and some bread with a bed and blanket. We applaud the staff who work very hard to provide the homeless and unemployed some place to lay their head. 

These indigent folks have often caused their own demise through addictions, laziness, or poor choices. But others suffer mental illness or the fate of poverty and lack of skills. Either way they fail to become a productive human being and unable to live up to their potential.

The next day we visited an orphanage for about 90 children.

We saw dozens of children lying in beds with permanent serious physical and mental challenges due to birth defects and disabilities. The "angel" caretakers and nurses were attentive for the children who could not provide for themselves. Many needed feeding tubes while others were spoon feed. A hospital nearby provides much needed medical assistance and care. These children are wards of the state through no fault of their own and are trying to live life the best they can despite their circumstances.

The organization is expecting to add 50 more children in the coming months. The average age of the children is between 7 and 11 years old. We may be involved in a project here in the near future. 

Both these facilities were difficult to walk through and see the tough realities of life. Some had a choice in their fate, while others did not. Especially children unable to grow up in a home with a family. As a mother, I am extremely grateful and blessed for healthy children that God entrusted me.

In church, we sing, "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?" (Hymn 223) I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to serve this mission and to be an instrument, to help the poor and needy. 

President Spencer W. Kimball said, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other."