The Final Months in Baraka 5 |
Dear friends and family of Baraka,
We hope you are well! This is the final update from Baraka 5, and we are so glad to share with you about life in the Baraka community as we closed out our year together!
Vlado and the band played at the final assembly of the year as a goodbye to the school.
Day-to-day life in Baraka these last months have been filled will joy, stress, eating, laughter, tears, guests coming in and out, and lots of studying for end-of-year exams!
We said our goodbyes on June 10th after a year of learning to build community and take responsibility. We have been thankful for all the challenges this year has presented, and many of us were sad to say our goodbyes.
Passing off the coordination of the evenings to some of the members.
Food is a big part of Baraka. Quality time-shared over good food and coffee!
Sampor
VĂkendy
This spring there were several special weekends that we devoted to learning, serving, and reflecting. We shared a weekend at Sampor Benedictine Monastic Community reflecting on what it means to live a life around faith and mission, we formed a biker gang and rode 30km, we helped clean the school, and spent a final reflective weekend away at Novy Svet (David’s family’s cabin).Â
| Bike Trip |
Evenings in Baraka
We continued with our ritual of Tuesdays and Thursdays together, and as it is almost every year in Baraka, the food just keeps getting better! The Spring was filled with arts and crafts, discussions, sports, and serving. The members took responsibility for coordinating the program, and it meant that many members got to invite the group into their own hobbies and interests.
One of our evenings this spring was spent cooking for the homeless.
We are thankful to everyone who came for a visit, the NAE department from Bilgym, our Scottish friends, Alumni, friends, and family.Â
Spring Cleaning
We had several projects around the school, including helping out with the Spring Brigade – where we worked around the school with fellow teachers, students, and parents. (Come and check out the plants in front! With Blanka’s guidance, we helped landscape the garden!)
As we prepare to embark on new journeys, it is important to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to those who have made this experience possible – our donors, friends, mentors, and prayer partners. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who has supported Baraka over the years. Your partnerships significantly impact our lives, and we are incredibly grateful for your belief in our mission and your investment in our community.
Although Baraka 5 is physically parting ways, the spirit of this community will continue to live on within us. We carry the lessons we have learned, the friendships we have forged, and the belief in the power of community wherever we go.
Your Baraka 5
(P.S. Baraka 6 is coming your way in August!)
| While lots of growth and change take place over the year, some things don’t change so much. Here are Hana and Samo on the first and last days of Baraka 5! |