Dear Friends of Baraka!
As winter winds down, we are sending you greetings from Baraka 6! We hope that this letter finds you well and brings you an update on the happenings around Baraka. We are two-thirds of the way through our time together and much has happened in our community since you last heard from us. |
The table is one of the most important spaces in Baraka, here we eat, laugh, cry and share life on a daily basis.
The Newest Member!
A new member joined Baraka! Randi and David welcomed Milanko into the world on October 13th, and he fits in perfectly! He is enjoying being surrounded by friends. |
Weekends Away
Every month we have a weekend that we spend together. Sometimes we stay around Baraka and have intentional time together but sometimes we get away to a beautiful place. At the end of the fall, we visited the village of Studienka for our first weekend away from the Baraka space. We picked mushrooms, talked about our hopes for the year together, and spent time by the fire. |
In January, we had the joy of spending a weekend with the Benedictines at Sampor, a monastery in Central Slovakia. It is a longstanding Baraka tradition to visit their community as a way to reflect on the one we are building. It is always a time of reflection, of silence, and of learning about people who are living a very different kind of life. |
Baraka evenings
One of the loveliest parts of our life together is the consistent mornings and evenings we spend together. Nearly every Tuesday and Thursday for nine months is spent building friendships, learning from one another and guests who come for a visit, and trying new things together. Some highlights from the last months include: |
Internships: Eagle and Child Cafe and School Clubs
Our Baraka members are continuing to run the school cafe with the help of a crew of volunteer bakers as well as the Agathe Center for Entrapnuership which has offered us coaching on project management. It is the highlight of every Friday to see the cafe full of life! Baraka members lead clubs ranging from Physics to Volleyball, Art to Tea! Check out our Instagram for more updates! |
It has been a beautiful year so far! Here is how Baraka members finish the sentence: “For me, Baraka means..” |
“…living together in love and sharing our lives.” Ado
“..stomach growling, napping together, conflict and peace. Openness, meaning, change, endeavour, friendship and family.” David
“…beautiful chaos and sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.” Julo
“…a refuge. I know that anytime I come here there will be somebody waiting for me here and we can share the pains and joys of our lives together.” Baška
“…an ability to share and listen, when it matters.” Pali
“..a safe place where I am still learning not to be afraid to be myself, and that being my authentic self is the best I can offer.” Peťka
“…a smaller second family in which meaning, joy, and love can always be found.” Dotty
“…a space with a soul.” Samo
“…a safety for me in a busy, ordinary day.” Tommy
Thank you for thinking about and praying for us as we finish out our last months together. We have plenty of coaching, dinners, laughs, and shenanigans to look forward to, so you can look forward to hearing from us again in June! |
Yours,
Baraka 6
