Meet everyone!

Micah & I are so lucky to have such great people here at the Ranch. It is like being part of a family. I thought we could introduce everyone. I'm sure the rest of the staff woudl appreciate your prayers, and later when I tell a story about Odo or Lubo or Zoe, you will have a face to put with it.

First the Kloters from Switzerland: Simon Angie and Zoe

Simon was in a band that played at CampFest a few times. In 2006, he worked in Presov for a few months as an internship requirement for School. Simon, Angie and Zoe moved to Slovakia last November. They plan to live in Slovakia and work with YFC long term. They are currently staying in one of the cottages and are planning to build a house near the Ranc. Simon is heading up the new training program of YFC Slovakia, "Timothy Centrum" he deals with the logistics and any communication that needs to be done in English. Angie is a mom and helps Simon part-time. Zoe is a little over a year old and unbearably cute.

Next comes Milos Pasternak

Milos is the Manager of the ranch. He is in charge of the day to day running and decisions at the Ranch. He is a certified engineer, and knowledgable about almost everything. The most common thing you hear around here is "...ask Milos..." about any and everything. Milos has a great laugh, and sense of humor. He has 5 kids and is treats us like we are just an addition to that (a good thing).

This is Milos' oldest son, Ondrej. We call him Odo

He is taking a year off School and helping here at the ranch. He is training to be an architect, and is helping draw up Simon & Angie's house. (this is a different Ondrej than was here last summer, that Ondrej no longer works at the ranch)



The rest of the staff lives and works at the ranch 7 days and then has 7 days off.

Lubos is Micah's favorite. He is also called Lubo.

He is from a village just down the road and we have also gotten to know his family as well. Lubo speaks "intermittent" English. He is not afraid to try new words and is constantly comparing similar words...girl, grill, growl? Lubo cooks and helps with a little of everythign else here. He is also very encouraging to us. Everytime we learn new word Lubo celebrates with us, "Progress!"

Lubos works with Mirka,

Mirka was part of a group that I traveled with to Bratislava a few years ago. She takes care of the cleaning and serving guests. When there is a big group, she also helps cook. Mirka makes the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. (Sorry grandma Henry and Meghan) In the past, Mirka has gone with us to the foreigners police.

For a long time we only knew Miro as "the cook" because when someone talked to us about him they never used his name.

Miro does not speak any English, but will occasionally try a German word or two :) He lives in Liptovsky Hradok, with his wife and 3 kids. He was very glad to discover that he is 2 years younger than my dad. This morning he went with Micah to get the tires changed on the car. when Micah asked how much it would cost he told him "if you go 20 Euros. if i go with you 5." Miro knows just about everyone in town. I am going to get him to teach me to make soup. He and Micah have coffee every day at three.

Last but not least is Danka.

Danka takes care of cleaning and guests and office work. Last summer Danka made us feel very welcome here at the Ranch while we are still adjusting. She is a very nurturing person. Danka speaks English and German as well as Slovak and sometimes forgets who she is talking to and what language they speak. It's complicated around here: German and English with the Kloters, English with Micah, English and Slovak with Stasi, Slovak with everyone else...


Now you have faces to go with the names so when you come visit, you will know who's who.