Petka

Petra completed her university studies in Slovakia and wanted to become a teacher. However, after one year teaching at a primary school in Bratislava, she changed her mind. She has worked in various positions related to IT marketing and project management in tourism. After coming to Australia, she was finally able to enjoy the teaching experience being a teacher at the Slovak school in Melbourne. Petra loves discovering new destinations – she enjoys travelling, planning new journeys, exploring new tastes and exotic smells. Especially she is keen to show these things to her two lovely daughters and teach them this being the real value in life, not the materialistic side of it.

What is your involvement with St Kilda Uniting Church?

We came to this community late November 2015 with our toddler who has in-between grown to a beautiful young princess and her older princess sister. We immediately felt so welcome that we did not ever consider looking for or trying another church. Everybody was truly interested in our story and lives, we were invited to peoples’ homes and experienced their hospitality. We became friends with many members of this wonderful congregation. In Slovakia, I used to sing in a choir at the church. I try to share the beautiful Slovak melodies with people at the St Kilda Uniting Church even if it means singing in the Slovak language from time to time 😊

What does having faith mean for you?

It means that I am feeling thankful for every day I can wake up in the morning with my family. To be close to them so many hours. Despite coming to a new country, we have everything. We have received everything here, friends, family, work and lots of new experience. Even if our days in Australia are counted, we can tell that every day lived here was truly happy for us, thanks to God. He has plans for us and every piece of the puzzle fits into the bigger pattern of our life which we discover step by step but it is seen as a whole by our Lord. Living in faith means putting my trust to Jesus and living each new day in the expectation of good things that are happening thanks to our relationship.

What is something that you’re looking forward to?

To raise two happy people, our daughters, as people who won’t only take but will be able to give and share. I am looking forward to them being happy, us being happy and people around us sensing the positive energy which can empower our (my husband’s and mine) lives as well.