January 6

So, we're finally here! Its hard to believe this day has actually come, but come it has. Yesterday and today, our main objective has been to defeat jet-lag. But we're winning that battle (kind-of)and will begin our first teaching session tomorrow. The group is fizzing with anticipation, excitement and nervousness as we anticipate doing what we have spent so long preparing to do.

In order to reach Chotebor (read: Hoshebosh), we had to take a bush, several planes, a bus, a metro, another metro, a train, another train, a bus, and finally our own feet as we walked the final 2 miles. Its hard to describe how giddy a group of 19 can get after being up for over 24 hours....Not a pretty sight.

The country, however, is. Outside of Prague, the was mostly flat and, of course, snowy. But tall pine tree reached up to brush the sky, catching snow in their embrace. Further out, however, hills began to swell out of the countryside. Rivers, spotted with cold-resistant ducks, criss-cross the land. And here and there, throughout the country, colorful homes with steaming chimneys dotted the land. Inside the cities, the colors of the buildings show themselves even more brilliantly in pinks, yellows, greens, and blues. The money is beautiful, too, with detailed art portraying famous Czechs. The country bears a charming quaintness, a whiff of antiquity. How obvious it becomes that this is an old country, so much older than our young one of only 200 years.

We're finding, however, that last minute changes, spills down escalators (see Ron Sutherland for details), and abandoned back-packs actually draw out the best in our team. We're drawing closer, getting to know each other better, and are learning how to maneuver in the Czech. After a review of the language and cultural do's and don'ts, we becoming more prepared to minister. We can't wait to meet the kids and launch into our ministry here.

Its a great encouragement to know that God was here before us, laying the foundation and softening the hearts. Its an even greater encouragement to know He will continue to go with and before us. Praying together as a team and knowing that our loved ones in the States and around the world are praying for us, as well, as been a source of great comfort. God has given us the skills, the gifts, and the opportunity necessary to minister. We can't wait to see what they yield.

--Lauren M. Peltier for the Czech Republic team