Czeching Out

I can't believe that our last day in Chotebor has arrived and passed.

Before coming on the trip I tried my best to have no expectations. Besides minor briefings from people who went last year, I had no idea what God was going to do in the lives of the Czech, with the team and in my own life. The only thing I really expected Him to do was to work and to do something, whatever that something was.

During the trip there were ups and downs. Moments of excitement and moments of confusion and slight disappointment. At times it seemed impossible to communicate the love of Christ through the language barrier; yet at other times, there was no doubt in my mind that Jesus was shining through! I expected that there would be several Czech that I really got close with, but I didn't expect the goodbye to be as hard as it was.

Today we hosted an Enchilada dinner and about 65 people, including the team, showed up and heard the gospel and ate some good ole' Mexican American food. It was exciting because many students who we have been building relationships with through the English classes ended up coming. It was quite the mix, Christian and non Christian, Czech, and American. As we left the dinner, we said goodbye to many of the students who have come to have a special place in our hearts.

Today could have been a much more difficult day. If our team had walked away from those we had invested in thinking that we were their only hope for salvation, we would feel awful. But because we are confident that the same God who is relentlessly pursuing our hearts is relentlessly pursuing theirs as well, we can rest. Our purpose for coming to the Czech Republic was not to see 'x' amount of people saved. Our purpose was to come and use whatever means available (English and the fact that we are American) to exemplify Christ love and to provide Caleb's Heart and the Christians here with opportunities to further the relationships we have formed.

In such a dark and agnostic country, I have come to see how much of a process salvation is. As Lauren said a couple of posts ago, it is a fight for every inch. It's a fight for the inches before salvation and a fight for those after.

We have done what we came to do. We saw God move in innumerable ways on our team, with logistics for events, in the hearts of fellow Czech believers, in the Gypsies, in kids from classes and kids' homes. Although the number of salvations might not seem extravagant, two kids have now begun the life long journey of getting to know Jesus! As Ron said, "The angels are singing praises because of their decisions!". I am confident that, in addition to these two kids, inches of progression have been made in many lives. Not of our doing, but because of the Holy Spirit flowing through us. God's working is what made a day of goodbyes hard but not unbearable. When we leave, He doesn't. His presence continues to work in hearts and lives.

Who knows what we will see in heaven... what lives have been unexpectedly touched!?! I can speak for the team when I say that we feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to be used by God. Thank you so much for all of you who have been right here with us, not physically, but through your partnership and support in prayer and funds. Know that you are appreciated!

Chow from the Czech one last time!

Abby

Klub Lavina

We (Dustin, Judy, Keri, and Megan), have been teaching English to first through fifth graders in three small villages in the area. On Friday night, we have been going to the local church kids club called Klub Lavina. The word "Lavina" means avalanche in Czech. The word broken down is what makes it even more unique. "La" is the first two letters of the Czech word for love, "vi" is for faith, and "na" is for hope. Tonight we shared the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). We represented the wall, and the children marched around us for each day that the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho. On the seventh day, when the trumpets sounded, the wall (us) fell down. Following the story, we handed out gospel bracelets and explained what each of the colors represent. Judy prayed the prayer of salvation and two children (11-year-old Filip and 13-year-old Aneta) indicated that they had prayed along with us for the first time! We gave them New Testaments and the local pastor will be in contact with them. After they left, Pastor Roman told the story that Aneta only came because her family's car got stuck in the snow and she couldn't get home. Earlier in the evening, she had noticed Keri's cross necklace, so on her way out, Keri gave it to her. Aneta told Pastor Roman that she was so excited because it was the first cross she has received. Our team was able to come back and report this great news to the rest of the team.

We have also gotten to know an 11-year-old student named Honza who comes to all of our events and speaks English very well. Last year's team told us about him and challenged us to get to know him. He asked Dustin to draw in a book for him this morning at school, so this evening when Dustin gave the book back to him, Honza's response was that Dustin is his best friend. In addition, Honza will be coming to church on Sunday to see us one last time before we leave. Please be praying that he will continue to become involved and more curious about the church.

Overall, this experience has really opened our eyes to how God is working in such an atheistic and dark part of the world. We are grateful and have seen the impact of previous Taylor lighthouse teams and many others who have invested in this community. Our prayer is that we too will be another building block for future teams to build upon.

Through Christ's strength,
Horni Krupa Group :)

January 21

It's hard to believe we have less than a week left here. Of course we'll be happy to return to "normal life" (though, what is that really?). But I think we'll all miss those to whom we're saying goodbye.

We've made so many friends and connections here. The Czech believers with whom we've connected are so wonderful--Ondra, Eda, Irena, Eva, Nela are such beautiful believers. Already, after only 2.5 weeks here, we have learned so much from them.

We've learned what it means to be a believer when you're a minority.

We've learned what it means to recognize the true, eternal priorities in life. When you're fighting for the souls of your friends, life has more weight.

We've learned what it means to invest and hope, even when the fruit seems buried deep down with the root.

I think Ron has said it best: "Here, your fighting for every inch." That doesn't mean God isn't at work here. Today, when I saw a Gypsy girl smile, I saw a world of hope and joy. But it does mean that a spiritual battle is being waged here. This country is full of wonderful people, but so many are people who need God. What a beautiful compliment, what a wonderful gift, that Jesus Christ would entrust us with His people here. In that alone, we are encouraged.

We're making those connections. We're having those conversations. We're bringing that joy with which only Christ can fills us. This has been a marvelous adventure, and we still have 6 wonderful days left.

We're leaning into God, knowing He will make it count.

--Lauren M. Peltier for the Czech Republic Team

One Week Left! YIKES!

Only one week left! Wow.

The desire for our team is to not lose any steam this next week. We want to leave the Czech knowing that we made the most of every opportunity. No regrets. We are getting to the point where we will be seeing some of the people for the last time.

Pray that we continue to give it all that we have, not in our own strength by any means but fully letting God do whatever He wants through us.

Through several conversations and interactions, it's obvious that there are a couple of Czech students who are really close to accepting Christ.

Pray that their hearts will continue to be softened and for opportunities to have conversations.

Home Stays

After a long overnight on Friday, the team had a few options to choose from on Saturday. Some of us did home stays with a native Czech family and some went to Vienna to tour the city. The group that went to Vienna took off at 4am and arrived safely back in the dorm around 10pm. It sounds like they were able to see a lot of old and beautiful buildings and breath taking scenery, and that it was worth the 10 hours of travel.

As for the home stays, we were split into groups of 2 or 3 and spent the afternoon and night with a few families from the area. Megan, Dustin, and I spent the night at a home in Horni Krupa. We had met the families a few times through church and church related activities. We went to their house for dinner around 9pm after a 2 hour question and answer session at the church in Horni Krupa about America (specifically our school system). Dinner was phenomenal, as always, but the conversation is what made the night a blast. We showed the family where we lived on a globe and talked about our homes and home churches. Our conversation also included a confusing explanation of their names/nicknames, a man who walked from the Czech to Alaska, and what a marriage proposal entails here.

This morning we walked 5 minutes to church with them this morning. Pastor Roman had prefaced today by saying that every 3rd Sunday of the month, is a day when they specifically want their congregation to invite guests and the service will include topics about daily life and only lightly touch on how faith plays into it. They do this so that the guests will not feel overwhelmed with the gospel. For example, this morning was about health and taking care of your body. The speaker was a doctor that related health to where it says in the Bible that our body is a temple and all of the times that someone was healed by God.

This afternoon and this evening are fairly low key. It is a great time to catch up on our journaling and relax from the long week. We are also preparing our hearts and minds as we will be leaving for Poland to visit Auschwitz at 1am this morning. We will be taking a tour of the camp in the morning, potentially touring another city in Poland, and then returning home around midnight Monday night/Tuesday morning.

There have been a few stomach bugs and head colds going around our team, so please be praying for our physical strength. The tour of Auschwitz is something that we are looking forward to, but will be a challenge emotionally and mentally so we also ask for prayer for that. Lastly, we pray for safety as we travel on snow covered roads.

We live through Him and for Him,
~Keri Harbold

Story from the Train

This morning we taught upper level classes for for about 5 hours. It was fun to have conversations and make connections with students who can actually converse. Our hope is that these connections will bring them back to the night events so they can hear our testimonies and the gospel.

Tonight we have an overnighter at the school across the street. So we are currently preparing for a night full of games, fun, testimonies and little sleep.

There isn't much to update, but I wanted to share a cool story that happened yesterday on the way to the children's homes. Joanie and I hopped in a train car with a Czech woman who had a dog and a girl about 17. I started petting the dog and asked the women one of the only phrases I knew in Czech, "Jak se menuash?" (What is your name?). They smiled and told me. The older woman started asking why I was here and through Joanie's translation I told her that we were here teaching English in schools ect. and Joanie got the opportunity to share that she is a missionary here and is probably going to go to church with the woman. We were also able to give the two women tracks and new testaments.

Situations like these make me reevaluate the way I live back home. God is constantly placing opportunities in front of us to connect with people who don't know Him, whether that's in schools, stores, trains or airplanes. As Christians it should be our desire to tell others about the love of Christ. On a missions trip it is easier to make the most of these opportunities that He places in front of us because our mind is more focused on it. But shouldn't this be the way I live and act back home? Shouldn't we all take advantage of the many different opportunities that God gives us to connect with people who don't know Him. Maybe it's just inviting the random people we come across to church or other events where we can continue to build that relationship or maybe it's fully sharing the good news of Christ with them right then and there. Whatever the situation, if we step out in boldness the Holy Spirit will guide us in the right direction, but being here has reminded me that I do need to step out more.

Pray for the older woman, Marie, that she will have a desire to go to the church with Joanie.
Also, pray for the students who come to the overnighter.

Thanks for reading and praying.

Abby --- and the rest of the team!

Children's Home

Today was one of our easier days for the Horni Krupa group. We taught the same 3-5 grade class for 3 periods in a row. (This is the third day that we have seen this group of students. It has been quite a blessing to get to know the students on a slightly deeper level. They are starting to try to ask us questions in English, hold our hands, or give us hugs.) Two of the classes were English and 1 was gym. We taught our English lesson on the basic body parts. The students were very eager to learn and as "Simon Says" proved, great listeners and quick learners.

After eating lunch (meat and a side of potatoes of course!), we headed to the train station to meet the rest of the team to go to the "Children's Homes." Joanie explained that children's homes are where children live if their parents don't want them or the government takes them away from their parents. It is similar to an orphanage, but the children still have parents and are not up for adoption. Joanie also told us that most of the children (especially the young females) in the home end up in dark places when they leave the home because they are not prepared for the real world. Please pray for these children as they grow older that they will be able to see God's love and find it sufficient. While we were at the children's home, I read the book "The Mitten," we made a craft, and then I became a "tickle bug" as I like to call it. There was a lot of squirming and laughter to say the least. Czech children also enjoy a good pillow fight! They were very loveable bundles of joy and I am so thankful to have spent the evening with them.

One smile can make the world of difference. Our God is an awesome God.

Keri Harbold...and the rest of the gang