Preparation for Things Ahead and Meeting Other Brothers and Sisters

A Bit of a Schedule Change

The first several weeks here have been a whirlwind of activity.  From doing the English Camp and saying goodbyes, to getting settled into my new apartment, to helping out with Awana Camp, to building furniture, to traveling to another town and seeing friends, to spending time with some of the teens before school started, things have been busy.  This past week was quite different.  With the holidays over, things have settled back into the normal routine of work and school for many.  I spent much of the last week studying in preparation for speaking this coming Friday at the English Camp Reunion.  This will also be the kickoff to our new youth group.  This also afforded me some much needed rest.  Going forward, my schedule will again begin to fill up but I will be managing much of my time myself pray for wisdom and focus as I seek to continue to be productive for God's Kingdom on a daily basis.

A Meeting of the Minds

On Friday night, I met with several of the teens to discuss their thoughts and ideas about what would be helpful for them in regards to a youth group and make some decisions about how we can create an environment that teens want to be a part of that is safe and fun yet speaks and celebrates the truth about who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross.  Our meeting lasted about 3 hours but in the end we got a lot planned and the teens have come alongside me and will be taking on different responsibilities on a week to week basis.  Pray for these folks as we are looking to balance an environment that is welcoming to both Christians and non-Christians alike.  Also, pray that out of this would grow a desire by the teens to do a more focused and in-depth Bible study during the week.

The Team

Team member names going around the selfie semi-circle (Nate, Bára, Tána, Patrik, Matouš, Eliška, and Eva).  I am looking forward to serving and growing with this crew.

A Community of Saints

Yesterday, I spent the day with some people from the church in the mountains about an hour or so from Ostrava-Poruba.  The purpose of the trip was to spend time with fellow believers for other Církev Bratrská churches around the region.  They have been doing this for the last three years.  The day consists of a few speakers, some worship, and a soccer tournament between the churches.  Not only did I get the opportunity to meet some other Czech believers but I also got the opportunity to meet several other Americans that have been serving here in the Czech Republic from a year and half to 11 years.  It was nice to be able to speak English at a normal speed for a change and use all the slang I want.  Haha.  For those who are wondering how our church did in the soccer tournament, we placed second with a 1-0 loss in the finals.  It was great to play with people from the church while hearing cheers from the best fan section around, complete with drums, horns, and chants.

This is a view from the terrace where I spent most of the day.  I was able to spend time speaking with a family from the church that I had met for the first time this year at the English Camp.  I also got to hear from a teen about how he had recently become a believer through an English Camp led by another American Team from Lancaster, PA.  Pray along with me for Ruda as he seeks to follow and serve his Lord and Savior well.