Long Days For Days

BrodFest

During the last weekend of September, Kuba, Eliška, Honza and I spent the weekend in Havlíčkův Brod for a youth event that occurs every two years, BrodFest.  BrodFest is a gathering of over 800 Církev bratrská youth from across the country which includes; worship, seminars, sports and activities.  Two years ago, the event was spread over four days, this year however, it was spread over three.  Because of this, the schedule for the weekend was packed full of activities, but after attending two years ago, I learned that even though the schedule is full, it doesn't mean that you have to do everything.  That knowledge was very helpful because the first evening I didn't get much sleep as the sleeping areas were on the classroom floors of an elementary school in the town, so it was nice to know that I could pick and choose which activities to take part in.  During the weekend, I got to spend a lot of time with the three youth from our church who attended.  They got to take part in seminars about growing to be godly men and and women, godly relationships, and other topics that are helpful for young believers.  We also got the chance to just chat on Saturday afternoon when we went to a coffee shop together.  The weekend was also good for catching up with friends from other churches that we don't get a chance to see very often.  We spent time with members of the youth from the CB church in the center of Ostrava as we traveled together and saw each other throughout the weekend.  Although the weekend was exhausting, those who went, left with great memories and hopefully a few more tools in their relationship with the Lord.  Pray that Kuba, Eliška and Honza would employ some of those tools in their everyday lives and as bring those tools back to the rest of the group.

The pond outside of the school in Havlíčkův Brod.

The school during the relay race.

Kuba

Eliška

Honza

Me on one hour of sleep

Lukáš, the leader of the CB Ostrava Centrum

Pavel, a youth from CB Ostrava Centrum

One of the times of worship

Youth Revolution Evenings

Several weeks ago, Robert, Míla and I spent several hours together talking about the youth group and planning for the future.  In order to work better together and grow the group closer together, we made a few small changes to how we organize things like, food and games as well as Robert and I working together more closely when it comes to the lessons that we prepare.  We also met again last week for about four hours to talk about the needs of the different people in the group and pray for each one.  Over the last two weeks I've taught on growing in our relationship with God through His word and through prayer and this Friday Robert will continue the topic by talking about having a personal relationship with God.  Pray that God would use these changes to draw the group closer together, allow the youth to take greater ownership of the group and draw them all closer to God.  Pray also as we prepare for a youth weekend together in a little more than a month.  And pray for our continuing Bible study in the book of John with Eliška, Kuba and Maggie.

Creating crazy stories with dice.

Matouš wondering how Kuba can create a story that takes ten minutes to tell.

Uno with dog pictures

Long Days At School

Over the last couple of weeks I have been very busy preparing lessons for school visits at Gymnázium Olgy Havlové and Obchodní akademie.  Not only have I spent a lot of time preparing the presentations, but I have also had very long days of teaching on the days that I actually visited the schools.  I have gotten the chance to meet with students that I have met with for several years as well as meet new classes of students.  There have been several people who have showed interest in the English conversation group that meets.  As always, pray that God would use these visits for His kingdom.

A new class of students

Getting a little weird