Avid readers of the blog will realize this post wasn't released at the traditional 2-week mark as most updates were given twice a month. Let me briefly explain a couple of reasons for the delay in writing since it has been five weeks since the last post.
- The two-week recommended quarantine after travel wasn't much to talk about... but if you're interested, my mom can share about some of the cleaning projects we were able to accomplish.
- We took a family trip to the North Shore!
- I have been getting used to a new schedule and adjusting to life back in the states.
(Note: I will likely continue updating monthly during my time stateside.)
I haven't been back in the states for autumn for the past five years, so I am enjoying all of my favorite activities - biking, apple picking, and watching the trees change to golden yellow and royal red. The time has been very restful, and still full of activity.
For one week, I joined my family on a trip to Lake Superior on the North Shore. We enjoyed many hours of hiking and exquisite views. It was great to complete the 2-week quarantine and then head into a vacation for some time away from home.
During the past week, I have started developing a "new normal routine." Three times a week, I am helping to tutor a couple of kids in reading and writing. I've joined a Young Adult Bible Study and am excited to be helping at a Youth Group and sometimes jumping into teaching Sunday School. I'm expanding on hobbies and personal growth development. Even during the limitations right now, I am finding time to meet with friends individually and safely. I am looking forward to connecting more with the church and friends to share all that God has been doing at my home in Czech.
While there is so much going on stateside and it took a little while before developing a new normal routine, there was one part of my daily routine that didn't need to be planned. Even though I am thousands of miles away, I knew I still wanted to be involved with the kids and youth in Czech each day. Each day, I am in contact with the students through messages and video calls. I call Club at least once a week and Connect Club (girls Bible Study) each week also. During Club calls, the phone is often passed around between the kids or simply stollen out of hands as the students are eager to tell me all about their days. They've learned to prop the phone on the snack bar as I chat with our new half-leaders behind the bar and all the students in turn as they come to get snacks throughout Club. A week ago, our youth organization was gifted a set of drums, and the students have been practicing! The first day the drums were at Club, there was so much noise in the background - between the drums and the foosball tournament, there wasn't any chance for the students to talk to me over the phone - one of the student leaders said, "sorry for all the noise, Kendra! I guess you can't hear us talking. We can try to call later." I replied, "I just love all the noise at Club, let me listen a little longer to all that is happening. I don't need a conversation. Just let me be there too." The next week, they set me up next to the drums and a couple kids showed me what they had been practicing. They also introduced headphones for the drumset, which eliminates the excess noise. Between calls to Club, pictures from leaders, and messages from students, I still feel very connected with all that is happening back in Czech. To top it off, one of my little friends keeps a day countdown on her phone for when I will be back again, and she is always eager to tell me how many days are left before I return.
A picture from Club
NOTE: These following pictures are from before the Czech government required facemasks to be worn indoors again - a new rule within the past couple weeks. The youth center is still open as school is open, and the kids are safe. I just wasn't fast enough to get the pictures out before the new rule was in place, but still wanted to show all the ministry connections. The pictures are from the first week of the school year and the last week of summer. Face mask requirements began the following week (September 10th).
Calling with the students on the first day of Club - September 1
I was so happy to have amazing leaders at our Mission Church who are able to teach the girls at Connect Club while I am away. They decided to study the first few chapters of Daniel, and I am enjoying talking to the girls each week as they recap all they are learning.
Calling the girls on the first day of Connect Club - September 4
On the last day of summer, our team of leaders had our traditional initiation for upcoming half-leaders for the new school year. The group spends the morning and lunch together to team-build and dream about the upcoming year. I couldn't stop looking over the picture of these young leaders and knowing all the great ways they will grow and pour into others this year. I am so excited to join them again in a few months!
Leaders and Half-Leaders Meeting - August 28
One of the favorite events of Youth Group students during the year is Festival United on the second to last weekend of summer. Due to festival restrictions this year, the event was streamed online - which in return, worked for me! It was great to listen in to worship and a seminar while messaging my youth students and other friends who I normally attend the even with. It brought us all together for one "evening" (early afternoon my time), and I was thankful to still be a part of the event with them.
Festival United Online in America - August 21