The past couple of weeks, we have had some very interesting weather here in Czech. Days are humid and incredibly hot and evenings are filled with quick downpours of rain and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are my absolute favorite... last night, I sat in my windowsill watching a magnificent lightning display and listening to the patter of rain as it bounces off my window. It was the perfect backdrop for writing, though it didn't last long before I was quickly distracted by the storm and had to resume writing this post the following day. This past week in Czech, however, the weather created a large problem in South Moravia. There were multiple tornados that tore through destroying the villages. Tornados are an extremely rare occurrence in Czech and the people here are unprepared for what to do in the case of a tornado and how to rebuild after such destruction. I have some friends who have been volunteering all week in South Moravia with the rebuilding process and handfuls of other friends who will be going to help the beginning of next week. The country has come together to send their support, prayers, and finances to help the villages. In the meantime, I've been able to teach some friends and club students basic tornado safety in the case that it would happen again. It is encouraging to see how we are all helping each in our own way.
One of my favorite places in this city - a place many others avoid - is just outside the doors of our building with these kids at the skatepark. Sure, sometimes it is difficult as these youth students "play by their own rules," but I have learned that many are just excited to show off their tricks when I come out to see them. Some of them stop swearing and even toss out their cigarettes when I come over because they know I won't stay too long if they are vulgar and smoking. I am happy to show them some of God's love by spending time with them, cheering on their new tricks. Maybe if Jesus were here today, he'd be hanging out at the skatepark too.
Today is the last day of school for these kids! (Czechs have only two months of summer.) This past month was busy with lots of different activities, and while the government is still very cautious with reopening so not to have another spike of Covid during the summer, we are all very happy to have many activities open normally again.
Typically in June, we begin to see the numbers of club kids drop as families begin holiday vacations and the nice weather draws the kids outside. This year it was different. We continued to have a steady flow of kids at our youth clubs as they were excited that clubs were finally open again! It was perfect to reconnect with the club kids and see some new faces. While the kids have all grown older and often like to sit around and just chat, they still love to play some of our favorite club games.
These girls and I remember playing Jenga together over five years ago when they first started coming to youth clubs!
"Girl time" on the bouncy castle
This past Monday, we wrapped up our (short) 2021 English Class. Even though we only met for seven weeks, I could see how the kids grew and were excited for each week that we could be together. My older group learned about different vocabulary they would need to know while traveling - especially how to use English in emergency situations. The younger group studied questions - who, what, when, where, and why. One thing that is certain is that these kids adore our class mascots, Gerald and Piggie! When I ask the group to partner up for a game, the kids first ask if they can be partners with our stuffed animal mascots. I say, "No... you need a living partner for this game." Then, without fail, multiple ask if they can be partners with our beloved translators! My translators are like celebrities with this group!
(1) With Gerald Elephant. (2) Learning directions.
(1) Dressing up Gerald Elephant for a silly party. (2) So excited to color a Piggie mask!
With some of my students from first class.
Connect Club met outside for the past month as we studied a theme titled "Knowing God." We looked at all God created to best understand His attributes - His creation, sounds in nature, us, and His word. Each week, we sat just a little ways out of the city near a pond. We played games outside, like a scavenger hunt around the pond, and then sat at a covered picnic table for our program time.
As we discussed God's attributes in nature, the girls began coming up with their own understandings of God through the nature around us. One of the girls said, "I think God is like this pond. It protects the fish, but the fish don't realize all the pond does for them until they are suddenly out of the water." Another girl said, "I wonder if God is like stinging nettle - it burns a little when we touch it, but it is really healthy. Maybe when something is hard in my life, God is teaching me and making me stronger like stinging nettle." I love watching these girls grow closer to God and finding Him in the nature He has created.
Always lots of giggles and smiles with these girls!
Group picture at the pond
As summer begins, we notice there tends to be less attendance at youth clubs. The kids are spending more time outside or are starting summer holiday trips; however, our Boskovice kids continued to ask when we would have youth group again in Boskovice. So, one Friday evening, we met up with some of our club kids in Boskovice for youth group. We enjoyed games and time together as well as a quick program about the expectations people can sometimes put on God and how to avoid falling into these expectations. I am excited to see how God will continue to share pieces of His love with this group.
One of the things I love about our Mission Church is the focus on the young children and the community. A few weeks ago, the children's program was incorporated into our main service time so the kids are together with the adults for the whole morning. As church was starting, one of the preschoolers had a question and patiently raised her hand during the announcements. The speaker stopped and let the preschooler ask her question - she was wondering why we were starting church even though her cousin hadn't arrived yet. The speaker explained that her cousin will come soon and is probably just a little late, but that we start church each week at the same time, so it is all our responsibility - and for children to help their parents - so that everyone can get to church on time. I love the value we put on these children to show them that they are also an important part of the church! This month, we also had church twice outside - once on a church day-trip/picnic and another Sunday we spent at the reservoir as one of our church friends proclaimed her faith in God through baptism!
Would you believe these two AREN'T twins?! But after they realized they had matching jackets, they were twins for our church day-trip!
At the reservoir for the baptism
It has been busy these past few weeks at our building as we are completing the new terrace. I enjoyed many days outside helping to make the terrace and sifting through the rocky soil to level the ground next to the patio. We've had multiple people come to volunteer - some just for an hour or so as they have the time - and we are always so thankful for all the help! It is definitely lots of fun learning new skills and helping at the building. The group often jokes with me that I will be able to build my own home after we finish all the work at our building because I will have learned all the skills. I tell them that instead of doing all the work again, I'll just move in here... I'm here most days anyway! The building is definitely coming together, and we can see how each step is making it better for our work with youth in this community.
With the nice summer weather, I've been joining some friends on the weekend was we spend lots of time outside and doing sports all weekend. A couple weekends ago, it was extremely hot, and in a country without air-conditioning, we have to be creative to stay cool! We took a couple raft-boats to the river and enjoyed the day on the water in the shade of the trees. Besides rafting, we are frequently all meeting on weekends for volleyball and bike trips, with the occasional spontaneous soccer match and sprints on the track mixed in. Weekends aren't for resting anymore!
On the river... my boat dropped me off on the stump in the middle of the river (for points in a challenge game we created)... and then they paddled away, but my friend snapped the perfect picture of me alone on the river!
Our summer camps start on Monday. I kick off the first week with English Camp, then there are two weeks of Sports Camp, and the last week in July I'm back for English Camp again. During one of my free weeks, I will be at another English Camp to help as many camps are in need for more native speakers this summer. So, July is looking pretty full, and I am so excited to see how God will move through these different summer activities!