FLOODING IN NORTH BOHEMIA Aug 7-8, 2010

While we were away at English Camp in East Bohemia, our hometown area of Liberec in North Bohemia had a major flood. Two days of continuous down pouring rains turned small rivers into torrential flood waters that destroyed and/or damaged town squares, homes, businesses, roads, bridges, cars and property. Below you will see a few pictures which really cannot do justice to the damage. Many of the churches and families with which we have strong relationships have been affected. Please pray for their recovery.

One of the good things we can see that came out of this is that the churches were able to be a great source of help throughout this crisis. Churches from all over Czech sent teams to help with the clean up. This is something that would not have happened 20 years ago. But because of intentional connecting of the churches and church leaders and the revelation that the church should be involved in community, the small Christian churches in this country were able to be a source of help and encouragement. Our town of Liberec survived with little damage, so we were able to be a staging area for recovery. Our new ministry center was able to house and feed the teams that came to help in the clean up and coordinated collecting and distributing aid to those in need. It was a marvelous example of Christ in action and greatly appreciated by those in need and those who were trying to help them. The Church may be small but we are mighty through God. Their quick and organized response was probably the most effective sermon that could have been made to an atheistic society.

FLOODING IN CHRASTAVA Aug 7-8, 2010

Clean up in Chrastava will take a long time.

After the flood water receded three teens who are our close friends survey the extensive damage to their town of Chrastava.

There is a church in Hejnice and a fledgling gypsy church in Raspenava. These towns border a small river that became a torrential flood destroying homes and roads. Some people lost everything.

FLOODING IN RASPENAVA Aug 7-8, 2010

Flooding in Frydlant. The Frydlant church has a dramatic group that travels all over Czech presenting the Gospel through theater. Their trailer which they use to transport their props was swept away and their meeting room and second hand shop were inundated with water and mud.

FLOODING IN FRYDLANT Aug. 7-8, 2010

2010 EAST BOHEMIA ENGLISH CAMP in Kraliky, August 1-8

The leadership for this year's East Bohemia English Camp came from 5 different towns/churches in the Czech Republic: Rychnov, Usti nad Orlici, Kraliky, Dobruska and Liberec. But we worked as a great team. There were 29 teens, ages 13-19. About 1/3 were Christians and 2/3 were unbelievers. And we had a terrific team of 8 American teens from Club Beyond and their leader come from an American military base in Germany. This year's camp had a great blend of English classes, fun and spiritual input. In the evening there were short talks followed by small group discussions that covered important topics for teens and challenges to consider Christ. And, of course, during the day Christ was presented incarnationally through the lives of the Christian leaders and believing teens. It may have been the first time some of these teens have ever met a lively Christian. Only 1/2 of 1 percent of the population are born-again in the Czech Republic. Although technically an atheistic country (70% marked atheist in the last census), many have just never considered Christ. It was a pleasure to see how open the teens were to hear and ask questions about Him. Another great aspect about this camp is that the leaders have committed to continue to minister to these teens throughout the year. We praise God for this opportunity to affect the lives of these precious people. Please pray for His continued outpouring on this country.

Each morning included 3 hours of English (after all this was published as an English Camp) and each day we visited a different place in our Journey to America which set the theme for the whole day. After a large group presentation, we divided into 4 smaller groups according to language ability. Each group had a Christian leader and 2 Christian American teens. We were able to bond with the teens and share Christ in a natural way. In the afternoons we had group activities. And in the evening we had fun activities followed by a short talk on some important theme for teens and then broke up into small discussion groups. These groups were conducted in Czech with each town's pastors and leaders facilitating the discussion. Many were able to go deep into these teens' lives and develop great relationships with them. The great thing is that they are committed to continue to minister to these teens throughout the year.

Linda and Ken's small groups for English conversation. (There were 4 small groups: one beginner group, 2 intermediate groups and one advanced group.)

Each morning we had a presentation about the place we were visiting that day which included skits, a power point slide show and quizzes.

Chicago Day - included a skit on the Mafia. Doesn't Ken make a great Godfather?

California Day - We made movies in the afternoon and in the evening had an Oscar Award Ceremony. Some of the ladies look like they belong on the Red Carpet.

Texas Day - We Square Danced in a line.

Florida Day - Astronaut training. How fast can you drink a glass of water upside-down?

Nevada Day - the teens teach Linda and Ken how to play Texas Hold 'Em