AMERICAN FOURSQUARE MISSIONARIES RETREAT September 7 - 11, 2010

It was our privilege to organize and host 29 American Foursquare missionaries in a retreat held in Turnov, Czech Republic, September 7 - 11, 2010. Eleven couples, 7 singles and 5 young children serving in 15 countries: France, Netherlands, Estonia, Hungary, Russia, Albania, Spain, Poland, Ireland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the USA and 3 closed countries we cannot name. Most of us are in non-English speaking countries with no other Americans around and we often feel quite isolated and alone. So you can imagine the joy when we can meet and talk together. It had been 2 years since our last meeting. We are so glad that the majority of time was spent hearing from each missionary unit sharing what was happening in their country and in their lives and then everyone could pray for them. We also had ample free time for relationship building and having fun.

What better way to spend our time then in Praise and Worship, Sharing our life and ministry, and praying for each other.

During the week we had time for Questions and Answers with the Foursquare Missions Director, Jonathan Hall. We also had a Skype call with the President of Foursquare, Glenn Burris.

During free time some of us visited the tea house run by Christians from the local church. This tea house is in the basement of the city library and close to 3 major high schools.

Communion with Bohemia Crystal glasses

On our last evening together we shared communion. During each conference we give the missionaries some special souvenir that is unique to the host country. We choose to give each missionary a Bohemia Crystal glass. After communion they took their glass with them as a reminder of our time together.

Excursion Day for the Missionaries

Thursday afternoon and evening were set aside to give the missionaries a taste of the host country, the Czech Republic. Turnov is known for its handcrafted garnet jewelry. The factory usually does not give large tours but made an exception for us. This factory is unique in that it is employee owned and each person is paid by the piece rather than a wage. It was amazing to watch the workers hand set each small garnet. The jewelry was quite exquisite. There were hundreds of small garnet stones laying on tables that could have easily been slipped into a pocket. I am glad we were honest people.

Tour of the Svijany Brewery established in 1564

The second stop on our excursion day was the Svijany Brewery, a local brewery that has been brewing beer since 1564. The Czechs take national pride in their beer. Each region has its own local brewery.

The yeast takes time to do its job. It is very bitter to the taste. Only a few brave souls gave it a taste. It is hard to imagine how much beer is in all those tanks. Even harder to imagine that 90% of it is consumed in the Czech Republic. We are told that there is an ongoing competition between Germany and Czech as to who has the best beer and which country consumes the most beer per person. Any guesses?

Missionaries treated to a Medieval Feast at Detenice

In the evening all the missionaries were treated to a medieval feast at the castle at Detenice. Everything was authentic: the food, the music and musical instruments, the costumes and the atmosphere (no lights, only candles and food cooked over hot coals). It was like stepping back in time 600 years. It was a very entertaining and unique experience.

For entertainment there was authentic musical instruments, music and costumes, including dancing and sword fights.

Celebrating retirement with a Pig Roast

During this summer we were invited to our favorite teacher's retirement party. We have become good friends with Jana Horalova and her husband, Jirka. Over the years she has invited us into her English classes, arranged for Service Projects to be in her school and organized a weekly English conversation group for teachers in her school. Her party for family and friends included a whole roasted pig that was the best I have ever had. It was held in a friend's garden near her summer cottage.

Flood Relief BBQ in Turnov

The Turnov church held a fundraiser BBQ in their backyard for flood relief in north Bohemia. It was advertised in the local paper and a record number of people attended. Many teams have helped make this yard a usable space for ministry. The first team from Seattle helped clear the jungle and made a park-like setting. A few years of MCYM Service Projects added the play area for the kids and the fire pit. Now it seems like there is always something going on. There are no pews in this dynamic church.

In the center of the picture you can see Pastor Petr, his wife, Klara and their baby, Viktoria.

Flood relief BBQ in the backyard of the Turnov Church