Days 17 and 18

We've noticed as we've walked around town that people don't greet each other in the street here.  Granted, we are strangers in what is a fairly small town, so we figured this might have more to do with us.  However, in Europe it is not unusual to make eye contact and nod or say hello or share some cursory greeting as you pass people in the street.  Not here.  Here it is more common to look straight ahead and pass by without any acknowledgement.  We have found this difficult to get used to because it feels a bit cold and distant, so we asked Pastor Milan about it.

Milan said, "No, this is not uncommon here.  It is important to remember that during communist times everyone was suspicious of everyone else.  The system encouraged people to report their neighbors when they were unpatriotic, and so people generally learned to keep to themselves and to share only with close family and friends."   Furthermore, he told us that because Tachov is so close to the German border, communism was much more strict here.  Ironically, the proximity to the west made this one of the most strictly controlled areas of the Czech Republic.  Only good communists were allowed to live here, and suspicious activity was considered especially threatening becuase it suggested a risk of someone attempting to flee to the west.  Milan told us that as you go deeper into the Czech Republic there is a thaw, and people are much friendlier to each other and to strangers.  Even 20+ years after communism, Milan finds this aura of mistrust to remain one of his greatest obstacles in ministry.

All that said, we have received an exceedingly warm welcome from all we have come to know personally.  This week we are in the midst of English Evenings.  Teresa has been preparing American pasta salads and desserts, and we have been teaching English, doing presentations about Virginia, and generally having a great time.  Last night as we were playing "Have you seen my goat?" (a youth group favorite in Virginia) one of our English students accidentally announced, "Have you been my goat?"  Laughter ensued and continued for the next 2 hours as we continued the games, activities and lessons.  Later, after our presentation about Virginia and Washington DC, someone was very interested in American football, and in particular Eric's favorite team, the Washington Skinheads.   Redskins - Skinheads - not so much!  Oops!  As I said, we spent two hours laughing together.  (Incidentally, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches went over like a lead balloon).

This week Phil has been working with Pastor Milan on an extensive application for Tachov UMC to become a host site for a General Board of Global Ministries long-term young adult missionary.  (It seems like everywhere we  go these days, Phil is engaged in finding a successor for himself!  Hmmmm...)   This would be a great windfall for Tachov UMC, as it would take a burden off of Milan and Dana with the English teaching ministry, and it would allow the church to expand into new ministries.   The hope would be to start computer training for the economically disadvantaged and marginalized populations, to expand the mother and toddlers ministry, and to develop an after school club at the church for children and teens.  By marginalized populations, we mean immigrants, and in particular the Roma (gypsy) community.  Another story for another day.  Phil's English ability, and his experience with writing job descriptions and proposals have been helpful.  If this appllication is unsuccessful, a previous UMVIM volunteer couple has offered to return to Tachov to continue the English teaching ministry in the fall, so that is a blessing all around.

Some photos:

Phil getting his haircut.  Notice the hairdresser is nowhere to be seen.  When the camera came out, she quickly disappeared.  Well, for a $5 haircut you have to keep your expectations realistic.

 Phil after his haircut. 

(Ok, so we don't know who this guy is. We just found the picture on the internet).

Phil, Milan, and some of the firemen:

 Alright, next time some more pictures of Teresa and the boys...