Days 33, 34 and 35

Today we met Radim, the man whose car we have been driving for the past five weeks.  What an amazing soul - he actually apologized to us that it is not a nicer car.  With our mouths agape we assured him that it is quite outstanding, and that this has been an absolutely incredible gift to us.  He seemed to think it was perfectly natural for us to use the car during our stay so that we could do the Lord's work. 

This little interaction seems to be a fitting description of the Christian community here.  Because the Christian community is a small one, there are many, many close relationships that spread in a web across the entire country (all of the Czech Republic is one "District" in the Methodist church - just as we have the "Arlington District" in Northern Virginia).  Whenever we show up at a camp or a church service, people are reconnecting with old friends from around the country.  They refer to each other as brothers and sisters; terms reminicsent of the early Christian church.

Radim is one of the leaders of Bike Campy.  The participants ride about 40 miles a day and return in the evening for dinner and devotions.  Phil has been invited to offer the devotions tomorrow and Tuesday night.  The theme is the 10 Commandments.  Phil has commandments 5-10 to cover in two devotions!  Time to dust off his Confirmation class mental archives for this one.  On Tuesday or Wednesday (or perhaps both if they survive Tuesday), Phil and Daniel hope to ride along. 

In church this morning the Lay Leader gave the sermon.  He spoke of the church, and how the world is becoming increasingly Christian because of the rapid growth of the faith in Latin America, Africa and Asia.  He spoke of the differences in the European and American church versus the church in the developing world, where scripture tends to be taken quite literally, and miracles expected.  In our cultures we are too quick to explain away coincidences.  However, he pointed out (as has been evident to us throughout our stay), that the Lord is quite active here as well, and that we need not underestimate the power of God to do mighty things, even in our more liberal faith structures.  It was an interesting and challenging message.

Today we mapped out the rest of our stay with Pastor Milan and wife Dana, only to realize that we have only 3 1/2 weeks left!!  How the time has flown!  The good news is that they have found English teachers for the fall.  The couple from the US who were here as UMVIM volunteers this past winter are returning from September to December to carry on the teaching ministry.  As we were talking, Milan mentioned that they would be delighted to have us come back any time we are available.  We assured him we would LOVE to return, and perhaps one day the opportunity would present itself - perhaps leading a small mission team to participate in youth camp and lead a Vacation Bible School or something similar.  We also reiterated our interest in forging long-term relationships and partnerships between faith communities in all parts of God's kingdom.  Phil's dream is that Sterling UMC's reach would become so truly global that the sun would never set on our ministries. 

Some Pictures:

So, we were visiting the Plzen Zoo one afternoon, when we stumbled across this, a WWII Sherman Tank.  It seemed rather out of place here among the animals.  As it turns out, the location of the zoo on the hillside outside Plzen was an anti-aircraft battery position for the Nazis.  Plzen had been and remains an important industrial city.  The tank symbolized the liberation of Plzen by the Americans, and was given to the city by the grandson of General Patton.

 Phil meeting the "real" Pirate of the Round Skillet at the Playmobil Fun Park!

Perhaps one of the most beautiful scenes we've stumbled upon here in the Czech Republic (and there have been many) are vast fields of sunflowers like this one.  Huge 7-foot high plants with massive flowers, stretching as far as the eye can see.  We snapped this picture from the highway between Plzen and Tachov.

Daniel's stuffed rabbit, adorned with the "hands and feet of Jesus" bracelets that were sent as prayer partner gifts by the Emmaus ladies' "Turtles" reunion group.  The cards, notes and packages we have recieved from our prayer partners and others have been a huge blessing and encouragement!  Thank you!

 Nurnburg's main market square.

 Daniel and Eric, getting ready to experience a sort of toy-induced nirvana as they pose outside the Playmobil Fun Park.  While Daniel's face doesn't show it in this picture, he was even more giddy than Eric.  And we know Eric is ALWAYS giddy!