Newsletter (9-03-05)
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Dear Prayer Partners,
Woooooo! What a year. Where did it go? It seems like just yesterday we were stepping off a plane in Ostrava, Czech Republic with 18 suitcases and footlockers, two laptops, a double stroller, and 5 carryons. On September 11th, we will have officially been here a year. We’re thinking of letting a basket of doves fly out of our living room window.
Nah, I think we’ll just flush some guppies.
We’ve been through a ton, but it is definitely worth it when you hear our friend Ludek tell us that he told his girlfriend that they have sin in their lives and need to follow Jesus. It is definitely worth it when we are getting our haircut and the girl cutting the hair asks why Jesus had to die on the cross. It is definitely worth it when our veterinarian came over to specifically talk about Christianity and three hours later left with a Bible and promised to read it. It is definitely worth it when an architect we met in the park came to our house. How she said she was heavily involved in new-age religion, but when offered a Bible she practically tackled us to get one. It is definitely worth it when a university student took Steve on a tour of the city and afterwards they went to get cappuccinos. His first words out of his mouth were, “I used to believe in Jesus, but now I don’t. I believe He didn’t rise from the dead. Can you tell me about the Resurrection and what it means?” It is definitely worth it when the lady at a little shop down by our flat said she has never read the Bible, took one from us enthusiastically and has been reading it. It is definitely worth it when a French man came up to Steve and asked him if he was a Priest. Steve explained to him what in fact he was. They ended up having a 30 minute conversation about the grace of God. It is definitely worth it when April broke her ankle and shared a hospital room with two other ladies. The gospel was proclaimed that evening, by our very own Ginger Johnson!, and the woman cried when we all said goodbye. It is definitely worth it when our language teacher began to bawl when April shared her testimony, she watched the Jesus Film, and we have an ongoing relationship with her even though she lives 2 hours away now. The list goes on…
This has been the greatest year of our lives! We have grown closer to the Lord like never before, have seen Him do amazing things, and walk by faith believing He has a plan for the Eastern Czech Republic.
We thank you so much for your faithful prayers! We can’t do it without you!
 We have met so many people this summer that are interested in learning more about the Bible and where they stand relationally before a Holy God.
We Praise the Lord for Twyla Poe, our North American Prayer Advocate. Twyla coordinates and distributes all pressing and urgent daily/weekly/as needed prayer needs that we may have. If you would like to be a part of this prayer group, please contact Twyla at: twyla_poe@sbcglobal.net
We were able to take a week long family vacation in beautiful Rabac, Croatia. It was a great time of refreshment, relaxation and fun for the entire family.
Kindergarten has resumed for Chloe and Vance. Thursday, September 1st, was the first day. They are doing well and enjoy going to school.
Praise God for ESPN Gameplan-150 college football games on the internet. All is well.
We praise the Lord that our language acquisition is getting better and better. We thank God for those little days of encouragement when we can actually understand a shop owner, or a tram driver.
Please continue to pray Ludek and Martina. We will meet with them this weekend to talk more about a relationship with Christ.
Chloe begins ballet at the local art center. Pray that we would be able to connect with parents and children through her ballet.
Steve has resumed playing basketball with the team in Olomouc. Pray for development and deepening of relationships. And pray for victory! lol
Please continue to pray for our language development. We have a long ways to go!
Continue to lift-up our children as they continue to learn Czech and the culture
April has been meeting one-on-one with several women. It has been a wonderful opportunity for April’s language growth, but also relationship building, and sharing the love of Christ.
We thank you and love you all!
Steve, April, Chloe, Vance, and Sophie
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