Camp meetings, Czech greetings & Not-Sleeping-Like-I-Should-Be-Right-Now

Last weekend I stole away to Libice nad Doubravou village in Vysočina, Czech Republic for our Camp Leader Meeting. It took some crazy bus, metro and RV rides to get there (long story!), but I made it and really enjoyed meeting the Czech leaders + English teachers from Praha, Liberace and beyond.

Everyone is so different and has their own unique story. Yet, we all seem to share the same thread of curiosity, passion and adventure-enthusiasm too. I love that. Across ages, cultures, oceans and experiences... we are so different, yet the same.

Here are some photos from the weekend (and you can see more in the photo album here):


I'm excited to see what this summer holds...

I'll be working both city and summer camps in Praha, Usti N.L and Doubice. Doubice, btw, I think will be AWESOME! It's in a valley right next to the National Park Česko-Saské Švýcarsko (Czech-Saxon Switzerland) in Ústí, and I've heard it's got some incredible bike trails and places to hike. I'm pretty sure that myself, the 2 Czechs I'll be working with + the kids at the camp will have lots of fun. I will, however, probably become an old lady and need to sleep at like 9pm haha. Early morning runs, hikes and bike rides just can't be beat, though! Feel free to come join me :)

Czech love

Beautiful green grass. Yellow flowers. Crisp mornings. Warm afternoons. Jogs in the park. Trains through the country. Exploring. Finding alien towers. Driving. Getting lost in quaint old villages. Photo advetures + Walking with friends (and their cute dogs)....

Did you know Czechs can walk for 8 hours straight? (No, I'm not exaggerating! haha). I love it!

Life here is beautiful and crazy and nonstop, but it's great so far. And I know I've been terrible about posting all my photos, but I will upload more soon. Until then....

Here's some of the kids who I'll be teaching tomorrow in Usti Nad Labem:


They are too adorable! (and I wasn't even able to get all of them on video here since some were sick last time).

I have some photos of their school (Magic School) here and I'll be uploading more again soon - probably of my primary schools or Prague adventures or both haha. That should give you a feel of what preschool here is like, though.

Love you all!
El

It's not where I am, it's who I'm with

So many things I could write about living here in Teplice and what I've seen, heard and experienced in only two weeks' time....it's hard to know what to write/where to start. All I can say is God continues to shock me and grow me in ways I can't express, but am so thankful for. It's funny to me how He changes hearts too....

This weekend is the big weekend I have to decide between Prague and Teplice for this September and I'm actually not sure what to do. Before moving here I was thinking "Ok, Teplice, I'll give you a shot, but don't think I'll stay long. I'm out the first chance I'm able to get to Prague".... I didn't like that Teplice was small, I'd be living by myself, NO ONE speaks English and I'd be working with lots of kids (rather than adults).

Surprisingly, though, these are all the things I've grown to like now. And Teplice has an authenticity, charm and down-to-earth simplicity that I am attracted to. It's like how Athens, GA is to Atlanta, GA - smaller, but not without its own subtle quirks and off-the-beaten-path treasures.

Prague also has its own unique draw to it, particularly the chance to get involved with some awesome churches, a sweet hostel and some other opps. I will actually have the opportunity to work a summer camp there at the end of June, but please pray for wisdom on where I end up come September.....

I've heard there are no English-speaking churches here in Teplice and I haven't met anyone who seems to care about that kind of thing (but this also means there are lots of opportunities to potentially share/grow!) So yeah, we'll see what this means for me. Until then, I'll leave you with a few verses and a glimpse of my train ride from Prague to Teplice. Enjoy!

A Sunday Smile

I'm sitting in the sunshine on a balcony in beautiful Prague today and I just have to say: God is so good to bring me to the Czech Republic and bless me with such wonderful friends and people to support me here!

Yesterday I took a train here from Teplice and ended up sharing a car with 4 Russian ladies who were really sweet and amazing. Watching the green countryside with quaint little houses in the distance and hearing foreign languages as the train creeped along... I couldn't help but grin. Am I really here? EEK! It still feels so surreal to me.

I spent Easter lunch yesterday with Steve & April Brown and their friends Julie and Steve. Such wonderful God-loving couples... definitely inspired and encouraged me. And Mary Ann McMillan, who is also on the International Missions Board (IMB) team with them, is so awesome to take me all around Praha last night and let me stay with her this weekend. It's been such a great first weekend in CZ!

We are about to shower now and head to the park for an easter egg hunt. Then Bridge Community Church tonight. Wooo! God is so good to give us such beautiful friendships, places rich with history and stories, and best of all - His Son. Happy Easter everyone!

ps.
Beirut is perfect for music this morning. Enjoy his video "Postcards from Italy" here

Ironic Curtain

Wed night I came home in the pouring rain to find that I couldn't access my building (or any of the surrounding buildings) because a HUGE IRON GATE magically appeared while I was gone, and I had no key! Thankfully, Jitka (a lady who I work with) was awake and able to track down my landlord, who met me and unlocked it for me.

It was such a strange feeling, though, standing beside this gigantic iron gate - so cold, immovable and defiant about letting anyone in or out. The antiquity/style of the gate + the old cobble stone streets, rough concrete, and arched entrance beyond the gate reminded me of what I've read of Soviet times and it gave me chills to think what it would have been like to live behind or outside the gate during that time period.

Were there any young people like me there? Or mothers? or young children like the ones I'm teaching now? Mmmm. Sobering. Definitely helps you appreciate where you come from and what we are blessed to be free from now.