Autumn is here, and the kites come to life!

I took a walk to a nearby park the other day. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a huge mass of people laughing, playing, and flying kites! I saw a poster in the teacher's lounge saying, "Autumn is here, and the kites come to life!" I was hoping to see this aspect of Autumn in the Czech Republic, and I picked the perfect day to go on a wandering walk! The sky was beautiful, the weather was windy and perfectly autumn!
What made this moment perfect was the day leading up to it. Earlier that day, one of my classes was working on writing stories. I read many fun stories about kittens or swimming. Then, I read one story about a "Bad dad." It was heartbreaking to read the unsugar-coated story of a little girl whose dad broke her family apart. The English language of these kids really is pure. They don't know the ways which we beat around the bush. They say what they mean. I cried all the way home after reading her story.
Even before this day, I prayed that God would break my heart for the people here I'm supposed to be ministering to. Praise Him for listening to my prayers! I pray that He increases my capacity to love these kids!

One thing about that day that stuck out to me is that the friends trying to console this girl talked of her new dad and her new life. They said, "The old has gone, the new has come." I'm about 90% sure they've never heard 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." I know this little phrase they used to talk about her dad was God's words to me as well. I am here for a purpose. I'm a new creation. I want my students to know the reality and truth of those words.


This picture is me with some students. YES, that IS a Georgia Tech shirt! I was so excited to see those familiar colors that I couldn't resist taking a picture.

One side note-I got a chance to explore a town in Poland! I had such a great time with my team, but we didn't think about all the changes that the short one hour ride would bring about! Who knew the stores in Poland wouldn't accept Czech Krowns!? Oh well, maybe next time.

I'm a Teacher!

I made it through the first two weeks of teaching!
This picture is of the "House Sorting Ceremony." It's just like Harry Potter for little kids! (Ok... maybe not just like Harry Potter--there's no sorting hat.)
I'm really enjoying my students and the school. I wasn't sure I really wanted to teach little kids, but I kind of fell into it (God knows the course of our lives so much better than we do, huh?) I can't even describe how much of a blessing it's been to work where I am!r


God's been teaching me so much about His heart lately. He's woken me up in the middle of the night almost every night for the past two weeks with new aspects of His character. Tonight He woke me up teaching me about truly praising and worshiping Him. Then I had a dream of Him pointing me to Matthew 12. So, I got up and read it. I came across the same verse I had been pondering on all day, except it was in a different place in the Bible! God is so good!

"I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices"
Matthew 12:7; Hosea 6:6

I don't need to feel guilty because I'm not "doing enough" for God's kingdom here. My job is not to "save the world." (These quotes are my own thoughts of inadequacy) I'm just to honor God, obey Him, and love Him. He'll lead me to the people that need to hear His word and the places where I should go. I need to be less worried about the sacrifices and the works, and more focused on seeking after Him first.

This picture is from a fun day in the park with some of my teammates. I've been praying for unity, and God has been so gracious in giving us just that! We've bonded over silly things and deep things. What a testimony to the body of Christ!

Things are definitely starting to pick up and I'm meeting new people-Czech, American, Hungarian, etc.! I know I've been here over a month, but it feels like just a blink of an eye!
Winter's around the corner, so keep me in your prayers! I'm just a Georgia Peach!

Emily

The Torch

Somewhere down the street from my flat, there lies a factory that releases fire every night. What are they burning? What is the purpose? I feel like I'd like to investigate, and I might just do that. But for now, I sit back and enjoy watching the Torch and think about what it could symbolize for me. Hmmmm... Ok, first it reminds me of the Holocaust (Don't worry! It's not that!) but thinking about the Holocaust makes me think of big things... of standing up for what's right and what you believe in no matter the cost. I also feel like I'm carrying a torch here in this place where people just don't seem to care about a man named Jesus Christ and His Gospel that brings Salvation to all who believe. I can't wait to spread that fire and passion for the Good News.

In other news, I taught my first class! I start most of the rest of my classes next week at a nearby Elementary School.

Story Time:
Alyssa and I had a meeting with the Elementary School's principal. We got there early and waited... waited... waited... no one came to get us. So, we tried to talk to the secretary... no English. So, we called our boss to translate. The secretary got someone to walk us to a different building and dropped us off in a big auditorium filled with people. There wasn't an empty seat in the place! The presentation was in Czech, so we just stood in the back hoping that someone would talk to us afterward. Well, in the middle of her presentation, the principal stops everything, puts down the microphone and walks to the very back of the auditorium towards us... every head turns... all eyes on us... then she asks, "Are you with Fishnet?" haha, so we walk in front and get introduced in Czech then told to sit down. At the end of the presentation she comes over to us and says, "Do you have any questions?" Oh my... where do I start?

Ostrava

Such an interesting place. One of my favorite things about my flat is that there is a nightly fire that comes out of one of those chimneys at the factory you can see in the background. I'm not really sure what kind of factory it is, but I've been told it could be a chemical plant or a steel factory.
I'm starting to feel acclimated to the area. Last night the Fishnet (our school name) girls and our American YoungLife friend came over to help us remodel our flat. We had such a good time making this place home. I'm excited to see what the next few weeks hold.

I couldn't resist sharing the picture. It's a dog staring longingly into the "Maso" Meat Shop!

Wow it's been a crazy week!

• Lost luggage
• Confusion with locks
• Tempermental power outlets
• Walking, walking, and more walking

You'd be surprised, but each of these points (connected with a crazy story of course) was a blessing from God. The lost luggage was delivered directly to my door the next day and I didn't have to lug it all over Europe!!! Getting "locked out" of my flat just forced me to speak in Czech to a neighbor. Who knew I could do that? The power outlet malfunctioning made me more focused on HERE rather than trying to call/e-mail/communicate with home. Walking... well, I think we could all use a little more walking. Right?

Have you noticed that so many of our patriarchs in the Word were forced out of their hometowns or comfort zones? God's been teaching me so much about his intricacies. He's so specific and deep in His teaching. Today He taught me this: Yes, I'm a foreigner in the Czech Republic, and it's uncomfortable and hard and confusing... but I am also a foreigner here, on Earth. It just made me realize how my striving for comfort and acceptance here in this world isn't what it's supposed to be all about. Just being and "alien" here is making me realize the joys of looking to a heavenly city.

And now I've done just what I set out not to do--make a long blog that no one would read in its entirety! Hopefully i'll be able to post more often and in smaller chunks.

More reading: Hebrews 10-11 Song recommendation: "I Repent" Derek Webb

Fishnet Girls

Well, training is coming to a close. This is a picture of my sweet team; God has already given me a blessing through them. I have so much to learn from these girls. Training has been overwhelming, exciting, exhausting, and useful in providing me with the tools I will need overseas. I have only a few days until the flight to CZ!

• Praise God for the compatibility of my team, the preparedness from training, and excitement about my purpose.

• Pray that God will continue to give me passion for teaching and being a light in the darkness.
  

I am expecting the Lord to stretch me and widen my view of Him.

I've also started learning the Czech language.
(I'm hungry, Do you have any cucumber?, 732, and bye bye)
What else do you need? I think I'll be able to get around just fine! haha. Hopefully no one will ask my name. I'm not sure how I'd respond! Oh well, we'll get there eventually.

Still practicing with the blog! Thanks Kristie :)
This is my favorite YouTube video.



I'm at training. Everything here is new and interesting. The people here are encouraging. It's so exciting to meet people with the same vision. Every activity we've done has been useful in teaching me about experiences that I'll come across and the culture I'll be a part of.
Some things about the Czech Republic that I've learned:

• The winters are not only cold, but dark! Their daylight is only a few hours long!
• They enjoy eating fried cheese :)
• The Spiritual climate is hard... hard hearts that are in need of the Gospel. (aren't we all?)
  

I'm so excited to begin working with the school and meeting my students. The sessions in training have me itching to teach!
Our schedule is pretty packed, so it's keeping me busy. So, I must run!