Prague Update–A Time to Go

Posted by parkejladd on Jun 9, 2010 in Featured {Article}, Prague, Slider, {Photo}graphy | 3 comments

We are having a fantastic time in Prague! The longer we’re here, the more we learn, the more we are challenged. Thank you for your dedication to prayer for us as we work and serve here in Prague. We are so blessed to be here and happy for the opportunity to spread the love of Jesus wherever we go. Thank you for everything. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without your support and loving care. Thank you.

{All images taken with Nikon d-90, 18-105mm glass. Click to enlarge}

As time passes, the more profound the need for “gospel carriers” becomes. There’s a sense of abandonment in Europe—like the church packed her big bags and left this continent to fend for itself, long ago. Yes, there are missionaries and churches working extremely hard here in Prague and other Euro cities, but despite strong wills their numbers are few.

It seems Christians decided decades ago that Europe wasn’t worth it anymore; that their efforts could be better used elsewhere. Europe got lost somewhere amidst the immediate lure of Africa and Asia, and cities such as Prague were soon overlooked and under-served. Africa and Asia are full of people to love, serve and share Jesus with, and those who are passionately called to go should go, but who from the next generation will serve in Europe? Who will answer the call to live amongst people mostly forgotten by the Christian church?

The question sits heavily upon my heart as I ponder the people of Prague who were left with a traditional and painful view of the church, their hearts scathed by holy wars, abusive leadership and a gross misplacement of wealth. Czech Republic’s Roman Catholic Church is a state, and many people have been hurt and discouraged by her ways. Today, painful memories full of hurt and struggle are uncovered and re-realized by those who have no other understanding of the church except for their past recollections.

The people of Prague are searching for love and all you can give them is tradition. The people of Prague are searching for life, and all you can give them is sedentary, hapless ceremony. Your buildings are strewn across the country side, filled with gold and silver, adorned with statues and bronzed images, yet your pews are empty and your priests wait at the doors in silence. The people of Prague want the truth, and all you can give them is ecclesiastical theology. The people of Prague are desperate for fellowship and community, and all you can offer them is a spirit of independence. The people of Prague are searching for peace to calm their restless minds and ease their wondering hearts, and all you can give them is more rules to live up to, more laws to abide by. The people of Prague are searching.

Following Christ is not about rules and regulations. It’s about a loving relationship between imperfect men and a perfect, caring God through his son, Jesus Christ. Our response to this relationship dictates how we act. It is because of His love that we are spurned to love others–not to hate or rule over them or take advantage of them–but to love them. The whole foundation of true Christianity is to love God and love our neighbors as our own selves. The priests, bishops, and pope himself are as imperfect a group as the rest of us, and their flaws and imperfections will be brought to light just as ours will be. Everyone is in desperate need of grace and mercy. As leaders,  if we can’t admit to and take responsibility for our mistakes than we are not worth following. Many people in Europe, I believe, feel the same way. They are tired of following leaders who won’t own up to their mistakes and show themselves human and humble before the masses.

This week we made two trips to the country side. After venturing outside of Prague’s city limits, we have a completely different appreciation for the country and culture as a whole. The land is beautiful. Flowing hills, green pastures, ancient castles, jagged canyons full of boulder fields, and dense forests patterning the landscape make Czech Republic one of the most outstanding places we have ever lived. Two of our favorite destinations are Cesky Raj, (Czech/Bohemian Paradise) a rock climber’s dream world, and Cesky Krumlov, an ancient city with a beautiful castle, monastery and gardens.

Our students are extremely kind and generous. They amaze us with their patience and willingness to serve. We’ve been taken out to dinner for Chinese food with Ken Lee about three times now. Our constant source of information and happiness is our friend Vera. Annetta and Hana always make our day brighter. Maria and her husband Steven have brought us great joy and taken us to places around Czech we never would have been able to go without them. Our missionary friends, Frank and Marian, have encouraged us and taught us so many things about the people here and what it means to be a missionary in Prague. Christian, Jessica, Jackie, Scott and Kevin, have all been inspiring as they work to further the gospel despite trying circumstances.

Everywhere we go we meet people who are more than willing to go out of their way to help and listen to us. I’ve learned that sometimes all you need to say is, “God loves you.” If we can communicate nothing else, at least we can tell them that Jesus loves them. Many times it’s the extent of our conversations with people due to our limited Czech vocabulary, yet often they’re the best conversations we have all day.

I’ve been very encouraged by our Tuesday night Bible study at the Language Center. We studied through the book of 1 John and have now moved on to the book of James. Our students, Cyril, Maria and Tomas are wonderful, and their longing to learn more is inspiring. They have a true thirst for the Word, and I am grateful for their friendship and fellowship.

We finished our Sunday night Bible study this past weekend. The group was composed of us and three older ladies. We studied through the book of Ruth which turned out to be a very good choice for this group. They really got into the study and seemed to enjoy learning about the life of this woman who was so resilient in her obedience and love for her mother-in-law and God. Redemption is something I believe they were able to truly grasp and find peace in.

This past weekend, we went to a Czech music festival called, Mezi Ploty. It was good fun, and we finally got to listen to some live, Czech music. Most of it was actually quite entertaining, and one band, The Yellow Dog, actually did a fairly decent cover of The Rolling Stones, Satisfaction. It was a great day spent with friends, learning more about Czech culture, food and people.

The World Cup starts this Friday, and we’re extremely excited for the games to say the least. We look forward to cheering on the USA as they plow over the Brits from the motherland. We see more and more English jerseys popping up amongst us as the games get closer, but we think the USA has a chance to at least advance out of the first round. But, if history is any indicator, my prediction is dead wrong. Hopefully we’ll at least score more than one goal this time around. Quinn is predicting Spain as the winner; I’m going with the Netherlands.

It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since I sat in a pub in southern China watching France and Italy roll through the field in 2006. I expect the atmosphere will be a bit different here. I’m looking forward to catching a glimpse of that European soccer, I mean futbol, spirit. Not to put a damper on the games, but South Africa is still a country in deep turmoil. Thousands of impoverished people will be displaced from their make-shift homes this month in order to cleanse the way for tourists and a government who want little to do with them.

Love is not dead in Prague. There are missionaries here who have come to share the love of Christ with people who have yet to hear it. They need your prayers for persistence in the midst of harsh and trying circumstances. They need you to remember them and continue to strive for them in prayer and support as they take the gospel of Jesus to one of the hardest, least reached areas on the planet. They go not to condemn but to give hope. They go not to abuse but to help. They go not to steal but to feed the hungry. They go not to deprave but to shelter the cold. They go not to enforce their ways but to lovingly offer hope. Pray for Prague. Pray for Europe.

We {Love} You.