The Charles Bridge in Prague contains many Christian statues.
Looking to the Future

Two years ago, I deployed to Prague. I knew I would be living and serving in the most atheistic country in the world, but I now have a greater understanding of the challenges in sharing the Gospel here.  The language, the culture and other factors all present barriers, but I am more encouraged than ever that God’s Word will reach the Czechs.

I look forward to using all that I have learned since my arrival to continue sowing the seeds here, so that someday every Czech will know Jesus as their Savior. This month has involved a lot of preparation for the work ahead this year.

Teaching English to Czech church leaders: Weekly English lessons start next week with four Lutheran church leaders and future pastors—a deacon, a vicar, the business manager and one of our alliance missionary pastors.

Women’s outreach: Starting this week, I will meet with local women for devotions, prayer and fellowship at our church complex.  In addition to the LWML devotional materials, I have found short films in Czech (with English subtitles) in which native Czechs share stories about their Christian faith, including their initial skepticism. I am very excited that three of the women who plan to come are not yet baptized, but they are curious about Jesus and meeting Christian women.

Czech prayer app revisions: The first year of pilot test data for the mobile phone app shows who is using the app and what features are being used, as well as what is not working.  I am currently revising the software to improve the app’s functionality and improve access to God’s Word through linking to an online Bible.

Czech language study: I have recently advanced to the intermediate level of language study.  When I first arrived here, life was very difficult without knowing the language.  Daily life is now much easier; sometimes I am even mistaken for a Czech in stores and on the street.  I still have a lot of work ahead of me to become fluent and confident in speaking a very difficult language, especially to witness to native speakers.

I plan to provide updates over the coming months about the work that we are doing here together, with more details about each of the outreach efforts.  Please pray that the seeds that are planted take root in a challenging environment.

This month I look forward to what God has planned for the future:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

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