Chrastava Youth English Conversation Class began in Oct 2007

After 2 years of conducting an English conversation class for mothers, the JB Church in Chrastava now has asked us to have a class for the local youth. Many are taking English in school, but they do not have an opportunity to speak the language with native speakers. Many of these young people helped the American team build the new playground. (see previous post) Maybe that experience increased their desire to improve their English. Again, we use life themes and believers and non-believers share/compare life experiences.

MOTHER'S WITH YOUNG CHILDREN CENTER IN CHRASTAVA

CHRASTAVA JB CHURCH REACHES OUT TO ITS COMMUNITY

The JB church in Chrastava, led by Pastor Simon Dvorak and his wife, Milana, began ministering to Mothers with young children 3 years ago.The church rents the upstairs portion of the local movie theater. There is one large room that is used as the sanctuary on Sundays and as a Mother's with young children center two days a week. Pastor Simon asked Ken and I if we would lead a weekly English conversation class for the mothers while their church cared for their children. For some mothers, this was the first time they had ever done anything with a church.



There was a vacant piece of land next to the movie theater owned by the city which the church wanted to make into a play area for the children. After 3 years of praying, asking the city and then finding a team to help, they finally realized their vision. The following pictures tell the story. Thank you everyone who played a part.

English conversation class in Chrastava, 2006. We met in the Pastor's office once a week.

New larger classroom for our weekly English conversation class in Chrastava. Picture was taken in October, 2007.

MCYM PARTNERS WITH THE JB CHURCH IN CHRASTAVA TO BUILD A PLAYGROUND

Ken and I have done many Service Projects with MCYM (Military Community Youth Ministry) in the last 9 years. All have been great experiences. This was no different. Chris Howard brought 18 Jr. high school students and 4 leaders (and his wife and young son) from an American military base in Hohenfels, Germany to Chrastava from August 22- 25, 2007. They stayed in a local school. In 4 days this team along with dozens of Czechs from the local church and community turned barren land into a kid's paradise. This miracle was the fulfillment of a 3 year old vision of the JB Church in Chrastava to serve the families in their community.

We began with bare ground and logs from the forest which had to be stripped. The first job was to dig the many holes needed for the playground, benches and tables.

Clearing the land, building the playset, sandbox and benches.

The MCYM leader, Chris Howard, carefully marks the levels of the tables and benches.

Everyone helps: Pastor's son Jakub and daughter Hanka, and the elder's daughter Martina.

One of our English student's husband and son came to help.

The sandbox is taking shape.

Raising the beam for the 4 swings.

Spreading gravel and sanding/painting the entry fences.

The final tests. One by the adults for strength and safety. One by the kids for enjoyability.

CHRASTAVA CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF THE NEWLY BUILT PLAYGROUND.

On September 24, 2007 Chrastava had the grand opening of the new playground. About 150 people of all ages came to the celebration. There was music, speeches, food and of course PLAYTIME for the kids. You can see by their faces how excited everyone was. This playground will get lots of use.

The ceremony includes music and speeches. Pastor Simon thanks the many people and organizations that helped make this 3 year dream a reality.

Mayor of Chrastava and JB Bishop cut the ribbon to open the new playground.

All generations appreciate the new playground.

Future Users of the Playground.