MARCH 29 - APRIL 2, 2011 OUTREACH TO KRALIKY IN EAST BOHEMIA

For many summers we have held English Camps in East Bohemia where we met many teens that we continue to communicate with through Facebook and occasional visits to their home towns. Some invited us to their ples (Czech equivalent to the American prom but relatives and friends are invited too). At the ples we met some of their teachers who asked if we could visit their English classes at school. We connected them with the local pastor, Petr Appl, who arranged meetings in four classes in their school in Kraliky on Friday and in four classes in a school in Jablonne nad Orlici on Monday (20 minutes from Kraliky). Ladka Applova, the pastor's wife, went with us to all the classes. We never go into any community without an invitation and support from a local pastor, so that there will always be someone for follow-up after we leave. We have found that this strategy has opened doors and fostered good relationships between churches and the schools in many communities. On Saturday we had a pizza party for youth at the pastors home that was well attended, fun and deepened relationships. And on Sunday Ken preached, then we had lunch with a local family and then an all-church BBQ in their spacious yard. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and outreach. Our only regret is that Kraliky is three hours from Liberec. Otherwise, I am sure we would spend even more time there. We rejoice in the work that God is doing here in Czech.

Friday and Monday we were in 8 classes in two differnt schools in two different towns

Saturday: An outreach party for teens included English, pizza and outdoor games like petanque

Sunday with the Church in Kraliky: Ken preaching in the morning and a BBQ in the afternoon

CONSECRATION OF TWO NEW CZECH BISHOPS

March 28, 2011 is now a historical date. For the first time in 44 years, new bishops were consecrated in the Czech Republic in the Jednota Bratrska Church. We feel privileged to have been invited to this international event held in Liberec in the magnificent North Bohemian Museum. Rev. Evald Rucky and Rev. Peter Krasny were consecrated Bishops by the worldwide United Fratrum, presided by Rev. Dr. Paul Gardner, President of the Unity Board and from the Jamaican Province. The Rev. Samuel Gray, Bishop from the south USA Province, and Rev. Kinsley O'Reilly, Bishop from the east West Indies Province consecrated the new bishops. It was attended by a high ranking Senator and the Minister of Culture, mayors and pastors from all over Czech. And was followed by a fantastic reception. Since we know these new Bishops personally, we know that God is blessing this country with quality and tireless workers to see His Kingdom Come to Czech. And we thank God to be only a small part of His plan to bring revival to the Czech lands.

MOTHER'S WITH YOUNG CHILDREN'S CLUBS IN LIBEREC

Ken and Linda have the freedom and joy to be of service to many different Christian groups reaching out into their community. The Liberec church has 3 Mother's with Young Children Groups throughout the city ministering to mothers with children between the ages of 1 and 5 years of age which meet 2 or 3 times a week. Every once in awhile they have a special activity. We were invited by 2 of the groups to attend their masquerade parties on March 16th and the 29th, and Ken was asked to make balloon animals for the children as part of the program. As you can see in the pictures the moms and kids had a joyful time: dressing-up, singing and doing special activities like decorating cookies, playing doctor with a giant syringe and bandaging a doll and choosing which balloon animal to have Ken make for them. This may seem like a strange evangelistic outreach, but because of the past communist attitude towards the church many adults are afraid to even enter a church building. It is never too early to let the children know that church is a safe, fun and wholesome place to be.

Both children and mothers dressed up

Fun Activities at Mother's with young Children's masquerade parties