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.