A New Family

Word of Life team coming in March

(L-R) Jody, Rachael, Grace, Hannah, Greg's wife Debbie, Pastor Greg, Greg's daughter Sarah, Dave and Clarissa, Lori and Jim Sliz

We had the privilege this past Sunday to share what God has put in our hearts with Word of Life Church in Watertown, New York. Pastor Greg Bogart was on the hockey trip to Czech this past February, and God has linked our hearts together in a neat way...using the Czech nation. His church is small in number but mighty in spirit. The feeling amongst the people is one reminiscent of the Early Church; I believe the same Power and Passion that rested on those early followers rests on this group of believers. After our time of sharing they gathered around us in prayer; God spoke through many of them continuing to bring confirmation, peace, and encouragement to us. We look forward to journeying with them to see the Czech people come to Christ.

Pastor Greg will be bringing a team from his church this coming March to Czech. Please pray as they prepare to minister, raise funds and ready themselves for ministry there. Jim and Lori Sliz (the couple on the far right in the photo) will be joining them. We got to meet Jim and Lori this past February also. They have a huge heart for the Ukraine and plan on ministering there full time in about 3 years time. Interestingly enough their journeys to Ukraine have led them through Czech a few times, and their heart for Czech has grown as a result. One time when they were going to Ukraine they had a layover in Prague and Lori picked up a Czech brochure and began to read it. She doesn't speak, read or write Czech but was able to understand it!!! From that moment they knew they would have a special connection to Czech. It will be exciting for us to see their journey unfold as they prepare to move in faith and live in Ukraine.

We also want to say Merry Christmas to all of you. Thank you for reading our blog and following our journey. We feel the prayers of the righteous over us and thank you for being faithful to pray for our family. May you have a blessed Christmas!

The Countdown

Can't believe it that in less than two weeks we will be moving from Wingham. The next 12 days will be full for us. This weekend we are heading to a church in New York to talk about Czech ministry. The pastor there was on the hockey trip this past February and has a tremendous heart for Hlinsko; they will be bringing a team this coming March. So we are looking forward to seeing him again and also meeting the team that will be coming.
After that, we are home for a few days, then it's off to family Christmas get togethers. Then back in Wingham for the final days before our move.

Keep us in your prayers:

• Safe travels to New York and for God's spirit to move strongly in our sharing
• As always, packing, packing, packing
• For our children to feel peace in the midst of the "upheaval"
• For rest and relaxation with family over Christmas

Hlinsko Ministry

Most the Movie

This is a movie made by Czech Christians, and it is moving beyond words! We own the movie, but kind of forgot about it until a friend had it posted on her Facebook page (thanks for the reminder Amanda:)! Enjoy!

Taken from the official website:

Most is a beautiful Oscar nominated movie and winner of many prestigious film festivals.

It tells the story of the close relationship between a bridge operator and his young son and the fateful day when both try to head off an impending rail disaster.

A steam train full of hundreds of passengers are unaware of the danger as they head towards an open drawbridge. When a desperate young woman witnesses an act of virtue beyond her imagination, her life is changed forever.

Wild Goose Chase

Recently, the book Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Batterson practically jumped at me off the shelf at my work. I picked it up and was instantly riveted. Other than telling you that the book has been an incredible inspiration for us lately, I am not going to say anything about it. Check out the official website, and go pick up the book...it is a challenge most people need!

Here is the website, http://www.chasethegoose.com/

Here is a trailer for the book:

http://chasethegoose.com/media/video/an-geadh-glas

I'd love to hear feedback if you have read it!

A Reoccurring Theme

A few scriptures that have been popping up lately for us... I think there is a theme here...

Hebrews 11:9-10 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Nehemiah 2:20 The God of heaven is the one who will give us success, and we his servants are going to start building.

Luke 6:47,48 Jesus said, "I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock."

Our apartment in Hlinsko

A picture of Poděbradovo náměstí (Square) in Hlinsko. The apartment we are renting is in the building on the left.
This is a view of our kitchen, thankfully, appliances will be included!
Here is a shot of the living room area.And our bedrooms, the bunk beds are the girls and behind the curtain is our room :)

You can view a live webcam of Poděbrady sqare at http://www.hlinsko.cz/mesto/webkamery/1

You can also browse the city's official website at http://www.hlinsko.cz/. There is an English version available.