Plans Change, But God Still Works

 

January - the Month of Changing Plans

The first month of the year sort of sets the tone for the whole year, right? We start New Year’s resolutions, set goals, and try to plan out the year a little, though I think after the last two years, we have realized that making plans for the whole year is kind of impossible! I really hope that this January did not set the tone for our whole year here in Czech, because there was not one plan we made for January that went the way we originally scheduled it!! Fernando and Cesia had to delay their return from Guatemala for a few weeks, so we rescheduled and moved meetings that we needed to have as a whole team. Word of Life Hungary had to cancel their Missions Conference, so we couldn’t attend that and visit the students and staff. And several of our team have tested positive over the last few weeks so we moved meetings online and rearranged plans that we had together – like our Christmas party! It has been one of those months where you never know what news you’ll hear when you walk into the office in the morning. Yet, through it all, we can see God’s hand working things for our best and for His glory. Everyone is together, and at least on the mend, and we all had a little extra time to rest before our Winter Camp!

Despite all the changes, we were able to have most of our strategic planning meetings, where we planned out the next several years and delegated roles to different members of the team. We essentially restructured our team, which was necessary after adding so many new people! It will still take time to become accustomed to the changes and many of us need training in our new roles, but it already feels more organized and settled.

Winter Camp

Praise the Lord we were able to have a winter camp weekend this year! It fell on a long weekend for teens here, so we extended it to Thursday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, instead of just from Friday. Fifteen campers, eight students from the Bible Institute in Hungary, and several Czech volunteers joined us for an amazing weekend of worship, games, messages, and a whole day on the ski hill Dolni Morava. Most of the campers have come to our camps before, and we know their stories and how the Lord has already worked in their lives up to this point. Our goal is always to see campers (and volunteers) take their “next step with Jesus”, whether that be salvation, spiritual growth, getting connected with a group of believers, etc. At least one camper made a decision to trust the Lord, and several of them expressed interest in connecting with a youth group or having personal discipleship!

Some Language Fun

Lately I feel like the more Czech I learn, the more there is left to learn! But there are moments along the way that make the learning more fun. Knitting is absolutely my favorite hobby, so I learned that word pretty quick! The word “plést” means “to knit”, and it is conjugated based on who is knitting, and when, and all that. But the word “splést” means “to confuse”!! When my Czech teacher explained that these words are so close, I immediately thought of how many non-knitters think knitting is magic: sitting with two magic wands, performing complex movements, chanting and muttering to yourself, looking at a ‘spell book’ (patterns often look like they are in a different language to people who don’t know how to read them!), and then suddenly – a blanket!! I had a good laugh at that, and still chuckle whenever I think about it. Especially now that I am teaching my roommate, Miriam, how to knit. Many evenings are spent knitting, and there is a far share of confusing mixed in too!

The US Trip

Miriam and I will be traveling to the states in less than a week!! We have quite a full schedule, which I am grateful for. We are excited to visit many churches and small groups to share about her ministry here in Czech. I will also be speaking a couple times, but the main purpose of this trip is to build her investment team just like I did just a short year ago! Please be praying for safety, good connections, and the growth of her team.

Prayer Requests and Praises 

- pray for health, safety, and good connections during our trip to the states

- pray for the kids that came to winter camp – for continued interest and growth spiritually

- pray for the team as we learn our new roles

- praise for a wonderful Winter Camp!!

- praise for mild symptoms for all that had covid and everyone is on the mend now

Thank you all so much for your support! I would not be here without each of you! Hopefully I will be able to see some of you in the coming weeks, but even if I don’t, know that I am so grateful for you all!!

Love in Christ,

Adele