Dear friends,

We’re thankful to get to share this ongoing journey with you all. Here’s the latest…

The New Usual

At last, we feel like we have a ‘new usual.’ And ‘the usual’ is usually rigorous.

We continue on in our Czech lessons twice a week each, with homework every day. We’re seeing God allow our minds to grasp the concepts, and are at the point where practice with speaking is becoming more of a potential. Our neighbor is interested in practicing his English with us, and letting us practice our Czech with him. We’re also having some new friends over tonight (Aug. 23) who are unbelievers, who speak excellent English, and who would be another opportunity to practice Czech with. Pray we’d capitalize on these opportunities, and steward them well – for Czech learning, friendship, and for the Gospel.

Going to church each week, we notice ourselves catching more words and grammar in the sermons. This is exciting, but we also know it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Pray we’d be diligent students of this language!

Equipping

HOME-BASED

We also continue to host a counseling group where we go through counseling material and discuss how to apply it to the Czech church and culture. We’re using material from one of Faith Bible Church’s ‘Transform’ conferences, where Paul Tautges taught on suffering with a Godward mindset. This has been greatly helpful, both to us and to the members of BSKK joining us.

We’re reading “The Gospel” by Ray Ortlund with another young couple. This book is all about prioritizing Gospel culture in our churches as much as we prioritise gospel doctrine. Small groups church-wide have been encouraged to go through this material.

It’s great to have an outlet for ministry with English-speakers when we don’t yet know the language proficiently.

CHURCH-BASED

Brian and Michelle Sayers, from Faith Bible Church in Spokane, WA also joined the church a couple weekends ago. This was a great encouragement to see some dear friends from our sending church. Brian taught on the importance of the mutual spiritual care of believers within the church – i.e. how we are all to be counselors and disciplers of one another. This was foundational and new material (in a concentrated format) for a lot of people, which is exciting.

We also just completed a 4-day evangelism training with the church. This was led by Peter Smith, a former missionary to the Czech Republic. At least 15 people from the church came each night, not only to learn about evangelism but go practice it around the city of Kladno. We were so proud of this church and can’t wait to see how God continues to embolden its members for evangelism.

Other Exciting Things

CHURCH IN PILSEN

Jared had the opportunity to go help another small church in Pilsen set up its new location for meeting. Prior to this, the church met in the missionary’s house. They now have a unit within an ideally-located building which will accommodate its 15 members perfectly.

PREACHING

Jared gets to preach again on September 1st. He’ll teach through the qualifications for elders from Titus 1. Pray for efficient prep time, and the ability to be concise with such important Biblical instructions while teaching through a translator. Pray that a few men in the church would prayerfully search out whether God might call them to vocational ministry in the Czech Republic.

SCHOOL

Bennett starts kindergarten September 2nd! He will go three times a week for half a day. Pray for his little, but strong, brain to adapt well to this new schedule and atmosphere.

To help during Bennett’s transition into school, Claire’s mom is joining us for two weeks. We’re very excited for that! Pray for her travels, health, and strength as well.

Brzy se uvidíme (See you soon!)

That’s all for now, dear friends and family. We’re thankful to have you alongside us through all of this. There’s not a day that goes by when we’re not reminded of God’s incredible provision and grace demonstrated through you all. Thank you for being his instruments and his heart to us.