Greg in Czech

20 Years

I remember seeing images on TV of people hacking at the Berlin Wall with pick axes.  In school while working on an art project I overheard my teacher talking about the fall of the Wall. "I never thought I'd see the day it fell..."  I thought to myself, yeah this is a pretty big deal.  I was in tenth grade when the great divide between east and west came down.  I had grown up with movies where the bad guys were Soviets.   The great world conflict of my youth was between the capitalists and the communists.  The USA versus the USSR.  I had no idea of the shift in world dynamics that was taking place.  Not until I started living here and met people with living memories of those events did I really begin to grasp what took place in November of 1989.  It was like dominoes.  Hungary began opening its borders allowing people to cross freely into Austria.  Then some East German officials make a mistake in announcing border policy change.  The Wall falls and revolution sweeps across East Europe.

I got to visit Berlin for a weekend a year ago.  It looks nothing like the divided city that it was.  Check Point Charlie, the border control between the US and Soviet sectors of the city, is nothing more than a tourist stop now.  Commuter trains cross over remaining sections of the Wall. The strangest thing for me is the generation gap left behind by the revolution.  Kids that I am working with now were born after the fall of the Wall.  They have no living memory of Communism.  Their parents do.  I've listened to older believers tell me stories of facing persecution for their faith.  Churches that I now work with were under surveillance by the government.  Evangelism was illegal.  Now the doors are wide open for the Gospel.  Materialism has swept through Eastern Europe.  I often ask kids what their dreams are.  To have a family and be rich is what I most often hear.  Family is good and money is nice, but apart from Christ it is empty. In a country where the divorce rate is well over 50%, even the dream of family is empty apart from Christ.

I like living here.  I like telling kids about Jesus.  I like being a part of a spiritual revolution.  I like being a part of history.

Fall Changes

I needed some pictures for an update letter and prayer card recently, so I went walking through Tabor on the only sunny day of October last week.  I took a few pictures of the fall colors.  They were rich in the sunlight.  Fall seems to last longer here than in Minnesota.  The whole month of October is bright with color.  The colors linger into the first week of November even.  But, Fall is still a season of change.  Things have been changing all around me.  I was kicked out of my flat in September, but God provided a new place to live a stone's throw away.  A girl whose consistently refused to believe for 6 years finally is my sister in Christ.  I'm no longer an observer in my youth group but the leader.  Sunday sermons are no longer just times for me to pretend that I understand. I actually do understand them.  My job is also very different now.  I have moved away from English camps (an English based ministry) and into our 9-month internship for Czech youth pastors (a Czech language based ministry).  For 9 months young leaders of local youth groups spend half their time studying ministry skills, the Bible, and theology.  The rest of their time is spent practicing what they learn in their local ministries.  We focus on building their character, solid teaching, and strong community.  It's an awesome way to mentor, coach and counsel these young leaders.  This whole year will be a season of change for us.  I've made a pretty big step this fall.   I've started teaching in the Czech language.  A few weeks ago I went through a bit of a baptism by fire.  I taught John 15:1-16 for an hour and a half in the Czech language.  I now am leading youth group team meetings in the Czech language.  I've been asking for prayers about my language skills for a long time.  Thank you!  And please keep praying!

Please continue to pray for more change in this country.  Pray for God to change people's hearts.  Pray for His church here to change into a more beautiful bride.  Thank you for standing with me.

Ljubljana Marathon

Last week 6 months of training culminated in the Ljubljana Marathon in Slovenia.  I didn't get my goal of 3 hours.  I, of course, was disappointed.  But, I think God spoke to me through the experience anyways.  I had made the goal of 3 hours mainly because I've run half-marathons so well.  My best half is 1:22.  If you do the math a 3-hour marathon should be physically possible for a guy like me.  But, the achievement of that goal is more than just a matter of physical talent.  This race has convinced me once again that marathoning is 10 physical ability and 90% guts.  Obviously, I can't run that far and that fast without the natural talent.  But, my mind is where the battle to finish in the desired time rages.  I ran a great first half in 1:29:14.  That time is good for a stand-alone half-marathon.  I continued at 6:49-mile-pace for another 4 miles or so.  That's when "the wall" started to come into view.  I started slowing down to about 7:00-mile-pace.  I needed 6:52-pace.  I could still have a decent time if I continued at that pace.  A few miles later the wall came in all its furry.  The water stations were a convenient excuse to take a break.  I began limping along at 8-10-minute mile pace.  I became satisfied with just finishing.  I crossed the finish line in 3:23:54.  Now, I'm not depressed about my experience at all.  I still finished in the top 24% of my age group and the top 24% over all.  I also finished within 5 minutes of my personal best, which I ran when I was 23.  As a 35-year-old I'm thrilled that I can still run that fast.

I learned several things through this experience.  As I look back on my training and walk with Christ over the last 6 months, I see that they match up pretty evenly.  I see that I can't linger in old sin patterns and expect to excel.  Playing spiritual catch-up isn't a good pattern to get stuck in. I need to throw off the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for me (Hebrews 12:1-3).  Old habits and laziness get in the way of realizing my full potential in Christ.  Finishing is good, but finishing well is better by far.  The finish line is glorious and full of fans cheering, but the battle is won way out on the course where few spectators are.  I must be faithful and persevere under pressure when no one is looking.

Today was a day of grace.  We took communion in church this morning.  As I drank the wine I listened to my pastor read from John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  I rested as I let Him clean me of my sin.  It is Christ's energy working powerfully in me that results in victory.

I'm already dreaming of my next marathon.  Maybe Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN next summer.

Dance Class

I was instantly transported back to Jr. High gym class when we were "forced" to learn how to square dance.  We would strut our stuff and say how much we hated this, but inwardly the guys would all be hoping this was our one chance to dance with the cute girl without having to ask her.  This evening I was invited by a student from my English club to watch her ballroom dance lesson.  It was only their second lesson, so boys were stepping on girls' feet and tripping over each other.  I felt both pain and joy for them.  One couple was slower than the rest and caused a traffic jam during the promenade.  It's a pretty normal part of a Czech teenager's high school experience to take a ballroom dancing class their sophomore year.  Then they are ready for their graduation ball their senior year.  The boys wear suits and white gloves and the girls wear prom dresses.  It's quite the fancy affair.  I rather enjoyed this preparation for a right of passage.

Living in Old Town

A few weeks ago I called my land lord to renew the contract on my apartment only to find out that he had rented it out from underneath me.  I didn't call him in time.  It was a bit of a shifty move on his part, but I won't get into that here.  Bottom line: I'm out at the end of the month.  But, within a few days of getting the bad news I found a similar flat about 100 meters away for a similar price.  Jesus has provided for me.  As I'm in the process of moving this week I'm reflecting on how much I love living in the historical center of Tábor.  The building I'm moving into is older than my native country.

My neighbor's house is over 500 years old.  This last weekend was the Táborská Setkání (Tábor Meeting), my city's annual festival celebrating it's 600-year history. About 30,000 people passed through my neighborhood over the weekend (Thankfully, it's normally very quiet).  The town square was packed.  Friday and Saturday I wandered the square with youth group kids, ran into neighbors and friends, and ate sausage and horseradish. Sunday, while walking home from church through the square a bluegrass band was playing on Old Town Square. 

It was a bit comical listening to old American classics sung with a Czech accent, but the strings were pretty darn good. I love living in the center of town mostly because I walk out my front door and usually I run into someone I know.  Ministry is right out my window.  I'm so thankful to the Lord for providing what I need to do what He has called me to do... and a little extra.  This last picture is of Štěpán waiting with me for a hunk of meat fresh off the grill while waiting for the main concert Saturday night.  God is so good to me.

JV Kids camp

Every summer a bunch of us Josiah Venture missionaries gather all the kids of our American coworkers for a week of camp somewhere in Eastern Europe.  Last year it was on a Croatian Island.  This year it was in the Slovenian mountains.  These kids are real unique.  They grow up in American homes with American parents and siblings, so they grow up speaking English and learning American culture.  But, they live in Eastern Europe.  Most of them go to public schools.  So they all speak the language of their host countries and are fully integrated into the local culture.  They are both American and European.  They have unique needs, world views, and strengths.  They also are all growing up in good homes with parents who teach them to walk with the Lord.  It was such a fun week to spend with kids who know Jesus and obeying adults is a normal thing.  If I ever have kids I want them to grow up on the mission field.  I was in charge of games and afternoon activities.  In the mornings I would take the 7-12-year-olds and lead them in "Energy Games".  Lots of whipped cream, water balloons, and cereal.  In the afternoon I led the big group activities and night adventures.  I've delegated these responsibilities for so many years at camps that I almost forgot how to do it.  But, God was with me and a good time was had by all.  I have a photo album with more stories in the upper right hand corner.

Finishing Well

 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:14

My longest training run so far has been 20.6 miles (33.2 km).  I did that a couple of weeks ago.  I've never broken the 20 mile barrier so early in my training (more than 2 months before the race).  My last 2 long runs have been tough and slow, however.  3 1/2 weeks ago I ran a 19-miler (30 km) but barely finished.  I had wanted to break the 20-mile barrier that day, but putzed out at 19 miles.  My 20.6 mile run was better in that I did what I decided before hand to do. I ran it faster too.  Both runs started well.  The first 10-12 miles went great.  My body is used to that distance.  That's why I do so well at half marathons.  It's towards the end when I'm going farther than I've gone before, where my body isn't used to the distance, that it gets difficult.  I need to do more than just finish.  I've finished all 8 marathons that I've run so far.  I need to finish well to reach my goal.  At the end I need to being running fast like I do at the beginning.  In my life I want to finish well.  I want to be a faithful man with the things God has given me (talents, possessions, spiritual gifts, time).  I don't want to coast to the end and just finish.  Sure, I'll get a finisher's medal.  But, I want to press on toward the goal and fully engage the plans that Christ has laid out for me.

Tábor English Camp

This year at camp was kind of nostalgic for me.  It was my 34th English camp in Europe (I did one in Romania once); my 6th with the Tábor church.  This next year I am stepping away from English camps and more into a Czech language based ministry.  Next summer I will be in the US on furlough, so I won't even be at an English camp.  It will be the first summer I haven't been at an English camp since 1997.  It feels like the end of an era.  The youth group I work with in Tábor is very strong relationally.  They love each other and are excellent at welcoming new people into the group.  One student at camp told me that he's never missed any of his friends like he will miss the people at camp.  They are like family.  Pray for us to be able to speak boldly and truthfully within that loving community that we've created.  If you'd like to read more about camp, click on the picture album in the upper right hand corner.

Keeping up the Discipline

The summer English camping ministry has always posed a problem for me in training for a race.  I've never done a marathon in the fall after a full summer of camps.  I've either done them in the Spring or in a Fall after a Summer with only one camp.  Camps are just so busy with little space for quiet time with God, let alone a regular running routine.  But, this last week at camp I was able to pack in 40 miles (64 km) and a regular 30-40 minutes with Jesus.  That total does not include a long run. A long run would be impossible at camp, so that's reserved for the days between camps.  I ran 6 of 7 days at camp and averaged just shy of 7 miles a day.  This blog entry's correlation with my spiritual life is simple.  Effective training and improvement require regular faithful discipline, no matter the circumstances.  I was in the mountains, so either direction I ran required running up and down a mountain side.  I just had to push ahead and put the mileage in.  My pace was only about 7:05 per mile (about 13 seconds slower than what I need to get my goal).  But, when I got home on Saturday where the roads are a little flatter I ran my 7.4 mile course a minute faster than ever before (6:40 mile pace).  If I am going to walk closely with Jesus, I have to be disciplined in spending time with Him, no matter what the circumstances.  My ears will grow dull to His voice if I don't regularly listen.  I need to study His word to know, understand, and properly apply it.  Proper nutrition is pretty key too.  fortunately at camp this week the food was plentiful and well balanced. Always have access to a good translation of the Bible.

Tomorrow morning I'll try breaking the 30 km (18.6 miles) mark.

Sacrifice

Today I took family pictures for some friends at church.  Milan is a career soldier.  He is a stud.  Over the years he has mentored guys in the youth group who have wanted to be soldiers too.  He's been their hero.  I love Milan because he's a man's man and he loves his wife and two daughters tenderly.  He's shown those youth group kids what it means to be a strong man of God.  Two of those guys are now soldiers and love God furiously.  A few weeks ago Milan got word that he was going overseas for 9 months.  As a missionary I know what it is like to be away from family.  But, I can't imagine being away from your wife and two daughters.  It's normal to move away from parents and siblings (although, it's hard to be on the other side of the ocean from them).  It's not normal to move away from your wife and kids.  The sacrifice that he and his family are making blows my mind.  Milan's family is special to me partly because his wife, Blanka was a teenager at one of my first English camps 11 years ago.  I wanted to do something for them before he takes off at the end of the week.  This afternoon I took their family pics and then made them dinner.  I made sure I told them how thankful I am for the sacrifice they are making and for the work that Milan is doing.  We live in free countries because of their sacrifice and the sacrifice of so many other soldiers and their families.  After dinner we prayed together.  Pray for Milan.  Pray for his family.