We had a slower day today. We slept in. We enjoyed the company of each other. Had coffee with our friends – the Mandrysz family. In addition, we had a nice devotion time and prayer time together.
For Czech Christmas, we feasted on local favorites – schnitzel, roast pork, chicken, and potato salad. After dinner, we opened gifts and then watched a Czech fairy tale – “Three Wishes for Cinderella.”
Tomorrow we will attend the worship service at our “Czech church” where Andrew Mickey will lead the campers in singing “Angels we have Heard on High.”
For your enjoyment, I have attached what I will be sharing tomorrow:
“Good morning and Merry Christmas from the American mission team, the Sandy, and Carson Families, and all the brothers and sisters in Christ at Family Bible Church. We are so thankful for every opportunity that we have, to work together here in Český Těšín. We were also encouraged by the recent visit from Pastor Ondrej, Marcel and Silvie. Now many more people have come to experience what I have shared so many times in America – we are partnered with a wonderful church that is overflowing with the warmth and love of Christ. Thank you again for your prayers, your hospitality, and your kindness toward us. We truly feel like we are among family every time we visit.
This past weekend we had the opportunity to help host an English mini-camp with the youth. The theme for the camp was “Peace on Earth” based on the announcement that the angels made to the shepherds so long ago “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14). This promised peace is a wholeness and completeness that comes only from being in a right relationship with the God who created us. Today we celebrate that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with Us. But he finished his work on Easter when he offered himself as the one and only sacrifice that could bring peace between us and God. For those of us who believe, he becomes our “Prince of Peace.”
This year at mini-camp, the students were encouraged to memorize a common verse from the Bible about the peace of God: John 14:27. We have never done this at a camp before, so we were not sure how it would go. We were really blessed to see the students excitedly accept the challenge. Most learned the verse in both Czech and English. Some students even attempted to learn it in other languages as well. As a teacher of the Bible, it always encourages me to see when people are enthusiastic about learning God’s word.
Students and camp leaders, I want to take a moment to encourage you specifically. In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul longed to visit the believers there not only to share something with them, but also be encouraged by them. You have encouraged us. In so many conversations, we have seen how Christ is working in your lives, and you are growing in him. We are thankful for each of you.
For the rest of you – our Czech brothers and sisters. We love to be here and worship with you. It is a little taste of heaven where we will all worship together.
We leave tomorrow for the United States, but there is one more opportunity for us to get together today at 5:00 for an American Christmas party. We hope to see you there. We wish you Veselé Vánoce and Grace and peace in abundance in the new year.”