Welcome to Polička!

Ten days have past since Jamie and I first stepped onto Czech soil. Our time has been chaotic, fun, stressful, lonely, beautiful, frustrating, awkward, humbling, insightful and the list goes on and on. We have not had internet access for most of the time we have been in Policka, so it has been disappointing that we have not been able to communicate. Thus, I will give you a very short synopsis as to what we have been up to and what our first impressions have been.

The room that I am writing this post in, is empty. It is the first time I have seen this specific room empty in quite a while. Katie, the woman who was here before, is saying bye to many families and has since moved her belongings out; so, the room is now our office. For the past ten days 20 Americans from Oklahoma have used this office as a launching point for the day's activities during the English Camp. The camp was a success, as we had about 100 students participate and we had 20 Czech volunteers. Initial reactions, on my part, were skeptical, because Jamie and I did not know anyone. What were our roles? Would the kids accept us? Would the Czech volunteers like us? They were pretty elementary questions, but because we have made such a drastic change, even the most basic assurances are rewarding and fulfilling.
Looking back on the camp I have realized that Jamie and I will be very different from the way Katie ran the program. This is good, because our vast array of differing interests enable us, as a congregation and as teachers to reach out to disparaging people and interests.

So much happened during these past 10 days, that I really am struggling to focus as a write. Please read Katie's blog about the camp, because she was very fastidious in keeping her blog updated during the camp. As for me, I will say a few things.

1. Jamie and I have been showered with grace and love since we have arrived in the Czech Republic. Czechs have a calm and methodical demeanor that to many Americans, including myself, seems cold and distant. Yet, the Czech heart is strong and I feel very luck, because many of the people we have met have been warm and welcoming: they bake dinner for us, they converse with us, they do not get frustrated when they can't understand my broken Czech, they wash our underwear, they give you tons of beer and then more beer, because you are their guest of honor; they lend bicycles and they encourage. Yesterday, we went to Moravian Highlands to visit a cave. The trip was beautiful as we passed through rolling hills, villages and then headed into deciduous forests. Jamie and I decided to hike up to the cave and then later decided to hike the rest of the way up the mountain. As we were climbing, I began to think about the Czechs who were with me and how I thoroughly enjoyed their company. Excitedly, they pointed with pride at a sheer 184 meter drop, where the mouth of a cave emerged from the blackness and a stream lazily flowed past. It was a scene full of granduer and power.
After our hike up the mountain, we stopped for lunch and then headed back to the bus. I decided to sit on the curb and eat my sandwich while I waited for the other members of our team to board. I was in my comfortable position for about 5 minutes when a man named Jirka came up to me and urgently called me over. Jirka does not speak much English, but I feel as though I understand him: he is kind and loving, which transcends our language barrier. Anyways, Jirka was waving his arms, because he wanted me to look at a 1960 skoda. Skoda, is the Czech automobile that was made popular during the Communist era and is still made today; many Czechs drive them. He was very proud to show me this old car, because he said it was rare and was a great example of a beautiful Czech car. It was small and red and it had a hint of rust. The car got me thinking.

Jirka was proud of that car, and, in a way, I think it represents the Czech people. We Americans would have found the car comical, because it was puny and was not very extravigant; and much like the car, Czech pride seems to be smaller, yet just as powerful as our American swagger.The car came from the Communist era, an era of repression and hopelessness. the car seemed to scream out in its own way: "look at me! I may be small and I may not be respected, but I am here. I can be seen and some day I will be upheld with pride." And that, is the Czech character: maybe not well known and a little bit shy, but it is still breaking through.

This sounds sentimental, and I didn't want to get cheesy, but the care of people involved with this church has been overwhelming. Jamie and I are lucky.


Also: we are leaving for our trip around Europe. We will try to be in contact and will hopefully post on this blog as often as possible.

Pictures will be coming!!