Czech Republic Update 
Life is busy here in Ostrava! Here are some updates:
Jun 18
3:37 PM
Jun 18
3:37 PM
Life is busy here in Ostrava! Here are some updates: We completed the Amazing Race! We started in Vienna and ended in Frydlant, Czech Republic three days later. In the middle we were largely on our own to navigate between landmarks, countries, and team building challenges. We had high moments and low moments as a team, but all in all the race brought us a lot closer together and showed us strengths and weaknesses in a constructive way. Some highlights:
- A challenge which required us to memorize the name of a Czech dish, walk to a nearby cafe, and order the dish properly. If we forgot the name we had to walk back and try again. Once we got the food we had to eat it ALL!
- A challenge which required us to find the castle in Bratislava, Slovakia, and have a 45 minute team prayer session in the garden (SUPER powerful).
- A challenge which required a member of our team to swim out to an island in the middle of a lake and back.
- A challenge which required us to ride this:
There was a LOT more that happened but most importantly it set the tone for how God has continued to challenge our team and get each of us out of our comfort zones, literally and figuratively.
Next we moved on to Intern Training. This was a powerful time of practical instruction and spiritual investment. We got to worship and pray together, talk about practical elements of being an intern, get to hear some amazing talks on Ephesians, participate in a lip sync battle, get whooped by Europeans at soccer, and eat amazing food! Training was 4 days long, and after that the intern teams prayed over and commissioned each other and then went out, to 13 countries in eastern Europe. Two intern teams stayed in western Czech Republic, and mine was one of them.
Since training we have been living in the houses of JV missionaries and in church apartments all over Ostrava. We spend four days of every week doing city visits in different towns around the western Czech Republic. These include running english classes at schools and promoting our camps, working with and encouraging the youth groups and churches we'll be doing camp with, and helping with fun America themed parties to get kids hooked up with local churches.
We have 3 "days off" a week. One of these is a sabbath. The next two are spent preparing for city visits or camp. We prep English lessons, write evening talks, prep devotions, brainstorm game and workshop ideas, perfect the camp dance, etc.
Some highlights and praises:
- Nine students signed up for the English camp after our school visits in a town called Havirov.
- We've gotten to meet so many young passionate Czech youth leaders.
- We're getting good at living in Europe! We do our own budgeting, travel, cooking, working, and team devotions.
- God is doing great works in each member of our intern team. Being here with this team has forced me to confront a lot of personal flaws I could have happily ignored my whole life, but God had other plans. He is really teaching us how our weaknesses are His strengths.
We have one city visit left, in a town called Zlin. Then we start with the first camp! Here are some specific prayer requests.
- Pray for God to be at work in the hearts of students in Zlin. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be at work there before we arrive, preparing hearts to hear the Gospel.
- Pray for my team and I to have mental and physical strength as we head towards camps season. Pray that we would be committed to doing our very best work for God's kingdom, even in the face of exhaustion.
- Pray for our relationships to deepen, with each other, with students, and with the local church leaders we get to work alongside.
- Pray for God to give us boldness as we step out in faith and ask Him to work in the uncomfortable parts of our lives. Pray for Him to give us humility as we confront sins we've been rooted in for a long time.
I'm really excited by how God is at work here, in and around me. Thank you for praying for me!
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MCC Elders and Connectors are hosting a Starting Point Lunch on January 13th after 2nd service. The luncheon is a great way to learn more about MCC, ask questions and meet new people! We encourage anyone who is considering making MCC their church home to attend and get connected! Contact Elizabeth to RSVP today.
For any ladies interested in prophetic literature or wanting to begin a Bible Study in the New Year, MCC is starting a new Bible Study in January! What is the heart behind the roar of the Lion from Zion? In this 16-week study through the book of Amos, beginning January 7th and meeting Monday mornings at 10 a.m., you will learn about a loving God who prepares His people to live forever. We hope you will consider joining us for this fantastic study! Child care is provided. Please contact Elizabeth Allan to learn more.
If you have ever felt like you don't fit in, that you aren't good enough, that everyone else has it 
together while you struggle to even show up, then we invite you to join us. We want you to learn that we have a God who lifts the pain of worthlessness and rejection! Starting Thursday, January 17th, Sara Ghormley and Elizabeth Allan will lead discussions as we prayerfully work through Ed Welch's book, "Shame Interrupted". We begin at 6:30 and end at 8, and will meet for 16 weeks. Cost is $16 per person, but scholarships are available. Please contact Elizabeth and let her know so she can order a book for you.
Would you like to learn how to respond to conflict Biblically? Pastor Frank Malizzo, Elizabeth Allan and Spencer Brown are hosting a Peacemaking as Evangelism Workshop at MCC on January 25th-26th. The class will highlight Biblical tools that can be used for work, in the community, in the home and as a tool for evangelism. “Conflict presents unique opportunities to serve other people, we can demonstrate the love of Christ and give witness to the gospel even to people who are attacking us.” Ken Sande. Contact Elizabeth to learn more.