Jirka and Keira Kralovi - Czech Republic |
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October 2008
Dear friends,
It is now 3 months since we arrived in the Czech Republic and time seems
to have flown by. For practical reasons we spent most of the summer
divided as a family which was difficult as we couldn't share things
together at a time we particularly needed to. One of the positive things
about it is that my (Keira's) Czech really improved as I was 'forced' to
use it to speak to Jirka's mum. Before, Jirka would translate!
Now we have moved out of Prague and are together in our house in Kralicky,
near the city of Olomouc. It is an old house and at the moment the
kitchen is being redone. This means that things are not as
straightforward as we would have liked and as good as we had planned in
our heads. But our circumstances, along with the summer camp, have helped
the church in Olomouc to relate to us and see us as one of them. The
'house' has been a safe topic of conversation to get to know us with,
along with talking of the children, so we have been quite 'approchable'.
Quite a few have gone really out of their way to visit us and offer
practical help. We feel very welcome.
People in the village have also been friendly which has been a surprise
for us. Some have brought us gifts of garden produce. From the
conversations we have had, it is clear that they all know everything we
are up to all the time so please pray that we will be good witnesses of
the grace and love of Jesus Christ here. One man who Jirka shared the
gospel with at our neighbour's birthday party came back to visit us with
his wife and a friend, which was very encouraging.
Jirka preached on 31st August and it is posted on the internet at
http://www.olomouc.bjb.cz/kazani-mp3. The following week, Roy Leafe of St
James, Isle of Wight preached, translated by Jirka. He and his wife were
representing St James' and looking at the oversight provided by the
Olomouc Church for the ministry amongst students that we will be involved
in. They left very encouraged and happy with the set-up here, which
includes monthly meetings, practical goal-setting, but also checking that
Jirka doesn't take on too much ministry work.
This Sunday we shared our testimonies with the Church. Our 4 children
came up on the platform with us. Barnabas was listening to our voices in
the loudspeakers. After a while some other children also came to be with
us, as they thought that it was a 'childrens slot'!! :-))
We are really thankful for the provision of an office in Olomouc from
which Jirka can work without interruption. Student groups have now started
and there have been plenty of opportunities to get to know new people. The
hard thing is to remember everyone's name! Jirka will be preaching on a
passage in 2 Samuel next Tuesday on the first Student Worship service.
I, Keira, have been going to a Bible hour and have also been invited to
attend a housegroup in Olomouc which I am really looking forward too.
Apart from the fellowship, it is a great way to learn Czech as I can
easily learn 15 more words in one evening if I listen hard. Missionaries
from America often study Czech for 2 years full time before being 'let
loose' so you can see what kind of language I'm up against! But on the
positive side I am able to keep a conversation going and ask for help when
I've needed it. Having a surname like 'Kralova' is confusing here as
people expect me to be Czech, and when I reply in Czech, but not as a
Czech they are puzzled and usually ask 'aren't you Czech?'
Thank you very much for your prayers. Please continue to pray:
Praise
- that people have taken us under their wing in the church
- For good relationships with the neighbours
- For making good first connections with students and for the privilege to
preach at the first meeting
Pray
- For student weekend away at the beginning of November which Jirka will be
doing the talks for - For problems in the house to be sorted
- For deepening of relationships with students.
With all our love in Christ,
Jirka and Keira