Prague Journal—09.06.19

I will try to keep you posted here on the blog on developments during my month-long stay in Prague ministering to the people of our church-plant in Modrany (a southern district of greater Prague) while Bayview's missionaries, Jerry and Marilyn Farnik, are in the U.S. on furlough.

I left San Diego on Wednesday (6.17) at about 8:00 AM and traveled via Newark, NJ, Manchester, UK, and Dusseldorf, Germany, arriving in Prague about 4:00 PM on the 18th. It was a very long trip (had a 6 hour layover in Newark waiting for the overnight flight to Manchester) but through God's kindness I made all the necessary connections without a hitch, and I and my luggage (!) arrived in good shape.

I took a couple of hours getting settled in at the Farniks' house in Zbraslav, and then hit the rack for a good nine-hour sleep. Since I couldn't make the internet connection at the Farniks' work, nor could I decipher the cellphone they left for me (which speaks only Czech!), I set off this morning in the rain to find a place where I could get online. When in doubt, go to MacDonald's!

I knew of one on Wenceslas Square in downtown Prague from previous trips—we've gone there frequently on past trips to get iced sodas (still a rarity among the natives in this part of the world). I was able to tap into someone's wireless network and was able to make some contacts by email and update my status on Facebook. Everybody in the USA is asleep, so I'll have to wait till later in the day to see if my notes got through to people. I also contacted some of my local helpers and should talk to them later today.

So now, I think I'll go have a walk around and renew myself with the sights and sounds of Prague's "Old Town" before I head back to the Farniks' to make some preparations for the Sunday service. I'll be preaching and teaching Sunday school classes for four Sundays while I'm here. Ondrej Grabmyler—who has provided such able assistance at English camps in the past—is going to serve as my translator again. It will be good to minister with him again.

Thanks to all of you who are praying that God will open hearts and bless the ministry of his word here—not only this month while I am here, but onward as the Farniks continue their labors to establish Reformed congregations in Prague.