Liberec, Czech Republic (And a Few Small Towns Near)

So Last week Joshua and I went to the Czech Republic. We stayed with some family friends who are missionaries there, Ken and Linda Stapleton. Their ministry in Czech is to develop friendships with the people by hosting English speaking classes in different churches near Liberec. Czech's have a very hard time opening up and trusting people because of the Communist era 20 years ago. 99.5 percent of Czechs say that they do not believe in God. This makes Ken and Linda's ministry all the more important. Please keep them in your prayers. 

This is the name of one of the churches where Ken and Linda host a conversation group. The group is open to everyone. 

This is a typical Czech Nativity scene, everyone from the town is there. Czechs don't have a Santa Claus  for Christmas, they believe instead that "Baby" Jesus comes to bring gifts to the children. This is very sad, because it becomes natural for the people to keep Christ in that confinement, of being only a fictional baby who brings you gifts. One of Ken and Linda's goals is to bring Czechs to the realization that first of all, Jesus is NOT fictional, He grew up and died for us, and oh yeah....He doesn't bring you gifts on Christmas.... Your family and friends do.

Snacks at one of our discussion groups. 

This is the Town Hall in Liberec, just up the street from Ken and Linda's apartment. Those aren't stars in the sky, they're snowflakes! We were able to expierience our first European snow.

This is a monument made from house keys dedicated to some protesters in Liberec during the communists era.

Here's something you would never find in America today, a Nativity Scene in the town square.

Early morning snow outside our bedroom window. I'd never seen such large snowflakes! Each one looked to be about the size of a dime.

Faith was able to give the Czech people at one of the discussion groups a little taste of America, a homemade Chocolate Walnut Pie.

Let me rephrase that. TWO Chocolate Walnut Pies! That girl is one of a kind.

Linda had recently had a birthday, so everybody lined up to tell her how much they loved her with a kiss on the cheek and a few kind words. They even presented her with flowers.

Birthday Cake

At every discussion group we went to we had to bring house shoes.

Faith and I decided to go for a walk in one of the small townes. As we did, we passed a couple of little boys. So I said "HI!". Annnnd before we knew it, we had 10 little kids following us everywhere. It was funny for about 5 minutes, but half an hour was a little overkill.

This is a Thanksgiving dinner that Ken and Linda put on for the Czechs every year. People really enjoy this because they get to learn about American culture and also eat from a whole turkey which is really rare. 

Typical Czech cake

Joshua and I were asked last minute to help out with some of the Christmas songs. I had never even attempted to play a tambourine in my life. 

This was such a cool bus stop. We had such a wonderful time with the Stapletons. We would love to go back to Czech in the future! Keep them in your prayers.