No Plans just Open Hands

My Plans are Not My Own

So in our last episode we left off with me stranded in Edmonton. My flight was cancelled the week before I was set to depart; the re-booking would have to wait at least two weeks, take 3 flights and cost a minimum of $250. So Big Brother to the rescue! My older brother lives 3 hours from Calgary and was making a trip up to Red Deer so a couple more hours north wasn't a big deal. (Anything for family right?) I had plans to go and visit him in May anyways so he got me on May 4th and then my parents came up to meet me at his place and I got back to the OK on May 8th.

My big bro lives in the Rockies and I got to enjoy the beauty of "God's Country" as he likes to call it.

How have you been keeping yourself busy?

When I haven't been doing unit planning and curriculum development and waking up for 4am meetings (1pm in Czech Republic) I have been cleaning out the closet in my parents' basement where I store my belongings. This has resulted in the uncovering of some treasures.
I can't believe the things we keep sometimes.

This foam visor was from A&W that I got in high school

This was the helium balloon I got when I graduated high school!

Notes my friends made for my 17th birthday

It is a hippo mask I made in College during a how to teach Art module

The bridesmaids dress that still fits me!

The couple just celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary!

Sweatshirt I wore in College

Sorting through many many photos this was a favourite! 

There is just something special about old family photos.

As Covid-19 restrictions have begun to relax we have been able to get out more and return things to something a little more normal.
There is something about getting a haircut that brings spring back into your step.

This couldn't be more true for our lovable dog Fritz.
In just the last two months he has shown signs of going blind and possibly deaf. He slowed down considerably and Mom was sure we would need to say goodbye to him soon. Then he got a haircut...

I think he might have a few years left in him yet!

I've slowly started to pack suitcases and prepare for my departure in 7 weeks!

Lord Willing I will be getting on a plane to head "home" on July 20th.

It still seems like a long ways off but I know it will be here before I know it!

Praying that flights stay scheduled and that covid becomes a distant memory.
Trusting the Lord and waiting on him.
Taking one day, one step at a time, with open hands.

World of Change

Where Were You When the World Went into Quarantine?

We are living in a moment that will make the history books. 2020 The year when the world shut down because of something small, invisible and dangerous: Covid-19. I remember when first hearing about the virus in China after Christmas thinking that it would be short lived and not really something that will affect my world. It would be like the Ebola outbreak or SARS, the swine flu or the bird flu and other flus before it. Something tragic in its region but not something that would affect my world. Amazing how we feel invincible until the harm is standing in our own backyard!

I think what strikes me most is how easily things can spread: germs, rumours, lies, and fear. It takes root, it multiplies and it wreaks havoc in each one it touches. Something invisible, seemingly harmless and yet potentially very dangerous.

What protects me is hope.  Hope in a Saviour and a Sovereign Creator. Nothing is amiss by God. I know once this time passes and is a lingering memory I will look back and see the hand of God in each moment. Where he placed me during this time and how he was at work even when the world seemed to be crumbling.

It is hard not to be in Prague, near my community that I have come to know and love over the past 9 years. That God would have me back in Canada. Yet I know God would have me here for such a time as this. I am currently riding out the social distancing, lock down wave in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I had planned to spend 8 weeks with friends to help with their 3 kids (11 month old twins and 2 year old) during part of my 6 month totalization. Being with the Buck family has been a blessing and has made a time of being in lock down and apart from family bearable.

So just a few snapshots of the cuteness I have had to endure.

Social distancing and staying inside because it is too cold to go outside can be rough but we are coping as well as can be expected.

 

Plans Derailed

I had plans to attend TeachBeyond's global conference in Slovenia in April. I was going to get to see many of my colleagues, encourage fellow missionaries and hear from an amazing speaker. I was set to return to B.C. on April 30th and visit friends in the Ok and the Shuswap. I had dreams of seeing my first class of grade ones graduate from KCS. Many of these plans have been put on hold and may even be cancelled.

What God is teaching me through Covid-19: my plans are not my own. To hold everything with open hands. I have been taught that flexibility is the best ability and it comes in very handy on the mission field, as constant change is a guarantee.
So as we travel uncharted waters we look towards the master, as we seek to strengthen our faith, knowing that he won't let us drown.

I pray for those battling the virus, those who have lost loved ones to it and to all the people who are struggling with the strains that this unusual pandemic has brought upon our world. May God be glorified amongst the suffering. May his truth be shared and the hope of the gospel continue to grow.

September - December

Semester Gone in a Flash!

Usually I try to update every couple of months but this semester was so full and busy that the time to sit down and load and share pictures never came. Now we are already into the new year and I sit back reflecting on a year past and seeing all the amazing things God has done.

Our school year started off with a surprise as we were anticipating a very full grade one class and out of the 14 I tested only 9 students enrolled for this Fall. Smaller class than anticipated but our God is faithful and knows exactly what we need before we do! They are a very active group of 7 boys and 2 girls that have kept me more than just on my toes!

Starting School
Our school is in record breaking numbers this year with close to 160 students enrolled. Each one of our elementary classes are anywhere from 9-16 students in a class. My class has students from USA, Russia, India, Greece, Singapore, India and Japan. Majority of them have had very little to no exposure to the Bible and when I asked them who Jesus is they looked at me with blank expressions. "He is the good guy in the Bible!" one of students ventured to explain. What amazing opportunities we have to share the love of Jesus and who he is with these kids and their families.

5 Senses our First Field Trip
Museum of Senses
The first time I have tried this field trip for my kids and I will definitely do it again! The kids had a great time and it was put together so well for Czech and English speakers.
We got to explore optical illusions, sensory buckets, guess smells and solve puzzles using our senses.

 

If you noticed a couple new faces it is because two of our staff members who have kids in Czech schools joined us for the field trip. These girls are normally in Czech school but since their school was on holiday they were able to join us and help us reach the minimum of 10 students needed for a discount at the museum.


Reading Day
This has to be one of my favourite celebration days that we have during the school year when we celebrate reading. It allows for our students to connect with the kids in the other classes and explore the joys of literature. It is also an opportunity to dress up! I have been wanting to do Emily Elizabeth from Clifford and the Big Red Dog for years! However the costume hung on the finding of a hot pink button up sweater which I finally found in a thrift store this summer while back in Canada!

 

Staff Day Away

In the fall we have some time set aside for our staff to get away and spend some time together. This year we took a day to go out in the Czech countryside and visit Konopiště: a four-winged, three-storey château located in the Czech Republic, about 50 km southeast of Prague, outside the city of Benešov. It has become famous as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered World War I.

We got to tour the castle and the grounds and then a group of us ventured out into the woods to participate in some paintball. Nothing says staff bonding like climbing through obstacles and shooting paint at your co-workers! 

Celebrations!

In grade one we get to learn about celebrations from around the world. This year we learned about Thanksgiving, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas. 

We have quite a few students from India so for the first time I researched and learned about one of India's major holidays: Diwali. It is very neat getting to learn about different cultures and their beliefs and teaching about these from a Christian world view.

Hanukkah - making Latkes

Christmas around the world

We learned about Christmas celebrations from England, Mexico, Sweden, and Germany

Gingerbread men - We made Christmas ornaments and decorated cookies

Christmas Markets Field Trip

Christmas markets originated in Germany and as much fun as it would be to take the kids on a two hour train ride to Germany to see the markets it is much easier to walk down the street to the local markets.

My Miracle

Preparing to leave is a difficult thing and having to do it when you don't know who your replacement is going to be makes it even harder. From the moment in May when I learned I had to go back to Canada for 6 months I began praying for my replacement. I was specific in these prayers listing all the things that this person needed to be. Someone who loved Jesus, had experience working with small children, was trained in education, had experience working with kids with special needs, would be in the Czech Republic in December, had their visa and would be there in time for me to train them before I left. I know God likes to work in the last hour because our faith is strengthened and there were moments that I thought my prayers were not to be answered and yet the echo of "TRUST ME" rang out loud and clear during this time.
On December 13th my miracle walked into our school. She checked off all my boxes, had permanent residency and was hired 3 days before I was set to leave for Canada. Trusting the Lord when things seem impossible is not easy and yet our God is forever faithful!

Saying goodbye to the kids was difficult but I know they are in good hands and I look forward to seeing them again next fall!

Where are you now and what are you doing?

Now I am back in Canada - had an amazing Christmas break with my family and have been battling the snow and the cold. I keep busy working on curriculum, planning and sharing about our school and my ministry with anyone who will listen. I will do a bit of travelling to see friends and family.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please continue to pray for our need for teachers, especially in the elementary. We are going to need at least 4 teachers in elementary next year as our class sizes are growing. Trusting in the Lord's provision. For more details be sure to sign up for my newsletter in the column on the left or check out our school's website http://www.cisprague.org/