(Psalm 63:1-3)

November 2000

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

PASEKY NAD JIZEROU

Klara before a bus trip to Zbraslav Church

Some of the autumn days have been absolutely wonderful. Let us share this latest report backwards. We have just enjoyed a wonderful weekend in the Krkonose Mountains in northern Bohemia with about 70 people who took part in the summer English language camp a few months ago. The camp was organized by a near-Prague Zbraslav church. The team of the English-language lectors come each year mostly from Tucson. We met a number of them in Arizona. Their faithful work is breaking many barriers and bringing fruit to the Zbraslav church. Saturday night, October 14, we enjoyed, at their retreat, a video from the camp. To us this was an Oscar-winning performance. It was exciting to see the spirit of friendship and bonding between Christians from the US and local people--believers as well as non-believers. Our major task was the Sunday morning preaching. Pavel touched the nerve endings of Christianity that opened a very serious discussion--Sovereignty of God and depravity of men. What an introduction to follow-up classes of the fundamentals of the faith that are scheduled for the next 12 weeks!

USTI NAD LABEM
The previous Friday night we had a brand new presentation of HCJB ministries in Ecuador and other parts of the world in Usti nad Labem (also northern Bohemia) for young people. Attendance was great and the presentation was received so well that Pavel got another invitation to preach in this town. During the Sunday service, two days later, several young people expressed their appreciation of the Friday's ministry.

RUZOVA
Further back, we had the first mini-conference in a small northern Bohemian town with four Christian men from different cities and one pastor from England. It was a rainy weekend, but spiritually our hearts and minds were on fire for the Lord.

CURACAO
As we backtrack further to our trip from Ecuador, we spent several days in Curacao, a Dutch island in the Caribbean, since the KLM flight stopped there. This enabled us to catch our breath after the conference. The Lord not only upgraded our flight to business class and our hotel to deluxe room, but led us to English Sunday worship in one of the hotels. We met a US missionary couple who prepared for us unforgettable memories and very intense experiences which we would call - Saints alive. They introduced us to a Dutch couple who established a children's hospice, Siloam, named after the bathing water in Jerusalem where our Lord Jesus sent a young man, born blind, to wash his eyes. This couple has taken care of dying children since 1997. Some of them only live a very short time; others come in a hopeless condition but live a little longer than expected. At the present time they care for ten children from babies through age 13. All of them are black, and their medical condition varies from cancer, epilepsy and muscle-wasting diseases to kidney and neurological problems. None of them has family who can care for them. We knew that there was an HIV positive child among them. It was our first encounter face to face or hand to hand with an AIDS child. We had no idea which one of them it was. Actually he turned out to be the most outgoing and shook hands with all of us.

To be around seriously ill children is never easy. Jonathan, a 9 year old boy, quite small for his age looked sickest of all. His skin was very dark and elephant-like thick. His torso was covered with coffee beans sized growths all over. His fists were clenched and fingers almost worn out from scratching his body. It reminded us of Job and his misery. Jonathan's body was so frail and broken; and his bones, refusing to heal, could not support his limbs. His eyes were dim, dark-yellow, as his liver and kidney were not functioning properly. We were unprepared for an encounter like that. But as we adults talked, the "dad" took Jonathan in his lap with another sick child and said, "Jonathan loves when I sing to him about Jesus." He started to rock the children. Jonathan stopped scratching, and for a while we could see on his face a faint smile and noticed his beautifully carved lips, the last physical feature which was not devastated by his illness. We all listened to the song about Jesus--first in Spanish, then English, and lastly in Papiamento and Dutch. This was a living portrait of God's love.

We listened to the testimony of how the Lord provides for all their needs without their pleading for money or publishing the pitiful condition of the children. Their ministry letter contains only a short description without pictures. The couple is very humble and totally dependent on the Lord's provision. They do not advertise, but the Lord brings people together in His way. The funding comes through voluntary gifts and donations. The English speaking church in Curacao is now involved and are really blessed as they help. Other people familiar with this project keep informed by internet.

We are grateful for this eye opener. As we were ministering to the people in Paseky, this recent experience was very helpful in illustrating the difference between good and God's works. To be His servant, to be "mom and dad" to those children, cannot be measured by money or good intentions. A call and ministry like this needs supernatural strength.

QUITO

Hospital Vozandes in Quito

Greatest highlight during the past couple of month was the third HCJB International Council conference in Quito. We know that to share with you everything which is worth mentioning is impossible. Report after report from the regional offices gave testimony to God's blessing and the new challenges in front of us. Five years ago most of the regional offices were just catching their breath. Today, HCJB has a true international representation, and this recognition was a great encouragement to all in Quito. We were happy to meet our old friends as well as the fine new "additions" to HCJB missionary servants. We are excited about more new opportunities than ever. It is amazing how the Lord provides qualified people. Technology is helping us to be in touch, reach much further, and to see first hand what is happening. We were connected through Internet with Elkhart, Indiana, and Colorado Spring. We praise the LORD for ability to share openly about our work, and we stand by those, who because of their location, cannot do so.

The greatest challenge comes from Africa with its many crises. Once again the children are the victims. There are about 13 millions orphans because of the AIDS epidemic. Brazil has millions of street children. This is a great challenge for the local churches and different ministries. The AIDS situation in Ecuador is becoming serious as well. The reports from medical and nursing personnel involved in ministries to people infected by HIV are alarming. The world is not informed about the extent of the problem, since the truth could cause panic. The need to reach the children with the Gospel is imminent; otherwise death from AIDS is going to claim much more. The survival of the whole continent is at stake.

Czech and Slovak department together

Just before the conference opening, we had a two-day meeting attended by Czech and Slovak speakers and a couple of HCJB corporate people. We discussed the future of Czech and Slovak broadcasting from Quito. It was the first time that we met together with those who are actually part of Czech and Slovak broadcasting. We came together from three different parts of the world. Our Czech World in Prague will become instrumental during the transition period. We are looking forward to a great future. It was decided to employ a full time person as correspondence and broadcasting coordinator with a focus on local radio and webcasting. This will relieve Mrs. Kladensky, who is 77 and serves the short wave listeners for the past 25 years, and Georgina Gonzales who is director of Czech broadcasting and broadcasting coordinator for past 25 years. Please pray for this matter.

We are happy to report that Vladimir, our webmaster, is greatly appreciated by the HCJB team in Quito. He is a very valuable asset to the development of webcasting.

KLARA'S APPEARANCE ON TV PRIMA
My, Klara's mini-vacation in August led to an October's TV appearance. At the airport before the homebound flight I was approached by one of the most "invisible" person from the group. Sonya D. is a well-known actress, and I was probably the only one who did not know her. We started to talk, and when we boarded the plane after midnight, I joined Sonya in her row. The flight was quite bumpy from a major storm over Europe, so she was glad that I was with her. Before we landed, she asked me if I would consider being her guest on a TV daytime talk show. Both of us were concerned how the program director would fit me in. My heart's only prayer was that I could talk about the mission work and the Lord openly.

This desire was granted in a marvelous way. The Lord was the main Director. It was really funny when the host asked if my husband is also a visionary - of course! To be a missionary you have to be a visionary. After the show there were many phone calls. People thanked me and asked for our web site. All the camera and production people were very thankful, and we parted with their saying that this would not be the last show. Many different parts of the country saw the program, and many of these people would like to hear more.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows but only empties today of its strength. Charles Hadden Spurgeon

PRAYER REQUESTS

• For our daughter-in-law Lenka and son Filip and their unborn baby. In the 32nd week of pregnancy Lenka had to go to the hospital to stop the labor. The doctors monitored her condition. Now she is at home and we all are praying and waiting. Her due date is first week in December. We pray for the baby's safe arrival and our peace of heart, trusting our Lord, who is the Sustainer of all of our needs.
• For a full-time translator and broadcasting coordinator by the end of this year. We requested financial assistance, and several radio ministries in the US will be approached.
• For our ministry schedule which is quite busy until the end of the year.

PTL for Klara's recovery of energy and relief from pain. Thanks for your prayers. Once again we send to you our heartfelt thanks for giving us the opportunity to be Christ's servants, and we hope that you can have the same joy as we do.

It looks this is our last report this year. Czech stores are already decorated and ready for Christmas. In this early attack on Holiday spirit we wish you Happy