© Ivan Steiger MMI

(Isaiah 46:9-10)

March, 2002

DEAR PEOPLE IN CHRIST, FRIENDS AND MINISTRY PARTNERS,

ENCOURAGING SPRING BREAK
It is a little bit premature to think of spring break, but the days of late January and early February were unusually warm and sunny. Our spirit was lifted and wormed up for more reasons than this. We praise our Lord for it. Let us share all the blessings with you – our partners in the ministry. First of all, we had the privilege to minister once again in a rural district of Northern Moravia. This is the area where large Christian summer camps are held which we have reported to you about in some of our early prayer letters. The church auditorium was packed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday night ladies' meeting. People of all generations came.

Pavel taught on "Liberalism in the Church." He mainly touched the basic stones of Christian faith and how they are attacked by liberal thought. Among others, these fundaments of faith discussed were: • Bible is God's Word • God is the Creator • God is Holy • Man is totally deprived • God saved sinners for His own sake • God sent His only begotten Son who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf • Jesus Christ was born of virgin • Christ was crucified to bear our sins • Christ was buried • Christ was bodily resurrected • Christ ascended into heaven • Christ is seated on the right hand of the Father and reigns in heaven and earth • Christ will return to earth • Christ will judge all people.

Klara covered the subject of "Temptations and Traps of Our Days." Not only for young people but all of us. Men were especially interested to know what the ladies' evening talk would be about. It was titled – "Women Have Always Something to Talk About." Klara was warned that ladies usually do not ask too many questions that they are not used to discussing many issues, … well, we did and had a great time with a lot to talk about.

We (ladies) are here to make our homes happy places and families to thrive. As you can see, our roles are divided, we are not competing, but completing. This rural community reminded me of my childhood. Ladies were very good homemakers – their bedding was starched crisp and pressed, baking was wonderful and their desire to be good servants of the Lord was genuine. Concern for the younger generation was beaming from every face. This was a wonderful experience and change of spiritual scenery. Most of the time we are in contact with city dwellers.

As a result of this wonderful four-day trip we are booked for January or February 2003. Pavel is supposed to develop further the fundamental stones of Christian faith for the young generation. It was really refreshing to spent some time with these people. There is an interesting ethnic mix in that area. About half of them are Czechs, about 40 % Poles, and some Slovaks live there too. So, the Church songs alternate among the three languages.

RENEWED COOPERATION WITH TWR
As we progressed toward our destination in northern Moravia, we made some long overdue visits. We had a fruitful meeting in Brno with Trans World Radio. We are again working on closer basis. We will place some of the TWR's speakers onto our web site.

We also visited a recording studio of our long time friend Jiri. He has collected hundreds of recordings from different pastors, and speakers. There is another friend in Brno whom we know who helps Jiri to convert audio tapes into digital format. They build together an archive and we plan to tap into these special recorded treasures.

We visited other pastors and might get their audio messages for our HCJB Internet archive.

FEBIO FEST
In February Prague hosted FEBIO FEST – a movie festival. More than 700 films brought the world ethnicity to our doorstep. Selection was incredible. We concentrated mostly on Russian and Indian productions – with both, contemporary and historical themes. All movies were in its original sound and were either simultaneously translated or affixed with English subtitles. It was a great refreshing Russian language lesson for us. Most of the time we did not used our headsets. This was great, since Pavel and Vladimir will attend the HCJB European conference in Kiev (Ukraine) in May.

To our surprise, most of the Russian movies were dealing with "Russian Vietnam" – Afghanistan – and the clash of that superpower with people of Muslim faith. Seeing on screen the evil hearts and cruelty of men, no matter what historical period of time the movie depicted, we can confirm, there is only One Hope. It is not in wars and in killing people, it is in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the most interesting movies was called "The Muslim." A young Russian soldier was taken a prisoner by Afghanis and was kept as POW for seven years. During his imprisonment he was taught by old Muslim man whose son was killed by the Russians. After seven years he was exchanged for other war prisoners and returned back home. The portrait of Russian village life was very realistic. Drunkenness, violence, despair … and one veteran of Muslim persuasion with different values. A praying man, who did not drink or chased women ... was beaten repeatedly by his drinking older brother. He loved his former girlfriend who in the meantime when he was in Afghanistan had become drunkard and whore, … he was laughed at by everyone. Because of his faith he was portrayed, under the circumstances, as a man of noble character. At the end he met face to face his biggest enemy – the man who came to kill him as a traitor (his former army commander) who in the meantime became a Christian. Two sets of different values were confronted. The message of this story was – there is no religion which can really change a person. Our world would be better without religious sentiments … Russian people and some film makers are quite concerned about human soul and spirit. However, it does not change the fact, no matter how many war victories or tragedies happened in the past, no matter how many evil or noble characters are portrayed, no matter how many people are killed or spared, no matter of crying or laughing souls in reality or in movies – without Lord Jesus Christ there is no hope. We wish, broad American audience would have chance to see similar movies from different cultures. It is so educating, so different. It makes one to think and start a little bit to understand thoughts, values and desires of other peoples. When I (Pavel) recently saw a Kazach movie, I could not sleep for days how much it impressed me!

I remember, some 35 years ago, in the depths of communism Czechoslovakia was swamped by a myriad of uninspiring Russian propaganda movies. Everybody hated them. Very seldom government allowed an American movie – and it was always excellent. Now it seems, it is the other way around. Tons of American action movies and practically no Russian movie at all. When there is one shown, it is usually excellent and always a financial loser. While American money-makers are shown indiscriminately, Russian movies are carefully selected. The problem is in the sinful audience. Most people regardless their nationality don't prefer active thinking, rather, they prefer to be passively entertained. Thanks for maverick festivals like Febio Fest. We wished, you were with us.

Another impressive message was carried through a Danish documentary film named Portrait of God. The movie director was looking for God everywhere. In the free world hardly anyone could say who God is. He found some good answers in South Africa where he came to ask prisoners: "Who is God?" Prison ministry showed changed lives. We could hardly believe how powerfully the Gospel was presented.

GABI
WAVing – for those who do not know what kind of word this is, it is what is going on in our office. Gabi, our new program producer, is converting audio tapes into digital form – files with ".wav" endings. This audio format can be edited in such a way that is similar to word processing editing. You should see the enthusiasm here in the studio as the trio – Pavel, Vladimir and Gabi work together. A sad news is that Gabi's apartment was recently broken in. Just to replace the entrance door was twice as much as she makes per month. She lost quite a few other things, but we are bonded together and we pray for further protection. The next day after finishing this letter to you, Gabi slipped and ended with cast on her leg for the next three weeks. She is staying in our office because in her place she could not function at all. So, I am not alone.

KLARA
Since Pavel is in the States she holds the fortress. She hopes to lose some holiday pounds and keep up with her ladies' ministries. In December she started informal ladies group that meets in Christian cafι in downtown Prague. They meet twice a month and each time they enjoy a slightly guided forum of topics of our days. In January Klara received an e-mail message "Islam Denounces Terrorism" from Turkey. This contact came to us somehow through HCJB web pages. The person who wrote to us said: "Islam is a religion that came down to offer humanity a life filled with the peace and well-being in which God's eternal mercy and compassion is manifested in the world." Klara exchanged several e-mails and was especially happy to learn so much about Muslim people from the film festival and several lectures she attended in Prague. Here is the latest authentic communication from Istanbul: "I have thought we have many things in common. You may advice us more ways to present the facts of creation to people. Nevertheless, I have also some question about your belief for creation. Because most of our works base on the facts of creation. In other words, we believe "Intelligent Design". In 1998, we have held three international conferences … Since creation is the common subject in Christianity and Islam, there is no need to mentioning about religion itself. Or it is also possible for our Christian to use our works without referring to our religion within their community. We will happily provide every necessary material. "Notice – there is no need to mentioning about religion itself. This is something what is becoming prevalent. Doctrine must go aside! Doctrine divides, it is dangerous. We are afraid that this may be the case in near future. Globalization may erode and remove basic Christian doctrine. Stay firm in our Lord Jesus Christ!

On the other hand, what a challenge and opportunity. Please pray for this person. It is very tempting to take a trip to Turkey – right now we have a special – round-trip airfare with four nights in a four star hotel for only $150. Well, this is just an idea … perhaps next time.

PAVEL left February 11, for a ten-week home ministry. His tour is very busy. He will have to drive a lot of miles to attend several Church Mission Conferences and visit some supporting churches. He will be mostly in AZ and CA. Now we are connected via Internet. We can chat and talk on line. He has direct access to our computer network here in Prague from any telephone jack. Thus, this is an Internet office operation. How it is done I do not understand but our wizards know how and I trust that this will work for the rest of Pavel's ministry in the U.S.A. If it were not for Gabi I would be panicky.

PRAISE THE LORD
PTL – for the Internet ministry and audio archive system – anyone who has access to Internet can listen anytime and anywhere.
PTL – for reports from the United States, Australia, Indonesia, Korea… In all these locations are Czechs and Slovaks who "tune up" to our Internet broadcast.
PTL – for your December contributions toward this ministry support – it about doubled your usual monthly contributions.
PTL – for our publishing funds from CZ supporters. The account looks healthy.
PTL - for all of you - it is great to be part of His team.

In His Sovereign Grace Pavel and Klαra

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