November 2005

DEAR FRIENDS AND PRAYER PARTNERS

We greet you all in our Lord and Savior. In our October E-mail Prayer & Praise Report (E-P&PR 04) about Czech and Slovak ministry titled "WE ASKED—YOU PRAYED—HE ANSWERED," we shared the recent progress and praises:

Klara is now 60 and appreciating all the blessings and family time. Yes, after many decisions, Klara went to greet Emma Rose, our new granddaughter. She is a perfect gift and addition to the family. Grandma Klara had an opportunity to hold and cuddle the newborn for 10 days … what a joy! Time spent with our grandsons Samuel and Nathan, who are now almost 4 and 5, was also very special.

At the pre-birthday dinner with Filip's family, he commented about the three most important women in his life-his wife, newly born daughter and mother.

Our September family vacation with Vit was absolutely awesome. To travel with a Czech group is something else. Every day we were on the bus at 7AM and checked into the next hotel at about 8PM. No breaks in between for lunch or dinner, just a stop at a supermercado buying bread, fruits, yogurt, cheese, salami, water etc. Together Vit and Pavel took 1965 digital pictures. The history of Spain and Portugal is an eye opener to better understand the current tension between Islam, Christians and Jews. In addition, some spiritual seeds were planted and we will follow up. The art gallery in Madrid was an incredible opportunity for gospel sharing. Most of the masterpieces are based on Biblical events, and people who do not know the Bible are grateful to listen to the background. A most powerful triptich (a series of three paintings) is a hunting scene where the hunters on horses and the dogs are not chasing foxes, boars or deer, but naked maidens. It is a quite shocking and powerful painting. What an illustration and testimony of human sinfulness and depravity. People were speechless. Man without God is evil. We took pictures of many Biblical motifs and look forward to using them as a little quiz.

In the E-mail Prayer & Praise Report (E-PPR) for the month of October we also shared and asked for prayer for these October events:

First the seminar, Islam and Christianity or The Growth of Islam and what it means in the 21st. century, was very informative. The speaker Dr. Christine Schirrmacher has her Ph.D. degree in Islamic Studies and her presentation was very sensitive and respectful. She was able to explain many important facts by comparing the Christian and Islamic viewpoints. Unfortunately, hardly 30 people attended. However, we have the recording of five 90-minute lectures and we will move them around.

While at the conference, we found out about recent death threats. Fatwa was imposed on our missionary friends. Fatwa is much more than issuing a death sentence. We are sure you remember the case of Salman Rushdie. The best known Fatwa is Osama bin Ladin's:

In compliance with God's order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims: The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies-civilians and military-is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it. … We—with God's help-call on every Muslim who believes in God and wishes to be rewarded to comply with God's order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it. We also call on Muslim ulema, leaders, youths, and soldiers to launch the raid on Satan's U.S. troops and the devil's supporters allying with them, and to displace those who are behind them so that they may learn a lesson. Please remain in prayers for those individuals and their families who are in this kind of danger.

We live in a dangerous world and spiritual oppression is all around us. Unintentionally, we are more and more cognizant of the past, present and future religious and political challenges. Actually, what is happening right now is strong desire of Islam to become a uniting force for all religions. As we are watching European CNN, we are daily aware of advertisement from Middle East/Arab countries showing wonderful examples of harmony and beauty. Generally speaking, our concern is that this kind of presentation is more attractive to modern man than the European, post-Christian heritage.

The next conference was with Philip Yancey. He is very popular in this country. It was hopelessly overbooked. Over 1200 people attended. We did not participate, since we had visitors from Arizona. Actually, recently we had three visits from Arizona.

The Event of the Century — that is how we nicknamed the Darwin and Design Conference—a third conference planned for October 22, 2005 in Prague. Our prayers are for numerous and diverse audience attendance. These speakers are top-notch scientist and authors. The country needs introduction to His Design.

Now we can give you a short first hand report. The conference was truly an international event. People from 20 different countries attended. Preceding conference event there was some negative publicity from local scientific community and almost total ignorance from the local press. About 700-800 people attended, many young students but none of their professors. We have so much to share but the space for the Newsletter is too short to even start. We will let you know about details in our next month E-P&PR 05. Though we were asked to be on the committee that organized the conference, we had to decline the opportunity due to our busy schedule. Because of our Christian Journal we publish, we have one of the most extensive database of both, e-mail and snail-mail addresses—in order of thousands. Therefore, our contribution to the event was letting our readers and listeners know about it. In any case, this event was a highlight of our ministry in Czech and Slovak Republics. Our relation to the subject is emotional. When we came to Czech Republic in 1992 we were one of the first protagonists of creations science. Back in those days we were looked upon as mad people. After 10 years or so, it becomes a hot subject. We will pursue this opportunity with great desire to glorify our Creator.

• For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)

RECENT EVENTS:
Our hearts have been touched by the magnitude of destruction during the hurricane events in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida. And it looks like it was not the last natural disaster to strike. Hurricane Alpha is on the way. We were crushed by news about massive earthquakes in India and Pakistan. Very little has been said about destruction and suffering in Nepal because the constant territorial war between Pakistan and India cuts off the people of Nepal from humanitarian aid. Only enemy armies can be any help. This is another country we visited in the past and have very vivid pictures about what is happening there. Recently we heard an interesting comment from a Muslim leader. Before the earthquake, some Muslims were saying that Allah is disciplining America with all the hurricanes. After the earthquake, when a reporter questioned him about this statement, she got the answer that Muslims who die unexpectedly in a disaster of this kind are considered by Allah to be martyrs who are going directly to paradise.

Next is the panic about bird (avian) flu. It is big here in Europe. Infected birds have been found in several European Union countries. We are consuming imported eggs from Germany and Poland; chicken meat is imported from who knows where. Onions are imported from New Zealand; genetically modified products and all this massive globalization are making it easier for any epidemic or pandemic.

DAY-TO-DAY MINISTRY:
It seems to be more difficult. Vladimir, our web master is in Ireland working on his doctorate degree. We miss him a lot. He has been helping us over the Internet. We talk to him often using GoogleTalk. However, personal contact is something else. Jindra was on sick leave and we missed her cheerful attitude and help. We have many publishing tasks in progress. Everything is time consuming. But we are moving ahead as He is allowing us..

Oct. 27th we will meet with TWR to finalize preparation for our part in broadcasting-first by Internet and later Satellite. The target date for Internet broadcasting is November 1st 2005. We rejoice, however it spells out more work.

• Some recent changes in our church were made relating to Church planting events. As a result of it, Pavel started to teach Bible study every other Wednesday. This is a great privilege for us.
• Please pray for the broadcasting situation in Slovakia. The door is wide open, however the studio situation is becoming critical. We have no additional financial reserve available to pay for needed studio rental place, not to mention the need for studio upgrade. The studio cannot stay in the residence of our key man. We sense his growing discouragement.
• Euro-Asia/NAME Regional Council Meetings with World Office Directors are scheduled for November 25-27, 2005 at the Bibelheim near Männedorf, Switzerland. Meetings like this are very significant for good communication and cooperation; it is so important that we stay together and keep each other moving toward His goal.

As you can see, we are moving full speed ahead to the end of 2005 and into next year. Actually, this is our last News release in 2005. We wish you the best between now and the end of the year and beyond.

If you want to know more, we will be happy to send you our E-mail Prayer and Praise Report about Czech and Slovak ministry:

WE ASKED–YOU PRAYED–HE ANSWERED. We will prepare and send out the December issue of E-P&PR. If you do not get this News Release before it comes by snail-mail, we probably lost your e-mail address.

We praise the Lord for all that he is providing, for faithful partners, and the prayers and love you are showing to us abundantly. Our prayers are with you as well.

In His Grace and Service
pavel and klara

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