(2. Corinthians 2:13)

Ricany, July 1998

DEAR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST,

to capture the beat of the past month, weeks and days is nearly impossible. Where to begin? First of all, our son Filip and his fiancee, Lenka, got married. It is a simple sentence, but events preceding the wedding were much more dramatic. As we mentioned last time, Filip's Czech birth certificate caused some more excitement. Two days before the wedding they were told: "We can not marry you." The clerk in Ricany was embarrassed and cried. After several telephone calls to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the "exception" was made and there was no more pressure from the lower ranks bureaucrats.

That is not the end of this story. The day before the wedding, Lenka's little brother came down with chicken pox. Since we had some guests who are quite particular, we had a long telephone negotiations concerning who will and who will not attend the wedding. The bride was crying since her little brother was looking forward to see the princess.

The sadness was lifted by our eighty-two year old aunt. She has been a mediator at many weddings. Her way of lightening the clouds of gloom was fantastic. The wedding day was one of those perfect days. The bride was beautiful, her little brother survived at home with grandma and the rest of us played assigned roles. Peace and joy followed. The ceremony and reception was smooth as silk and the happy couple left for their honeymoon.

As soon as the newlyweds returned they started to work on Lenka's immigration. After the first interview Filip was surprised. The Americans asked for his last-year's income statement. Since he worked in Czech Republic during the past 18 months, he did not qualify as Lenka's supporter. He was paid very well by Czech standards, but it was below the US poverty level. This episode put a wrinkle on our happy days. The drama was like the famous Czech opera – The Bartered Bride. Two more interviews were needed for final approval. On June 11th we said the final good-bye as they left. Lenka's New York entry was a matter of minutes. A warm welcome, a thumbprint and her signature were the last requirements. A couple of our missionary friends were going to Denver on the same flight with carry-ons only. Their combined check-in luggage allowance included Fillip's bicycle and Lenka's books. They moved all their "stuff". After 18 months our nest is empty again. We pray that Filip soon finds a good job, new church family, so they can build their nest together.

CONFERENCES

Both conferences were action-filled and encouraging.

a)  Radio Conference III in Poland had participants from 16 countries and 35 cities. For the first time, most of the major presentations were made by partners of the HCJB International Media Group (not HCJB World Radio staff). Over 60 people came together and spoke in many languages. The conference was conducted in three languages – English, Russian and partly Polish. Within a few days we developed a universal Slavic language. Actually John 3:16 was recorded in 15 different languages. We had an opportunity to speak and witness to the official interpreter. She was a non-believing Polish lady. She was quite impressed by the testimonies and the whole atmosphere of international cooperation.

It was exciting to hear reports of how broadcasts in various countries have started and how they continue today. New stations, more workers, many volunteers, a variety of programs – what an accomplishment – from a-few-minutes daily broadcast to 24 hours a day and 64 different programs. Estonia – 90% of this area is covered by Christian broadcasting; Latvia – 16 full time workers, 40 pastors and about 50 volunteers prepare the programs; AM broadcasting from Petersburg and Moscow can be heard by millions of people; Romania – the team was exciting; plans and more plans; Poland – preparation for radio network continues, Ukraine – dramatization of the New Testament continues; 15 versions in other languages will be ready within the next five years. Each of 22 ministry teams received a supply of more than 65 CDs and cassettes of Christian Music presented by HCJB Trustee, Dr. Paul Ramseyer.

HCJB International Media Group now consists of 30 countries. We all are committed to communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

b)  The HCJB Euro-Asia Conference, hosted in our hometown of Ricany, was a lot of work for both of us. What a reward to share and hear all those encouraging reports. We had thirty representatives from the HCJB European offices. Logistically it was an accomplishment since our guests were arriving by train (regular express trains in Germany were canceled since the tragic accident near Hamburg), by plane from different countries on different days, and by car from The Netherlands and the UK (They found Ricany). Pavel did a tremendous job. During the conference an almost-200-year temperature record was broken. Our friends from New Zealand and UK had to buy some summer clothes. Fortunately our meeting room was air-conditioned (Not many places are.), so we endured. A cultural intermission was well received and appreciated. We attended Verdi's Nabucco in the State Opera House. After the performance our bus took us to the top of Prague's castle and we had a romantic walk down to see the night lights. After a hot night it was delightful to have an ice cream just before bed-time.

Again, we are proud to report exciting events from field offices about HCJB's international outreach. We truly are a World Radio.

Many prayers were shared and answered, and new prayer requests were voiced. During the conference we received an urgent prayer request for Graham, a missionary who was arrested in a North African country. He is one of those people who distributed Christian literature. We were told about persecution and attempts to stop Christian broadcasting. Doctor Sasse from Germany remained us that death always travels with us. He then described his bike accident in an Austrian tunnel.

A group of the conference participants toured our home and office. As they returned to our living room someone asked, "Do you have any bedroom?" Yes, we do, but signs of our work are seen everywhere else.

New housing

During the busy days we had to spend some time at the construction site to design all the plumbing, electrical, and the electronic wiring to have all the rooms properly connected. Also decisions about the fixtures, tiles, flooring, etc. had to be clarified in different show rooms.

David and Sharon Kealy director of the Euro-Asia region, came to see the construction site and were quite happy about our move and location. We will be much closer to the airport as well as very close to the largest college dormitories in Prague. We are happy to report that the plans were approved for the upgrade of our office, recording equipment and prepare a digital studio. For this exciting event we plan to attend next HCJB International Council Conference in Colorado Springs in February 1999 to begin our home ministry assignment.

Praise and Prayer:

Our friends from Indonesia were safely evacuated – exactly as planned. Next year we shall see them in Houston. We still have many friends who live there and we know that the crisis is far from over. Our prayers and thought are with all of them.

Right now we feel quite exhausted. Much of our work was set aside due to the heavy schedule. Please pray for our strength.

Summer time

We are looking forward to receiving some visitors who are coming to see us. We plan to speak at several summer camps. In July we are signed up to take a week-long theological class in London.

Once again we want to express our most sincere thanks to all of you who stand behind this ministry. We are glad and privileged to be part of the International HCJB ministry. It is our joy and pleasure to have faithful and generous partners. With LOVE,

In HIS Sovereign Grace,

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