Rícany, September 1998

DEAR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

SUMMER PRAISES:

Christmas in July,
what a surprise when we received a gift package from Grace Community Church - since we have on our list four GCC we do not even know which Women's ministry prepared this nice surprise. So far we had no time to put together the puzzle. Thanks anyway.

A week in London
at the "1998 School of Theology" was a real treat. We did not miss one lecture. This year over 350 pastors came from all over the England and a number of international students were also attending. We enjoyed different speakers and topics as well as meeting old and new friends. New themes can be published in our magazine, challenging materials to be translated and used for broadcasting. We had a feast in the bookstore. A young lady has been translating some articles for us. The references from new books, especially about genetics, are a tremendous challenge and fun to study. Klara is ecstatic. Molecular biology, genetics, mitochondrial clock and other discoveries are truly exciting. Evolution, like the Titanic, hit the iceberg of scientific mind and human pride. Evolution is sinking while the orchestra is still playing and those on board don't believe it. Our Creator is allowing us to peek into His lab. We marvel How fearfully and wonderfully we are made. How fortunate that we can share that information with others.

A week in Tosanovice
with young people was once again a great experience. Right on the spot we could apply what we learned in London - the camp served as a lab for "new worship" style. More than ever we are committed to challenge each audience with real and undiluted power of Gospel.

The mission cooperation
we are quite happy about the opportunity to be involved. For some time we provide Slovak edition of magazine "Battle for the Soul" to people in the area of Backi Petrovec - Yugoslavia where lives a Slovak minority. Through E-mail we now share texts of our radio programs for their local broadcasting. It is great privilege to help plant the seed and labor together.

The latest news from Backi Petrovec
Many have seen the film "JESUS." In four days over 4,000 people have heard the message of God's Grace. Over 1,000 have filled up cards with a desire to know more about Jesus. Please pray that local believers in 8 towns will be ready to lead these people to know Jesus as their own Lord and Savior and then to do follow up ministry. All these people have heard the Gospel, RECEIVED Christian literature - the SEEDS have been sown - now we have to pray to see much fruit for the Father's glory.
Vladimir M. - Yugoslavia

Internet broadcasting
We are elated about real possibility to be on the air in Czech language. HCJB team makes our life so interesting as they are always on the edge of technology.

Our newlyweds, are doing fine. Both are enjoying a new life in Colorado. They live in our youngest son Vit's house and still enjoy each other's company. Actually they even plan major cleaning jobs. All three of them are satisfied with the results. What's still remaining is the window washing. It used to be Klara's job (done last time three years ago). Filip has a good job. They bought a car, Lenka took a driving test to get her new license. The next step is to look for a place to live. They like two churches - one of them will become their home church.

Financial needs
We praise the Lord for providing support for this ministry and for us personally. Two of our supporting churches, actually the top two, skipped some months. We do not know if the support will be resumed, but an unexpected gift covered the gap.

Prayer partners
In our praises and prayers we thank GOD over and over for your faithful prayers. Yes we all, who serve the Lord, need extra strength and protection.

TRIALS and tribulations
We praise our Lord as we clearly see He cares and provides for us daily. Our prayers were tested during the tragic death of our friend's son, the bad injury of a missionary kid, a life threatening situation of a godly man, the burglary and the loss of a missionary's car.

We are grateful that we can stand by to be support to those in the midst of tribulation. How often we weep when we write the words of encouragement.

The Death
the son of our friend Helena in France was killed by a car that hit the crowd of Champs-Elysees celebrants following France's World Cup soccer victory. About 150 people were injured - 11 of them seriously, one died. We wonder how many from thousands of celebrating fans and those from the crowd during the accident thanked the Lord that they were spared? Who was ready to meet their Creator?

Please pray for Helena and her son's family. Three children are now without father. She wrote to me: "I wish I could have faith like you. I hurt and I cannot believe that God is loving and just."

Accident - Wesley McKnight, one of four children of missionaries to Czech Republic has been back home with his family in the US this summer. As he was riding a golf car, for some reason he jumped off or fell and was run over. He was hurt quite seriously. Our prayers are with Wesley and the family. They are a vital part of our small church in Ricany. Thanks for your prayers.

Apartment construction
turbulence in Asia, Russia and the stock market in America is making everyone nervous. Currency value is very unstable. So far we have paid 80% of the apartments. We trust the Lord that we can see the FINISH without any major devaluation or chain reaction financial collapse.

Explosion
we just learned about a Christian man we know, who was hurt in explosion while melting some asphalt. His body is 60-80% burned. For years this family was building with their own hands a place in their home for a small Christian community worship.

Burglary and stolen cars - it is a daily occurrence here. No car is safe. This time a missionary family close to our hearts had their car stolen. Other missionary couple had their home burglarized.

Floods - inexperienced for 100 years or so, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, were again hit for the second time in two years. Many homes and lives were lost.

August 21 anniversary - 30 years ago Prague Spring was crushed by brutal power of Soviet occupation forces. In previous years this anniversary was ignored.

Now, it seems the people show some kind of superficial nostalgia as they remain spiritually blind and deaf. We have no one to blame for the current situation. They are free but the slavery of godlessness continues.

Political situation
the results of the early election surprised almost everyone. Right now we have a coalition of Social Democrats and Civic Democratic Party. It is a strange union called opposition treaty or suicidal squad. The "suicide" indicates the depth of the problems. The Cabinet will take some difficult and unpopular steps. Many people are convinced that it was more comfortable to be a slave than to be a free man.

President Havel is still hospitalized after second abdominal surgery.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Surgery
Klara's mother is scheduled for hip replacement in mid September. We are about two hours from the hospital where the surgery will be done. We ask for grace to meet the schedule and mother's needs.

Home ministry
ability to prepare our schedule for the next year without major interruption in broadcasting and publishing. We are excited to report in person about the mission work, opportunities, challenges and results in Czech Republic and Slovakia with anyone who asks. Please, let us know about your mission conferences during the first six month of 1999. We will need a dependable car for that time. Buying, renting...? Anyone who would like to stay in our home in Prague? Hopefully it will be available.

Coming events:
The European Broadcaster's conference will be in October in Berlin - about 200 miles North of Prague. One of the topics of the conference will be Internet broadcasting. The HCJB team makes our life so exciting - on the edge of technology. Internet broadcasting is for us a real possibility. We are preparing ground to start. This is a quite important step, since the East European broadcasting rules are changing all the time.

Romanian brothers and sisters
they have six broadcasting licenses which might not be extended. Please pray for the tools and seed already planted.

In HIS Sovereign Grace,

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