Rícany, November 1998

DEAR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

We have just returned from the conference of the Fellowship of European Broadcasters in Berlin. It was a great blessing to us. Being in ministry, we need to get certain new perspectives and, foremost, some spiritual uplift for our souls. "The Christian Message in the Secular World and Cultures" and "Countries and Creeds in Conflict" were truly inspiring words. The morning devotions by Billy Strachan from Scotland were greatly appreciated. Berlin is spread out as no other city in Europe we have seen so far. It has no panorama, no visible downtown, just wide avenues and low buildings hidden in the trees. As you drive through, you still can notice the difference between the East and the West sides. After the reunification, Berlin became, perhaps, the largest construction site of the world. The forest of cranes and foundations for new governmental and embassy buildings are impressive. On our walk before registration, we stopped in one of the museums which was displaying, among other things, "The History of Bars in Berlin." It caught our attention since it related to the time before W.W.II. Displays of different artifacts, mementos, movies, posters and pictures of actors, singers, composers, musicians, dancers, artists--the golden age of entertainment. Berlin was the place where big stars were adored. It was chiefly, as shown, a world of Jewish entertainers. We watched the documentary clips from the early thirties: inflation, unemployment, economic crises and ... an instant cut of a scene in Berlin bars where one man was dancing with another--both dressed in business suits. Suddenly, the entertainment looked out of place. Hitler changed Germany and this type of decadence with jobs for almost everyone, the construction of factories and freeways, nationalism, anti-Semitism, and atrocities whose results affect us even today. Today's Berlin is different. You see many Muslim mothers and grandmothers pushing baby strollers with other children around them. To see so many children is unusual anywhere in Europe. We looked for German children, but there are not nearly as many. Germans are seen walking their dogs. Some older German kids have a dog instead of a brother or sister. If the present trend in birthrate continues, as mentioned in the conference, in one hundred years there will be more Muslims than Germans.

RELIGIOUS EVENTS IN PRAGUE:

Forum 2000 was a gala event of "Who's Who?" Hillary Clinton, Henry Kissinger and other world VIPs participated. One of the main events was an ecumenical worship service in the Saint Vitus Cathedral. Most religions were represented.

An Inter-religious dialog was held a few days later at Prague's Castle. It was the second meeting where representatives of different Christian denominations met with Paramhans Svami Mahesvarananda. The place was packed and many more people were unable to enter. It was a "harmonious and beautiful" event of "deep understanding, tolerance and mutual respect." The Czech Republic was praised for the peaceful process of dividing the country without bloodshed. Not even Mahatma Ghandi accomplished that. An organ interlude added to the sophisticated atmosphere filled with assurance that there are many ways to heaven, many master teachers, many incarnations of masters, we all pray to the same deity and we can learn so much from each other, etc. Unfortunately, dialogues like that are man-centered, not God-centered. It is so sad to observe the deception being implanted into the minds of so many spiritually hungry people. Christian leaders, instead of preaching the Gospel, shared their testimonies about religious persecution, imprisonment and the benefits of meditation, thus helping to build one universal Christless religion. New age leaders (Buddhists and Hindus) and "enlightened intellectuals" believe that Prague is becoming the spiritual center of the world.

Christian Health Workers was what Klara focused on in October. It was the ninth conference and it is great to know that among the doctors and nurses there are some believers. Most of the doctors are atheists. One of the medical students shared with us that at the anatomy exam the professor recently asked a question about special muscle evolution relates to the kangaroo pouch. It is great to hear from doctors that we were created, that patients have spiritual needs, that biblical principles are essential for mental health and care giving. Many health professionals are among our listeners and readers. Klara enjoys working on radio programs comparing the anatomy of the body with the church. We presented participants with Ken Ham's "Genesis and the Fall of the Nations," the book we translated and published a few years ago. Pavel was asked to make a theological contribution at next year's conference.

The above is only a partial list of Prague events. I feel from time to time that we must be the busiest people in the world. I was wrong. Listen to this:

...the carpet layers came on Thursday and re-carpeted my master bedroom and upstairs moving furniture all over the house.... The following morning all five of Gene's sisters arrived plus a sister-in-law, niece and niece's husband. The day the carpet layers were tearing up the house, I was busily cooking turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings for the coming onslaught of guests. The following day Gene's oldest brother and his wife came, so seven of the eight siblings were together for the first time since.... The three-day weekend was great fun for all of us, but I can't tell you how exhausted I was by the time everyone left....

You can substitute for siblings and relatives numerous guests and friends coming or passing by from around the world. We had visitors from Sweden, Switzerland, California, Kansas, Colorado, Yugoslavia, Slovakia, as well as local visitors. There were weeks when we were at the airport several times and in Prague daily. I felt like my feet were turning into wheels, and my arms into wings. After we move to Prague, we will be much closer to the airport, 74 steps away from a streetcar stop, three streetcar stops from the castle and about eight minutes from the subway. Pavel says the time saved on traveling will be spent on additional activity.

The reality of moving is setting in. Tile is already installed in the bathrooms, kitchen and entry hall. After the installation we noticed that the workers had not installed plumbing for the toilet in the utility room. If nothing worse comes, we can live with this. We are looking forward to the change of location. We will be able to be involved with a number of different ministries.

Bible study: We attend classes presented by Lynn Gardner, Dean of Ozark Christian College from Joplin, Missouri, who is here on his sabbatical. During Bible study we met some former Jehovah Witnesses. They are very eager to learn. We are invited to talk to their now unchurched group of about 50 people. We learned that our magazine is secretly read by JWs. Recently we produced an audio tape "The Sovereignty of God" which is being used by several different ministries.

Half of our congregation in Ricany

Vacation: Annamarie, one of our friends from Tucson wrote to us: "We hope you had a nice summer. You are so busy all the time, perhaps you did not notice." It sure looked like that. In the middle of August our weather turned into a cold and rainy fall. Klara's tomatoes were blooming and those green ones, instead of turning red, turned black. The rest of the gardening effort was harvested by snails. Klara washed our patio furniture more times than we used it.

Since Klara was turning green, Pavel came home with a "last-minute trip." Eight hours later we were on the plane and after a three-hour flight we landed in Tunisia, North Africa, where it was sunny and warm. The city of Sousse lies on long, endless sandy beaches. Tunisia is pleasantly exotic. With almost no alcohol served, the atmosphere was quite serene. Pavel took an additional two-day trip to the Sahara. Klara does not like long rides and this one was 1200 kilometers on the bus, jeep and camel. She stayed at the beach and read and highlighted seven books, research material for the radio programs.

On Sunday we visited the worship service and had communion. In all of Tunisia, there are only three Protestant churches. Two are English speaking, one French. That particular Sunday we had fellowship with a group of Italian believers and a group from Wales. One man was Brazilian and another, a young Indian woman. The scripture reading was in English and Italian. We found out that some local people listen to Christian broadcasting. They will talk to Christians on a personal basis, but they will not come to church as it is a Muslim country.

Back home it was a bit chilly. Coal, rather sulfur, heating season is on again.

Events ahead: Klara is registered to attend The Rutherford Institute conference in Paris. The off-season airfare and hotel package is a tremendous value on top of the great program, "Mega Trends in Human Rights." Pavel will be speaking at a retreat in Moravia on "Christians and Business."

PRAISES:

Klara's mother underwent a hip replacement surgery, and everything seems to be OK. Klara's brother was here from Colorado and did most of the hospital visiting. Our prayers were answered in many ways. The surgeon held mother's hand before surgery and had a nice talk with her. This is not common at all. During hospitalization, our mother was in a room with two other patients. One of them was a believer, and they prayed together. Her granddaughter would read the Bible during visitation. It had a tremendous influence on my mother. Now she is back at home and in a few days she will go to the spa for more rehabilitation. The health care situation is getting much tighter, but the Lord takes care of her needs. Surgeries like hip replacement are not as frequent as before. Several orthopedic units were closed down in an attempt to save some money and the waiting time is about 18 months. Mother just made it. We praise the LORD, since she already had a protrusion and was in much pain.

Wesley (whom we mentioned in our last prayer letter) returned back with his family. He was mangled badly. First he hopped on crutches, but now he is back on his feet. We saw his x-rays and the rod in his femur. In ten months, he will need another surgery. Please keep praying for his patience and courage to endure pain while doing his exercises.

Filip and Lenka just purchased a house in Denver. They may move sooner than our apartment will be finished.

Special time: We met and had a lovely lunch with John Dettoni and his wife, Carol. Their ministry in eastern Europe is very practical and challenging. They minister to believers as well as non-believers. John and Carol uniquely present biblical perspectives to the local leaders, medical students, police and people from many different walks of life. With the new government and political changes, we need practical leadership training more than ever.

Home ministry: We have received several invitations to come to Miami, Houston, Tucson and Denver. Thanks. Other places are on our list, also. As we talk about next year's schedule, it looks like we will sail right into the year 2000. The year of 1999 means moving, America, and a hurry to meet all commitments in between.

We praise the Lord for making His work so rewarding and exciting. How many neat people we meet and know; what an instant bond we have in His family. All this is one more reason for THANKSGIVING. Again, we want to praise our LORD for all of you..

In HIS Sovereign Grace,

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