Last night Emilie and I went to Zdenek and Martina's place just a little bit outside of the city limits. They are a Czech couple from the church plant I have been attending with Emilie in the Suchdol area of Prague. It was a really marvelous night, one that you wish you could live more often. We had really good conversation with them both, and heard about their lives abroad in London and America. God has brought them through so much!
Where to begin. Their lives are much too full to share in a blog post, but to highlight some of the amazing things that they shared . . . Here were two people, living behind the wall in Communist Czechoslovakia--an area closed to the outside world--who then were brought to London so that Zdenek could study on a Fulbright. With their stipened, the only way they could afford to stay was through the generosity of a couple in London who transcended societal norms and allowed Zdenek and Martina to live with them for the whole year. They came back to the CZR, but then soon after went to America where they were scraping by on a Fulbright again. Martina looked for a job in despair because for a whole year she could not find suitable employment, and she was about to succumb to bagging groceries. After a night of tears and prayers a company looking for a computer programmer calls her. She accepted the job and was met with one difficult feat after another, but God's provision, along wither her talent and work ethic, led her into jobs with major companies and allowed Zdenek to keep studying. (We're talking access to the company card, and a branch of the firm being located in the World Trade Center.*) The Fulbright requires its recipients to return to their home country for a few years after they finish their studies, so after Zdenek finished studying they headed back to the CZR with the expectation that they would come back to America. God had other plans for them, so here they are in the CZR with the intention of staying. Needless to say, I am so grateful that they are here!
It was so good to have fellowship with them last night and hear about God's provision in their lives through so many trials and experiences. It has made me reflect on the moments when life becomes a clear reality, not a hazy movie I am watching without truly participating in; a genuine reality where I am aware of God's presence and my status as His beloved, and am reminded of my mission in this world to live out His Ideal. I think this only happens under a few circumstances: when you decide to will one thing--to love God and your neighbor--and the community you find yourself with is in agreement. This has happened perfectly for an extended period only a few times in my life--the summer I was 17 and the summer I was 21**. The moments in which I am reminded of His Ideal are sweet and precious drops of gold, which serve to push me forward in the great seeking out of the Kingdom. Praise God for such mercies as these in the midst of evil days.
*Martina herself went there once a year for a company conference. She remembers distinctively asking her boss, "Aren't you afraid something might happen?" in April 2001. He said, "No, of course not. It's locked-down safe." Fortunately, only a few people she knew who worked for the company died because of their work hours being later in the day.
I must add that when she told me these stories of rags to riches and the experience of 9/11, I felt like her and Zdenek were more American than I.
**It has happened at other points as well, but these stand out as the highest--the perfect examples. Compass & YHM part II.
Where to begin. Their lives are much too full to share in a blog post, but to highlight some of the amazing things that they shared . . . Here were two people, living behind the wall in Communist Czechoslovakia--an area closed to the outside world--who then were brought to London so that Zdenek could study on a Fulbright. With their stipened, the only way they could afford to stay was through the generosity of a couple in London who transcended societal norms and allowed Zdenek and Martina to live with them for the whole year. They came back to the CZR, but then soon after went to America where they were scraping by on a Fulbright again. Martina looked for a job in despair because for a whole year she could not find suitable employment, and she was about to succumb to bagging groceries. After a night of tears and prayers a company looking for a computer programmer calls her. She accepted the job and was met with one difficult feat after another, but God's provision, along wither her talent and work ethic, led her into jobs with major companies and allowed Zdenek to keep studying. (We're talking access to the company card, and a branch of the firm being located in the World Trade Center.*) The Fulbright requires its recipients to return to their home country for a few years after they finish their studies, so after Zdenek finished studying they headed back to the CZR with the expectation that they would come back to America. God had other plans for them, so here they are in the CZR with the intention of staying. Needless to say, I am so grateful that they are here!
It was so good to have fellowship with them last night and hear about God's provision in their lives through so many trials and experiences. It has made me reflect on the moments when life becomes a clear reality, not a hazy movie I am watching without truly participating in; a genuine reality where I am aware of God's presence and my status as His beloved, and am reminded of my mission in this world to live out His Ideal. I think this only happens under a few circumstances: when you decide to will one thing--to love God and your neighbor--and the community you find yourself with is in agreement. This has happened perfectly for an extended period only a few times in my life--the summer I was 17 and the summer I was 21**. The moments in which I am reminded of His Ideal are sweet and precious drops of gold, which serve to push me forward in the great seeking out of the Kingdom. Praise God for such mercies as these in the midst of evil days.
*Martina herself went there once a year for a company conference. She remembers distinctively asking her boss, "Aren't you afraid something might happen?" in April 2001. He said, "No, of course not. It's locked-down safe." Fortunately, only a few people she knew who worked for the company died because of their work hours being later in the day.
I must add that when she told me these stories of rags to riches and the experience of 9/11, I felt like her and Zdenek were more American than I.
**It has happened at other points as well, but these stand out as the highest--the perfect examples. Compass & YHM part II.
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