Another Awesome Day!!!
Today was another awesome day! We couldn’t work at Holy Hill today because the clients had to attend a meeting so we did a walking tour of Plzen instead. Then we were to meet with the Vice Mayor in City Hall but she was delayed and we met with the head of the City Council and the head of the drug prevention program instead. Later this afternoon we met with the Mayor. These meetings were important to encourage the mayors and city council to support Teen Challenge. It seems to carry more wieght if the mayors see that Americans spend time and money to come here and support the program.
After those meetings, I had asked Peter if he would take us to see one of the clients from last year that is in the hospital. When we were at Holy Hill last year one of the clients was struggling with his drug addiction and lstruggling learning to accept Christ in his life. Before we left here last year he opened up to us and he told me that he wouldn’t be where he is if he had had a mother like me. That of course touched my heart and he is one of the reasons I wanted to come back this year because I promised him I would be back. He is now in the hospital for depression and is struggling to survive. Peter took Jennifer, Freda, Joyce, Lisa, and me to see him and I’m so glad we went…..it was the highlight of my week so far. He was so glad to see us and told us that his mother lives not far away but she has not visited him…..we were the only visitors he has had in the 14 days he’s been in the hospital!!! It broke my heart to hear that but I knew then that God wanted us to be there for him. We prayed with him and let him know that we will continue praying for him and that seemed to make him happy. He said sometimes when he has trouble focusing on things he watches Texas Rangers on TV and thinks about his American friends……how cool is that!!!
After the hospital visit, we attended the bible study at Maranatha church and then Jennifer and I went to the home of some staff members for dinner. It’s always nice to have an opportunity to visit individually with the staff members in their homes even though it is sometimes challenging to communicate, but we always seem to manage somehow. It was a very full day but an awesome experience!
How wonderful that you were able to “mother” one of God’s children. You are an angel and I know that he felt God’s love from you and the others visiting with him. How sad to be in the hospital with out a visitor.
Take care and continue to enjoy the experience.
You awesome women proved that being a mother to someone doesn’t mean you need to be related to him. Bless you for looking up your friend and letting him know you care.
Paula,
It sounds like it has been a great trip so far but we do miss having you in the office! How wonderful of you to keep your promise to come back and visit the man you met last year. I am sure your visit meant more to him than you will ever know. I will keep both him and you in my prayers! Say hello to the rest of the group and enjoy the remainder of your time there!!!
-Meghan:)
Paula,
It sounds like it has been a great trip so far but we do miss having you in the office! How wonderful of you to keep your promise to come back and visit the man you met last year. I am sure your visit meant more to him than you will ever know. I will keep both him and you in my prayers! Say hello to the rest of the group and enjoy the remainder of your time there!!!
-Meghan:)