Final Sunday Thoughts from Karel before “leaving on a jet plane…”
This will be short - 4AM comes awfully early. The Sunday service at Maranatha was great - Janet O., Bless your heart, my sermon was approx. 15 minutes long…and noone dozed off!!! I think…
Pastor Petr thanked me, so I guess I did not disrupt international relations between CZ and USA.
We had a wonderful lunch in the church, then off to Tesco for shopping (I drove, slept in the van while listening to B52’s), then off to Pastor Petr’s home for snacks and coffee. His wife Ivana baked the most delicious multilayer cake - melt in your mouth exquisite cake!!! I played with son Petr and his collection of cars and trucks, while talking and planning with Pastor Petr for future works.
Then, drove the team to the restaurant of Pilsner Urquell, for a last dinner with the staff of Maranatha and Teen Challenge. This year just the staff and team - the noise level of laughing and talking rose to approximate a 747 on final takeoff - it was the greatest time ever. So many wonderful warm people, so many stories and laughing…it was heartwarming and not as sad as usual.
This team of eight was a wonderful Godly team, working wonders on building relationships with students and staff of Maranatha and Teen Challenge, Friday Club (thy laughed when I told them about Gustav and “Friday…Wednesday…and maybe they will also meet on Monday, I don;t know.) at Grace Avenue.
They are progressing on their “Rainbow” program for children and working mothers, and other youth/children programs also.
Kevin and Clint - I discovered that the Friday Club and Holy Hill guys are getting together their music-talented members, and will form a band! They intend to practice and then perform at Maranatha some Sunday. They can use some extra guitar strings, an electric tuner, and small hand percussion instruments. This is a great part of therapy, and I was quite excited by it…You guys and the Youth are key to this - Gustav and Pastor Petr were “WOWED” by your service.
Janet Odom - please accept our thanks and love for being one of our greatest supporters. We love ya!! (ya think 2 hours is still too long for a sermon??? <:>))
To all - thank you for your wonderful support, prayers and thoughts. We so appreciate!
Grace Avenue Family, your weary mission travelers will be wingng their way home to Grace Avenue tomorrow - please pray for good weather and for no delays.
In God’s Love and Grace
Karel (Charles Hampshire)
So glad that you are leaving with mixed emotions, joy and sadness. At least you have next year to look forward to and see what they acheive between now and then. God’s blessing for safe travels. Janet O.
Charles,
Did they record the sermon? What an awesome experience for you and the team!
Safe travels home to everyone!
Jason
, Dearest Janet, Thank you for all you have done for us on this VIM Mission Trip.
Yes, we have planted many seeds this trip, and will be watching and praying and helping them from a distance…it has been told to them that HOPE makes them strong and will help them succeed, with God’s help.
Now we will see.
We love you, and are praying with you also.
You are one sweet Texas lady, and definitely one of God’s children.
Blessings from Karel
Jason, AHOJ !!! I think that Lisa may have video taped part (or all) of it…to be honest, I was looking at the congregation, watching my words and trying not to create an international incident (<:>))
I will ask her.
Thank you for all you do, and Blessings.
hey,where are you from??can u email me please,thx