Czech English Camp Update - June 22

After three days of camp all is going well. There are many returning students and a few new students. I feel this is an opportunity for God to pull together the strands that have been woven and bring to fruition seeds that have been sown in returning students' lives over the past few years. One student, a successful businessman who prior to his first camp had never held a Bible in his hand and had seen no need for God in the past has had some serious health problems which have helped him realize that he can take nothing with him. He told Bronek he is not here for the English; he is here seeking God. Even those who see no need at the time now know he is there when trouble makes their need apparent.

Our daily Bible studies are going well as are the workshops. We are as always inadequate for the task at hand which drives our dependence on the Lord deeper and from there greater confidence in what he will be doing. Additional prayer requests would be for the team to stay focused, for student hearts to be open, for the Spirit to reveal the love and Lordship of Jesus and for God to be glorified throughout. "May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering."

Paul

Czech Team Update - June 21

The team arrived in Malenovice, Czech Republic, Friday afternoon [June 18] and everyone is well. We are experiencing a little jet-lag of course but settled in and ready for final preparations Saturday and student arrival on Sunday.

The team is very upbeat and while aware of the challenge of the week ahead, is confident in the grace of our Lord to see us through and to give the time eternal significance in the lives of many students. We were blessed that Bronek Lipus [the International Messenger national missionary] could meet us at the airport and travel to Malenovice with us. Both he and Larissa are on the mend as the doctors seem now to understand what is going on and can prescribe appropriate treatments.

The team is stretched thin this year as you know, and we would appreciate prayer for strength, endurance, and effectiveness. God is able to do more than we can ask or think and we pray that he will. We simply want to glorify Him and be poured out as a living sacrifice.

God bless,

Paul Rustebakke

The Essence of Partnership

For those who attend New Covenant and read this blog, you already know that our church recently decided to move forward with an ambitious plan to relocate to a new facility. Yet this relocation is not about having a new building. It is about us continuing and even expanding our ability to make disciples, both here in Cedar Rapids and around the world.

At this historic moment, we are in no way scaling back our missions emphasis. On the contrary, we feel God is leading us into some new and exciting Kingdom opportunities. To be specific, we are investigating launching a new partnership with a church in another part of the world. It is too soon to give specifics, but I am excited at the opportunities this partnership will provide to us in the midst of our relocation journey.

So what is a church partnership? That is a good question! Remove from your thinking any idea of a business partnership. Instead, think of it as a friendship. A partnership is a mutual relationship where both churches seek to work together to accomplish God's mission to see His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

This is what we entered into a few years ago when we started Project CR, a partnership with a church in Trinec, Czech Republic. Our goal was simply to come alongside and serve them as they had need. We had the opportunity to assist them in purchasing a new facility a few years ago, have sent a team to meet with their church leaders and a team to do a kids camp, and we continue to send teams to teach in the Business English Camps every June.

We have no idea right now what this new partnership will exactly look like. But what I do know is this: It is first and foremost about a relationship, not about accomplishing a task or meeting arbitrary goals. Our desire is to serve and allow them to serve us as God sees fit. I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Going Home

We had a great day today with our partner church in Trinec (Church of the Brethren in Trinec - Lyzbice). All I can say is "Wow!" They have done an incredible job on the facility they purchased around 3 years ago. They have taken an old, run down former communist era preschool building and turned it into an amazing center for ministry. I will post pictures later when I get home.

The main worship area has been transformed. It can seat around 80 or 90. They have put in a small stage up front, a sound room in the back, and even put up a copy of the Botts print from our church.

Downstairs they are creating a youth area where they can have a Friday night celebration club meeting. On the main floor they have leased out one wing to a local doctor (general practioner) and the other is used for the Christian Kindergarden (ages 3-5). The Kindergarden is absolutely beautiful, a wonderful place for kids to come.

Upstairs they have an office for their new Pastor, Slavoj, and two small classrooms where Bronek and Lorisa can teach English. There is additional room where they hope to one day build a flat (apartment) for the pastor and more room for another small conference room.

The vision of the church is to reach out to their community. By offering a Christian school, a doctor's office, and English classes, they make the church facility a place where their neighbors will feel welcome and at home. The neighbors are very glad the church purchased the facility rather than it being turned into a pub or other general business.

This August the church will hold their first English Day Camp. It is aimed at the children in the many flats (apartments) that surround the church. International Messengers is sending four Americans and the church will also provide some staff.

The church is also involved with other area churches in holding a citywide festival in September. This outreach event will be particularly aimed at young people and will include music, drama, and other events.

It is so good to see what God is doing through our partner church. Please remember to pray for them as they seek to do "prayer, care, and share" in their own community.

We leave at 6:15 AM tomorrow to take the 7:28 train to Prague. And we will leave very early on Tuesday to fly back to the States. I am sure this is the last time I will get a chance to post until Wednesday, so until then, thanks so much for your prayers.

English Business Camp

In about 5 weeks, I will be headed over to the Czech Republic. This will be my fifth visit since June 2004! We will join with our Project CR partner church in Trinec to put on our eighth English Business Camp at Malenovice. We will have 50 to 60 students from businesses in the area come to practice their English with native speakers. As we build relationships we will have opportunities to share our lives and our faith with each other.

If you are interested in helping support this endeavor, please contact me or send your support to International Messengers (put "Czech Camp Malenovice" in the memo).

Czech Team Pictures

The Czech Business English Camp team have posted pictures from the camp and their time in the Czech Republic on Flickr!. They hope to have some of the students also post their pictures on this website. Here is the link to the pictures: http://www.flickr.com/groups/englishcamp/

Here are a few pictures from Prague and the camp.

Leaving Teethmarks in the Czech Republic

Over the next few weeks I will be posting pictures and stories from our Czech Business Camp team. You can read the first one by clicking on this link and reading Erin's blog: http://fromthebirdnest.blogspot.com/2007/07/leaving-teeth-marks-in-czech-republic.html

Czech Team Safely Home

Even their return trip was not without adventure, but the team (except for Tom who is in Europe on a business trip) safely arrived home in Cedar Rapids this evening. I have already heard brief updates about the trip and can't wait to hear more. Here are a few pictures from their arrival. Enjoy!

Flight Delayed

The Czech team's flight has been delayed. The current estimated arrival time of 6:35 PM has changed to 8:15 and then to 7:00 PM -- so your guess is as good as mine for when they arrive!

You can look up the current status at www.aa.com for flight #4353 from Chicago (ORD) to Cedar Rapids (CID -- also called the Eastern Iowa Airport) to get the latest update on when to meet the team at the airport.

Czech Team in London

Hi,

Found a wi-fi hotspot with my Mac, so I thought I'd drop a quick email. We've made it safely to London. We are tired, but doing well.

We are supposed to leave at 11:40 am London time and arrive in Chicago at 2:10 pm Central time. Then hopefully Chicago won't be normal and we'll actually get out on time (which is 5:35) and be in Cedar Rapids at 6:35 pm.

That's it for now. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

-Erin

Czech Team Returns

The Czech Business Camp team is scheduled to return at 6:35 PM on American flight #4353 at the Eastern Iowa Airport.

Satuday Czech Business Camp Update

The picture at the left is of our partner church in Trinec. The team will be attending services there on Sunday. The picture below is of Prague at sunset.


Here is part of an update from Erin:

Close of camp went very very well. Today during debriefing we went
through each student and made comments about what we saw happen in their lives during the week. There were several that at the beginning of the week were declared atheists, but by the end they were really participating in the English Reading Time Studies, and some even coming to the Optional Bible Study. We definitely saw a lot of growth in people. Relationships among not only us and the campers were excellent (the many tearful good-byes revealed that), but among the campers themselves. It really was a wonderful camp. Now Bronek and Lora and Cindy get the fun of following up! :o)

I preach in the morning, so if you get this before 2:00 am your time [on Sunday], say a prayer for me. :o) Or maybe you should pray for Bronek since he has to translate me. There is a reason they put me with the highest level of English speakers, you know! :o)

We are catching the train at 6:00 am our time to head back to Prague on Monday. Pray that everything goes smoothly.

While this has been an awesome week, I am looking forward to seeing the staff again and especially seeing my family again. Give everyone my regards, as well as from the whole team.

On behalf of the 2007 English Camp team,
-E

Friday Czech Business Camp Update

Here is a short update from Paul:

THANK YOU for praying. I believe God has answered.

Today's Bible study on what it means to be a Christian was well done and well-attended with good participation.

We have seen some very good things the last couple of days. Students are open about where they are at spiritually, and are asking good questions provided heaven-sent opportunities to share the truth and love of Christ. My last two morning sessions have gone 30 to 45 minutes overtime (with everyone staying) and today a student wanted to continue the discussion at lunch (which we were late for). Others are reporting similar experiences either in class or in discussions outside of class.

Tonight is the banquet and end of camp. May the Christian students leave encouraged to grow in their faith, and may the others be encouraged to seek the Lord who gave them this week in His presence.

God bless!

Paul

These are pictures of last year's "banquet." The participants do not eat a meal. Instead it is a celebration time where the students eat a dessert and receive their certificate for attending the Business English Camp.

Thursday Czech Business Camp Update

Here is a short update from Erin:

The team is doing very well. We are all still getting along with each other and the campers. Lots of laughter has been heard, even in classes.

(Ron just walked in - I said "what update would you like me to send to James?" and he said "We are alive and well!")

I twisted my ankle on Tuesday, badly enough that I couldn't do Lysa Hora on Wednesday. It is still hurting a bit today but the swelling went down and it is quite a bit better.

We've had some great conversations with people, both encouraging to the believers and deep with the pre-Christians among us. The returning campers have asked about all of you who have been here before and wish more of you were here. I can tell after being here how important the relationships are - I didn't quite realize that before I came.

Many of those who are not followers of Christ yet have had great questions. My conversation/English Reading Time (Bible Study) group is a pretty low level English group, but today it could not have been any clearer who Christ is and who he claimed he was. The great part is that the students were giving the answers, not me.

So that is a bit of an update. Tomorrow is the last day with the banquet in the evening. It appears that quite a few are not sticking around for the banquet, so pray for good closure with the campers.

Then pray for rest for the team. While everyone is doing really really well, a good night's rest will be very welcomed!

Thanks for asking, James. We appreciate your prayers.

Tuesday Czech Business Camp Update

I received a short update from Paul:

"Camp is going very well. God has been evident as in the past and we see very good things happening."

He asked for prayer for the next optional Bible study on Wednesday at 3 PM (8 AM Cedar Rapids time). They spent time today looking at how the Bible contrasts the holiness of God with the sinfulness of man. The next study will explain how Christ is the answer to that conflict. Pray that the students will return (it is an optional study) and that the message would be clear. Pray too that the students would see the person of Christ demonstrated in the lives of the Czech and American believers who are attending the camp.

Monday Czech Business Camp Update

I received a short email from Erin. He said the camp is off to a good start. All of the missing luggage trickled in over the weekend. Erin's suitcase was the last one to arrive and he thinks everyone is glad to see him finally shave and wear a different shirt! Here is how he closed his email:

"And thank you for praying for us. We need it! While we are all doing well in our tasks and relationship building, several of us have already had very late nights (do to work, not playing games) so we need any rest we get to be deep and complete."

So keep praying!

Here is a link to info about the conference center and the organization who owns it: http://www.josiahventure.com/about/index.php?aboutID=15

Business English Camp Has Begun

The team has safely arrived in Malenovice and have already begun testing students to determine their placement in an English class.


Prayer requests:

• I have been told that a few pieces of luggage had not arrived yet as of Saturday. Pray for them to be found and delivered.
• Pray for the team as they form or renew relationships with the students.
• Pray for the team as they begin the first full day of camp on Monday. They will be teaching English, English Bible Reading class, Conversation Class, and leading two business seminars and an optional Bible study.
  

Czech Team Departs

The Czech Business English Camp Team checking in at the Cedar Rapids airport

An extra package that didn't meet the TSA regulations! :-)

The team (except Tom who is already in Europe)

A short devotional

A listening audience

Czech Business English Camp 2007

Czech Business English Camp Team 2007 (from left to right):
Paul & Cathryn Rustebakke, Ron Rohrssen, Erin Bird, Tom Lloyd, Luke & Deborah Ryon

Here are details provided by Paul Rustebakke, a member of the team:

Camp Schedule

• June 13^th Fly out of the Eastern Iowa Airport at 1:30 PM
• June 14th Arrive in Prague before noon, tour city and prepare for travel to Třinec
• June 15th Travel to Třinec via train
• June 16th Prepare camp for students arrival on June 17
• June 17th Morning - Students arrive and assessments begin. Evening - Opening of camp.
• June 18^th to 22^nd Camp Schedule

7:00 Team Meeting/Prayer
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 English Class
11:30 English Reading Time (Bible Study)
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Free time/Bible Studies
4:30 Business Workshops
6:00 Dinner
6:45 Conversation Class
7:30 Evening Events
9:00 Game/Fellowship time

• June 23^rd Finish Camp, Team Debrief
• June 24^th Church service in Třinec, Prepare for Travel to Prague
• June 25^th Travel to Prague
• June 26^th Fly to Cedar Rapids (estimated arrival time is 6:30 PM)

Prayer Requests

Except the LORD build the house, They labor in vain that build it. (Psalm 127:1)

• That God would do in us (the team members) whatever He must to make us effective witnesses of His love and power to save
• That we would maintain focus on and trust in the Lord Jesus both for our needs and the fruit of the ministry
• That our visibility would decrease so that Jesus may receive all the glory for His presence and work
• That the spirit of team unity would be strong, and that the students would know we are Christians by our love and service
• For health, safety, and protection from the discouragement and derailment the enemy will try to bring
• That no weapon formed against us would prosper, but that all things would work together for good
• For camp logistics and that students would be placed in classes most beneficial to them
• That the students would be drawn to the person of Christ present in Spirit in the earthen vessels, Czech and American, representing the body of Christ at the camp
• For Bronek and Lora (Czech missionaries) as they recruit students and make arrangements for camp in Malenovice
• For the camp staff, our van driver, and the other service people we meet—that God would bless them for their service to us
• That the week we are there would never end but stay alive in the hearts of each student
• That God would be honored

June 2007 Project CR Update

In June 2005, New Covenant began Project CR, a three year partnership with the Brethren Church in Trinec–Terasa, Czech Republic. Soon after the partnership was established, we collected money to help their church purchase a building. Bronek, an elder in that church, recently shared the impact they are having with the new facility.

Every third Friday of the month we have English Bible Study in our church where we can minister to anyone who wants to practice English and is interested in spiritual things. It is going very well. There are two couples from our church who participate in this ministry. They want to practice their English but also want to develop relationships with non-believers. Through this activity we are focusing mainly on people from our business camps and on friends.

The Christian Language School in our church is also working very well. Lora and I teach a variety of students including kids, teenagers, adults, and business people. This way lots of people cross the threshold of our church and are exposed to various ministries and the environment of our church. The next step in our ministry to these people is to invite the m to our English camps.

Last week the church backyard was full of kids playing soccer. There are lots of kids wandering around the place looking for something to do. Sports events like a soccer tournament are a good ministry tool. There are also lots of Gypsy kids who cause problems (for example they constantly damage the fence around our church) but these kids also need to know the love of the Lord.

This month our church started a new ministry for retired people. There are many of them living in the surrounding blocks of flats. This is a new ministry so we are learning and we trust that the Lord is with us and will provide his guidance and blessings.

This summer will be very busy as we are going to reconstruct one wing of the church building and prepare it for the first Christian Kindergarten in Trinec. As part of this project we would like to start a counseling center for single mothers.