More Pics...

Top Picture--Radka & Pavel on their wedding day. It was fun to experience my first Czech wedding. It was similar to the weddings in America.
Middle & Bottom Pictures--Flowers are a sweet gift that Czechs like to give to one another. I got these two lillies from different Czech friends in honor of my 43rd birthday that I recently celebrated.

Staying on Track...

Hi Everyone, Hope all is well! I've been busy focusing on my four objectives. You may remember I wrote about them in January--they are 1/ to learn the Czech language; 2/ to learn the Czech culture; 3/ build relationships with as many Czechs as I can; 4/ be in prayer asking God to reveal what my future ministry will be here. I have been living here for 5 months and I am learning so many things about the culture, the language, the people and also about myself.

The Czech language is quite different from English. One fellow missionary I thought summoned up the differences in a good way--English is a word-driven language while Czech is ending/prefix-driven language. For me it is quite interesting to study Czech and also quite challenging, too. Sometimes one or two Czech words summons up a 5/6 phrase of English (both meaning the same thing). But slowly I am starting to understand more and more. As I sit and listen to Czechs speak to each other--I listen intently trying to pick out the word(s) I might know. Then I usually have a Czech ask if I know what someone is talking about--I share my thoughts and not always but sometimes I am right. I appreciate the continued prayers for my language learning.

I am thankful for my mother-tongue of English. God is using it to help me build relationships with Czechs. There are many Czechs who know a little English and are studying it but they have a hard time finding someone to practice their English with. During the week, I meet regularly with Czechs interested in practicing their English plus he/she gives me time to practice my Czech with them. It can be quite interesting working with someone who speaks a little English--it is the best situation because we both have to work hard to communicate and understand each other. And English is challenging for Czechs because they are not use to such a strict word order in sentences or having to use so many little articles (a, the etc.) like there is in the English language.

That's a little bit about how I am staying on track with my 4 objectives. For culture learning I am asking plenty of questions and doing a lot of observing. I also have monthly assignments from my mission agency--the assignments are called On-Target. In a future blog entry I'll explain more about what On-Target is :)
For now take care until next time!
Blessings,
Colleen

Sights of Pilsen

Hi Everyone, We had a great time last week-end in Pilsen. The city had a big celebration marking the 62nd anniversary of when the US troops led by General Patton liberated the city at the end of WWII--1945. Everywhere we looked there was Czech and American flags hanging together. We got to walk through the Patton Memorial; experienced a parade of jeeps/tanks/cars that were refurbished into WWII style--even General Patton's great grandson was in one of the jeeps that drove by--several Americans took part; displays of what Army life looked like back then etc.(see pictures below) I also toured the city of Pilsen with my Czech friends--top picture (L to R-Karel, Olga & Frantisek). The middle picture shows Pilsen's coat of arms which is part of the townhall building. The last picture is a view from a church tower. I was told there were 301 steps to climb to get to the top--it sure felt like a lot of steps ;) If you look closely at the picture, you can see one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. This synagogue was spared during WWII because Germans were living in the buildings between the synagogue so it was not bombed or destroyed. It is quite a beautiful building. In fact I thought Pilsen was quite interesting and the spring flowers and trees blossoming gave it even more beauty. This was a great time of year to visit the city.

Hope all is well. Take care until next time!
Blessings,
Colleen

Pictures of Pilsen's Liberation Festival...

My Plans for the Week-end

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to drop a quick note--I am off on another adventure. This week-end I am going with a few friends to visit the City of Pilsen and take part in their Liberation Festival. Here is some interesting information regarding this festival and the city--"On May 6, 1945, at the very end of World War II, the city of Pilsen and Western Bohemia were liberated from Nazi Germany by General Patton's 3rd Army; the rest of Czechoslovakia was liberated from German control by the Soviet Red Army. Patton withdrew a few days thereafter, in accordance with the agreements of the Allies. The Communist regime ensured that this liberation of Pilsen and Western Bohemia by the U.S. troops was mentioned fleetingly, if at all. There was, however, a bronze plaque commemorating the liberation by the US 3rd Army near the town center. Since 1990, the city has organized a yearly Liberation Festival taking place in May, which has already become a local tradition, and has been attended by many allied veterans."

It should be an interesting week-end for me! I will be sure to take plenty of pictures and post them by Monday.

Hope all is well. Take care until next time!

Blessings,
Colleen