In the promise of spring through sunshine and warmer weather I, Lena, always find excitement and rejuvenation. I also find that it comes hand in hand with my least favorite part... runny noses and laryngitis. I have new found appreciation for cold medicines and steaming cups of peppermint tea and the blessed relief they bring. As I look back on this week I find great humor in the fact that the week I am asked to help lead music, I lose my voice. But, that is the beauty of life and its many surprises.
This week I, Lena, continued using my music and culinary skills to serve the IBTS and Russian Baptist church communities. I joined two CAT students, who were leading chapel, to help with music. I also volunteered to help with coffee time every morning. To my great pleasure, I was told I could provide a freshly baked snack whenever I wanted; so, I promptly took advantage of that offer.
I have continued my English classes this week, however we only met once since the other days did not suit the students. For the first hour we met to sing together. They seem to thoroughly enjoy learning songs in English. I am hoping to find Russian translations so they can more fully understand the meaning of the songs. We then had a birthday celebration of very yummy cake and cookies and finished off the evening with an English lesson. It is always encouraging to hear a groan or an exclamation when I say, "That is all I have planned for this evening." The youth seem to genuinely want to speak English, its just difficult to connect what is learned in a school classroom to conversing. They keep telling the youth advisor
not to translate unless asked because they want to try and understand by themselves. It seems these classes in the evenings are good because it gives the youth something to do and keeps them out of possible trouble. However, it also seems that maybe there are some complications with homework getting done so my classes have been shortened to three times a week. So, prayers could be used on how these youth can best manage their time. Also, how I can most effectively teach with only three weeks left. Time seems to be flying by.
As mentioned before, I was in the middle of a full blown seasonal cold by Thursday and had to take the weekend lighter. So, I missed the fun excursion in the snow to the Karlstejn Castle on Saturday. It looks like Winter is not quite ready to say goodbye just yet.
It has been a blessing living with Lena, but the downside is catching her cold symptoms. After taking the train 40 minutes outside Prague to view Karlstejn Castle, I,Regina, came down with a slight fever and head cold. Before that
however, I enjoyed the day with friends exploringthe castle which was built by Charles IV to guard the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. Earlier in the week my activities included the important but slightly monotonous tasks of reading books and taking notes for my papers. I am finding lots of overlap between my two topics and in my sources which is great.
Lena's family arrives in a few hours and we are excited to spend the next week showing them our lives in Prague. Continue to pray for motivation both in researching and in my job search. Your prayers continue to be greatly appreciated.
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