Mission to the Czech Republic

...especially when you have to plan, teach, write support letters, plan a week-long vacation, shop for Christmas presents, go to Christmas parties, and rehearse for three Christmas concerts! I apologize I have had such little time to write emails and updates. I assure you, if you go four or five days without hearing from me, I'm most likely not bound and gagged in the back of a truck somewhere! But I appreciate those of you who have shown concern for my absense of contact. But yes, this season has brought many more activities! I spent this past weekend in Malenovice (see photo of mountain) rehearsing for the Revelation Christmas concerts. It was entertaining, as usual, especially when the band, followed by the choir, spontaneously broke out in a complete performance of "Another Brick in the Wall" (perhaps we should add it to our song list?). I got volunteered to sing a duet of Hark the Herald. Not because I'm any good, but because I'm the only one who knows all the words by heart! So I'll be interested to see how that goes on Saturday...thank goodness it's not a solo!

The annual Fishnet Christmas party was held on Sunday (see photos of me, Premek, Jesse, and Laura). It was great having everyone there together, and we had fun doing a Secret-Santa-type gift exchange. Although in the Czech Republic, the gifts are supposed to be from baby Jesus so you never reveal who you bought a present for. We looked like a bunch of alcoholics as over half of the teachers got wine. I got warm socks and dark chocolate : )

It hasn't snowed since that one day in November, and it actually got up into the 60s last week. But there's some sort of rain/sleet precipitaion mix going on right now, so I'm sure snow is on the way sometime soon.

I said goodbye to Gabriel last week, and I suppose he's back in Brazil now. I'll miss him a lot, as he was one of my closer friends here. But God keeps bringing people from all over! I met two German guys here recently who are doing volunteer work in the Jewish community and with the gypsies. We're trying to plan a snowboarding trip for January, which should be really interesting for me since last time I was on a snowboard I couldn't even get up the tow rope.

Well that's the news from Ostrava! Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!

Two weekends ago I headed down to Brno, the Czech Republic's second largest city next to Prague. All the ESI-ers met for the first time since August for a wonderful Thanksgiving retreat! It was very refreshing to see everyone. I didn't get to see as much of the town as I'd have like, but I know I'll probably have many chances to go back! (photo: me, Jen, and Karin enjoying a meal, Brno castle).

That same Sunday night I sang in my second Revelation concert (and I stand corrected: we are actually a rock gospel choir, not just a gospel choir). It was quite cold since the stage was outside, but we got to see the lighting of the Christmas tree for this section of town. (photo: with Eva and Ana before the show).

Last night the "Fishnet Singers," the other teachers and myself, held an advent concert at our church. It was a traditional anglican service with twelve scripture readings and probably about 10 or 11 songs sung in four part harmony. For practicing so little I thought we pulled it together beautifully! It was great to be able to share something like that with our students and congregation.

It has been unusually warm here the last few weeks. And when I say "unusually warm" I mean that there's just no snow on the ground yet. But the wind is getting stronger and colder and I'm breaking out my warmer jackets and sweaters. Christmas season is in full swing, with lights all around the city and an outdoor ice-skating rink in the center. It's so strange not to be at home for all the festivities! It's really hard not to miss home at this time of year, but I'm trying to take in the Czech Christmas experience as much as I can. My roommate and I plan on getting a tree as soon as they're available, and I've downloaded a bunch of Christmas music to my ipod (so out of character for me, but when you don't get any at all you really start to miss it).

Tomorrow the Czech's celebrate St. Nicholas day, which from what I understand comes from the stories of St. Nick who use to sneak into poor people's houses and leave gifts. Except their celebration somehow also involves the devil asking parents if their children have been good or bad. Bad children get taken by the devil and parents must give him something (usually money or beer?) to get them back. Seems a little more intense than coal in your stocking! So apparently tomorrow there will be a lot of drunk devils walking around the center, with the occasional angel or St. Nick to give out candy ("why are there people giving out chocolate satans?!' -my roommate). I should probably write this update after tomorrow but I never know when I'll have time to post updates. So I hope you enjoy it for now and I'll be sure to continue to inform you about Christmas festivities. I pray you are enjoying the season as well!