News from the Furlough Trail…

Greetings from hot and humid Texas! While the North Dakota folks are fighting the flooding, we are here melting from the heat. But wherever we may be, we can always thank the Lord for something in each of our lives. Thank you for reading our travel adventures. I am very thankful for the safe travel the Lord has given us over the past weeks. We have been very encouraged by churches and folks in those churches who, some for years, have faithfully given to this ministry and have been a part of reaching the Czech people for Christ.

One of the nicest things about this year’s travel has been being able to see many different people that we have known over the years and meeting new people in the churches all over the United States. I enjoy this part of furlough very much. The last month has brought us through five different states and in three churches each week.

Once we left the Cincinnati area, it was time to go south. Our first church to visit was in Knoxville, Tennessee. This church was a blessing because the pastor and his wife pastored the church in Illinois, where we were members over 25 years ago!

We had not seen them since then. Can you imagine that one of the families in the church actually has 18 children all faithfully serving along with their parents. That was an experience meeting them for sure.

We had just one day between churches to scoot up to Salisbury, NC, to visit my sister, Sheila, and her husband whom we very seldom see. They own a large bookstore in the town and we enjoyed an evening with them in their home.

On our way up to Memphis, TN, we passed through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. What a horrible sight to see one month after the tornado hit. Many lost their homes. What a sad scene.

There were three churches Jon preached in, in the Dallas area, plus we were able to visit a number of other preachers, pastors and missionaries. One of those churches had a new building in Garland. I very much enjoyed their Wednesday evening service and the spirit and the interest of the people. That night was extra special for us because our son, David, joined us that evening as he had business in the Dallas area for the week.

We enjoyed going to one new church in Arlington, TX. The pastor’s wife, Melanie, her mom, her daughter, her brother and husband, concert pianist Lonnie Shipman, were in Prague in 2008 and were a part of our services there. Now we were able to be a part of their services here. Unfortunately, tragedy struck their church that weekend and they were very busy with a grieving church.

Our daughter-in- law, Chrissy, flew in to Texas for the weekend and together with our son David, joined us there in our Sunday evening church service.

Those of you in our home church will remember Bro. Chris Austin, and his wife Tammy, from Lighthouse Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma.  He was our Family Camp speaker a few years back. Here is a picture of their family. They have a lovely church and lovely people. We were treated so well by them.

We have enjoyed many enjoyable experiences with people and in doing some sightseeing along the way in our travels. The Lord has been good and provided safety for which we are grateful!

News From Prague

Proverbs 25:25 “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

Spiritual birth and physical birth was the news we received from Prague.

Pavel has been preaching regularly in our Pribram services and does a tremendous job. He and his wife, Jana, and faithful Tomas go every week to minister to the small group there. Last week Pavel reported… “But the evening was not over yet....Jana spoke to the lady, Jana, who was coming for studies and she was concerned about salvation. We were just about to leave (it was 7:30 already) and she wanted to pray...So we went to study the Bible, to understand what is Salvation and what is the purpose for our salvation. We stayed together (2 more hours) with my wife and Zdenka and taught about sin, repentance, faith in HIM. She was clear on everything and ready so we prayed for salvation and I do believe she is really saved. First person with whom I prayed for salvation..I am so glad Zdenka was there as well. She was crying with joy after we finished and we sang songs...”

Praise the Lord for the second lady in Pribram to be saved and for faithful Zdenka, who is a “Lydia” in that city.

Congratulations to Monika and Roman Kratky on the birth of their son, Simon (She mon) on June 23rd. Simon weighed in at 4kg, 51cm (8 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 inches) . We praise the Lord for another added blessing to the church in Prague.