The Czech Mission team will be traveling to the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia) July 31-August 14. They will be working at a teen English camp and ministering with a local church. While in the Czech Republic, they'll be working with missionaries Mike and Wendi Young. John, Tricia and Leslie Goyer, who are leading this trip, first met Mike and Wendi when they were serving with their church in Montana at another camp. Last year when Mike was in need of a mission team he remembered the Goyers and asked if they could come back with a small team. John and Tricia couldn't go last year--because Alyssa's adoption wasn't finalized yet--but thankfully Leslie, Deb, Laine and Lonnie stepped up and ministered to those teens. 

This years mission team (John, Tricia, Leslie, Lonnie, Deb, Emily and...Alyssa!) will be working with the same missionaries, church, camp and teens as last year. It means A GREAT DEAL when teams return. Seeing familiar faces, the Czech people often ask, "Why would you come all this way...twice?" We are happy to tell them it's because the love of Jesus that propels us! Authentic relationships with Christians open Czech's hearts and minds to consider the Truth we share. We also tell the Czech that we are not the only ones that love them...there is a whole church--MOSAIC CHURCH--back in Little Rock who cares too! Won't you join us in praying for the Czech people? Less that 1% of Czechs have a personal relationship with Jesus. Pray that God will soften hearts and that our team will plant many seeds!

Please feel free to connect with Mike and Wendi and let them know you're praying!

Photos of Mike and Wendi Young

Mike's Facebook

Wendi's Facebook

Mosaic Church,

I would like to thank you for your commitment to missions and to thank you for sending the team to work with us here in the Czech Republic. I realize that when a team comes, more than the team is involved. There are families and friends in the states that are helping meet needs that are left by those traveling. There are many who are lifting the team, the Czech people and the missionaries here in prayer. There are also many who give financially to allow such a trip to take place. Therefore, it is with all those involved in mind, that I would like to say thank you.

As I write this, Laine has arrived home, Lonnie and Deb will arrive home tonight, and Leslie will arrive later this week . I pray they will adjust quickly to the time difference. I am sure they will have many stories to share in the coming days. Each of them did an incredible job. I am continually amazed to see how God uses people when they are willing to serve. There were a number of God arranged meeting between Czechs and members of the team. It was incredible to see how God used them to share with people they met. One of my favorite times was a day we spent in a local school. We shared about living in the U.S., holidays, and cultural differences. We were also able to share about why we celebrate Christmas and Easter. Lonnie sang some gospel songs during this time. The kids LOVED it! What a blessing to be able to share about Jesus in a public school. (This is not always the case where we live). Through the camp, the daily park outreach, speaking in the school, leading the mothers club meeting, and many other activities, the team planted many gospel seeds. I pray that with time the seeds that were planted will bloom brightly.

I saw how God worked through each of the team members every day through the different ministry projects.

From the start Leslie connected with the teens at the camp and as a result, many came to the park during the week and heard the gospel. One of the girls shared how she did not know any of the these people (those from the youth group) prior, but now they are great friends.

Thank you!

Laine’s excitement in working with children was a huge blessing as she organized many of the games at the park. She was also able to spend a considerable amount of time with one of the teens. The teen now has a Bible and has committed to read it.

Thank you!

Deb used her great organizational skills to keep things running smoothly while engaging parents at the park. While the kids played, she often shared with the parents about why they were in the Czech Republic and helped build and strengthen many relationships between myself, the staff from the local church, and people we were meeting for the first time. Her outreach changed the time in the park from a youth outreach to more of a family outreach.

Thank you!

Lonnie connected with people in a way that I seldom see in the Czech Republic. Both kids and adults just loved to be around him. His gift of music created bridges to share about Jesus as well as created memories no one will forget. His ability to share about Christ in short messages between songs was refreshing and encouraging.

Thank you!

Each of these opportunities helps to further the ministry of reaching the Czech people.

Please know that you are making a difference and we greatly appreciate it.

In His service,

Mike Young

You know I am constantly amazed at the way God has pulled everything together for us. This whole week has gone very well, with only very very minor bumps in the road. Two others joined our team and fit well with us and us with them. 

Our sports camp started out on Monday with about 15 kids.  Yesterday, we had about 70-80 kids. This was a challenge, but a fun one for me as I love children. It was a water day so we filled up about 500 water balloons and everyone ended up wet, exhausted, and happy.

Yesterday, we also went to an elementary school.  On Monday and Tuesday we had been trying to see if we could get into a school, but it looked as if it might not be possible.  However, a closed door to us is nothing to God.  One of the children from the Crazy Sports Camp we put on, told their English teacher (a Christian) that there was a group of Americans in town and that she should see if we could come and visit. What was originally a 45 minute talk turned into a three hour visit in two different classrooms!  In both classes, we were able to share about our faith as we talked about the way we celebrate our holidays.

Tonight there is a young, local Christian rock band that will come to the park and perform as well as share the gospel. Please pray for this today. It will start here in the next 30 minutes or so and will end in a couple of hours. Thanks so much for all of your support.

The English camp went well. We have been in Olomouc for three days doing a sports camp, and it is going really well.   Each day we have had an increasing number of kids, and today we had about 80 kids. This morning we went to an elementary school and talked to a couple of classes. We were able to talk some about the holidays, and share a little about our beliefs and about Jesus Christ dying and coming back to life.

Tomorrow, there will be a Christian rock concert in the park, and we will wrap up our time at the sports camp on Friday. Also, tomorrow morning, we will speak to a mom's group at the church and then go to lunch with a Czech woman who visited Little Rock last fall.

The team is getting along great and having a good time. The missionaries we are working with here have been great. We are very tired each night but have not had any serious problems.  Please keep praying for the rest of our time. Since coming to the hotel we have had very limited internet except for when we go to the McDonald's.  So we might not be able to blog much.  Love you guys much!

--

The team has been doing GREAT! 

English camp turned out fantastic (one of the best ones ever), and we are making good connection with all the students. 

The Sports camp is going great and the biggest hit has been going into the schools and having Lonnie rap for the kids!

Keep us in your prayers as the team has been going nonstop! Pray for strength.

The Czech Team leaves Wed, June 8th for almost two weeks!  Below is a day-by-day prayer guide for you to intercede on their behalf.

Team Members:  Lonnie Brown, Leslie Goyer, Laine Munzberg & Deb Sadler

Wednesday (06/08) -- Team travels to Czech Republic.  Pray for travel mercies.

Thursday (06/09) -- Team arrives in Prague and travels to Brno with local missionary.  Pray for unity and focus.

Friday (06/10) -- Travel to Olomouc and begin English camp.   Pray for connections with students.

Saturday (06/11) -- English Camp continues.  Pray for clarity and relationships with students.

Sunday (06/12) -- English Camp concludes.  Pray that students would want to spend time with the team during the week to follow.

Monday (06/13) -- Visiting schools and groups all week, leading wacky sports camp in the afternoons.  Pray for endurance and effective ministry opportunities.

Tuesday (06/14) -- Visiting schools & sports camp.  Pray for Laine as she is away from her daughter.  Pray for peace of mind and heart and Hannah's safety. 

Wednesday (06/15) -- Visiting schools & sports camp.  Pray for Lonnie, for strength, endurance and encouragement. 

Thursday (06/16) -- Visiting schools & sports camp.  Pray for Leslie, for her continued relationships with Czechs and health. 

Friday (06/17) -- Visiting schools & sports camp.  Pray for Deb, for endurance, patience, and discernment.  Pray for her sons to do well while she is away. 

Saturday (06/18) -- Travel to Prague for sightseeing and R&R.  Pray for divine appointments and fun as a team.

Sunday (06/19) -- Laine flies home before the rest of the team.  Pray for her travel mercies while traveling alone. 

Monday (06/20) -- The rest of the team spends the day in Prague.  Pray for Kingdom vision and understanding.

Tuesday (06/21) -- Lonnie and Deb return to the US.  Pray for guidance and a good time of reflection as they process the trip.

Wednesday (06/22) -- Leslie remains with her Czech "family.  Pray for strengthening of relationships.

Thursday (06/23) -- Leslie returns to the US.  Pray for travel mercies as she travels alone. 

Quick Facts About the Czech Republic:
1. The Czech Republic is one of the most atheistic countries in the world, with less than 1% of the population practicing Christians.
2. The Czech Republic was under Communist rule from 1948-1989, and is now a parilamentitary representative democracy.
3. According to a 2009 census, the Czech Republic has a population of 10,489,970 people.
4. Olomouc, the town in which we are going, has a population of 641,555 people (2010 estimate)

If you're interested, Mike Young (the missionary that we are joining up with) has a video with more information that was prepared the summer of 2009: http://reachczech.org/home/partner-with-us/

How we'll be reaching out:
In most of the world, English has a huge draw to non-native speakers. The "language of commerce", English is an important tool if an individual wishes to succeed. Using this as an opportunity to draw in the people, we will be hosting English classes to not only provide an opportunity for the Czech people to practice with native Engish speakers, but also to get to know them and begin building relationships.

God thrust this onto our team extremely last-minute, with one month left to prepare and fundraise. I totally have faith that if He wants us to go, He will provide financially! Each member of the team must raise $2,500 by June 1st.

I understand that many of you are not in a place to be able to help out financially. That's totally okay! We would appreciate even more so is if you would commit to praying the team as we prepare culturally, spiritually and financially for this mission trip that God has called us to!

Thank you!
-Leslie Goyer