Burning of the Witches, April 30th

On the evening of April 30th, Czechs gather to build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that kept winter around so long. Czechs used to believe that the power of witches would weaken as the weather got warmer. So they thought that if they made something that looked like a witch and burned it, they could finally get rid of the cold weather. First, they tie two large sticks together to form a cross. Then they stuff old shirts, pants and socks with straw and place a pointed hat on the top of the stack. The witch is tied to a broomstick and set aside until darkness falls. When the fire is roaring, people roast sausages on sticks, strum guitars, and sing their favorite songs. Everyone looks forward to nightfall, when they will face the spirits of the witches. As soon as it's dark, the effigy of the witch is brought out and held up for all to see. Then, with a heave of the arm, it is thrown on top of the bonfire. As the witch burns, so does the last of winter's chill.

 

 

 

Czech Bible Museum tour

Today after our morning services, Biblické Baptistické Shromáždění Brno (Brno Bible Baptist Church) had a great picnic and then a wonderful tour of the Czech Bible museum and memorial (Památník Bible Kralické a muzeum).

 

And then it began to sleet and snow.........

Happy Resurrection Day

✞✞Happy "Resurrection Day" to all of our family and friends. Have a great day! We love you!

     

Easter eggs, food and tradition

The decorated Eastern eggs are called Kraslice, a name derived from the old Czech word meaning "beautiful". And they are truly beautiful! Some eggs are coloured in red to symbolize the blood of Christ. Most are decorated with motifs that are geometrical, floral or religious using ancient techniques and patterns that vary from one region to another. In Czech households the decoration of eggs has mostly been a chore for girls, because boys have been busy making whips and play with rattles. There are many stories about why Maundy Thursday has been nicknamed the “Green Thursday” in the Czech Republic. Some believe it is linked to Christian tradition, when you eat a meal free of meat and only vegetables are consumed. In Czech Republic it is also celebrated with the production of green beer, which is only produced once a year by the brewery Starobrno in Brno. Green Thursday (Zelený čtvrtek) is also the day when young boys go out on the village streets equipped with rattles to chase away evil spirits. Rattles are a symbol to ward off the apostle Judas, who betrayed Jesus. The Czechs go all-in with desserts on Easter. Sweet, fermented bread dominate, usually in the form of a lamb. Buns are popular such as "Jidáš" (Judas bread) that is decorated with a spiral that is supposed to represent the rope which Judas hung himself with after having betrayed Christ. Although chocolate Easter Bunnies have become more common, it is more traditional to form a sponge cake like a lamb.

Family photo

                                                      Jeff, Debra, and David (16 years old)

Jeff’s surgery

Many of you remember me regaling you with the story of my hand surgery. How I managed to find the surgeon who finished last in his class? For those who hadn’t heard I will give a short recap. In 2015 I went to a surgeon to ask about repairing my “trigger” finger. It is a situation where one, or more, fingers do not bend smoothly into the palm. They sort of snap back and forth. Well, the surgeon told me it would be no problem to repair it and we scheduled the operation for two weeks in the future. In America, I would never have had this done, but here we have socialized medicine so it was not going to cost me anything out of pocket. I found out that this doctor, who I knick-named the butcher of Brno, had never fixed a trigger finger before. Only months later, when I could not bend my finger into my palm or straighten it fully, did I realize what a mess he had made of my hand.

So, anyway, three weeks ago I went to a plastic surgeon to have the finger repaired. After nearly falling out of his chair with laughter, he assured me that he could certainly improve the use of my right hand. He laughed even harder when he recognized the name of the previous surgeon. Fortunately, once again there would be no out of pocket expenses because of the system here. My finger is now healing well. I can straighten it fully once again. I have been regularly seeing a technician for rehabilitation therapy and the wound is healing nicely.  God bless you and thanks for praying

Missionary emphasis month

     The month of March will be our first full month emphasizing the blessing and responsibility of every Christian to give to support mission work in other countries. We have seen people learning to trust the Lord in small ways, learning to walk by faith. We see people taking baby steps and are asking the Lord to increase their faith. We have instituted a program we are calling “save a crown, save a soul”. The concept is to seek the Lord to lead them to bargains on items they normally purchase and then give the savings to the work of missions. Our desire is for people to seek the Lord throughout the day. Pray for the little things, as well as the large things. What people in our churches need is often to draw closer to the Lord through daily interaction. They need to “see” Jesus in a very real way. For without faith it is impossible to please God. Lord, help us all to live out our faith in real-life concrete situations.