I taught English

Yes you read correctly. I taught English today to three Czech women. I cannot normal speak English well and my grammar is poor. They ladies didn't seem to notice thankfully. I thought them about Canada and what some things are that make us different than Czech people. I told them about the geography of the country, which led to Tim Horton's, then money, the flag and about our Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving customs. I felt good about the day, though of course saw many areas for improvement. I will say that it was very fun to do this, I would not complain about teaching English again.

Czech friendships

Most Czech people are very hard to get to know. They have this barrier around them and they will not let people in until they trust you and know you well. At this rate it takes a very long time to be able to do this. So far I have been able to build into four of the woman a friendship that I hope will last beyond my time here. Although two of them do not speak English well or have a good understanding of it, I know that both of them try very hard. Today one of these ladies asked me to join her and a friend to go to the open air market. I agreed, on the way back my new found friend decided to give me some chocolate that she bought for her daughters and I. She knows that I can't eat it just yet. The thing is that she thought of me and in her broken Czech she put a finger up and said "Christina, one sheep and one chick." This was her gift to me a foil wrapped chick and sheep, I had told her just prior to her buying them what they were. She knew the sheep one as we talked about sheep last week on our three hour walk. So she started saying it as she was trying to remember the rest of the word. Then when it came to the chick she had no idea what it was in English. She also remembers "beautiful" which was used last week to express the fact that it was a beautiful day and I learned "krasny den" which is the Czech version. I am also working on a gift basket to give to my friend that is helping with a project. In it will contain things that I know she likes or is into. So far I have a basket, with chocolates, and a tea that I know she likes and I made her a dishcloth. I plan to add a plant and some other things as more things come up. All this to say, I feel like I have been thoroughly blessed by these Czech women. This I know is only coming from the Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus!

My comfort food in the Czech Republic

I am out of my element. I do not belong in the Czech Republic and yet I am here. I do not know all of the food that is in the store. Some things are just downright outrageous to think about eating such things. I don't have a vast array of things to choose from like I do in Canada. I am okay with all of this, though I do miss certain tastes and things that are from my home country. Places are also something that I miss. Like Tim Horton's, if I have loose change and a friend handy, this is one of my favourite places to go. I don't have that here. One thing that I have found however is something that not everyone likes. I personally used to hate them, but developed a taste for them over the last 5 years or so. With this said I haven't gone out of my way to buy them for myself until I was dating over a year ago, I still buy these every now and then. However mushrooms are found to be a comfort food when I am out of my home land. I bought some a couple of weeks ago for the first time since I have been in the Czech Republic. I just thought that nice fresh mushrooms would be nice to have with a chicken meal, potatoes and some brussel sprouts. I pan fried then and couldn't wait to eat them. The instant I started to chew this fungal veggie I was so comforted. I have never felt that way before. It was a bazaar feeling but I will not trade it for anything. Next week mushrooms will be had again. Mmmmmmmm!

Deliciousness!

I love cooking! I love cooking for others more, but that doesn't happen very often. Especially with me being a student. Anyway, several weeks ago I visited fellow missionaries in Prague and they had me over for dinner. My way of helping was mashing cornflakes for breaded fish. I sort of knew how the whole breading process went, but mine was usually a failure. I washed as my new friend battered the fish and kept that in my mind.

Today I decided to have fish and to bread it myself. So out came the flour, eggs and cornflakes. Yes I had everything, though something was a little different. My cornflakes were honey and nut...hmmm interesting combination. I didn't care, who am I impressing...no one because I'm cooking for me. So I will try anything at least once. So I went through the process of breading my fish, I also made homemade home fries or hashbrowns. I was rather excited to eat my dinner tonight. I waited with anticipation to eat that fish and the hashbrowns and the broccoli from yesterday that I was getting antsy, trying a potato every few minutes to see if they were cooked through yet...they take forever! Anyway, my fish was looking tasty and so were the potatoes finally. I served it up and was not too sure of the fish at first...I was actually worried that it wasn't cooked through, but it was nice and white. The honey and nut cornflakes actually made the whole thing more delicious. I was so happy at how it turned out with that said I am glad that I cooked two of them so I can eat one tomorrow or Saturday. That was awesome! You and I should share a meal one day! Though if you are a guy...I will likely request more people to join in.

Prayer Walks

Prayer walks are something that very few people do that I know of. I do one everyday when I go for my walk, usually praying for some one different everyday. IE. Monday for missionaries I personally know well, Tuesday for my dearest and closest friends, Wednesday for the ministry times coming up, Thursday for Heritage, Friday for family, Saturday and Sunday for whatever the Lord brings to mind.

Today I attended the Thursday night Bible Study which alternates weeks with the small group. For the last three Bible Studies it has been just English speakers. We don't know why this is happening, but we are thankful and praising God through it. The Lord knows that we need to hear English once in a while. I still pray that others will come again. After our time in the Word, we had some time for prayer. Then my mentor asked us if we were interested in going for a prayer walk. So we did this, we walked around a huge section...only 15 minute walk mind you. Then as we walked around apartment buildings we prayed a loud together. I loved it! I have never actually done this and never knew how powerful it could be. Wow is all I can say after that. Why do we as believers neglect this way of prayer for the people in our cities that we are in a sense ministering to?

A touch of sweetness from the heart

I just love it when people take what they have learned about you and use it later on. Yesterday I had my first guest come to my home. She is helping me with an assignment that I must complete while I am here in the Czech Republic. First she handed me some bananas as she knows that I am giving up chocolate and other things. She thought that bananas would be nice because they are sweet. Then she proceeds to take her coat off and boots and put on her slippers. After she did this she handed me a bag with something in it for my "flat" to feel like home. She gave me a Deffenbaccia. There is a story behind this as well. I shared with her about how my grandma had that plant and gave one to my mom. Then later on my mom gave me one as well. So I have memories from a plant. So here she remembered this and brought one for me to enjoy while I am here in Czech Republic.

Blessings