Orlova

Today was a trip to Orlova with a concert in the evening. We thought we would commnicate a different update by sharing snippets of impressions compiled during the van ride home. From Suzy, Lily, Shareya, Peter, Jon, Bryan and Haniysek:

-Orolova is about 120 kilometers east of Olomouc, a industrial town with coal mining a major industry.

-The church was taken over by the Gestapo during WW II and turned into their headquarters. When their defeat was imminent, they burned down the church. It was later rebuilt and remodelled. The Nazis could not destroy the 'Church' by destroying the 'church'.

-We were once again greeted with warm smiles and a church that loved up on us

-One of our ladies was appropriately greeted by a gentlemen with a kiss on her hand

-Stepan, the pastor of the church we were at today, exhibited such a wonderful spirit of service by following us to our first two concerts hauling a trailer and providing all of the sound system setup and control.

-The church has a wonderful choir, "Keep Smiling" which sang several songs with us.

-They also ministered to us through several songs they sang in English. "Open Our Eyes Lord" was especially meaningful.

-The congregation stood in worship on their own in our closing song of "Christ is Risen"

-We tried to learn a little about the difference of the Czech humor by getting them to tell us some Czech jokes....a sample... "Two men are walking down the street. The one in the middle falls down."

-When we told the joke in the car, Haniyek burst out laughing...

-We are now official fans of the Czech hockey teams as we were given a gift proclaiming  it "Fadime Cesku"

-The church has windows that face west. During the closing song, "Christ is Risen", the sun angled at just the right time to highlight the singers faces. The sun was shining on our faces just as the Son  is shining on the hearts of the Czechs.

Tomorrow is new adventure in Brno.... 

Jesenik

The road wound its way up out of the farm land north of Olomouc. Haniysek (or Honza or Jon)one of our hosts and guide for the day warned us of forecasted rain and cooler weather. Someone taught him that there is 'no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear', so we packed our rain jackets and some extra layers. The road climbed through beautiful mountain country into some low clouds and mist that eventually turned into the promised rain.

Jesenik is a resort village of warm and cold spring wellness spas, skiing in the winter and biking/hiking in the summer. Hanisek's mother in law lives here. Later that night we would be singing in the old stone church where Hanisek married Debi last summer. The church sits in the lower part of town with a short path leading to its front door. 

After a short tour of town and a lunch featuring a 100 year old recipe for rabbit, we met a few local people at the church and began to set up for the concert. The old stones keep the inside cold and as we warmed up our voices and instruments, we had to wear our good gear to stay warm ourselves. 

The rain was now steady and we wondered whether the weather would keep people from walking the path to the church. By 6:00 there was a steady trickle of people with there jackets and umbrellas. Young and old, about 90 people came to hear God's Word in song.

As we sang to a crowd of smiles, and some who were even singing along, the cold in the old stones was replaced by the warmth of the Jesenik people's heart.

Awakening

Today was a much needed day of rest. A leisurely wake up with a tour of Olomouc until lunch. Free time in the afternoon allowed for retail therapy, naps and quiet time followed by long, leisurely gathering for lunch were we shared various encounters from our previous day. Lots of laughter and good stories....God moments that we can only praise Him for His provision. Our team (including our Czech teammates) has had 6 people sick over the past 48 hours. As you have prayed, we also have prayed over and laid hands on our sick and although weak, all were able to participate in our Sunday night concert. The Rescued alumni have been amazed at the warm reception we have encountered as they renew friendships from their last visit. The Rescued newbies having nothing to compare it to but we have witnessed nothing but a wonderful, exhuberent reception from the Czech. Ruth, one of the organizers from the Baptist church where we helped lead worship, wanted to make sure and thank all of the financial and prayer supporters who helped make it possible for Rescued III to come this year. 

Two memorable moments  from the last two days come to mind. Saturday night, during the last run through wth the choir, Adrianne had us all stand in a circle in the church courtyard and run through the songs. During the last song, I noticed a Catholic nun who had come through the hallway to the inner court and stood their to listen to the 50+ voices sing "Christ is Risen From the Dead." We later learned from the pastor of the church that our voices had been carrying out of the courtyards into the streets and many were looking up to see from where the songs were coming.  The nun had ventured into the courtyard and stood there in worship with us as we sang.

The other moment was during our concert. The first half of the program consisted of songs by Rescued, followed by our testimonies, and then for the second half, the Czech choir would walk in singing "Bless the Lord." I had been standing off to the front as the choir began walking in from the back singing this beautiful hymn. I am sorry but words fail me as I try to describe the response of the Czech congregation. It is as if years of suppressed public worship were suddenly given permission to be free.

Ok, maybe three memorable moments. Today we had the opportunity to tour the Corpus Christi Chapel at the University of Olomouuc that was built in 1724. As we stood there, we began to sing Psalms 2. This is  a 450 year old song that came from a Czech hymnbook given to the Rescued team on their last visit. Adrianne and Josh Cramer had reworked it and we have sung it to you all over the past year.  It was a moment when you realized you are singing a hymn from hundreds of year ago in an ancient chapel in a place where God is now stirring the hearts of His people in a new way. 

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:19

Olomouc Concert #1

How to put into words the many and diverse emotions and experiences of what we were privileged to see God do this weekend and tonight at our first official concert in Olomouc? Hearts open, understanding of what it means to worship deepened, and many more smiles, clapping, and friends than we could have expected...even down to a boy we met on the street yesterday attending. Several said it was like a wonderful reunion. WOW! So many answered prayers!

We began our day helping lead worship at a baptist church. It was amazing! With the Czech worship leaders, we sang back and forth in English and Czech, with words in both languages on the big screen (well, WE really only sang the English, but some of the Czechs sang both). We had a fabulous reminder in the sermon on Daniel that trusting God leads to amazing things!

We joined up for setup & rehearsal in the early afternoon with the 50 local singers who learned half our songs Friday & Saturday. Between rehearsal & our 5 pm concert, many warm conversations were had with people we now consider dear Czech friends.

Tonight's concert packed out a large room in a beautiful museum in Olomouc. We had no idea who or how many would attend, and it turned into a standing room only event with over 200 in the audience, not counting the 50 workshop singers! We observed people reading the lyrics intently in Czech on the screen while we sang. All responded with incredible enthusiasm when both Adrianne and Zach spoke in quite fluent Czech!

From someone new to Rescued, I have been overwhelmed at the reception and response. God has gone before us paving the road we are simply walking now. He has used many, many wonderful Czech believers to coordinate, plan, invite, and bake! The overall response our team felt today was 'humbled' to just be a small part of God's work.

Thank you, dear friends at home and around the world, for your prayers. They have not gone unheard. Please continue to pray for protection and healing. We are mostly better and were able to all be at the concert, but 2 local Czech team members have been suffering the stomach troubles as well, cause still unknown. Thank you! (In Czech, thank you sounds like 'de quee').

Lily

Choir Workshop

Christ is risen. 

Friday night about 45 people showed up to participate in the Choir workshop. The plan has been to teach this group 7 of our songs and then invite them to be a part of our first concert this Sunday afternoon. What an amazing group they are. Not only are they learning new songs, but they are learning them in a foreign language! They are quick learners and they are singing loud praises. 

And in our weakness He is strong.

Last night some of our team members became ill. It was a long night for us all with little or no sleep. Folks are feeling a little better, but we are not over it. So pray for healing for the sick and rest/protection for the rest. Two of the local Czech team members are also feeling sick, so pray for the entire team.  

Saturday morning we 'woke' early to get ready for another full day of choir workshop, minus two of our members. We adapted well and had a most wonderful time learning more songs and then rehearsing the entire playlist a couple of times. For the last round of music we moved outside into the courtyard and circled the wagons. What a blessing it was to watch everyone's faces and hear their voices as they sang praise to our risen Lord. We were all blessed. What an amazing God we serve, who through our weakness demonstrated His strength and might. People heard our songs and were drawn in from the street.

He is risen indeed! 

Tomorrow morning we help lead worship at the Baptist church. In the afternoon we have concert with the members of the workshop, in one of Olomouc's museums. We are praying that many more will be drawn in to hear God's word in song this Sunday afternoon.  

Day 1 worship workshop

  We started our first full day with an orientation from Jared Kenning, followed by lunch, then a rehearsal. 

Then this evening we provided a worship workshop to about 20+ local pastors and worship leaders from various churches in Olomouc. Below is just a glimpse into our day. 

Leaving a comment

There has been a question on how to leave comments. 

At the bottom of each post there is either a comment box or a 'hot link' to comment, depending on whether you are using a mobile device or a PC. After typing a comment it will ask you how you want to post it, whether through your google account or other types of accounts, OR you can select anonymous without logging in.  If you wish to leave your name do so in the body of the actual comment.  Thanks 

Suzy and Zack unpack the keyboard we have available. Just like the one from home! 

Arrived Olomouc

We have arrived in Olomouc, Czech Republic. 

Jared and Honza met us at the airport in Prague in two vans and drove us to Olomouc and our Pension(hotel) for the next two weeks. A gorgeous city. 

The countryside reminds Bryan of PA and Jon of MN. It's like we are home. 

It's been a long day. The Lord blessed us with smooth and safe travels. We can not believe the ease of getting through three international airports. 

 We took a stroll through the city square to wind down and then find our beds for some rest.

Tomorrow we have an orientation with Jared,  a rehearsal followed by a workshop with local worship leaders. 

Thank you all for your prayers. 

Paris!

Arrived Paris! Waiting in line for security check then off to find the gate to Prague 

Off to Paris

It's midnight in Paris/Prague and we are just boarding inSLC  we should land in another 11 hours or so. 

Send off

Thank you all for the send off! Over 50 supporters and family joined us for prayer and song before we entered security. 

We are now sitting in the terminal grabbing a quick lunch as we wait for the plane to SLC. 

Leaving On a Jet Plane

"All my bags are packed

I'm ready to go..."

In about 40 hours, Rescued will be boarding a jet plane in Boise to start our journey to the Czech Republic.

Our flight leaves Boise this Tuesday, April 21st at 1:10PM. We are planning to gather in the lobby on the second floor somewhere in front of the security screening at 11:30AM for a time of prayer with our supporters, friends and families. Please join us.

 Unlike the John Denver song, we are planning to be back on May 6th landing in Boise about 5PM.

Please pray for the host Czech Team as they prepare for last minute logistics and preparations, and for their health (as well as ours).

Thank You Concert

Wow! Thank you all for your support and prayers. We were touched and blessed to sing before 200+ of you on Monday night. Thank you for all your encouragement. This final dress rehearsal gave us confidence as we prepare to leave in SIX days! Please continue to pray as last minute preparations and logistics are worked out. We are all trusting and relying in the hands of the Father.

Rescued will be commissioned this Sunday during both services at Cole Community Church.

One Week To Go

It is hard to believe that we board a plane one week from this Tuesday and fly off to the Czech Republic. We are all pretty excited.

Tomorrow night, Monday the 13th, we are holding our final rehearsal and welcome you to attend.
Here are some details.

~ RESCUED Open Rehearsal / Thank You Concert is Monday, April 13 at 7 pm at Cole Community Church, 8775 Ustick Road. You're invited because we need someone to play for!

~ BLOG - http://rescued3.blogspot.com/ If you would like to follow our travels in the Czech Republic just check out this blog. You can sign up to receive email notices each time we update with pictures and writings of our adventures with God.

~ PRAY FOR PROJECT, PROSIM - April 21 - May 6

~ VISION LUNCH - May 17 @ Cole - Come and hear us talk about the project and enjoy a light lunch. We might even play some songs.

Hoping to see you there.