For Such a Time as This: Refugees, Students and Another Year! Update 14 from Prague

Spring is here! We are writing this to you on a warm, sunny Prague day. Up until recently, we’ve been discerning as a family whether we should stay in Prague another year. The Lord seems to keep bringing people to us, using our gifts to serve others and opening doors. This year we’ve wrestled, in the truest sense of the word, with the question, “Is God calling us back to the US now?” and through prayer, taking active steps, consulting with friends/family—we believe the answer is ‘not yet.’ We should stay in Prague for another year. Students from war affected areas are walking through tough decisions and emotions, Ukrainian families are still displaced and in need, Anna is starting a ballet club at the kid’s school this year, and our children are doing well. All this didn’t make the decision easy, because we miss you all so much, but we do see God’s extension of our time with faith that He knows our needs and is using us in a unique way.

Please pray with us in these next steps! We will share more, including some videos of our life here, over the next few weeks. Our goal is to meet our budget by June 5th: Pentacost.

There are many things to include in this update. First, we hosted another Ukrainian family several weeks ago. Halyna- the mother, Mariana (9), and Denys (16) are from eastern Ukraine and made their way through Slovakia to Prague. Denys plays the piano and the guitar. He sat down at our keyboard and played and sang the Ukrainian national anthem. It was an emotional moment as we gathered around to listen: bearing witness to the sorrow, loss, pride, and hope all wrapped up together. He was fascinated with Josh’s banjo, and tried it out a bit and taught Josh a few of the first notes of the

Ukrainian national anthem. The next morning we invited them to our church and they joined us. Even though they could understand little (at least the mom and daughter), their willingness to be with us and in the midst of worship was powerful. Fortunately, there are Ukrainians already regularly going to St. Clements who welcomed them after the service.

Second, we have been encouraged recently by how God has used our relationships to students and faculty at AAU to connect them with our faithful friends, and draw those people closer to Him. One colleague Josh has gotten to know well went to a conference in Nashville and stayed with our friend Jeremy. Debriefing once he returned to Prague, it was easy to tell how great of an impact that time had on him. We were also able to connect Josh’s Ukrainian student, Polina, with Anna’s spiritual director (Debbie) here who lived in Ukraine over 10 years. Josh was helping Polina find a place to live longer term and Debbie drove her around town trying to find a suitable Airbnb and shared a deep conversation with her. Polina told Josh after class one day how kind and encouraging Debbie had been to her.

Third, we’ve had some wonderful visitors from the US in April and May. So far, our friend Jill Altom visited followed by Anna’s family (Joe and Carol Caruso, Ginny and James Colvard and Joseph and Katie Caruso with our nephew Vincent). We explored castles, museums, farmer’s markets, cafes, parks and our favorite places outside the city. We also had some special time with Anna’s parents in Vienna and Anna continued with them to Budapest. We have two more families visiting at the end of May and end of June, and each visit gives us such a boost. We love being tourists again in Prague with people!

Jill wrote this reflection on her time here and we wanted to share it with you:

“Weeks after returning, I am still reflecting on the experience. Some of my most profound observations include the impact of learning the story of the Czech Republic and it’s people. I spent time in synagogues in memorial of the innumerable Jewish people who perished in ghettos and concentration camps as well as in the Communism museum. It is incredible to consider the challenges faced in even one lifetime from 1939 up until only 33 years ago when the country became a republic. It is also great perspective to experience a completely different culture. The people are much more reserved than Americans and now learning their story I can see why. I treasure the time spent with Anna, especially. In our conversations we were able to make up for so much lost time and I was able to understand even more fully their vision behind these years away, painful as the separation from loved ones may be. The calling to go outside their comfort zone to offer their gifts and Christ’s hospitality to the people they have met: students, faculty, expats, dancers, Ukrainian refugees, families and so many more, is self-giving and worth every trial. They have grown as a family and individuals as they have been stretched towards even greater empathy, understanding, and grace for one another and the cultures beyond our American borders. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the chance to grow as well and share in this adventure with them.”

In Christ,

The Haydens

We felt the love from our St. B's Nashville family!

At Josh's AAU office

With long-time family friends Linda and Rod (behind the camera)Steakley

Sisters at the Lennon Wall in Prague