Greetings from Prague: Transition and Hope

“Prague is really fun. I miss Nashville.” – Collier

Dear family and friends;

Our launch from the U.S. to Central Europe was full of ‘lasts,’ prayers, and more tears than we even anticipated. We had goodbye parties for us and for the kids, one last liturgical dance, and of course Italia pizza, Jenis, and smoothies from the Turnip Truck.

Shipping our pallet!

The week we left we were prayed over by our church, St. Bartholomew’s, Josh’s men’s group that has met weekly for 14 years, and friends and family that came to help us leave. It is truly amazing and indescribable to be sent by a community to another community of followers of Jesus in Prague. To be honest, we haven’t let that sink in enough. We are now over a week in Prague, and we want this update to be full of candor and hope

The transition has been really difficult for us. Dealing with jet lag and a new culture, tempers have been flaring and daily life has often felt chaotic. From finding our way around to finding a place quickly to get dinner for hungry kids—all the little things you take for granted after being in one place 14 years—are not there as easy support. For example, it took almost a whole day to get a cell phone plan! Letting ourselves grieve and miss Nashville has been a continuous task even in the excitement of a new city.

One thing is certain: we have not been a model family since we got here. We are broken and in need of the Lord’s work. We’ve found a lot of consolation in simply admitting, “this is hard.” That’s easier to do when we remember all the changes our family is experiencing: moving from a house to a small flat, from backyards and trampolines to cobblestone streets, from a more typically loud and aggressive culture to a more quiet and reserved one, from a large community of believers to a very small one, from big grocery stores (and let’s be honest, Target) to small markets, from a mini-van to public transportation…and many other differences.

Right now we are learning to stay present with each other in prayer, in honest conversations, forgiving, and giving grace. We have to remind each other to be kind to ourselves in this process. And there have been people here who have come alongside us, most of whom we got connected to during our discernment and planning. A woman who runs a “new to Prague” women’s group (a church ministry here) reached out to Anna the other day and Anna will be joining that group soon. We visited the kids’ (Collier, Caleb and Joseph) school, The Christian International School of Prague, and were encouraged by a warm welcome by staff and great conversation with the Principal.

Josh starts work at the university on September 2nd , but has had a few orientation meetings so far and has been asked to sit on a committee. In his administrative role, he will work primarily with VPs and Deans of the university in assessment and data collection. His teaching role will begin in October- one in communication and one in composition and research. Josh has had several discussions with university colleagues about connections for Josh’s research on the great Czech hero Václav Havel (of the 20th century’s most amazing leaders—look him up when you get a chance).

Courtyard inside Anglo-American University

In all the bumpiness of a new transition we are encouraged from the lectionary this morning: to ask in prayer and believe that we have already received what we ask (Mark 11:24). We need to believe that God can provide even in our unhelpful parenting moments; that grace is already happening for our children here; that there will be favor at the university among faculty, administration, and students; that Anna will be supported as she focuses on kids transition and future work; that we will find a church community here; that our family will be formed to encourage and love one another.

We long for your prayers—we need them. Thanks for believing with us, for your friendship and encouragement through this process. We’ve met our financial support goals and pray for on-going provision in the midst of unexpected costs as well.

Peace to you from Prague-

Anna, Josh, Collier, Caleb, Joseph and Abigail

Čermákova 1236/6

120 00 Praha 2

Czech Republic

+420 777 571 357 (Josh’s cell phone)

+420 773 009 680 (Anna’s cell phone)

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