The Beauty of the Unseen: Update 30 from Prague

“You have made such a positive impact on my life, even if you don’t know it, through all the small actions and conversations,”

a student wrote in a note to Josh recently. We are learning to trust that the Lord is making a difference through us even if we don’t realize it. This student also wrote,

“The past three years of uni[versity] were made into something beautiful and extremely memorable and a huge part is thanks to you. Your classes, family dinners, meeting with me to just chat about life, and advising me so well on my thesis.”

We both teared up as we read this because it describes all the facets of our mission here through Global Scholars. There are many students graduating this month from AAU whom Josh has spent many hours teaching, advising, and talking about life. These are reminders that God has been at work all along in these encounters, especially when it is hard to see.

We’d had 6 student dinners in the past couple months of the semester. Within our family we talk about the gift of hospitality and the chance to show students Christ through generosity, interest in their lives, meaningful conversation, and opening ourselves to them. For some students, we are bridging a cultural chasm between professor and student. They always linger; we play games together (the big hit was Taco-Cat-Goat-Cheese-Pizza this year), tell stories around the group, use our table questions (like, ‘if you could be guaranteed anything in life besides money, what

would it be?’), and ask students about their families, experiences, and future. All this creates an environment for students to open up, ask questions of us (which they very often do), and connect with each other. At one dinner, a student opened up about her uncertainty and fear about the future and big decisions, and we were able to speak into her life and encourage her. There is only one other professor at the university who does this, and he is with Global Scholars as well. We are very privileged to be one of the few (or only) experiences of hospitality, from university ranks at least, that students will have in their university experience here.

Anna is finishing the semester with her Bible and English students. In the last quarter, Anna’s Bible students do an Examen at the end of each week. She has had several students tell her how much they have appreciated the practice of reflecting on their week with Jesus, sensing where and when God was near, and acknowledging where they both acted on and missed opportunities to love. She is also rehearsing her ballet students for The Sleeping Beauty. Preparations are in full gear for the Ukrainian Ballet Camp the first week of August. Some dear friends will return from Ukraine to help with the camp. This camp has been a great way to use dance as a conduit for healing from the trauma of war and displacement, paired with intentional time to talk about God and study God’s redemptive story. Please pray this year it continues to be all those things.

With the end of the semester came the Annual Spring Festival that AAU organizes. A student asked Josh, as she turned in her final exam, to dust off his banjo and perform a song with her. She was performing for the first time and thought the accompaniment would be a special way to cap off her time as a student at AAU before she graduated. Josh had advised her senior thesis this semester. They played the John Denver song, Country Roads Take Me Home, which many people around here know despite its age. It was a special memory for Josh, and he was touched by how big a deal it was to his student.

The kids are finishing their school year this week and the last part of the semester has been eventful. Collier and Caleb were in a school play, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and enjoyed not only performing in it, but bonding with fellow cast members. It has been fun to observe them as they grow with new challenges. Joseph and Caleb have started playing in a soccer club, and are meeting new international friends through that. Abigail continues to express her faith through art and has really been improving in ballet and is also expanding to contemporary. She performs in The Sleeping Beauty next week, and Anna’s students will also perform in the show.

Here’s how you can pray for us:

1. Pray that Anna receives her Visa very soon. Travel plans to see family in the US are contingent on getting it.

2. For finishing well with AAU graduates and continuing the journey with them post-college. We look at these relationships as on-going and perhaps even more impactful once they are out of college and facing all the challenges that life entails.

3. For Anna and the teams’ leadership of Ukrainian Ballet Camp, for transformation and healing in the lives of these mothers, grandmothers and children.

4. For rest for our whole family, deepening relationships as our kids grow and face new challenges. For summer camps, and new and on-going friendships for our children.

5. For Josh’s summer courses focused on leadership in Czech history, making connections with students, that they would be challenged and encouraged.

Yours in Christ,

The Hayden family