Oct 2006

Hey all!
First I just want to say that I apologize for not writing sooner. I realize that this update is definitely long overdue.
How do I summarize life here? One word: Crazy! Teaching really does take up a lot of time! That’s in addition to all my other jobs, such as newsletter editor, secretary to the director, student, cook, go-for, occasional Sabbath school teacher, etc. I’m sure there’s more, it just depends on the day.
Here’s a typical day in the life of teacher Missy: Get up very early, fight for the shower (5 other girls live here) (ok we don’t literally fight), cram in some breakfast after getting ready, and head off to catch the tram to get to work. It’s rush hour by that time, so there are always crowds of people on the tram and the metro. Believe me, there have been many times when I almost didn't made it onto the tram or metro because there were too many people and the doors started to shut on me.
I make it to school before 8. Then we have a worship and do last-minute preparations for classes. Remember last month I only had 7 classes? Well, now I teach 9 classes total. Some of those are 2 or 3 times a week. It’s quite a few hours when you put it all together.
Then in the afternoon or evening, I go to teachers’ meetings, prepare for classes, do odd jobs for the director, and do everything else I have to do. Evenings consist of coming back to the apartment and having dinner about 8 or 9 (if I’m lucky I had time to eat lunch during the day. If not, well I’m starving by 8 or 9!). Then I sometimes finish up class preparations. Other times I just head to bed exhausted and not sure I’m ready to face another day. Yet somehow, I always make it. I'm pretty sure it's not my strength alone...
But don’t get the impression that because I’m so busy, I don’t have fun here. That is certainly not the case! I love the other teachers, and we spend a lot of time laughing together. Last weekend the other teachers and I went out to a tiny village in the mountains and did some hiking up to the top of a mountain. It was absolutely gorgeous and we had so much fun.
The weather has become quite cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. I get to wear my wool coat now. I really do like the change in temperature so far. It’s a very crisp and cold fall, and the leaves are changing and falling. Christmas decorations are already out in the stores. When I saw them in Tesco, I thought to myself "what?! It's not even Halloween yet!" They don't celebrate Halloween here, and I'm pretty sure they don't celebrate Thanksgiving either. So Christmas really is the one big event this time of year. I've learned of other crazy holidays like some holiday in the spring where the boys hit the girls with decorated sticks, and then the girls give the boys presents. I'm not sure what that's all about. I suppose I'll find out in the spring? Maybe I don't really want to find out. Hmm...
Among these quickly changing seasons and temperatures, I've discovered that this job is very demanding, physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s hard when I can’t speak freely about some of the reasons why I’m here, and that makes it difficult for me to remember my own reasons for coming. But last week we had our first after-school discussion program for the students. It went really well, and about 30 students showed up to it. It's one of our mission opportunities, and the first one was a big success. It gives us an opportunity to discuss values and deeper topics with the students. Exciting news: two of our students want to learn more about the Bible and about our faith. I’ll admit that when I spend so much time just thinking about teaching my students English, I wonder if they’re seeing my faith and my Christianity at all, if they want what I have, if they care at all. I can’t see any changes in me or my students. But I have to believe that I’m here for a reason, for more than just teaching my students the difference between “behind” and “at the back of” or the many other fine points of grammar and speech.
I believe that God is blessing our mission here. The school has needed another building for a while. Enrollment keeps increasing, and our current building is too small. We found an amazing building, but it costs a large amount of money. Just as a down payment, we need about $1 mil American, and that’s not cheap. But it would be so worth it. The building is amazing and beautiful, and so much bigger! But I know that if we’re supposed to have the building, God will find a way to provide us with the funds. We’ll see how that goes, and I will let you know.
Sometimes I forget that I’m living in one of the most gorgeous cities in the world. Occasionally, I’ll just be walking along the street and I’ll look up at some of these beautiful buildings and just notice again their breathtaking beauty. I hope that even after 10 long grueling months here (only 8 now!) that I will never take this beauty or this culture for granted.
Fall break is coming up starting this Friday afternoon. I’m so excited about it. I’ll post pictures up here as soon as I can. And I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ll be touring the Czech Republic. I’m excited about it! Even if I don't do much of anything, it will be a much-needed break from school and work.
Thank you again for all your support! Keep me, the school, and the other teachers and students in your prayers.
Happy Sabbath! = Požehnanou sobotu!

Here are some pictures of my last month or so here:

At Vyšehrad

Yes that would be a Porsche. I couldn't resist.

I took this in a church cemetery at Vyšehrad.

The composer Dvořak's grave.

Inside the cathedral at Vyšehrad.

Also at that same cemetery. Isn't it gorgeous? I didn't take this picture, but it's still nice.

Me in front of the cathedral.

Our group on the mountain.