As I enter my sixth week (!) in the Czech Republic, the new normal is starting to feel...almost normal. Public transit is developing a certain muscle memory. And for the first time the Czech word for something popped into my head before the English ("Yahoo! They have Jahody!"). But when it comes to actually opening my mouth, my brain seizes up. I know it's part of the process. I'm trying to be patient with myself, quash my pride, and still put myself out there. That, too, is part of the new normal.

I started language classes last week. It's a "light" class in terms of courseload--only five hours a week. (Come September, I'll be studying 30+ hours a week.) There are 14 of us in class, from five different continents. The teacher is a pleasant young man named Bence. Class is conducted almost exclusively in Czech, albeit very simple Czech with lots of illustrations and pantomime. The Duolingo and independent study I've done have helped; I can understand, or at least infer, most of what he is saying. But man, I have to concentrate so hard...if I get distracted by something shiny or see a squirrel, it's game over! Czech is so different from English; there are so many unfamiliar patterns that it's difficult to keep it all straight and commit to memory. I still have to sound out the name of the street I'm living on (Na Vyhlídce)! Perhaps by the time I have to move away I'll have gotten it down.

Thursday evening I met with a some "old" friends... young leaders from the English camps. It was especially meaningful for me because they were among the first people in the Czech Republic that I had developed any sort of connection with. I never imagined two years ago when we met, that today we'd be laughing and catching up on life, and praying and worshiping together. They even asked me to share some about how I came to be here in the first place. These guys love the Lord, and are eager to serve Him well. It gives me great hope for this nation! Please pray for the Czech Republic, especially for this next generation coming of age in this era of such dramatic change--with all its dangers and opportunities.

I would also appreciate prayer for a snag in my house sale. It's due to close shortly, but because it's part of a trust, I'm having difficulty finding a way to receive the funds. My first attempt to open an account in the name of the trust at one bank failed, so I'm trying with another. Please pray that we are able to work something out, because until then, the funds will be in limbo. In visa news: this week my agent will try to book an appointment with the immigration office to perform the next steps--fingerprints, photos, etc. Please pray that this gets accomplished in a timely fashion. And please do keep my language learning in your prayers--both for miraculous brain plasticity and retention, and also that the Lord would provide patient Czechs to serve as consistent language learning partners.

Požehnání vám v Kristu,

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