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      We have arrived home safely! The flight home was not totally without its bumps, but God provided us safe passage home.

     I would like to apologize for all of the format typos that have popped up on the blog these last two weeks. Most of those were because I was using a mobile app to update the blog. While the app allowed me to post updates using only my phone (which is pretty impressive) it did not let me have the full range of editing I am used to on the computer. So, I will now go back and tweak some of the posts so the blog looks it's best!

     Thanks to all of you who were supporting us financially and through your prayers! We really appreciate it! The Ichthys church generously paid for all of our expenses (like food and lodging) for the camp. So, we wanted to return our gratitude by donating our unused funds to their ministry. Thanks to you we were able to bless their church body with a financial gift that will continue to support them.

Czech Republic Update - Flying Home

     We had an early morning getting up at 3:30 to leave the hotel at 4:00. Our flight leaves at 6:30.

     Yesterday we went to the Jewish Quarter, the St. Nicholas church, an art gallery, and the museum of communism.

     Our plane should arrive home tomorrow evening, if all goes as planned.

Czech Republic Update - Almost Done

     Today we went to church (see the picture of the pink building below). It was really neat to see where all of the people we met at camp meet to worship God and to worship along side of him. They were very generous and showered us with gifts. Take note: No matter what you will always take home the same amount or more that you brought. Always.

     After an hour long drive we were back in Prague and checked in to our hotel. Then we shopped for souvenirs. Tomorrow we hope to see the Jewish quarter and a few museums.

Czech Republic Update - Terezin

     After arriving in Litomerice and dropping our luggage off at the pension we visited Terezin.

     Terezin was the site of a ghetto/concentration camp/prison run by the Nazi's in World War II. Most of the prisoners there died of disease and were not as badly treated compared to the more extreme camps for two reasons.

1. It was mostly used as a transfer camp, not an extermination camp.

2. The site was not built by the Germans. It was originally a fortress used by the
Hapsburgs to defend against the Prussians.

     The conditions at Terezin were still nowhere near ideal. It was a place of death and suffering for thousands of Jews and prisoners of war.

Czech Republic Update - Cesky Krumlov

     Shortly after an early supper we loaded up in the cars and headed out. Due to traffic it took longer than expected. First we headed to the town square and met up with part of our group that had gotten left behind. Then we climbed up to the castle.

     Because we were there after hours there were no more tours and parts of the castle had been closed off. After climbing a long set of stairs we entered the first castle building. The moat had been dried up and made into an enclosure to house a small colony of bears. We saw the habitat, but no bears. There was also an over-abundance of Asian tourists. We walked through several courtyards and then threw an open air walkway that had a beautiful view of the town.

    
     Small side-quest: The walls of the castle courtyards were decorated in what looked like an attempt at a more modern style of interior design. They were actually patterns from the Renaissance Age that were intended to mimic rare limestone blocks (note: picture shown below).

     On our way back down we stopped on a bridge that had a view of the castle. Apparently they were going to do a light and music show on the castle walls. So we waited and waited and then we listened to the announcer make a very long speech (plus he had to say everything again in English). Then finally the show began.

     Part of our view of the castle was obstructed by a large tree so our viewing experience was diminished. We watched the show for about two songs and moved to another spot for one more song before returning to the town square. On the way back to the cars we stopped at an outlook of the town and castle to catch the end of one more song. By the time we got back to the camp it was after 11:00. Still, it was a very nice night and the town was beautiful.

Czech Republic Update - EC Day 6

     Today's theme was clothing (if guessed right, good job!). At the end of the lesson our students surprised us with a shower of gifts. They were very generous.

      After lunch half our team went golfing with some of the Czechs while my mother and I and our other team member went to see a nearby castle/chateau. As you can see in the picture below it is a vivid pink (some would call it salmon). I can now check seeing a pink castle off my bucket list.

     Tonight we will eat an early supper before leaving for Cesky Krumlov, the biggest city in the area. Be looking for a post about it later. Tomorrow we will pack up and leave for Litomerice, where the church is based. We will spend a day or two in Lito before going back to Prague for another day. Then we will leave on Tuesday and fly back home.

Czech Republic Update - EC Day 5

     To be honest, I was kind of nervous about today's lesson. It was the one I had the least amount of ideas. However, we managed to strong arm our way through the morning, mostly due to a game we made up the night before. We also taught our group how to play Dutch Blitz. I think they really enjoyed it.

     Remember: when in doubt, play a game. Works every time.

     Tonight is the last evening program (we are in charge). Tomorrow the program was cancelled because we are going to tour a castle that evening. You know, just another castle. No big deal. ;) You can look forward to a post that will make you extremely jealous.

     Right now I am finalizing details for tomorrow's lesson. Here is a sneak peak: See if you can guess the theme!