Sunday and Monday July 16-17, 2006

Sunday was a moving and meaning-filled day for every participant. We began our day by traveling to First Baptist Church in Prague for worship services. We were greeting warmly by Pastor Miloc Solc (pronounced Sholtz) and staff. Pastor Solc and his family returned to Prague from Toronto after the collapse of communism and have reinvigorated the ministry of FBC. Pastor Solc's brother is professor of evangelism and missiology at Southeastern Seminary in Raleigh.

FBC was established in 1885. The main street entrance is minimalist, much like the entrance to an inner city apartment complex. Members told us that the entrance was intentionally designed to protect the anonymity of the church during the occupation of hostile military regimes.

Our choir and orchestra shared five songs and I shared a message from Exodus. It was obvious to us that we were worshipping alongside a congregation that appreciates the freedom and privilege of worship. The congregation joined the choir, some in English and others in Czech, on many of the selections. "Amazing Grace" took on new meaning as the blending of languages and voices ascended heavenward. I noticed tears in the eyes of both congregants and choir members as we shared in worship, a reminder of the vast diversity within the family of God.

David Slama, a minister from the northernmost region of the Czech Republic served as my interpreter. David was articulate and genuinely humble. Our group quickly came to love the pastor and congregation, but we had a special appreciation for David.

Many others joined us for worship. A youth group from Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia filled the balcony. A Romanian minister attended both morning and evening, and literally begged Bob Morrison to bring our choir to Romania. IMB missionaries and personnel enjoyed visiting our group, especially Steve Warren and the Terrells, who are friends of FBCP member, Gloria Kerley.

After the morning service, we boarded buses for a one hour trip to Terezin for an afternoon tour. Terezin is a concentration camp where both Czech political prisoners and Jews were detained by the Germans. Terezin was a holding prison and not a gas chamber, but many were transported to Aushwitz from there. However, our guided tour gave our group picturesque insight to the horrors of the Nazi regime. Many were tortured, hanged, or shot while in Terezin and many more died after being liberated due to disease, exposure, and malnutrition.

This was an especially emotional visit for Mavis Garrett and her daughter, Janie, because Mr. Garrett had been detained as a POW in a similar camp.

At the conclusion of our tour of Terezin, Bob had asked me to share a "Pause for Power," which is what we call our regular devotional moments throughout the trip. I shared the following passages from Viktor Frankl, the Austrian psychiatrist was had been a detainee, and from Micah 6:8:

"The meaning of our existence is not invented by ourselves, but detected."

"What matters therefore is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific purpose of life at any given moment."

"We can discover this meaning in three ways: (1) by doing a deed, (2) by experiencing a value, or (3) by suffering."

"What is required of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.

On Sunday morning we had learned the fax machine had been stolen from FBC. On Sunday afternoon, en route back to Prague we decided to take an impromptu offering for FBC to replace the stolen equipment. Our group pooled our loose Czech coins and currency and collected over 6600 crowns, or over $325 US dollars to present to Pastor Solc.

On Sunday evening we returned to FBC to share a full concert. We should not have been surprised that the congregation returned in large numbers. Russians, Romanians, Brittains, Czechs and Americans all joined in voice to sing "How Great Thou Art." Our choir and orchestra sang with missional passions. As one choir member said, "I was exhausted prior to the concert and energized afterwards."

After a long, long day, and long walks from the hotel to the bus parking area, we gathered in Old Town Square dressed in concert formals at 10 p.m. for a group photo. Then the group turned in for an evening of much deserved rest.

Today is Monday, a free day for sightseeing and touring. While some slept in, many of us arose for an early breakfast and brisk walk to the Vtlava River and the historic St. Charles Bridge. Near the bridge there is an excellent photo spot in a floral garden overlooking the river with Prague Castle atop the hill in the background. This scene will adorn the photo albums of many members our tour group.

We have heard the FBCP enjoyed a good day of services and we have already received a photo of the "Here Ye Choir," courtesy of Myron Almond.

I enjoyed an early breakfast with Bill Morrison just before he returned to Old Town Hospital to check on Avery. Bill is meeting with doctors this morning to discuss Avery's possible discharge later this afternoon. Avery was spirited and gaining strength yesterday following her surgery on Saturday evening. The Morrisons are tentatively planning to complete the trip with us, but will quickly alter that plan for an early return trip home if Avery has any complications.

Other than Avery, everyone in our group is healthy. And we are learning with illustrative clarity a new Bobism: "to be on time is to be late and to be early is to be on time."

Our group departs Prague for Vienna tomorrow morning at 8 via motorcoach.