Czech It Out!

Ahoj! (Hello!) 

Today was the day that I have been anxiously awaiting--I found out my placement for the exchange program next semester! I will be going to the CZECH REPUBLIC!  Ahh!  I could not be happier with my placement.  The Czech Republic was one of my top choices and it had a limited chance of placement, so I feel extremely blessed that I get to go there!

Right before I found out this morning, I was reading my Bible in the book of John.  Although I've read this passage many times, part of one verse really stood out to me in a new way: 

John 15:16 (MSG)

"...I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit..." 

First off...what? Jesus chose me? I love this sweet reminder that the Lord chose me to be His child and His friend.  

Secondly...What an awesome command and statement of purpose for my life!  I have the privilege of serving the Lord and showing Him to others through the fruit of the Spirit working in my life.  Also...whoa...what a big responsibility. 

(refer to my previous post to see a cool connection: http://inexpressiblegloriousjoy.blogspot.com/2012/09/welcome.html)

So after I finished reading, I decide to check my e-mail real quick before doing some last minute cramming for my Physics test later this morning.  To my surprise, I received an e-mail from a foreign looking name that said that I had been accepted to Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic!  I was/am beyond excited!!!! Needless to say, I did not get much studying done. :) 

(Bear with me...this story will come full circle eventually)

I have been looking stuff up on the Czech Republic all day long and once again, something really stuck out to me: 

"Some say that more Czechs believe in UFOs than in God. Although tongue-in-cheek, it is not far from the truth. The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in the world and 60% of Czechs consider themselves atheists. Few have even heard of the Jesus Christ of scripture or, at best, consider his story an ancient, foolish fable. "

This. breaks. my. heart.  But, the first thing that came to my mind was: "...I have chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit..." 

Before I knew what country I was going to , I prayed about this opportunity to study abroad.  I prayed that the Lord would send me where He wanted me and that I would be able to serve Him while I am studying abroad.

I see now that God wants be to be in Czech Republic for a reason.  For a big reason.  

Obviously I don't think that I will be able to win the whole country of Czech Republic over for Christ.  That would be the coolest thing ever, but that is probably not realistic and probably not what the Lord is calling me to do.  God is simply calling me to bear fruit.  

My prayer is that God will begin to work in the hearts of the Czech people that I will come into contact with.  I pray that the Lord will use me and that they will be able to see the fruit, the evidence, of Christ's love in my life.  I pray for opportunities to share my faith with the people of Czech Republic.  I also pray that I do not waste this awesome opportunity that God has given me to show His love to a lost nation. 

Will you join me in praying? 

Dekuji! (Thank you!) 

Dobrou noc! (Goodnight!)