Fusion

Each week on Thursdays at the local church there is a music club meeting! Here is a video from last week's rehearsal. Students from all different schools in Frydlant get together to sing and play instruments. We also play games and have a devotion. Everyone has been so welcoming and it's been a great way to get to know people and connect with music. This week some more exciting things are happening with Fusion, stay tuned!

With my friend, Elle, at Fusion!

Abba's Girls!

This weekend I attended a female only retreat called Abba's Girls. Three students at BMA organized a great weekend for us girls to get together and have fun, learn about God and deepen friendships. A guest speaker shared her story and taught us about healthy relationships. We played games, did crafts, ate a lot of yummy food and spent time getting to know one another. Below are some pictures from the retreat!

Abba's girls :)

Beautiful mountains all around us

Picnic outside on a gorgeous day!

Blindfolded makeovers! :)

Roommates!

Below is a picture of my wonderful roommates! 

Michaela, Florin, Terezie

Helena, Tereza

It has been so great getting to know each of them over these past few weeks. Tereza and I share a room, but all of us girls spend lots of time together chatting, cooking, watching movies and hanging out. :)

Culture

We all live on the same planet but yet each culture is so, so different. Yes, we are all humans and we are all similar in so many ways. But when you really submerge yourself into a new culture you begin to learn just how different things can be. I've only been living in the Czech Republic for a couple of weeks but already I've learned so much about not only Czech culture but also American and English culture. It's easy for us to think that everyone else in the world behaves the same as we do, but in reality things vary so much. If you ever get the chance, I really, really encourage you to go on an adventure and experience the real culture of another country. Sure, many of us have probably visited other places but we've stuck with the more 'touristy' things or just the big cities. But when you really enter the heart of another culture you begin to realize just how diverse this world really is.

So full of joy...

Dobry den from the Czech Republic. WOW! I have been so, so busy here and now I have so much to share. I want to start off by saying that I haven't felt so full of joy and peace in as long as I can remember. It has been very refreshing to step away from my life in Chicago and start fresh here. I have been very warmly welcomed into the Beskydy Mountain Academy family and I already feel at home. I spent my first week at the Till's house and focused on getting settled at the school. Then last weekend I moved into a flat (right around the corner from BMA) where four girls who attend the school live. I am sharing a room with a girl named Tereza. She and I have already quickly bonded and have loved spending time having fun together and also sharing testimonies. I've also gotten to know the other girls too and we have shared a lot of laughs! It has been a very new experience living on my own. I'm learning that while you get a lot of independence, you also have a lot more responsibility. From cooking to cleaning, it's been a lot of work but it has been a great time to put to use all the skills that I have developed while growing up.
Monday through Friday I am working at BMA. Going into this internship I didn't really know what to expect, but what I have experienced so far has been awesome! Every single day is different, which makes each day exciting. Basically I am doing anything that the English department needs..this includes grading multiple choice activities, organizing bookshelves, taking attendance, making photocopies, typing activities. Also, I attend many of the English language and Bible classes and pass out papers and help the teachers. I'm also working on a couple of bigger projects including getting Visas for some students who will be studying in America over the summer and also doing voice recordings (in my British accent) for listening tests and activities. Not only has it been great to get to know each of the three American teachers here but also I have loved being able to interact with the students.
I apologize for my lack of posts! As I said, I have been so, so busy but I hope to start updating more frequently. Thank you for your prayers!
~Florin :)

I've arrived!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have arrived in Frýdlant nad Ostravicí, Czech Republic. I had a very smooth journey and have been very warmly greeted into the Till's home. I will be staying here for the first week so I can get set up with my work at the school.