I Made It!

After a long summer of support raising and getting ready to move to Prague, I am finally here. I arrived on Thursday the 19th. I went from the airport to my flat then to the school. Friday I spent the whole day at school doing the fast version of teacher orientation. I went to dinner with some co-workers and had a Czech dish (I won't even try to spell out what it was, I just know it started with a "S"). Saturday included seeing some of the touristy sites of Prague and then doing some shopping for groceries and household supplies. If you want to experience a different culture, I will tell you that a good place to go for that would be the grocery store. Some things are the same, but some things are very different, like the language on the packaging and the language they speak at the check out.

It has been an adventure so far. There are so many little things I would like to share, but one thing that really stands out over the past few days was church on Sunday. I went to the International Baptist Church of Prague with one of my roommates. It was very cool that the first song we sang was one of my favorites called "Marvelous Light." You can travel thousands of miles, but worshiping God does not change. There were people from all over the world there. I shook hands with people from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Everyone in that room was from a different background and in Prague for different reasons, but we were all in that room to worship our wonderful and loving Father in heaven. How cool is that? Now I have about three other churches to check out before choosing which one I will go to.

Praises:

1. I am starting to learn my way around a little bit. I was even able to ride the subway by myself without getting lost. 
2. Everyone at the school, including the students, are very welcoming and seem genuinely glad that I am there. 
3. I have recovered from my jet lag enough that I can start teaching tomorrow. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. I can tell that it is going to take some time for me to get used to living here. It is very different than small town Wisconsin. Please pray that I adjust well. 
2. Please pray for my classes tomorrow. Pray that the students will adjust from having substitute teachers without consistent rules to having me and my consistent expectations. 
3. Please pray for my family as they get used to life with me on the other side of the world. 

Here are some pictures: 

 My desk in the staff room... pictures of my gyms to come in the future. 

 The majority of my bedroom. 

 The astronomical clock.

 Tyn Church

 The John Lennon (yes... that John Lennon) Wall. It was a symbol of peace and freedom in a time of communism. (That man is singing "Let It Be.")

Entering the Charles Bridge... on a Saturday.