Na shledanou

Is this really the end?  Praha, we will miss you.  We will miss rohliky, children's parks with climbing towers made out of rope and zip-lines, cobblestone streets, young men who give up their seat on the tram for older women and children, castles around every corner, and good friends.

Every time we move, we find that we are faced with many new things.  Prague has been full of many intimidating new things.  A different culture and a different language have been a challenge, as has the fact that every time our family goes into public, we are a miniature version of the Macey's Thanksgiving Parade.  We are an Event.  

The great joy for me, however, with each move is that we have been able to meet such amazing people.    With each new home, we have had the opportunity to come into the orbit of people who have touched our lives through their faith.  Some have had great trials, some have been an example of how to find beauty in everyday life. 

Prague has been no different.  The people who we have met here have been wonderful.  There are those who have shared their time and talents with us--just because!--and have been an answer to prayers.  And our Prague family, our brothers and sisters in the gospel?  Oh, what faith!  Some of the older members joined during the dark days of communism.  They were baptized in a pond at midnight, to escape the eyes of the secret police.  If discovered they faced extreme hardship and possible imprisonment.  In the current rein of atheism and promiscuity, the younger members have come one and two of a family, standing against the popular culture with faith and joy.  There are myriad struggles, too, but they only make the joy more profound.

Praha, we love you.  Until another day.