In Prague. Just a reminder, I’m not a theologian but a devoted follower of Jesus. Realizing that more people might be following posts makes me feel like my focus should improve to make it worth your while! I tend to write unedited. I am reading Culture Shock – Czech Republic, recommended by my host family. Even the author, Tim Nollen, makes a disclaimer that he writes HIS views and they are not always accurate. All that to say, my sweet cousin, Susie, passed away yesterday. I just heard of it. We were looking forward to spending time together on my return in December. We are the same age. It is more shocking than any culture shock, when an important person to you and her children/grands leaves us. We had some faith conversations, so although she was the sweetest human, I am going to join her some day – not by works but by faith. The silly things I thought about today, before this hard news, is that Prague does not really have buses but cable cars. They pass each other very closely. Hopping on and off is an adventure in its self. Reminds me of photos of early San Fran and LA. The sun came out – yippee. I may not have another chance to play tourist so we will see if time allows. Tickets. If you don’t have one for the cable car there are plain-closed officers who approach randomly and ticket you. With the silver hair, and seniors being free, I should be safe but did see that system in action a few days ago. Tim Nollen, in his book, covers first impressions, history, politics, economics, religion, and I’m currently reading Czech characteristics. The author relates so much to the occupation of communism and how that affected and still affects Czechs today. The best explanation seems to combine the cancellation of religion under the communists, and the current census data collection that gives five choices for religion. I remember three, catholic, protestant, and atheists. Chatting with my host, after serving in this country for almost 30 years, the views heard are more agnostic – people are searching. That creates a vacuum of faith and Islam is not making a headway – good. That is excellent news. Lots of seekers. I’m still absorbing the loss of dear Susie and wish to report that it was a wonderful day at the library but I’ll finish this by quoting from Culture Shock! Page 38-39, “Fall out from Communism…it should become clear that Communism was a real leech from which Czechs are still working to disengage; this is a long term, ongoing project…imagine what it was like. Controls were extremely tight – speech and expression were censored…these measures had remarkable effect on people’s ways of thinking…the effect was that of a beaten dog which had simply given in and endured the whipping…producing a lifeless person…stamping out individuality…and hence, incentive…Hence the ambivalence towards government and societal matters.” That leaves out a lot but suggests a difficult history that kicked faith matters to the curb. I was a poor student in social studies and have my own ideas about things I don’t quite understand. Like socialism is a gateway to communism. I am here for engagement of the seekers. Although I priced books and emptied the trash today, I have a new habit of praying for the people I see on the cable cars. They are on their way to a day and I pray that they will be seekers and that they may find the library – then a faith worth having. It is a start. There is good news and a good future no matter how foolish politicians have been. Definitely unedited today!
Praying for riders