Proměny provází člověka po celý život. Od prvního nadechnutí

Convention Mission Statement The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada exists 1) to assist in extending the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in lands of central and eastern Europe, particularly the Czech and Slovak Republics; 2) to support the work of Baptists and other evangelical churches in North America that minister to persons of Czech and Slovak descent, and 3) to provide a Christian context for worship, fellowship, teaching, and appreciation of heritage among those in the United States and Canada who bear interest in the nationalities we represent. Misijní poslání konvence Československá baptistická konvence Spojených států a Kanady byla ustanovena za účelem: 1) napomáhat v šíření evangelia našeho Pána Ježíše Krista v zemích střední a východní Evropy, zvláště v České a Slovenské republice; 2) podporovat práci baptistů a jiných evangelikálních církví v severní Americe, které slouží českým a slovenským potomkům; 3) předložit formu bohoslužby, obecenství a učení, vážit si dědictví těch, ve Spojených státech a v Kanadě, kterým leží na srdci národy, které reprezentujeme. Contents:

Editorial - Natasha Legierski................................................................. 2 From the President of A-B College Dr. Stephen Markwood......... 3 Contentment - Rev. Joseph Novak....................................................... 4 The Rev. Novak Three-Quarters of a Century Young - G. Sommer.... 5 Two Anniversaries - Thomas Cosmades............................................ 6 God’s Servant, part 4 - Miroslav Sauer.............................................. 8 Boží služebník, část 4. - Miroslav Sauer............................................. 9 News from Czech and Slovak Republics - Natasha Legierski......10 Zprávy z České a Slovenské republiky - Nataša Legierská............11 From the Mission Field..........................................................................12 Zprávy z misie...........................................................................................13 From Our Churches - 75th Anniversary - Hatch Hollow Bapt. Church..14 TWR: The Listeners Post - George Cooper.....................................16 Children’s Corner: Fireflies, Part 19 - Jan Karafiát . ........................18 Broučci, část 19 - Jan Karafiát...........................19 From Our Readers..................................................................................20 From the Executive Secretary - George Sommer............................21 Youth Scene: 97th Annual Convention - Darko Siracki....................21 From the President - Robert Dvorak...................................................22 Ladies’ Page - Natasha Legierski........................................................23

Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje January–February 2006, Vol. 32, No 1 (USPS 009334), ISSN 0700-5202 Published Bi-Monthly by The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Periodical postage paid in Philippi, WV.

Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Legierski 1524 Lancaster Dr., #134, Oakville, ON, L6H 2Z2, Canada email: [email protected] You may send articles to above address

Desktop publishing and art: Vit Malek Assistant Editors: Janice Cermak, Ján Banko Editorial Staff: George Sommer, George Legierski, Joseph Novak POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Publication Office:

Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Rt. 4, Box 58D, Philippi, WV 26416-9717 USA

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hanges accompany a person throughout life, from her first intake of breath as an infant to his final expiration in progressed adulthood. It is possible to encompass the entire life of a person in one sentence. It is a relatively short sentence, and its elements hide/contain many diverse matters and experiences of differing character. A short sentence with boundless opportunity yet forced to take the average life span of a human being, approximately 70 years, into account. Stepping into the subsequent year, it is as though beginning another chapter in an unwinding story. Every additional day an invisible pen writes new lines. These lines pass on testimony and step by step change in history. History is important for humanity. It should not only serve in preserving certain data, but more importantly, should be used as an instructive tool, teaching and illuminating, aiding in the avoidance of mistakes of the past. Speaking through experience it is so; however, let the reader judge. The last hundred years has recorded vertiginous change in all facets of human existence. The twenty-first century contains within itself perhaps the most contrasts in recorded history. Technology has reached an impossibly high standard, which all but loses meaning, import and reason among the tombs of

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roměny provází člověka po celý život. Od prvního nadechnutí až k poslednímu vydechnutí. Do jedné věty lze zhrnout celý život člověka. Je to poměrně krátká věta, avšak její obsah skrývá v sobě mnoho různých událostí a zážitků různého charakteru. Krátká věta nesmírného rozsahu, vezme-li se do úvahy průměrný věk života člověka (přibližně 70 roků). Vstupem do dalšího roku jakoby začala další kapitola v neustále se odvíjejícím příběhu. Každý další den neviditelným perem píše řádky. Tyto řádky podávají svědectví a postupně se proměňují v historii. Historie je pro lidstvo důležitá. Měla by člověku sloužit nejen k zachování různých údajů, ale hlavně k poučení a vyvarování se přehmatů minulosti. Je-li tomu tak ve skutečnosti, nechť čtenář posoudí sám. Poslední století zaznamenalo závratné změny ve všech oblastech lidské existence. Dvacáté první století v sobě skrývá snad nejvíce kontrastů v historii. Technologie na vysoké úrovni však ztrácí smysl nad hroby tisíců dětí v zemích třetího světa. Tato skutečnost brání mnohé duši v poznání Pána Boha. Komunistická propaganda v bývalém Československu nabádala masy lidí „vstříc lepším zítřkům“. S „lepším zítřkem“ se však nikdo nepotkal. Mladý člověk prožívá období ideálů, kterými chce změnit svět. Ideály vystřídá rozčarování a z mladého člověka se stane zahořklý jedinec pohlcený zástupem podobně zklamaných nešťastníků. V tom

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email: [email protected] www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv



Cover: Corel photo—Mount Suskan in Mirror Lake

      JanuaryFebruary 6 Printed on recycled paper

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rom the president of Alderson-Broaddus College, Dr. Steve Markwood

Czechoslovak Baptist Convention:

April 2006

As the last vestiges of winter melt away and the first vestiges of spring begin to bloom, our thoughts here at Alderson-Broaddus College begins to turn to summer. For over seventeen years, you have honored us with your presence for the celebration of your annual convention each summer. We find special joy in hosting you up here on the mountaintop, because you were once our guests but now are a part of our extended family. This family relationship has come about because of our common Baptist heritage, but more importantly, it has come about because of our common belief in the important mission to serve others as a focus of the worship of our Lord. I look forward to welcoming you back up on the mountaintop, as I celebrate over a decade of personal friendship with you. As always, I trust that your visit will be a special time of religious reflection and spiritual refreshment. We truly live in troubled times, but our God has been, is, and will always be “True to us.” Your friend in Christ,

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Contentment Rev. Joseph Novak “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phillipians 4:11b. N.I.V.

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was asked to speak about the greatest commandment as quoted by Jesus in Luke’s Gospel 10:27, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbour as yourself.” In this message I will try to talk about the results of loving our Lord as described in the above words. When we love the Lord we will be filled with trankvility and contentment. I am convinced that contentment is more valuable than gold, diamonds and all other riches that this world offers. This truth is confirmed by the Bible and the evidence around us. God’s Word tells us to keep ourselves free from loving money and other valuables and be content with whatever we have. (Heb. 13:5). The following story confirms this truth. Once a servant was asked by his master, “Matthew, why are you so content, cheerful and thankful? You have so many children and you hardly earn enough money to feed and clothe your family.” “It is true, Master”, stated Matthew, “that I have a large family and my income is very low that I hardly manage to feed and clothe them. But we are a very happy and content family. We thank our God for everything we have that we have it, and we praise Him for the things which we do not have because we don’t need them.” What a wise advice and inspiring attitude. Unfortunately, we hear of many rich (poor) people who are multimillionaires, yet they are unhappy and dissatisfied. They always want more riches, more power and glory. They do not love the Lord and don’t help the needy. Quite a few of these disenchanted people end their selfish misery by committing suicide. One of those poor souls was a very rich and famous woman, Mrs. Piccasso. At the age of 59, on October 16th, 1986, she shot herself in her villa in France in order to escape her misery and discontentment. We might ask this mysterious question, “Why so many people who live in castles and luxurious houses, who are popular and powerful, are so empty, unhappy and lack inner peace? Yet, on the other hand, many people who live in small houses and some in shacks or huts, are satisfied and cheerful.” I would say it is because contentment is a gift of God. It is not found by accumulating riches, power or glory but by seeking and doing



God’s will. I feel that those people who are dissatisfied are deceived by the illusion that the grass is greener and testier on the other side of the fence. They think that if they would gain more riches, power and glory they would be content. But they are wrong. I read once a story about two donkeys, who were in two fields separated by a fence. The grass was equally green and lush in both pastures. Yet each donkey was poking its head through the fence as far as possible to graze in the adjoining field. Many people want to be somebody else. They crave their possession, riches and looks. This is the reason why cosmetic surgery is booming! Many people do not like the way they look, so they undergo painful and expensive surgeries. All of us should heed the advice of very rich, powerful and popular King Solomon. He had everything he wanted; gold, power and women. Solomon had 1,000 women. (Eccl. 11:3) He says: “Anything I wanted, I got. I did not deny myself any pleasure…” (Eccl. 2:10). However gold, power, glory or pleasures, did not give Solomon contentment. In his miserable state he declared that all is meaningless and useless like chasing after the wind. (Eccl. 1:14). The following story partly illustrates what it means “chasing after the wind”. One person during the summer day was observing a caterpillar climbing to the top of several bean sticks. Each time the little creature reached the top of a bean stick, it stretched itself and sniffed the air. When it discovered that there was nothing else but an empty space, it crawled down and went to another stick. This was repeated several times. To me, this points out the truth that many people act in a similar way. They too, climb up several sticks during their life. It might be a stick of sport, education, riches, travelling, parties and worldly pleasures, power, or a career. Quite a few of them, after they reach their goals, like that caterpillar, find emptiness and disenchantment. With King Solomon they declare: “All is meaningless and unfulfilling like chasing after the wind!” But please understand me dear reader, I am not claiming that all rich and popular people are unhappy. Nor am I saying that all poor people are content. Neither am I suggesting that we should not seek education, accept that well deserved promotion at work, expand our business or buy that new automobile or a new house. I am only saying that we should first seek

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The Reverend Joe (Joza) Novak Three-Quarters of a Century Young

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verybody, who is connected him and now Joe is even with the Czechoslovak more eager to work, publish Baptist Convention knows and distribute more tracts, Joe (Joza) Novak. And this literature and booklets. dear friend and co-worker is Joe is married to Rose, celebrating his 75th birthday. his faithful helper and co Joe Novak pastored Czecho­ worker, and on December slovak churches in Winnipeg, 29, 2005, they celebrated Manitoba, Toronto and then in their 56th anniversary. They other Baptist churches in Weston have four children and ten and in Mississauga, Ontario. grandchildren. Joe held many different Joe, we wish you (and Rose), positions in the Czechoslovak on behalf of the Czechoslovak Rev. Joe Novak and his wife Rose Baptist Convention. He was a Baptist Convention of USA president, vice-president, executive secretary, editor of and Canada, God’s blessings and good health, and many, Glorious Hope, you name it, Joe was it! many more returns. He is currently president of the Czechoslovak George Sommer Evangelical Mission, which he founded in 1985. Joe writes and distributes Christian literature, tracts and booklets. [You can read more about Joe Novak’s life in Glorious Joe was seriously ill a few years back, but God healed Hope, May 1999, page 64, and March 2000, page 27.] 

Contentment… Continues from page 4 God’s will. Be sensitive to the leadership of His Holy Spirit. After sincere heart searching and self examination, if we feel God’s leading in that direction, we should accept these new challenges and new possibilities. Use our gifts and talents, time and treasure to help others. Love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. Enjoy His blessing and be thankful. According to Webster’s Dictionary contentment is “Having the desires limited to that which one has”. This tells us that contentment does not mean having everything we desire, but rather being satisfied with everything we have. Instead of constantly craving for more and something else we should enjoy everything God already gave us. The old hymns encourages us to do it this way: “Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God has done.” Solomon also says: “So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God’s gift.” (Eccl.3:12– 13) King David also admonishes us to seek our happiness in the Lord. (Psalm 16:2)       JanuaryFebruary 6

May I conclude my message by saying, be wiser than those donkeys. Don’t crave more riches, power or glory and do not try to be somebody else. Be yourself and enjoy everything that the Lord gave you. Honour Him and try to help others to find God’s contentment. Remember that fulfilled life filled with tranquillity and satisfaction is a life full of love for God and other people. Please notice how King Solomon was changed and at the end of his life. He gives us this advise: “So remember your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal years come when you will say, “I don’t enjoy life… Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that man was created for. God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.” (Eccl.12:1,13–14.) This message was delivered on Friday July 8, 2005 during the 96th Annual Convention at Philippi, West Virginia. 



Two Anniversaries Thomas Cosmades

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n A.D. 2006 we come face to face with two important bicentennials. In the course of U.S. history there have been two memorable occurrences with obvious reverberations. These cannot escape the attention of Americans who probe into the past events of their country, as well as others interested in broader history: The vigorous climax of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Haystack Prayer Meeting, both in 1806. The “Corps of Discovery” under the leadership of two U.S. army officers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson who was keenly interested in discovering new territories. The two explorers and their entourage began the epoch-making expedition at the end of 1805, culminating it in 1806. The expedition opened the Pacific Northwest to the newly emerged nation. The celebrated exploration and its sequel make fascinating reading. Numerous commemorations are being carried on, particularly in the Northwest of the country. We love this beautiful part of the United States. In 1956, Lila and I, as a young married couple, myself a newly ordained minister, received a call to serve three small Baptist churches in Idaho County, an area widely touched by the Lewis and Clark expedition. Our commitment was for a short period because we were anticipating missionary service. One of the churches where we ministered, and our humble parsonage, were in Kooskia, (Kooskee) i.e., “where two rivers meet” in Nez Perce Indian. What came to be known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, U.S. 12, over the Bitterroot Mountains was then in the process of being built. Kooskia was a small logging town with eight hundred people. Most of the church folks were involved in some logging-related employment. Debbie and Heather, our Idahoan daughters, came into the world in Grangeville, up on Camas Prairie, about thirty miles from Kooskia. Kooskia is now the scene of dazzling celebrations, already in progress. Here the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Clearwater River meet, eventually merging with Snake River, in Lewiston, Idaho, which in turn flows into the Columbia. The exploration was aiming to find the water route to the Northwest. We cordially greet our many friends in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest and especially those in Kooskia, where we spent a rather short, but notable tenure of our service for the Lord. In 1959 I was granted U.S. citizenship in Lewiston, Idaho, and shortly afterward resigned from the churches which we have since visited with delight throughout the years. Having briefly touched on this important national bicentennial celebration, it is very apropos to direct your attention to a coincidental bicentennial anniversary which made history in the Northeast of the young nation. The place was Williams College



at Williamstown, in the northwestern corner of Massachusetts. On a hot, humid Saturday afternoon in August 1806, five students who were stirred by our Lord’s Great Commission (cf. Matt. 28:18–20) joined together for a time of serious prayer in a maple grove on the campus. They were Samuel J. Mills, James Richards, Byram Green, Francis Robbins and Harvey Loomis. The prayer meeting had scarcely begun when a thunder storm broke out of the heavy dark clouds in the west. Their eyes lit on a haystack in the grove. Immediately they took shelter under the overhanging hay. Lightning flashed; thunder roared. But they persistently prayed on. It was during this prayer time that they covenanted themselves to carry the Gospel to the dark and heathen lands in Asia and to the disciples of Mohammed. Mills uttered the last prayer. He pled with God to “strike down the army that would be raised against the Cross of Christ with the red artillery of heaven.” They sang the first verse of a hymn stemming from Psalm 119:96 with burdened hearts and went to their respective places. Here is what Byram Green said in his 1854 letter, regarding what happened at the Haystack after four of them prayed for the development of foreign missions: “We then sang one stanza. It was as follows: ‘Let all the heathen writers join To form one perfect book: Great God, if once compared with thine, How mean their writings look!’” That concludes Green’s eye-witness account, though given many years later, of what actually transpired at the Haystack Prayer Meeting. The historic prayer meeting made headway two years later through the formation of a society called “The Brethren.” It was kept secret for at least three years. A few of these students found their way into the newly established Andover Seminary where they were introduced to the illustrious Adoniram Judson. He had undergone a shattering spiritual upheaval during his undergraduate studies which eventually brought him to a sound conversion experience. He had a shaking encounter with the death of an old college friend, Jacob Eames, who had earlier influenced him into Deism and eventual spiritual relapse. One night the two stayed, totally unaware of each other’s presence, in adjoining rooms in an inn. All night Judson was tormented by the groans of a dying young man. Next morning when he asked the hotelier if the sick man was better, the somber-faced hotel owner replied, “He’s dead. He was a student from Brown.” “What was his name?” “Jacob Eames,” was the reply. What a turning point this brought to Adoniram, the free thinker! Back to Andover Seminary, every one of these brilliant students

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had a command, a burden and a vision. Their persistency, while it invited skepticism in some circles, convinced a number of Congregational ministers in the Northeastern states to launch the formation of the first missionary society in young America: The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The inception of the new mission in Bradford, Massachusetts, under the association of nine renowned leaders constituted the Board. This was on June 20, 1810. In 1812 the first missionaries set sail in two groups from the shores of the U.S.A., beginning their epoch-making journeys to India. One started from Salem, Mass., and the other from Delaware Cape. The bitter hostilities and extreme hardships encountered by the first band would easily have dimmed anyone’s intention to press ahead. Samuel Newell and his highly pregnant wife Harriet were bluntly refused entry into Calcutta by the governor-general who ordered them to go straight back to America on the same boat! Just then, word reached them from Mauritius that the governor there desired to have missionaries in his territory. The first ship to sail for the island could accept only two passengers. Desperate, the Newells resorted to this opportunity. Their fellow companions, Adoniram and Ann Haseltine Judson remained behind and later proceeded to Burma as Baptist missionaries because they had become convinced of the ordinance of believers’ baptism. The Newells’ trip was disastrous. The new-born baby died on board and was thrown into the sea. Harriet Atwood Newell was deeply grieved. She died at their arrival in Port Lewis, Mauritius. Her short life blossomed into a worthy saga and moral uplift to future missionaries. She was privileged to be the first American missionary to lay down her life through a merciless ordeal before the combat had ever begun. During her last days she was able to write a beneficial diary. Her husband, Samuel, took this double blow in a princely manner. Following a lonely burial of his beloved wife he returned to India, this time to Bombay, where he was allowed to stay. Volumes have been written concerning these young people who took up the Cross to follow Christ in response to his unalterable command. They aimed to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. At their arrival in India the missionaries faced cruel encounters from the part of the British officials. The East India Company, which was in control of those territories, was involved in accumulating big money and nothing else. Therefore they were profoundly disturbed by coming face to face with these undesired idealists. It was no problem for them to sway the governor-general to send them off. The news of their arrival in India reached all the way to Scotland where the Edinburgh Review reported the missionaries’ expulsion with a diatribe, calling them “a nest of consecrated cobblers.” In actuality, these young people were all highly-educated and well-qualified for any office or occupation. He who pronounced the order to “Go” was himself denigrated

from the very beginning and finally executed. His emissaries are not destined to be treated any differently (cf. Luke 23:31). Before young American missionaries became aware of and obedient to Christ’s great command, others had reached out from England, Moravia, Denmark and a few other countries. Missionary activity picked up momentum after young people from the U.S.A. joined their ranks. While their efforts were marked by fruitfulness, hostility continued unabated. In our time political Islam and other militant religions to a lesser degree are bringing an intensification of ill will. These are taking the world into what is known as the “clash of cultures”. There is contention as well from those with a view of secular religion in countries where unbelief has the upper hand. Also noticeable is the revival of ancient systems of worship once thought to have been eclipsed. Numerous other obstructions are being marshaled to stifle the spreading of the Good News. The United States is already celebrating the Bicentennial of the opening of the Pacific Northwest. Likewise, many are commemorating the Bicentennial of the Haystack Prayer Meeting which opened world horizons to Christian young people of the new nation. The courage and determination of the five men at the Haystack Prayer Meeting and its glorious aftermath cannot be forgotten. President Jefferson and his colleagues felt the urge to open new frontiers for their young country. Comparably, the five young men at the Haystack Prayer Meeting accomplished another noble goal. Lewis and Clark with their fellow explorers were entreated by the Nez Perce Indians to send them religious teachers. The plea was received favorably, but seemingly more important affairs caused an inevitable delay. The Indians even pled with the fur traders but these people could not foresee any money-making benefit in it. Their appeal neglected, the Nez Perce sent a five-man delegation to St. Louis to further stress their urgent need. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions began with profound fervor to evangelize every land and territory in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission. They opened the door to Presbyterians to participate in the ministry of sowing and reaping. The mission to the Northwest, or Oregon Territory, was initiated in 1829 by searching out the possibilities of introducing Christ’s message. In 1835 it was inaugurated with the commissioning of Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa. Someone said of her, “She could offer up the finest petition to the Throne of Grace of any person I have heard in my life.” The Rev. Samuel Parker with his wife, and Henry and Elizabeth Spalding, were all Presbyterians. They were resourceful folks, resolute to spread the Good News to people who would eventually become their fellow-Americans. Polynesians joined the crowd from the Pacific. Dr. Whitman’s first helper was a Christian from the Sandwich Islands. Even an unused printing press was sent to the Oregon Territory from there.

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God’s Servant or

Extraordinary Tales of Ordinary Days Miroslav Sauer Part 4

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Alone in the World!

t was Friday night. I was returning my bus to the station, my last stop. After a ten-hour shift, I was looking forward to going home. I had the weekend free, and having two free days in a row did not happen very often. I was driving to the garage. I passed by a bus stop, at which three people were standing, a man, woman and child. I realized that at this time of night, busses were no longer running. I reversed, pulled up to them and explained that no busses would come by at this hour. Only in the morning would they start up again. Upon understanding, the man began walking in the direction of the city, but the woman with the three-year-old boy just stood there as if in shock. A colleague had given her wrong information and she had depended on taking the last bus. This particular bus, of course, did not run on Fridays. She did not want to believe it. “What are you going to do?” I asked her. The bus station was empty, the temperature outside, freezing. “Call a taxi,” I said. “I don’t have money,” she answered. I felt uncomfortable and didn’t know what other option to offer her. She needed to cover a distance of 35 kilometres. What now? Thoughts ran through my head: Surely you can’t leave her there, and especially with a little child. I had been so looking forward to a bite to eat and a warm bed! I offered her my cell phone with the hope that she would call her husband or parents, and they would come pick her up. She refused, saying, “I don’t have anyone.” Surprised, I felt a rush of pity for them. But you do, if you only knew that Jesus loves you, and what he would do for you, I thought to myself. I could not leave them there. They don’t have anyone! So I allowed them to board my bus and offered to drive them with my own car just as soon as I drove the bus into the garage. I could read the joy on both of their faces; they were frozen through, waiting so long at the bus stop. At the bus station, I gave them some hot chocolate and the leftovers from my lunch. I found some children’s colouring books with Bible verses and a children’s calendar. I had a New Testament for the lady, which she happily accepted. During the drive she later told me that she had been at the Psychiatric Ward, visiting her sick husband. He had beaten her up brutally and after a number of months, tortured her. Her neighbour couldn’t stand it anymore and called the police.



Now for three weeks he had been in the Ward, and he wouldn’t be released too easily. She was in a shelter for women with children. She was embarrassed about her husband, which is why she told me that she did not have anyone. I asked about her parents. She explained the situation to me. Her parents were Jehovah’s witnesses. Eight years ago, she separated herself from them, and that is why they had all, her friends and parents, turned their backs on her, as if she had leprosy. The only one remaining was her husband, of Italian background and Catholic religion. She loved him very much. I had my only opportunity to tell her about Jesus, about His love for her, His desire to help her, and His ability and willingness to heal her husband as well. I challenged her to read from the New Testament. In the car, I found a booklet of daily readings called The Good Seed, which would also lead her on. I also gave her the address of my pastor and church. She promised to come to a small group meeting as soon as she got home. It was not far for her. I could also have answered many questions pertaining to prayer and faith in the Lord Jesus. I inquired as to the origin of her husband’s illness. She told me that he had been dragged into the occult by his own parents. His parents practiced spiritualism (contacting the dead). Her husband changed. He tortured animals, people, and even her. She really wished that the Lord would heal him spiritually and physically. I promised her that I would pray for both of them. I asked her to pray as well. I explained to her how we believe and how we pray. I discussed with her the fact that the Lord has the same power today as He had back when He walked the Earth. We spoke about conversion, and I tried to encourage her any way I knew how. In the meantime, her child fell asleep in her arms and we finally came to our destination. The Lord put this woman on my path. That which I received from Him, I passed on. I believe that the Lord will find her and lead her on. I thank Him for all. You cannot imagine how grateful this woman was. And my heart was at peace. That inner piece and joy cannot be described. Go, and share the Good News to the whole world, and it doesn’t have to be just from the pulpit. Translated by Elizabeth Legierski 

      JanuaryFebruary 6

Boží služebník



aneb

Nevšední příběhy všedních dnů Miroslav Sauer 4. část

J

Sami na světě!

e pátek večer. Vracím se k autobusovému nádraží, poslední cestující vystupují. Po desetihodinové směně se již těším domů. Víkend mám volný. Nestává se to tak často, mít dva dny volna. Odjíždím do garáže. Míjím autobusovou zastávku, na které stojí tři lidé, muž a žena s dítětem. Uvědomuji si, že v tuto dobu již nic nepojede. Couvám zpět a vysvětluji jim, že dnes už žádný autobus nepřijede. Až ráno. Muž po srozumění ochází směrem ke městu, ale mladá žena, s tříletým chlapcem, zůstala stát jako opařená. Některý z kolegů jí dal špatnou informaci a ona spoléhala, že pojede posledním autobusem. V pátek však tento autobus nejezdí. Nechtěla tomu věřit. „Co budete dělat?“ zeptal jsem se. Autobusové nádraží bylo prázdné, venku mrzlo. „Zavolejte si taxi“, říkám. „Nemám peníze“, odpověděla. Cítil jsem se nepříjemně a nevěděl jsem, co jí ještě nabídnout. Potřebovala překonat vzdálenost 35 km. Co teď? Přece ji tu nemůžeš nechat a ještě s malým dítětem, proběhlo mi hlavou. Tak jsem se těšil na něco k snědku a teplou postel! Nabídl jsem ji můj mobil v naději, že zavolá manželovi nebo rodičům, aby pro ni přijeli. Odmítla s poznámkou: „Nemám nikoho“. Hrklo ve mne a bylo mi jich líto. Ale máš, jen kdybys věděla, že tě Pán Ježíš miluje, a co pro tebe všechno udělal, pomyslel jsem si. Nemohl jsem je tam nechat. Viděl jsem v tom novou příležitost, kterou mi Pán dal, abych vydal někomu svědectví a potěšil je. Vždyť nikoho nemají! Nechal jsem je tedy nastoupit do autobusu a nabídl jsem jim, že je odvezu vlastním autem, jen co odvezu autobus do garáže. Mohl jsem číst radost z obou tváří, byli promrzlí z dlouhého čekání na autobusové zastávce. Na autobusovém nádraží jsem jim dal kakao a zbytky své svačiny. Našel jsem nějaké dětské omalovánky s biblickými veršíčky a dětský kalendář. Pro paní jsem měl Nový Zákon, který si ráda vzala. Po cestě mi potom vyprávěla, že byla v ústavu, na nervovém oddělení, navštívit nemocného manžela. Brutálně ji zmlá      JanuaryFebruary 6

til a po několik měsíců mučil. Její sousedka to nevydržela a zavolala policii. V ústavu je již tři týdny a nebude jen tak propuštěn. Ona s dítětem je v domově pro ženy s dětmi (azylový dům). Za svého muže se styděla, proto mi řekla, že nikoho nemá. Zeptal jsem se na její rodiče. Vysvětlila mi situaci. Její rodiče jsou Jehovovými svědky. Před osmi lety se od nich odtrhla a proto se všichni od ní odvrátili, jako kdyby byla nakažená malomocenstvím, rodiče i přátelé. Zůstal jí jen manžel, původem Ital, katolického vyznání. Měla ho velmi ráda. Měl jsem jedinečnou příležitost jí povědět o Pánu Ježíši, o tom, že ji miluje a chce jí pomoci, a že může uzdravit i jejího manžela. Vyzval jsem ji, aby si četla z Nového zákona. V autě jsem našel čtení na každý den „Dobrá setba“, které ji také povede dál. Dal jsem jí adresu našeho kazatele a modlitebny. Slíbila, že přijde na sejití skupinky, jen jak se vrátí zpět domů. Nemá to daleko. Mohl jsem jí také zodpovědět mnoho otázek ohledně modlitby a víry v Pána Ježíše. Zeptal jsem se na původ onemocnění jejího manžela. Pověděla mi, že byl zatažen svými rodiči do okultismu. Jeho rodiče praktikovali spiritismus (navazovali kontakt se zemřelými). Její manžel se změnil. Mučil zvířata, lidi a i ji samotnou. Velmi si přeje, aby ho Pán uzdravil na duši i na těle. Slíbil jsem jí, že se za ně budu modlit. Vyzval jsem ji, ať se také modlí. Vysvětlil jsem jí, jak věříme a jak se modlíme. Hovořil jsem o tom, že Pán má stejnou moc dnes, jako měl tenkrát, když chodil po zemi. Mluvili jsme o obrácení, snažil jsem se ji potěšit jak jsem jen mohl. Klouček jí mezitím usnul v náruči a již jsme byli u cíle. Pán mi tuto ženu postavil do cesty. To, co jsem od Něho přijal, předal jsem dál. Věřím, že si ji Pán najde a povede dál. Díky Mu za vše. Neumíte si představit, jak byla tato žena vděčná. A mně bylo dobře u srdce. Ten vnitřní klid a radost se nedá popsat. Jděte, a kažte evangelium celému světu a nemusí to být jen z kazatelny. 



News

from Czech and Slovak Republics Czech Republic

Executive Committee of the Baptist Union launched “Program for Spiritual Revival in 2006.” The first gathering was in Prague, Vinohrady, January 28th, 2006. Main text: Philippians 2, 1–5 c Radio 7 (TWR) via Internet! www.twr.cz or www.radio7.cz You can read more about Radio 7 in this issue of Glorious Hope. c Open Doors, Dorkas in Olomouc February 17, 2006 Seminary in Olomouc–Dorkas offers courses in “theological and social work.” Subjects: Principles of Christianity (selected topics of the Old Testament and the New Testament, Church History and History of Religion), Christian Ethics and Applied Theology (catechism, pastorship, mission and evangelization). Excellent school for anyone who wants to do social work, catechism, pastorship or mission work. c Christian teachers met March 25, 2006, in Prague 10th district. The theme of this traditional meeting was “Teachers, Students and Parents Communication.” It was organized by the Educational Commission of the Ecumenical Committee of Czech Churches c New pastor in Olomouc Church On Sunday, March 26, 2006, in the Baptist Church in Olomouc a special service was held. Mr. Petr Coufal, new pastor of the Olomouc Church, was ordained. [Editor’s note: Petr Coufal is the grandson of the late Alois Erlich, a well-known pastor from Ostrava] c Czech young people of the Baptist Union and of the Brethren Church will meet in Litomysl on April 28–May 1, 2006. c

Ladies’ conference in Litoměřice: March 31–April 2, 2006 Motto: I Am a Woman Text: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. c

Slovak Republic

Invitation to a theological conference The department of Evangelical Theology and Mission UMB PF in Banska Bystrica and Evangelical Churches in the Slovak Republic invite you to a scientific theological conference “Principal Resources of the Evangelical Theology” March 1, 2006—Banská Bystrica. The scope of the conference defines and represents principles of Evangelical theology. Scope of the conference Confrontation of Evangelical theology with the principles of theological positivism categories and development of deeper understanding. Scientific and organizing board: Prof. ThDr. Pavel Procházka, PhD. Mgr. Pavel Hanes, PhD. Doc. PaedDr. Dana Hanesová, PhD. Mgr. Albín Masarik, PhD. PaedDr. Noema Brádňanská PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová Scientific theological conference invites the theologist and university experts, students of the Department of Evangelical Theology and Mission UMB PF and students from other universities, pastors, church workers and other Christian organizations and all who are interested in Christian apologetics. Place: In the Baptist Church in Banská Bystrica. c

Czechs and Slovaks together

Czech–Slovak conference of the Baptist Union When: June 9–11, 2006 Where: in Brno, Smetanova 20, renovated church in Brno. Theme: Why We Are Here 

Fireflies… Continues from page 18 fireflies had to cease work. They invited all the fireflies from the house under the oak tree to come to a last gathering, and they all sat round the fire eating, drinking and talking. The old firefly prophesied that it would be a really hard winter, judging by the way the ants had been behaving, and he said that he was not sure that they had enough wood at their house. “We have plenty,” said mother. “We have a lot left over from last winter and we have been collecting all summer. We could let you have some if you are short.” Father said the same and the fireflies from the house under the oak tree were very glad to have it. Then the party broke up, they said a prayer and then goodbye. As it was a fine day father and the family carried a whole lot of wood over to the oak tree, as much as could possibly be needed. Then they made their own preparations for winter, filling up all the crevices with moss, both inside and out. Last of all they said their bed-time prayer: Underneath your sheltering wings, Take, we pray, all living things.

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Watch us all from heaven above, God of mercy, God of love. Then they kissed one another, went to bed and fell asleep immediately. And they slept, and slept and slept. Winter set in. Oh, what a winter it was—a terrible winter. Brooks froze right down to their beds, birds froze in the air, and the air itself sparkled with frost. Would the fireflies under the juniper tree ever get through a winter like this? Never mind. For if they freeze, it will be in obedience. Spring came. Everything was in blossom, the whole countryside had burst into bloom. And under the juniper tree were twelve daisies. Nine of them were as white as milk, and the other three had little red edges to their petals. And there they flower to this very day. The End Reprinted with permission 

      JanuaryFebruary 6

Zprávy

z České a Slovenské republiky Česká republika

Výkonný Výbor Bratrské jednoty baptistů (VV BJB) zahájil “Program duchovní obnovy v roce 2006”. První setkání se uskutečnilo v Praze na Vinohradech 28. ledna, 2006. Ústřední text setkání byla epiš. Filipským 2, 1–5 c Internetové vysílání Radio 7 (TWR) v provozu! www.twr.cz nebo www.radio7.cz Více informací najdete na stránkách této Slavné Naděje c Den otevřených dveří na škole Dorkas v Olomouci proběhl 17. února, 2006 Vyšší odborná škola sociální a teologická škola—Dorkas nabízí studium oboru “sociální a teologická činnost”. Předměty: Základy křesťanství (zahrnují vybraná témata z oblasti Nového a Starého zákona, věrouky, církevních dějin a religionistiky), Křesťanská etika a Praktická teologie (zahrnuje oblast diakonie, katechetiky, pastorace, misie a evangelizace). Studium je vhodné pro zájemce o práci v diakonii či sociální práci, o službu katechetickou, pastorační či misijní. c Setkání křesťanských pedagogů Dne 25. března 2006 se v pražském sboru Církve československé husitské, Praha 10—Vinohrady, Dykova 1 uskutečnilo tradiční setkání křesťanských pedagogů na téma „Komunikace učitelů, dětí a rodičů“. Setkání pořádá Komise pro výchovu a vzdělávání při Ekumenické radě církví ČR spolu s Oddělením výchovy a vzdělávání Českobratrské církve evangelické. c Instalace nového kazatele v Olomouci V neděli 26.3. 2006 se ve sboru Bratrské jednoty baptistů v Olomouci konalo slavnostní shromáždění uvedení nového kazatele olomouckého sboru br. Petra Coufala do služby. [Petr Coufal je vnukem vzácného kazatele Aloise Erlicha, pozn. Redakce SN] c Celostátní setkání mládeže Bratrské jednoty baptistů a Církve bratrské se bude konat od. 28. dubna do 1. května 2006 v Litomyšli.

Slovenská republika

Pozvánka na teologickou konferenci Katedra evanjelikálnej teológie a misie UMB PF v Banskej Bystrici a združenie evanjelikálnych cirkví v SR pozývajú na vedeckú teologickú konferenciu Principiálne východiská evanjelikálnej teológie 1. marec 2006—Banská Bystrica Cieľom konferencie je formulovať a prezentovať princípy evanjelikálnej teológie. Obsahové zameranie konferencie: Konfrontovať evanjelikálnu teológiu s principiálnymi teologicko-filozofickými kategóriami a rozvíjať hlbšie vieroučné porozumenie evanjelikalizmu. Vedecko-organizačný výbor: Prof. ThDr. Pavel Procházka, PhD. Mgr. Pavel Hanes, PhD. Doc. PaedDr. Dana Hanesová, PhD. Mgr. Albín Masarik, PhD. PaedDr. Noema Brádňanská PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová Vedecká teologická konferencia je určená teológom a odborníkom z vysokých škôl, študentom Katedry evanjelikálnej teológie a misie PF UMB a iných univerzít, kazateľom a pracovníkom v cirkvách, pracovníkom cirkevných a iných kresťanských organizácií a všetkým záujemcom o kresťanskú apologetiku. Konferencia sa bude konať v priestoroch cirkevného zboru BJB v Banskej Bystrici (ul. Horná Strieborná 3). c

Společné akce

Konference odboru sester BJB ČR a SR, Litoměřice 31. 3.—2.4. 2006 Motto: Jsem žena Text: Cokoli děláte, dělejte upřímně, jako by to nebylo lidem, ale Pánu Kol. 3:23 c Česko—Slovenská conference BJB Ve dnech 9.–11.června 2006 se bude konat v Brně mezinárodní ČeskoSlovenská baptistická conference na Smetanově 20, v nové modlitebně sboru BJB v Brně. Téma: Proč jsme tady 

Broučci … Pokračování ze strany 18 A byl podzim. Světla ubývalo, a zimy přibývalo, a tak broučci že už nikam nepoletí. Jenom ještě pozvali všecky ty broučky z roždí. A oni přišli, a sedli si kolem kamen, a jedli a pili, a povídali si. Ale ten starý brouček z roždí prorokoval, že bude zlá zima, že to pozoroval na mravencích, a oni že mají jaksi hrozně málo dříví. „I, my ho máme hromadu,“ povídala maminka. „Od lonska nám ho hromadu zbylo, a letos jsme dělali celé léto o dříví. My bychom vám ho mohli trochu dát.“ A tatínek že ano, a broučci všickni že ano, a tak se pomodlili a rozloučili, a že se právě ještě udělal pěkný den, nosili broučci tam pod dub dříví. Hodně jim ho tam zanesli. Pak si už jen všecko snesli a urovnali, všecko vnitř i zevnitř mechem ucpali—už to měli—ještě se pomodlili: Pod večer tvá čeládka, Co k slepící kuřátka,



K ochraně Tvé hledíme, Laskavý Hospodine, pac a pusu, a už leželi a už spali, a spali a spali.

Abyla zima. Ach, to byla zima, zlá zima! Potoky zamrzly až na dno, ptáci padali z povětří, mrzlo, až se jiskřilo. Ach, ti broučci pod jalovcem, jestli oni to vydrží? Nechť. Však jestli zmrznou, oni poslušně zmrznou. A bylo jaro. Všecko, všecko kvetlo, ale pravšecko, a tam pod jalovcem kvetlo dvanáct chudobiček, devět bělounkých jako mléko, a tři s kraječkem jak krev červeným. Však tam kvetou podnes. Konec Přetištěno s povolením 

      JanuaryFebruary 6

11

The Poenarus

A

bout Isaac and other joys of missionary life: My first encounter with Isaac was unforgettable. I went to see this newly admitted 18-year old who had a longstanding surgical problem. But instead of the young man I was expecting, I found a shy, thin boy who wouldn’t even look in my eyes. You see, Isaac had bladder exstrophy—a major surgical condition in which right from birth the urinary bladder is  open to the skin. Bladder exstrophy is repaired in developed countries right at birth—yet Isaac had lived completely incontinent of urine for the past 18 years! Initially he was told nothing could be done about his problem, and when he was “discovered” three years ago by another missionary surgeon willing to help, he didn’t return because his father could not get the $7 bus fare to Nairobi! Isaac was attending school, but only in third grade. When asked why, the father sadly told us that for years he hadn’t been allowed to go to school because of his smell. “And now?” I asked. “Now they let him, but he must stand outside the classroom and watch through the window.” I cried, then I prayed with Isaac and his father, and promised that as God helps us we’ll do everything we can for him. A week later we took Isaac to the operating room and together with the surgeon who first saw him (Dr. Safwat Andrawes, a Coptic Christian and pediatric urologist in Nairobi) we corrected the boy’s bladder. He recovered well and went home happy, but for financial reasons again didn’t return for follow-up…until recently, more than a year later. The smiling young man who confidently shook my hand looked vaguely familiar, yet I still couldn’t recall him. Until he reminded me: his name was Isaac! Isaac was so happy, his countenance had changed him so radically that I barely recognized him. He was now all dry, and was studying hard in school. Isaac’s life had changed and he knew to give all credit to God, and to Jesus Christ the Great Physician. As for me, I could barely contain my excitement—this is why I am here in Kenya, and I wouldn’t be anywhere else! Dan E-mail: [email protected] 

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The Potmas

The Focus: Who do we want to reach? TEAM’s goal in the Czech Republic is “to work together with Czech believers to establish culturally relevant, reproducing churches to the glory of God.” Beginning in the fall of 2006, we plan to begin outreach in the 10th district of Prague, home to 115,000 people with almost no evangelical church in that region. Since the 10th district borders on the 4th district, we already have many contacts there and had two highly successful showings of the Jesus film in the 10th district in 2004, along with followup meetings with several of these people. Some of them have asked us to come to their region to begin a new work similar to the South City Church. The Family: What’s new with the Potmas? There is never a dull moment at the Potma home! Elise is going up and down the stairs now and opens the refrigerator door herself. Benjamin loves to draw, color, cut and paste anything he can get his hands on. Noemi has been going to birthday parties with friends from school, and her front teeth are finally coming in! Luke just turned 9 in January and enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics, especially hockey. The kids didn’t miss us too much when we were gone for a weeklong church-planting conference —that was 21 uninterrupted meals for Gretchen! And for Mark the big news is that he is now “over the hill” at age 40! The Itinerary: Where will we be? May 5 London,ON May 7,10–15 Toronto, ON May 21 Dorchester,ON June 2 Napoleon, OH June 8-10 Kansas June 11-16 Minnesota June 17-20 Manitoba June 21-27 Minnesota June 28–July 5 Ontario July 6 Fly to Prague E-mail: [email protected] Note: These missionaries are supported by the Convention, mainly through our sisters. We would like to provide information for you on a regular basis, information on their work and especially on the thousands of different ways God’s power is manifested, which takes one’s breath away. For this type of work, continual prayer and sincere support (not just financial) is a precious foundation. We are disclosing e-mail addresses of these missionaries with encouragement to readers not to forget about God’s servants. All it takes is a couple of hits on the keys and clicks on the mouse, and the words of comfort and encouragement that result will warm hearts even hundreds of kilometers away! Natasha Legierski 

      JanuaryFebruary 6

Poenaru

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Izákovi a dalších radostech z života misionářů Nezapomenu na první setkání s Izákem. Šel jsem prohlédnout právě přijatého 18-ti letého pacienta, který potřeboval operaci. Očekával jsem, že se setkám s mladým mužem. Našel jsem však vyzáblého stydlivého chlapce, který se mi ani nechtěl podívat do očí. Izák se totiž narodil s estrofií močového měchýře (těžká vývojová vada močového měchýře)—to je kondice, kdy močový měchýř je na povrchu kůže. Ve vyspělých zemích se tento problém odstraní hned při narození dítěte. Izák však žil 18 let bez schopnosti cítit potřebu. Údajně mu bylo řečeno, že se s tímto problémem nedá nic dělat. Když byl před 3 lety „objeven“ jiným chirurgem—misionářem, který byl ochoten pomoci, nedostavil se, protože jeho otec nemohl sehnat 7 dolarů na cestu autobusem do Nairobi. Izak sice chodil do školy, ale jen do třetí třídy. Když jsem se zeptal proč, jeho otec mi smutně odpověděl, že po léta mu nebyl dovolen přístup do školy kvůli jeho zápachu. „A nyní?“ zeptal jsem se. „Nyní mu dovolí dívat se do třídy oknem.“ Zaplakal jsem, modlil jsem se s Izákem a jeho otcem a slíbil jsem, že s pomocí Boží uděláme vše, co bude možné. Týden na to jsme spolu s chirurgem, který ho viděl před tím (Dr. Safwat Andrewes, koptický* křesťan a dětský urolog v Nairobi) operovali chlapcův močový měchýř. Zotavil se rychle a šťasten se vrátil domů. Na další prohlídku se však z finačních důvodů opět nedostavil, až nedávno, více než rok po operaci. Mladý, usmívající se muž, který mi důvěrně potřásl rukou, vypadal nějak povědomě. Nemohl jsem si vzpomenout. Musel se mi připomenout sám, jmenoval se Izák! Izák byl velice šťasten. Výraz jeho tváře se tak změnil, že jsem ho nemohl poznat. Nyní byl docela suchý a pilně chodil do školy. Izákův život se změnil. Uvědomoval si, že vděčnost patří Pánu Bohu a Ježíši Kristu, nejlepšímu Lékaři. A co se týče mne, těžko jsem zakrýval své nadšení…a to je ten důvod, proč jsem zde, v Keni a ne někde jinde! [*Kopt – praobyvatel Egypta, pozn. překl.] Dan E-mail: [email protected] 

Potmovi

Zaměření: Koho chceme oslovit? Cílem práce TEAMu v České republice je “spolupracovat s věřícími v Čechách za účelem založení kulturně významných, reprodukčních sborů, k Boží slávě”. Na podzim v roku 2006 plánujeme začít práci v Praze 10, kde žije 115,000 lidí. V této oblasti není téměř žádný evangelický kostel.

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A protože Praha 10 hraničí s Prahou 4, získali jsme již nějaké kontakty během velice úspěšného promítání filmu Ježíš v Praze 10 v roce 2004. Tyto kontakty se upevnily potom při následovných schůzkách. Někteří nás žádali, abychom započali podobnou práci, jako ve sboru v Jižním městě, také v jejich oblasti. Rodina: Co nového u Potmových? U Potmových se nikdy nenudí! Elisa již chodí po schodech nahoru dolů a sama si umí otevřít ledničku. Benjamin rád kreslí, maluje, vystřihuje a nalepuje na cokoliv, co mu přijde do rukou. Noemi si užívala oslav narozenin s kamarádkami ze školy a konečně ji vylezly přední zuby! Lukášovi bylo v lednu právě 9 let. S požitkem sledoval Zimní olympijské hry, zvláště hokej. Děti nás ani moc nepostrádaly, když jsme odjeli na týdenní konferenci na téma zakládání sborů. Pro Gretchen to znamenalo 21 nerušených jídel! Co se týče Marka, přelezl žebříček čtyřicítky! Cestování: Kde budeme? May 5 May 7,10–15 May 21 June 2 June 8-10 June 11–16 June 17–20 June 21–27 June 28–July 5 July 6

London,ON Toronto, ON Dorchester,ON Napoleon, OH Kansas Minnesota Manitoba Minnesota Ontario Odlet do Prahy E-mail: [email protected]

Poznámka: Tito misionáři jsou podporováni naší konvencí, zvláště sestrami. Chceme vám pravidelně přinášet informace o práci, kterou vykonají a zvláště o Boží moci, která se projevuje tisíce různými způsoby, až se tají dech. Při takové práci je vzácným základem ustavičná modlitba a upřímná podpora, nejen finanční. Uveřejňujeme také elektronické adresy misionářů a vyzýváme čtenáře k tomu, aby na Boží služebníky nezapomínali. Stačí pár úderů do klávesnice, ťuknutí na myš a slova útěchy či povzbuzení prohřejí srdce i na mnoho kilometrů vzdálených! Nataša Legierská 

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Hatch Hollow Baptist Church 75th Anniversary 1928–2003

[This article was written approximately two years ago. Apparently it was not mailed to the publication office of Glorious Hope and therefore it was not published. But we received it recently. We are very sorry for this mixup. I hope that you will still enjoy this article about Hatch Hollow Baptist Church. Editors.] he church was an old frame construction. Adjacent to the church was a large horse-tying barn with room for twenty to twenty-five horses. A foyer was located at the entrance to the church. To the right of the foyer was a nursery which had a window that faced toward the congregation. Directly above the nursery was a classroom which was reached by climbing a very steep set of stairs. The entrance to the main part of the church was to the left of the foyer. The lighting was accomplished with the use of carbide lamps and a few oil lamps. There were two potbellied stoves used for heat. One stove was located in the left rear corner of the church and the other was standing in the right front corner of the church. Each stove had its own chimney. The article above, written by Harold E. Nye (a former member of our church), is an article I found at Hatch Hollow as I was gathering history for our 75th anniversary. We celebrated this anniversary October 31, November 1 and 2, 2003, and even though our church, surrounded by beautiful fields, is small, it is full of love, memories, and history. There are six of our faithful members who have lived most of this history. This is what makes our church unique. Our church has been a big part of their lives, and their lives are indeed a big part of our church. I became pastor of the Hatch Hollow Baptist Church in May of 2001, and these wonderful people became part of our lives. They were raised by families that were grateful for the freedom they found in America: Czechoslovak immigrants leaving their homes, families, friends, and all worldly possessions to come to a country where they would be free from persecution and poverty, many of them literally running

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for their lives. In America they were able to have Bible study, and eventually started the Slovak Baptist Church of Union City, but chartered in 1928 as the Slovak Baptist Church of Hatch Hollow. In 1967 the church was incorporated into the Hatch Hollow Baptist Church. These remarkable people taught their children to love God, live for Him, and serve Him all their lives, and they have. They have seen the church flourish with well over a hundred members and though sometimes the church has gone through battles, losing church members even to only a few, as when we came, these people have not quit. They have kept the faith their parents passed on to them. It is our pleasure to be a part of this ministry. We are honored that God has put us in this situation. The church again is small, but we have doubled our attendance in the short time we have been here. We have the greatest people, who really love the Lord, and the “friendliest” church in Hatch Hollow. (Of course, we are the only church in Hatch Hollow.) Many lives in the hollow have been touched because of this little church started 75 years ago. The history of Hatch Hollow Baptist Church supplied to us by George Gregor: the work of the Hatch Hollow Baptist Church began in 1919 when brother John Gregor and his family

Charter Members of Hatch Hollow Baptist Church (artist’s painting)

moved to Hatch Hollow from Creighton, Pennsylvania. They were followed by John’s brother, Martin, and his family from Barberton, Ohio. Soon after, John Shinko and John Morvay and their families, also from Creighton, made their appearance. These brethren met regularly for prayer and Bible study in the Slovak language for about fourteen years, usually in the home of John Gregor. They had deep convictions and were a testimony in the community.

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Continues on page 17

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Editorial… Continues from page 2 children in third world countries. This reality impedes many souls in getting to know the true God. Communist propaganda in former Czechoslovakia spurred masses to “head into better tomorrows with better yesterdays,” which never happened, of course. Young adults live through periods of idealism during which they desire to change the world. Ideals are then replaced by disillusionment and from a young person, an embittered individual emerges, absorbed in a multitude of similar disappointed wretches. Herein lies the key to the repetition of history. Two thousand years ago, a baby who brought people hope and meaning in life was born. A mediator between God and human beings had come to Earth. Humankind was offered the opportunity to get to know God the Father through His son, Jesus Christ. (Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6). Human beings were given the opportunity to take a glance into their own hearts and begin to learn to understand themselves. The greatest teacher in all recorded history led people not to be passive elements of existence, but to be active participants in the transformation of their own inner beings. Alone, a person is unable to produce these changes within, but rather needs the address, guidance and leading of the Lord Jesus. With his call, Jesus inspires followers to continuous change of their inner selves: “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect,” (Matt. 5:48). This challenge is in its own way downright revolutionary. Who can achieve perfection? The Bible provides ample motivations for us to try it. Once sufficiently motivated, the individual concerned gets on the path of continual and persistent change which lead to the perfection which God’s Word talks about. The Words of Jesus: “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your

Father in heaven,” (Matt. 5:44–45a). Human nature renders us incapable of loving enemies. Whoever puts these words of Jesus into practice acts in the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a transformation! Editor-in-Chief Natasha Legierski 

Editorial… Pokračování ze strany 2 se historie stále opakuje. Před dvěmi tisíci lety se narodilo dítě, které přineslo člověku naději a smysl do života. Na zem přišel prostředník mezi Pánem Bohem a člověkem. Člověku byla nabídnuta možnost poznat Boha Otce skrze Jeho Syna Pána Ježíše Krista. (Ježíš mu řekl: „Já jsem ta cesta pravda i život. Nikdo nepřichází k Otci než skrze mne.“ Jan 14,6) Člověk dostal možnost pohlédnout do svého vlastního nitra a začal se učit svému nitru rozumět. Největší Učitel v dějinách lidstva vedl člověka k tomu, aby nebyl pasivním elementem existence, ale aby se aktivně podílel na proměnách svého vlastního nitra. Sám o sobě člověk těchto proměn schopen není. Potřebuje oslovení a vedení Pána Ježíše. Svou výzvou nabádá následovníky k neustálým proměnám svého vlastního já: „Buďte tedy dokonalí, jako je dokonalý váš Otec, který je v nebesích“. (Matouš 5,48) Je to výzva svým způsobem přímo revoluční. Kdo může dosáhnout dokonalosti? Bible poskytuje dostatek motivací k tomu, aby to člověk zkusil. Jakmile je dotyčný dostatečně motivován, nastoupí cestu dobrodružství neustálých proměn, které jej vedou k dokonalosti, o které hovoří Boží Slovo. Slova Pána Ježíše „Já vám však říkám: Milujte své nepřátele! Žehnejte těm, kdo vás proklínají, konejte dobro těm, kdo vás nenávidí, a modlete se za ty, kdo vás pomlouvají a pronásledují, abyste byli synové svého Otce, který je v nebesích.“ (Matouš 5,44 NBK) Lidská přirozenost nedokáže milovat svého nepřítele. Kdokoliv uvádí tato slova do praxe, podobá se Pánu Ježíši Kristu. Jaká to proměna! Šéfredaktorka Nataša Legierská 

Two Anniversaries… Continues from page 7 The Spaldings chose their territory of ministry among the Nez Perce, and were based in Lapwai. Their service progressed with encouraging results. The Whitmans settled among the Cayuse in Waiilatpu. Contrary winds against such commitment, sometimes met with perilous consequences, can be traced back to apostolic times. Dr. Marcus Whitman administered a mild vaccination in his community which caused the startling deaths of a few people. Superstition, fear and pantheistic notions swarmed their belief. Their strange logic interpreted the tragedy as being deliberate. In 1847, less than twelve years after the start of the work, the mission station was attacked one night by a small band of natives, resulting in the brutal murder of fourteen residents, including the Whitmans. It was a heart-breaking blow upon an on-going Christian ministry. Many men and women risked their lives in the gallant effort to develop this wild and beautiful area of our country. Others were spurred on to the Pacific Northwest to present Christ, the Author of the Great Commission to those who had not yet

heard of His name and unique offer. Most of these had some link to the Haystack Prayer Meeting. Marcus Whitman was in the Sunday school class of one of those five students. Many dedicated missionaries laid down their lives in the opening of new spiritual frontiers—both around the world and then in the Northwest. In our time search for new lands has ceased and the emphasis has turned toward outer space. Nevertheless, one area remains unconquered, and that is man’s inner soul which needs to be inhabited by the great Redeemer. Sources: Anderson, Courtney, To the Golden Shore, the Life of Adoniram Judson, Little, Brown & Co., Boston, 1956 Reid, Daniel G., Dictionary of Christianity in America, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 1990 Strong, William E., The Story of the American Board, The Pilgrim Press, Boston, 1910 

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adio 7 is alive! 24 hours daily with Czech and Slovak programs!

Dear TWR-CZ, I would like to greet all of you in Brno. Every time we tune to your broadcast we look forward to learning something new, something valuable for our lives. We have been listening for years, even during the totalitarian era. Those times are gone and now we can tune to a clear radio signal. We like to listen to you on Saturdays since on weekdays we are at work. We wish you many many satisfied listeners to your 24-hour broadcast of Radio 7. Hello Radio 7, I have something for your program „Nightmares.“ It is a saying that exactly expresses my view of a friend and friendship. „A friend is a person who knows the song of your heart and is able to sing it for you when you yourself have forgotten its words.“ Dear radio workers, thank you for your work. I can tune to your programs thanks to installation of the cable TV. It would be wonderful if your Radio 7 with its 24-hour broadcast were offered there. I am on maternity leave and so with great joy I listen to your Tuesday program Reserved for Ladies. Last year I listened to the TTB program. It enriched me in many ways and it became an encouragement and inspiration for me. I wish you a continual and lasting view of God’s grace, and may His joy be your strength. I listen to Radio 7 on the Internet and I praise the Lord for His mercy that we can have Christian broadcasts. Just a small remark on my side: what a pity TTB is aired so late at night. I wish you a lot of strength and God’s blessings. This letter is not directly about Radio 7, but too good to leave out: I would like to thank you from my whole heart. I do not remember hearing anything similar in my life. We listened for an hour to words of encouragement, hope, solutions, but mainly words of cleansing truth. No clichés. Very extraordinary was the fact that the words were not interrupted with music that had no connection with the theme. That Saturday night you gave me an unforgettable feeling of joy and belonging. I have been through the problem you talked about. My daughter went through years of drug addiction and I experienced it through her. Today she is healed. George Cooper, for TWR Czech and TWR Slovak

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ádio 7 je žívé! 24 hodín denne s Českými a Slovenskými programami!

Milé TWR-CZ, chcel by som pozdraviť všetkých vás v Brne. Vždy, keď si naladíme vaše vysielanie, tešíme sa, že sa naučíme niečo nové, niečo hodnotné pre naše životy. Počúvali sme vás roky, dokonca ešte za totality. Tie časy sú preč a teraz môžeme zachytiť čistý signál. Radi vás počúvame v sobotu, pretože cez týždeň sme v práci. Želáme vám veľa, veľa spokojných poslucháčov 24 hodinového vysielania Rádia 7. Ahoj Rádio 7, mám niečo pre váš program „Noční Můry“. Je to výrok ktorý presne vystihuje môj pohľad na priateľa a priateľstvo. „Priateľ je človek, ktorý pozná pieseň tvojho srdca a  je schopný spievať ju pre teba, keď ty sám si zabudol jej slová.“ Drahí pracovníci v rádiu, ďakujem vám za vašu prácu. Môžem si naladiť váš program vďaka inštalácii káblovej televízie. Bolo by skvelé, keby vaše Rádio 7 s  24 hodinovým vysielaním tam bolo v  ponuke. Som na materskej dovolenke a  tak s  veľkou radosťou počúvam váš utorkový program Rezervované pre Dámy. Minulý rok som počúvala TTB program. Obohatilo ma to rôznym spôsobom a stalo sa mi to povzbudením a inšpiráciou. Želám vám neustále a trvalé videnie Božej milosti a nech Jeho radosť je vašou silou. Počúvam Rádio 7 cez internet a chválim Pána za Jeho milosť, že môžeme mať kresťanské vysielanie. Iba malá poznámka z mojej strany. Aká škoda, že TTB je vysielané tak neskoro v noci. Prajem vám veľa sily a Božieho požehnania. Tento list nie je priamo o Rádiu 7, ale je príliš dobrý aby bol vynechaný: Z celého srdca by som sa vám chcel poďakovať. Nepamätám si, že by som v živote počul niečo podobné. Hodinu sme počúvali slová povzbudenia, nádeje, riešenia, ale hlavne slová očisťujúcej pravdy. Nie klišé. Veľmi vynikajúci bol fakt, že slovo nebolo prerušované hudbou, ktorá nemala žiadnu spojitosť s témou. V tú sobotnú noc ste mi dali nezabudnuteľný pocit radosti a spolupatričnosti. Prešiel som problémom o ktorom ste hovorili. Moja dcéra prešla rokmi drogovej závislosti a ja som to prežil cez ňu. Dnes je vyliečená. George Cooper za TWR Česko a TWR Slovensko preložila: Miroslava Kopčoková 

Check our Convention Web page:

www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv

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From Our Churches… Continues from page 14

Seven Characteristics… Continues from page 23

It was felt that the large number of children in these families also should meet for worship. In the Gregors’ yard stood an old brooder house (chicken coop). The suggestion was made that the children could meet in that for Sunday school. The family cleaned the brooder house within and without, even putting curtains in the windows. So, while the older folks met in their home, the young people also had their sanctuary, the old brooder house. This did not accommodate the young people sufficiently, however, so they began to attend the First Baptist Church in Union City. Rev. Stevensen took great interest in this little flock. He came regularly on Tuesday evenings to preach the Word to them. John Gregor, Jr., acted as interpreter. Mr. Stevensen saw the need and recommended that they organize into a church. This was done on August 12, 1928. In all there were twelve charter members that constituted the Slovak Baptist Church of Hatch Hollow. They were Mr. and Mrs. John Gregor, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gregor, Mr. and Mrs. John Shinko, Mr. and Mrs. John Morvay, Mr. and Mrs. George Penkalski, Mr. John Gregor, Jr., and Mrs. Julia Sayban. In October of the same year, 1928, eight more members were added: Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gregor, Jr., Lydia Gregor, Helen Horvath, Irene Gregor, Mrs. John Gregor, Jr., Sue Morvay, and Mary Gregor. The Lord blessed this little congregation, and they felt the need of a more permanent meeting place, so they purchased a vacant Methodist church in Hatch Hollow for the total of $300. This Old Wattsburg Road building is where the church still meets, after seventy five years. Several pastors came and helped out over the years, but in the Summer of 1945, Andrew Kmetko was elected the first full-time pastor of the church. During the Summer of 1948, Dan Widlicka supplied the pulpit, and in January 1949, Florian Manas was called to be the pastor. The church has had many pastors, and now it is my time to be a part of this work of God. As we strive to do the work of God, winning souls and spreading the gospel in the hollow and surrounding area, let us pray for God’s blessing on this work that has been faithful through the years. Dan Widlicka, Florian Manas (unable to attend due to family illness), Bob Dvorak (president of the Czechoslovakian Baptist Convention) and Pastor Ken Devine (current pastor) ministered during the anniversary meetings. We are proud of our people, our heritage, and our Lord, who has kept this work alive during these 75 plus years. Pastor Kenneth Devine 

3. Vision (Acts 16, 9–10) Paul had vision. He founded the first church in Europe. Before he left, he passed his vision on (Phil. 3:13–15) What is our vision? A new life with the Lord? Imitating Jesus Christ? Bearing fruit, growing in the church? 4. Teachable The church in Philippi was teachable. The apostle Paul did not have to reprimand them (compared to the letter he wrote the Corinthians); rather, he praised and thanked God for them. It is important to learn, embrace, hear, see and do. 5. Self-sacrifice Being able to give joyfully no matter what happens. (Acts 20:35) 6. Joy Joy springs from strong, firm faith. (Phil. 4:4) 7. Likeness of Jesus Christ In the second chapter of Philippians we find a description of what constitutes this likeness. Let us not forget the greatness of God’s love. God was to have a relationship with everyone individually. I am convinced that the Potmas really possess these seven characteristics and raise their four children, all born in Czech Republic, in the same spirit. I noticed not only brother Mark’s pronunciation of the unique Czech “ř” but also his humility. Praise to God for faithful servants, wherever they may be. “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil.1:6)

MOVING ?

Please write to: Glorious Hope Rt.4, Box 58D Philippi, WV 26416 USA Include your mailing label from a recent issue of Glorious Hope for faster service.

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Sedm vlastností … Pokračování ze strany 23 3. Vize (Skutky 16,9–10) Pavel měl vidění. Založil první sbor v Evropě. Než odešel, svou vizi předal dál (Filip. 3,13–15) Co je naší vizí? Nový život s Pánem? Napodobování Ježíše Krista? Nést ovoce, růst ve sboru? 4. Učenlivost Sbor ve Filipi byl sbor učenlivý. Apoštol Pavel je nemusel napomínat (srovnej s listy ke Korintským), ale naopak je chválil a děkoval za ně Pánu Bohu. Je důležité se naučit, přijmout, slyšet, vidět a činit 5. Obětavost Umět dávat s radostí i na vzdory okolnostem. (Skutky 20, 35) 6. Radost Radost pramení z pevné víry. (Filip. 4,4) 7. Podobnost Pánu Ježíši Ve 2. kapitole Filipenským nacházíme popis toho, v čem spočívá tato podobnost. Nezapomínejme na velikost Boží lásky. Pán Bůh chce mít vztah s každým osobně. Jsem přesvědčena, že Potmovi těchto sedm vlastností skutečně mají a v jejich duchu také vedou své čtyři děti, narozené v České republice. Na bratrovi mne nezaujala pouze hláska „ř“, ale i jeho pokora. Chvála Pánu Bohu za věrné služebníky, ať jsou kdekoliv. „A jsem si jist, že ten, který ve vás začal dobré dílo, dovede je až do dne Ježíše Krista.“ (Filip. 1,6) 

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Fireflies Jan Karafiát

Translated by Daniela Bísková

Part 19

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other and Jeanine, little Lucinda, little Jeanine and Tiny were awaiting them. “Welcome home, welcome home,” they cried. “And how did you get on?” “It was lovely!” they said, “but, Mummy, we’re dreadfully hungry.” “Come then, hungry ones,” said mother, “dinner is waiting.” They said grace and sat down to dinner. But when mother and the sisters wanted to hear all about their adventures they simply could not tell them. They were all so sleepy! So they went straight to bed, and the minute they got there they all went to sleep, and slept on, and on, and on. “How did you get along with them?” asked mother. “Were they at all frightened?” “Not they,” said father, “they were much braver then I ever was.” And now mother laughed and said, “Do you know why?” “Why then?” asked father. “There are seven of them; there was only one of you,” answered mother. “I’m so happy that we have so many of them,” said father. They were both pleased. When the sun was going down, all seven of them were up again ready to fly off. As they flew they shone and shone. They weren’t frightened and nothing bad happened to them. One day after breakfast, just before they started to fly off, they got a message from Jeanine. She wanted them all to come to see her. So they all went to the house by the copse under the rocks, where the heather had red and white flowers and the moss was like velvet. The door was polished and the windows shone. Jeanine was in bed dressed in pretty clothes, as if there was something to celebrate. There were twelve chairs round the bed. “Welcome all of you; come and sit down,” said Jeanine smiling kindly. “You, father and mother, sit here by me.” The children were all surprised but mother’s eyes were full of tears. When they all had taken their seats, Jeanine sat up and began to speak. “My dear children, my dear Lucius and Lucinda, it’s very good of you to come and see me. The Lord God has revealed to me that I’ll leave this world today and I wanted to see you before I go.” Father, mother and the three sisters were already crying, but the brothers just couldn’t understand: Jeanine seemed to be as strong and healthy as ever. “I have always loved you all,” went on Jeanine, “and have prayed to God to teach you obedience. I won’t be here any longer but the Lord God will always guide and teach you. Love one another and do your duty. You will never want for anything. And if you, my dear Tiny, with your lame leg, never marry then this little house will be yours: you’ll have a place of your own. And when I die, bury me here in the moss

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under the windows. And now, give me your hands!” All the little fireflies began to cry. “Don’t you want to be obedient, children?” said Jeanine. “Oh, yes, we want to be good. But don’t die, please.” “You want to be good and at the same time you want me to disobey? The Lord God has forgiven me all my sins and now when he calls me I should refuse? Do not cry. Just do as you’re told.” When she had kissed everyone she lay down again peacefully. And she was as strong as ever, and her eyesight was still good. As she lay quietly, she seemed suddenly to remember something. “Lucius!” And father bent over her. “I have prepared something for the click beetle. It’s all in the larder. He has often lent me a hand. Give him my regards and thanks.” Then she closed her eyes and never opened them again. Now, alas, Jeanine was no more. The fireflies cried a lot. Then they dug a little grave in the moss under the windows, placed Jeanine in it and on the third day a daisy, white as milk with red edges to the petals, opened its blossom there. It was so because Jeanine had never married. “Click-beetle!” father called out to the black beetle when he saw him. Jeanine has died and she left something in the larder for you. Can you collect it? There’s such a lot you’ll need a wheelbarrow.” The click-beetle had to come several times to fetch it all away. There were peas and barley, lentils, semolina, butter and a whole grape. He was very glad to have it because he had a big family; but he was sad too. “I shall never find such a kind friend again,” he wept. And he went away glad and sorry at the same time. The firefly family went on living happily together. All were obedient. Father and his sons shone and shone, and mother and her daughters kept house. They wanted for nothing. One evening when father and his sons arrived at the big house just after sunset, they found great festivities going on. There were servants and attendants everywhere, and the house was all lit up. Through the windows they could see a long table with many people seated at it, and at the top of the table sat Ellie with a wreath of flowers on her head, and by her side a handsome young soldier with gold braid on his collar. Fred was there and he too was wearing a fine gold-braided uniform. Paul had three little white daisies in his buttonhole. “Look, children, look,” said father. “They must be having a wedding, and he looked about for the rose-chafer. And sure enough, there he was, sitting on the top of the door, watching all that was going on. “Hello, rose-chafer,” said father, “it looks like they are having a wedding.” “Indeed, they are,” said the rose chafer. “Can’t you see the bride in her lovely wreath? That’s Ellie.” “And which is the bridegroom?” “Why, there he is by her side, the young man with gold braid on his collar. My word, what a fine young bridegroom!” Lucius was delighted. “We must do our best to shine for them,” he said. And they all went on shining as hard as they could. Autumn came. The days grew shorter and the nights longer. The

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Broučci Jan Karafiát 19. část

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ojďte, pojďte, až zas někdy j i n d y. Te ď musíme pěkně svítit.“ A letěli do té zahrady u toho pěkného domu, a zůstali tam všickni. Tatínek myslil, však že tam světla nazbyt ještě není. A svítili a svítili, celou noc krásně svítili, a když začali kohouti kokrhat. „Slyšíte,“ povídal tatínek, „to kokrhají kohouti, že už bude den, a vidíte, tamhle se už nebe rdí. To poleťme domů.“ A letěli domů. Maminka a Janinka a Beruška a Berunka a malá Janinka už na ně čekaly. „Vítáme vás, vítáme vás! Jak pak jste se měli?“ „I dobře jsme se měli, Ale maminko, to máme hlad!“ „Nu tak pojďte, pojďte večeřet.“ A pomodlili se, a navečeřeli se, a když čekaly, že jim budou broučci vypravovat, oni na to: „Ale maminko, to se nám chce spát!“ A tak aby si šli lehnout. A sotva že ulehli, už spali a spali. „Jak pak to přece s nimi chodilo?“ ptala se maminka. „Nebáli se?“ „I toto. Oni jsou jinší reci, nežli jsem já byl.“ Maminka se smála. „A víš proč?“ „Proč pak?“ „Proto, že tys býval vždy sám, a jich jest hromadu.“ „Však já jsem rád, že jich máme hodně.“ A byli rádi. A sotva že slunko začalo zapadat, už zas byli broučci na nohou, a letěli a svítili a svítili, a nic se nebáli, a nic se jim nestalo. A tak pořád svítili a poslouchali. Když pak jednou po snídani právě chtěli zas letět, zkázala jim Janinka, aby se k ní všickni přišli podívat. A tak se šli hned všickni k ní podívat: U háječku pod skalou vřasa, červeně a bíle rozkvetlá, a v té vřase mech jako samet, a v tom mechu na samé skále krásná, krásná chaloupka. A ty dvéře se tak svátečně leskly, a ta okénka se tak slavnostně třpytila, a Janinka ležela na lůžku celá sváteční, a všecko, jako by měla veliký svátek. Dvanáct židlí kolem lůžka. „Vítám vás, broučci a berušky, vítám vás. Pojďte tadyhle sednout,“ vítala je Janinka, a krásně se na ně usmívala. „Vy, tatínku a maminko, sedněte si tady ke mně.“ Broučci byli celí udivení, co to bude, ale maminka už měla oči plné slz. A když se usadili, sedla si Janinka na lůžku. „Milí broučci a berušky, a ty můj Broučku a Beruško, to jste hodní, že jste se přišli ještě ke mně podívat. Pán Bůh mně zjevil, že se dnes z toho světa odeberu, a já bych se ráda s vámi rozžehnala.“ Tatínek a maminka a berušky už plakali, ale broučci jako by tomu nechtěli věřit. Vždyť byla Janinka taková silná a zdravá! „Já jsem vás vždycky měla ráda, a modlívala jsem se, aby vás sám Pán Bůh naučil poslouchat. Teď už tady nebudu, ale Pán Bůh vás bude i na dále učit poslouchat. Jen se mějte rádi, a hleďte si každý svého. Nedostatek nebudete mívat nikdy v ničem žádný. A kdybys ty se, milá

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Beruško, s tou chromou nožičkou nevdala, tady ta má chaloupka bude tvá, abys měla kde zůstávat. Když pak umru, pochovejte mne tadyhle v mechu hned pod okny. Teď mně ještě podejte každý ruku.“ Tu se teprv dali broučci do náramného křiku. „Broučci, co pak vy nechcete poslouchat?“ „Ach, my chceme poslouchat, ach, my budeme poslouchat, jenom nám neumírejte!“ „Tak, když vy chcete poslouchat, chcete, abych já byla neposlušná? Pán Bůh mně všecky hříchy odpustil, a když si mne nyní chce vzít, mě a bych já nechtít? Nic neplačte, jenom pěkně poslouchejte.“ A když ještě každého políbila, položila se na znak, a pokojně ležela, celá sváteční. A nepošly oči její, aniž síla odešla od ní. A když tak pokojně ležela, tu jako by jí ještě něco napadlo. „Broučku!“ A tatínek se k ní sklonil. „Tam na dvůr v komoře jsem tomu broukovi kováříkovi něco uchystala. On mně často posluhoval. Ať si pro to přijde. Že ho pozdravuju a děkuju mu.“ Pak oči zavřela, a víckrát neotevřela. Ach, ti broučci, už Janinku neměli. Ti se naplakali! Pak vykopali před okny v mechu hrobeček, zaplakali, Janinku do něho pěkně uložili, a třet den tam kvetla chudobička, bílá jako mléko s kraječkem jak krev červeným. To, že Janinka zůstala pannou. „Kováříku!“ volal tatínek na toho černého brouka, když ho po prvé potkal. „Janinka umřela. A něco ti tam v komoře uchystala, máš si pro to přijít. Ale jest toho mnoho, musíš si vzít kolečko.“ A kovářík si pro to přijel s kolečkem, ale nemohl to na jednou uvezt, hrách a kroupy a čočku a mouku a krupici a máslo, a celé jedno zrnko vína. Musel přijet ještě jednou a ještě jednou. Ten byl rád! Ale pak se dal do pláče: „Ach, kde já zas takovou paní najdu !“ A jel cestou svou, radoval se a plakal. A broučci se měli rádi a poslouchali. Svítili a svítili, berušky doma hospodařily, a neměli nikde v ničem žádný nedostatek, ale ve všem všudy všeliký dostatek. A když broučci jednou hned po slunce západu do té zahrady u toho pěkného domu příletěli, ó, tam dole, to bylo shonu! Služky sem, a služebníci tam, a tam nahoře, to bylo světel! A takový dlouhanánský stůl, a kolem něho pino paniček a pánů. A tam na horním konci seděla ta krásná, krásná panna s krásným věncem na hlavě, a vedle ní krásný voják se zlatým límcem. A ten kaštanový Fréda tam také byl, a měl také zlatý límec. A ten bělohlavý Pavlíček tam také byl. Byl celý černý, a měl v dírce u knoflíku tři bělounké chudobičky. „Broučci, podívejte se. Zde mají, myslím, svatbu,“ povídal tatínek, a ohlížel se po zlatohlávkovi. Opravdu, zlatohlávek seděl se založenýma rukama tam na vrchu na pootevřených dveřích. „Zlatohlávku, viď, to zde mají svatbu.“ „I bodejť že mají. Vidíš tamhle nevěstu s tím krásným věnečkem. To jest Elinka.“ „A koho pak si bere ?“ „I toho pána vedle s tím zlatým límcem. Pane, to jest pán!“ A tatínek byl rád, ale—že musejí svítit. A svítili a svítili.

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August 9, 2005 Dear George, Enclosed are two checks, one in memory of dear friends Jerry Nikodem and Gordon Walter. The other is our regular contribution to the convention. Jerry Nikodem died suddenly last week and I told his family that I would tell you to remove his name from the convention mailing list. Thanks. It is two years exactly since Andy first went into the hospital and he still unexpectedly loses strength in his body and almost falls. I serve as his “walker” at all times but we do have a walker and a transport chair for him when needed. He’d still attend the convention if he could but it isn’t possible Sincerely, Alice Kmetko 

Greetings to you! We send this gift in memory of Libbie (Skula) Ewaka, sister of Helen Sivulka and Ruth Homenuk, all celebrating in glory with our Lord. Aunt Libbie passed away October 15th peacefully after a long bout with dementia. Thank you! Don and Judy (Sivulka) Shoff 

Dear friends: Dalton, Ohio Enclosed are gifts for convention and Glorious Hope. Enjoying the highlights of the convention in latest issue of Glorious Hope. Always look forward to receiving Glorious Hope. Blanche Kovatch 

May God continue to bless all your endeavors in all you do. Appreciate the “goodness” in Glorious Hope. Sincerely, Anne Zustiak 

Dear Friends, September 2005 My husband’s roots are in Slovakia. His folks came to the USA in 1902. He is a retired minister in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. He was active in ministry for over 50 years. He is 88 years old this year. We were blessed to minister in many Slovak churches in 1990 and 1991 after the “walls” came down. At that time, friends told us about your group and we were put on your mailing list. We do appreciate receiving Glorious Hope, a great magazine. Thank you and God Bless You!! Love in Christian Fellowship, Rev. and Mrs. A.V. Berner 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Seattle, WA First, notice the chance in my address. The enclosed is in remembrance of Emil Hudacek, whose birthday month was October, for the Convention for Glorious Hope. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Christian love Lillian Hudacek

May God bless you and the work you are doing to proclaim His word to all nations. God bless all of you in using His resources wisely. Love in Christ Shirley Shramo Smith P.S. Harry Shramo’s daughter, Doddy, will soon be 94 years old. 

To Glorious Hope Chicago, IL Enclosed is memorial gift in memory of my family—the Djeskos and The Silkos. God Bless you all. Ms. Elaine La Miaux 

Milá sestro Natašo, V Brně dne 27.03.2006 moc Vás pozdravuji z Brna. Je to již několik let, co jsem spolu s br. Georgem Cooperem mohl navštívit dva roky po sobě vaši konvenci ve Philippi. Dodnes s láskou vzpo­ mínám na laskavé přijetí a mnohé bratry a sestry mám stále ve svém srdci. Jména jsem už zapomněl, ale ty milé tváře vidím ve své mysli i na stránkách vašeho časopisu Slavná naděje. Pokud si vzpomínáte, při své poslední návštěvě jsme s br. Lubošem Vyhnánkem ze slovenské redakce TWR prezen­ tovali připravovaný projekt společného Česko-Slovenského 24. hodinového misijního rádia TWR. Tehdy to byla jen vize a touha být blíže s evangelizačním slovem našim dvěma národům. Dnes je to již skutečnost! Tento projekt byl úspěšně završen a od 1. ledna 2006 je možné poslouchat 24 hodin denně přes internet toto misijní vysílání v obou jazycích. V současné době také vysíláme přes satelit. Naplnili se tak mnohé naše modlitby i očekávání a reakce našich posluchačů, zejména mladší generace, nás povzbuzují k další práci. Díky Pánu za to i všem vám za podporu i mod­ litby !! Chci Vás poprosit, zda by bylo možné uveřejnit v dalším vydání časopisu krátkou informaci s adresou tohoto inter­ netového rádia. Věřím, že mnohým našim spoluvěřícím ve vašich sborech může jednoduše dostupné české i slovenské křesťanské vysílání udělat radost a povzbudit je k dalšímu životu s Pánem Ježíšem Kristem. Adresy jsou: www.twr.cz, nebo www.radio7.cz. Je zde k dispozici 18 hodin živého vysílání i programové schéma přesného dělení českého a slovenského jazyka. Stačí jen internetové spojení a kliknutí na vybranou “předvolbu” vloženého “autorádia” dle kvality a rychlosti konkretního připojení PC. Přeji celé Československé baptistické konvenci USA a Kanady i Vám osobně Boží vedení, moudrost i ochranu v každodenním životě. Pán s Vámi, Jan Viktorin 

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Life with God Very Near For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I’ll live in them and walk among them….’ II Cor. 6:16b

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his is the main theme and verse of the 97th annual convention on July 6–9, 2006. We plan to add some additional activities before, during, and after the convention: ! Jan Titera, General Secretary of the Czech Baptist Union, and his wife, Vera, will be the convention’s guests. Rev. Titera will lead Czech Bible Study and his wife will bring a report about the Baptist Women’s Union in the Czech Republic at the Ladies’ Missionary Rally Saturday morning. ! Youth picnic at Audra State Park will be on Saturday morning, July 8, 2006 (about 20 minutes distance from A-B campus.) I hope that the weather will cooperate. ! On Friday, July 7, there will be Youth Night, led by our young people. ! There will be a lot of exciting events during the 97th annual convention. Also Sixth Annual Fireworks with Ice-cream social, “Old Fashioned Hymn Singing with Bob Dvorak at the Piano,” Saturday Night Concert, obecenstvi at the Sommers Sunday afternoon, to name just a few. Come and see!! Other important information: ! Canadian delegates will be paying the registration fee, meals, and accommodation in Canadian dollars. Exchange rate will be US$1=Cnd$1.15. This will simplify payment procedures. There will be separate US and Canadian registration forms.

! Prices for accommodation will be the same as last year: Priestley, US$15 (Cnd$17.25) /night/bed. Benedum, US$12 (Cnd$13.80) /night/bed Children 12 and under sleep free on a bed! Priestley is an air-conditioned dormitory. A suite consists of 4 bedrooms and a living room. ! For Philippi Lodging Motel accommodation make your own reservation: 304-457-5888. Price $45.00 plus state tax per room per night. State that you are from the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention to qualify for a special price. Ten rooms are reserved until June 30, 2006. ! Meal price are same as last year and are as follows: BreakfastUS$4.10 (Cnd$4.72); Lunch- US$6.00 (Cnd$ 6.90); DinnerUS$6.80 (Cnd$7.82) and Banquet- US$9.90 (Cnd$11.38). For children 4–16 years-old convention pays their meals. Young people 17–23 years-old pay ½ price, the other half is paid by the convention. ! The Registration Form is also available on the convention web page. You can print it and mail to: Helen Pojman, 2393 West Ham Rd., Oakville, ON L6M 4P2, CANADA Phone: 905-469-1444 We have more information, including the convention program, on the convention web page: www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv. There are also some other important dates and news for you to remember: ! Convention midyear meeting/General Board, will be held in Scranton Road Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, in October or November 2006. ! 98th Annual Convention will be held June 28–July 2, 2007, in Philippi, West Virginia. Looking forward to seeing you all in July 2006! George Sommer, Executive Secretary Annual Convention Coordinator 

97th Annual Czechoslovak Baptist Convention

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would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to the 97th Annual Czechoslovak Baptist Convention that will be held July 6–9, 2006, in Philippi, West Virginia. As in previous years, we are preparing a youth program, however with a few changes that we hope you will like and welcome. Through conversation with many of you, we saw a willingness and the need for greater participation of youth at our convention. For this year we are pleased to introduce Youth Night, planned for Friday, July 7. Also convention will pay, or help to pay, meals to “older” young people to help to offset convention expanses. For children 4–16 years-old convention pays their meals. Young people 17–23 years-old pay ½ price, the other half is paid

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by the convention. As in the last two years, we are planning a visit to Audra State Park. We hope to find a new picnic area for this year, but we promise our ever-popular walk to the riverbank, so don’t forget your swimsuit. I am not sure what the plans are for lunch; however after last year’s performance by our cooks, I have a feeling it won’t be a barbecue…. We hope that you’ll like the changes at this year’s convention and that you’re planning to be part of it…. In Christ, Darko Siracki 

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e are well into 2006 by now, and is it a good year for you? I hope. For me, there are some major changes set to occur during this calendar year, things I am smiling about in advance and already enjoying in anticipation. Lately I have noticed myself frequently wearing a small smile. At first I thought, What is this all about? Then upon reflection it occurred to me, this is about contentment of soul unrelated to circumstances of the moment. Anyone else could hardly tell that enjoyment is going on, but I know it is. I wonder about this. I do not know to what else I ought to attribute this “state of face” than a settled conviction that over the years of my living till now, “My lines have fallen in pleasant places,” to quote the psalmist. So many good people and things have been my companions. I do not believe I would change any of them, even if I had the power—which clearly none of us does. I would happily alter plenty of my own behaviors and failures, but I would not want to do without any of the folk who surrounded me or the experiences God has sent my way. Given so many good turns along the road, I can only smile and say— well—Yup, it has been good. How did I get so much more goodness than I deserve? One has to do more than just read in Scripture that God leads us to shady green pastures and takes us beside still waters. You have to feel deep inside that you have indeed been to such places, by the everlasting mercies of the Lord. Whereupon your lips can gladly confess the truth and smile—or half smile—to declare it. The 30th chapter of Isaiah contains a statement worth the hunt to find. (I leave you to do it, for there is joy in the discovery.) It reads several different ways depending on the version or Bible translations you may be using. But it amounts to this: God waits to be gracious to you. Oh, I think so, at least according to my experience. No doubt about it in my mind.

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Robert Dvorak

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již jsme v roce 2006. Jste zatím spokojeni? Doufám, že ano. Co se týče mne, čekají mne během kalendářního roku poměrně velké změny. Již nyní se usmívám a dopředu raduji. Nedávno jsem si všiml, že často chodím s úsměvem na tváři. Napadlo mne, proč se usmívám? Uvažoval jsem a usoudil jsem, že to souvisí s rozpoložením duše, nezávisle na daných okolnostech. Nikdo jiný si této radosti nevšiml, ale já si ji plně uvědomuji. Přemýšlím nad tím. Nevím komu jinému vděčím za výraz mé tváře, než ujištění, že v průběhu mého života až do této chvíle „měřící provazce mi padly v kraji blaha“, vyjádřeno slovy žalmisty. (Žalm 16,6, pozn. překl.) Mnoho dobrých lidí i věcí mne provázelo. Nic bych nezměnil, i kdybych mohl, (nikdo z nás takovou moc ovšem nemá). Rád bych změnil mnoho v mém chování a neúspěších. Nechtěl bych však zůstat bez blízkých, kteří mne obklopovali nebo bez zkušeností, které mi Pán Bůh poslal do cesty. Bylo mi dáno mnoho příležitostí, mohu se jen usmát a říci—ano, bylo to dobré. Jak je to možné, že jsem si zasloužil tolik dobroty? Je potřeba dělat něco víc, než číst v Písmě, že Hospodin nás vede na pastvy zelené a k tichým vodám. Musíte cítit hluboko v srdci, že jste skutečně na těchto místech byli, díky nekonečnému Pánovu milosrdenství. V důsledku toho vaše ústa mohou s radostí vyznat pravdu a úsměvem—nebo poloúsměvem—to dosvědčit. 30. kapitola Izaiáše obsahuje prohlášení, které stojí za to vyhledat. (Nechám to na vás, už kvůli té radosti z objevování.) Najdete různé verze, podle toho, jaký překlad Bible používáte. Je tam přibližně toto: Hospodin čeká na příležitost, aby ti projevil milosrdenství. Je to tak. Alespoň to je má zkušenost. O tom nepochybuji. Robert Dvorak Přeložila Nataša Legierská

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Seven Characteristics…

Sedm vlastností…

Natasha Legierski

Nataša Legierská

oronto’s congregation had the opportunity to listen to the sermon of Mark Potma, a missionary that serves with his family in Prague, Czech Republic. This name is not unknown to us. For a number of years now, our sisters from the Czechoslovak convention as well as from Toronto have been supporting this work. Ten years ago, we met with the young couple, brother Mark and sister Gretchen in Windsor, Ontario. They were just preparing for their journey to Czech Republic. We exchanged a few words in English, and we wondered how this young couple would handle the Czech language, and how they would adapt to a different culture, and also to the specific mentality of the Czech people. During our last encounter with Mark, we were amazed by his excellent Czech pronunciation. I was especially fascinated by the fact that brother Mark was able to pronounce the Czech “ř” perfectly, which even some natives to the Czech land have problems with. It is not a wonder that we also greatly valued Mark’s sermon, delivered in CZECH! Brother Mark spoke on the text from Philippians 1:1–11. In his sermon, he highlighted characteristics of the people in the church in Philippi and applied it to the environment of the congregation in Toronto. Seven characteristics were emphasized: 1.Willingness (Phil. 2:12–13) It is not enough to simply hear God’s voice, but we must obediently follow. Three steps are important in this process— salvation, devotion and discipleship (preparation for service). It is about the willingness to apply all these three steps. 2.Faithfulness In its message, the Bible does not exalt high intelligence, etc., but faithfulness (you were faithful with little, therefore I will appoint you over much, Matt. 25:21). Let us stay faithful in our service, faithful to God, faithful to one another. It is about teamwork. Let’s become ‘prayers’!

orontský sbor měl příležitost poslechnout si kázání bratra Marka Potmy, misionáře, který se svou rodinou slouží v Praze, v České republice. Toto jméno nám není neznámé. Již několik let naše sestry jak z Československé konvence, tak i sestry z Toronta tuto práci podporují. Před deseti lety jsme se s mladými manželi, s bratrem Markem a sestrou Gretchen setkali ve Windsoru, v Ontariu. Právě se připravovali na cestu do Čech. Prohodili jsme pár slov anglicky a kladli jsme si otázku, jak tito mladí lidé zvládnou český jazyk, a jak si asi budou zvykat na jinou kulturu. Nehledě na specifickou mentalitu českého národa…. Při nynějším setkání jsme byli ohromeni Markovou výbornou češtinou. Mne osobně fascinovala skutečnost, že bratr zvládl perfektně výslovnost hlásky „ř“, s jejíž výslovností mají někdy potíže i rodilí Češi. Není divu, že jsme také vysoce ocenili Markovu službu Slovem Božím v jazyce ČESKÉM! Bratr sloužil na text z epištoly k Filipenským 1; 1–11. V kázání vyzdvihl vlastnosti lidí ve sboru ve Filipi a aplikoval je do prostředí torontského sboru. Jedná se o sedm základních vlastností: 1. Ochota (Filip. 2,12–13) Nestačí pouze slyšet Boží hlas, ale i poslušně následovat. V tomto procesu jsou důležité tři kroky—spasení, posvěcení a následování (příprava ke službě). Jedná se o ochotu všechny tři kroky aplikovat. 2. Věrnost Bible ve svém poselství nevyzdvihuje vysokou inteligenci apod., ale věrnost (byl jsi věrný nad málem,proto tě ustanovým nad mnohým. Matouš 25, 21) Zůstaňme věrní ve službě, věrní Pánu Bohu, věrní jeden druhému. Jde o týmovou spolupráci. Staňme se modlitebníky!

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Donation All donation should be send in enclosed envelope. The checks will be delivered to right financial secretaries. (Vera Dors, Henry Pojman, Grace Niswonger or Donna Nesvadba.) ! Gifts for Ladies’ work—make check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Women’s Missionary Union. ! Gifts for Convention—make check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Convention. On the bottom of the check mark to what account you are sending your contribution: Convention, Glorious Hope, Trust Fund, or Scholarship Fund.  You may send separate check (one for Ladies and one for convention accounts) in the same envelope.

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 If you are sending contributions for convention (Convention, Glorious Hope etc., you may send only one check, and write on the bottom how you want to divide the amount (for example: Total $150; $100 Convention, $50 Glorious Hope etc.) You do not have to send two separate checks. For your information, financial secretaries’ addresses are as follows: USA: Vera Dors 6621 Elmdale Rd. Middleburg Hts, OH, 44130

Canada: Henry Pojman 2393 West Ham Rd. Oakville, ON L6M 4P2

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