Join what God is doing in Prague

For the next 2 years, I need an additional $300/month to cover in-country taxes, plus $400 (formerly $1,200!) of normal monthly support which has not yet been pledged. Will you help meet this need?

To participate in Jan's ministry in the Czech Republic, please 

1. complete the interest form here
2. visit www.emm.org/jheindel to make your pledge or contribution

Following is a glimpse into what is happening and what God is doing, as well as what is coming. Any gift is helpful and valued. Thank you for being a part of what God is going!

Dear friends,

I don't have words to describe the incredible richness of the past couple of years in relational ministry. Not because I've introduced many people to Jesus, because I haven't. Not because there are hoards of unbelieving Czechs asking deep spiritual questions, because there aren't (at least in my circles – though within my church's ministries there are great testimonies). But because God has blessed me with many relationships in which we are drawing closer to God's heart together to become who God created us to be in his story.

I started to lead a high school girl's Bible study on my own in Czech this past year. It was scary. It was stretching. I didn't know if the girls would get anything from it. But I also realized that the places I feel most inadequate are where God can most easily display his glory. And by the end of the year, the girls expressed how much of a blessing this space was. Maybe a little bit because of what they learned, but also simply to have a safe space to talk, share, worship and pray. The newest member reflected that she never could have imagined being part of such a welcoming, safe group. And as we gathered for the last time before I flew to the States, we shared our highlights and challenges for the coming months and had such sweet conversation and pray together. They are being built up and then moving out with faith and courage. This is discipleship.

As I've pursued more of my own spiritual formation in the past few years and God has increased my desire to walk alongside others in a pastoral care role, the relationships I had in the past have deepened and become something that I'm truly amazed at. Because as I've sat, listened, been curious and offered myself to the women and girls I relate to, I'm learning to enter these relationships more selflessly, with God's heart, and they are responding and being encouraged and challenged and built up. In Anatomy of the Soul, one of the books required for my spiritual direction course, Curt Thompson writes:

When a person tells his story and is truly heard and understood, he undergoes actual changes in his brain circuitry that corresponds to a greater sense of emotional and relational connection, decreased anxiety, and greater awareness of and compassion for others’ suffering.

My desire is to listen with an ear bent toward understanding and let God accomplish the repair and renewal – all by simply being present and showing up with my whole heart. I haven't looked for praise or affirmation, but in the past months numerous girls have expressed the impact I've had in their lives. I'm completely in awe, because I know it's not about me, but about God's expression of himself through me. I don't know exactly where this journey of pastoral care will take me, but I know that I see others experiencing God more fully and being able to name and choose a path of integrity, devotion and service to him. I'm excited to see what possibilities are yet to come.

From another perspective, my pastor has shared:

 I have been very thankful for Jan´s ministry in Prague and in Czech Republic. She has been very people oriented especially her ministry with girls was great. She also has been a big help with english evangelistic club. There are many missionaries in Prague but our major problem is that even though they claim that they want to help the Church, many of them have their own agenda and in reality they are not very useful for local Churches. This was not true with Jan. She was very open to do what we as a Church really needed. As a pastor I have been very excited from what she did and how she served. 

David Novak (pastor of the Church and president of the denomination where Jan serves) 

For me, this is affirmation that I'm currently where God wants me. For the time being I'm incredibly honored to be serving in Prague and among these dear people. God is doing good things, all glory to him. Thank you for your participation in the depth of ministry that is happening. It wouldn't be possible without you.

In His service,

Jan 

A few of the lovely girls I mentor

the things I notice: 2020 version

 It seems fitting every time I return to the States and as I notice what is different, what I've missed, etc., to share them with the world. Maybe you don't care. Maybe it's just for my own remembrance. But then again, many do ask, "What have you missed? What food do you want to eat when you're here?..."

But also, in general I haven't been looking forward to being back in the States. To family, yes. To the peace of my parents' home, yes. But not to the general atmosphere in the States and the limitations due to COVID. So it's also a good practice to name some of the things that have especially given me joy.

So, if it's interesting, these are a few of the noticings this time around, both specific joys and random strangeness (according to this European dweller):

• the goodness of meals from the garden
• sweet corn and fresh, juicy peaches
• the number of people in stores NOT wearing masks. In the Czech, if people are told they should wear masks, they wear masks.
• so many trucks (pick-up trucks) and large vehicles on the road
• American flags everywhere (Czechs aren't so patriotic to need to display their flag)
• so many random text messages: reminding you of doctor appointments, from the phone company wanting you to purchase an add-on, 
• boatloads of cereal options in the grocery aisle
• peanut butter M&M's. Yum.
• the number of empty shelves in store aisles during this season - not finding what I want
• lovely sunny fall days as opposed to rainy fall days
• people in public who strike up random conversations with you
• umpteen recorded options when I call to make an appointment somewhere
• the relief of being able to explain what I need or want (in stores, at appointments, etc) in English rather than trying to figure out how I might say it in Czech
• it's generally "Jan and Maggie" together, according to my youngest nephew. "Hi, Jan and Maggie!", "Jan and Maggie, what are you doing?" 😄
• the delight of fall camping, s'mores and mountain pies - along with the overcrowding of campgrounds on the weekends! 
• wide open space and yard to be outside and explore - especially for Maggie!
• how few steps I can actually take in one day: a record low of 214 (granted, it counts on my phone and I don't carry it with me around the house. But in Prague outside of COVID season, it was rare to have a day less than 5,000 or 10,000 of just normal activity.)
• package delivery at your doorstep by Amazon within a day or two of ordering