Tuesday—Travel and Texas, Y’all

After a good night’s sleep, our team was ready for another exciting day in Teplice! Tuesday’s English lessons took us on a journey through travel, American culture, and plenty of Texas! We came prepared with our best Texas expressions, including “y’all,” “fixin’ to,” and, of course, “Yeehaw!” We were ready to bring a little Texas to the Czech Republic!

We started the morning with breakfast and our team devotional, focusing on James 1:19, which reminds us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”  As we reflected on this verse, we were reminded that teaching English is about so much more than sharing information or helping students learn new vocabulary. It’s about being intentional, building relationships, and truly listening. Listening communicates value.  As English teachers, we want our students to know their voices matter. As they practice speaking English, they may share stories about their families, hobbies, dreams, challenges, and questions. Some conversations may be simple, while others may open the door to deeper discussions and meaningful connections.
Our challenge for the day was to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions and really listen to the answers. We want these students to know that they are seen, heard, and valued—not simply as students in our classrooms, but as people created and loved by God.

When the school bell rang, it was time to start lessons! This time, our team brought even more energy and enthusiasm to the classrooms, and the students responded with their own excitement.  The theme was travel and the United States, with a special spotlight on the Lone Star State. Texas flags decorated every classroom, and the students were eager to learn about our home state. Some classes brought snacks and treats to sample, while others dove into conversations about all things Texas.  Here’s a fun fact that surprised many of our students: Texas is approximately nine times the size of the Czech Republic! That certainly gave us plenty to talk about!  But the Texas fun didn’t stop there. We finished our lessons by learning the words and motions to the classic song “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Before long, the halls were filled with the sounds of Texas! To make the experience even more special, our very own guest fiddler, Mike Berry, played the song on his violin. It was a memorable moment, and this lesson is quickly becoming one of the students’ favorites!
Who knew a little Texas music could bring so much joy to a Czech classroom?

After our morning lessons, we grabbed a quick lunch in the school cafeteria and got ready for one of the day's most exciting parts: afternoon Game Time!
This is where relationships really begin to grow. Through games, laughter, and conversations, we connect with students outside the classroom and get to know them better.  Our missionary, Matt Schonhoff, kicked off the afternoon by sharing why our team had traveled all the way from Texas to spend a week with them. The message was simple but powerful:
God loves us. We love God. And because of His love, we came!

Matt explained that God created each student, loves each one individually, and desires a relationship with His creation. Our team had taken time away from work, school, and everyday responsibilities to be there—not just to teach English, but to share the love of God with them.
What a privilege to help these students begin to understand that the God who created the world also knows and loves them personally!  We were also grateful that Marek, the pastor in Teplice with whom we are partnering, joined us. He shared about his church and its community ministry. Petra, a church member, introduced the students to the church’s youth programs and invited them to participate.  We pray that these introductions will lead to new friendships and opportunities for students to learn more about Jesus long after our team returns home.

Then it was time for games, games, and more games! Board games, card games, plenty of laughter, and lots of snacks filled the afternoon. And what middle schooler doesn’t love snacks? Chips and Pringles were especially popular, and students enjoyed Kofola, a Czech soft drink often compared to Coke.  Between the games, snacks, and conversations, we saw friendships beginning to form. These moments may seem small, but they are important steps toward building trust and creating opportunities for deeper conversations.

Eventually, the snacks were gone, the last games were played, and it was time to say goodbye. We told our students how much we had enjoyed spending time with them and that we couldn't wait to see them again tomorrow.  Our team walked back to the hotel, enjoyed a little downtime, and then gathered for dinner. We finished the evening by debriefing about the day, preparing our next lessons, and getting ready for another full day of teaching and connecting with students.

As we reflected on Tuesday, we were thankful for the laughter, the conversations, the Texas songs echoing through the hallways, and the friendships beginning to take shape.
More than anything, we were reminded why we came.  We are here to share the love of a God who sees, knows, and values every single student.  Whether we're teaching English, singing about Texas, playing a board game, or sharing a snack, every interaction is an opportunity to reflect His love. We may never know the full impact of a conversation or a simple act of kindness, but we trust that God is at work in the hearts of these students.

Please continue to pray for our team as we build relationships, listen well, and look for opportunities to share the hope of Jesus. Pray that our words will be gracious and our conversations meaningful, and that these students will come to know the One who loves them more than they can imagine.

Until tomorrow, we’re saying dobrou noc (good night) from the Czech Republic—and a big Texas YEEHAW!