English Conversation @ Cafe Coze
Tuesday I went to Cafe Coze. Coze (Czech for "huh?") is a monthly English conversation clubs run by several Christians from different mission agencies, including ESI. I have been helping with the club for the past three years now and have enjoyed getting to know many of the students that come, as well as the other missionaries who help lead the group. This was a fairly typical meeting, so it will give you an idea of what happens.
We gathered at 4:30 pm (which really means from 4:30 to 5) and greeted one another and had some general conversations. I spoke with Jakub for awhile. He is in his senior year of high school (4th class at gymnazium), so he has a lot on his mind these days. Jakub will take the maturita (high school leaving exams) next month in English, Czech, math, computer programming, and I think one other subject. These exams are fairly intense: they have to speak for 8-10 minutes on a variety of topics and then are graded on how they did. These grades determine whether they graduate, but also influence the colleges they can attend (although the colleges have their own entrance exams in June). Kuba (short for Jakub) wants to study programming, so that he can eventually work as a programmer.
Then came the mixer: this is some sort of game to remind or teach us each other's names. We played a variation of the 'rhythm' game. I'm not very good at this game, so I messed up the rhythm twice. Oh, well.
Then one of the other ESI teachers, Chrissy, led the group in a discussion about fate. First, she had us listen to the song, "Time of Your Life," by Green Day. With lines like "Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go," it lends itself to a discussion about whether we are in charge of our lives or if forces beyond our control are ruling us. "It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right" -- sometimes surprises can turn out all right.
Next, she had us talk about a decision we made that was life-changing. I thought of many I could have shared, but ended up talking about my time in Alaska working with Eskimo elders in an adult day care (it was during seminary). The seminary had a requirement that we spend 2 weeks in another culture experiencing ministry there. It really openned my eyes to the fact that people really live in different ways in the world that actually work. That may seem simple, but the power of that insight and experience have led me to think more broadly about what it means to be a Christian and openned my mind to the possibility of living in Prague.
Jahoda (means 'strawberry') shared about her decision to become a Christian a couple years ago. She's the only Christian in her family, I think, so it's been hard at times, but she found such a purpose and love and community that it's been worth it.
We wrapped up with Brian (the guy who runs the show) making some announcements about upcoming Cozes and such. Then we mingled a bit and left . . . until next time.
We gathered at 4:30 pm (which really means from 4:30 to 5) and greeted one another and had some general conversations. I spoke with Jakub for awhile. He is in his senior year of high school (4th class at gymnazium), so he has a lot on his mind these days. Jakub will take the maturita (high school leaving exams) next month in English, Czech, math, computer programming, and I think one other subject. These exams are fairly intense: they have to speak for 8-10 minutes on a variety of topics and then are graded on how they did. These grades determine whether they graduate, but also influence the colleges they can attend (although the colleges have their own entrance exams in June). Kuba (short for Jakub) wants to study programming, so that he can eventually work as a programmer.
Then came the mixer: this is some sort of game to remind or teach us each other's names. We played a variation of the 'rhythm' game. I'm not very good at this game, so I messed up the rhythm twice. Oh, well.
Then one of the other ESI teachers, Chrissy, led the group in a discussion about fate. First, she had us listen to the song, "Time of Your Life," by Green Day. With lines like "Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go," it lends itself to a discussion about whether we are in charge of our lives or if forces beyond our control are ruling us. "It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right" -- sometimes surprises can turn out all right.
Next, she had us talk about a decision we made that was life-changing. I thought of many I could have shared, but ended up talking about my time in Alaska working with Eskimo elders in an adult day care (it was during seminary). The seminary had a requirement that we spend 2 weeks in another culture experiencing ministry there. It really openned my eyes to the fact that people really live in different ways in the world that actually work. That may seem simple, but the power of that insight and experience have led me to think more broadly about what it means to be a Christian and openned my mind to the possibility of living in Prague.
Jahoda (means 'strawberry') shared about her decision to become a Christian a couple years ago. She's the only Christian in her family, I think, so it's been hard at times, but she found such a purpose and love and community that it's been worth it.
We wrapped up with Brian (the guy who runs the show) making some announcements about upcoming Cozes and such. Then we mingled a bit and left . . . until next time.
posted by Matt | 7:16 PM
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