czech chat

Something has become apparent to all of us since we arrived a few short months ago, and it’s not something that we were prepared for. What I am alluding to is that our perception of Czechs, here in Olomouc anyway, was skewed.

This is partly our fault. Our initial perceptions stemmed mainly from our, and other’s, view of Czechs living in Prague. This was what we had to go with. But we have come to realize that Prague paints a much different picture than what we have experienced here in Olomouc. Prague is a cultural melting pot - a fast-paced, high density international hub of business and tourism vastly different than our city we now call home. And this difference influences how people react to others. It’s understandable that Prague is the way it is. But Olomouc is not Prague. Olomouc is influenced by far fewer external variables.

Because of this, and the fact that Olomouc is located in what has traditionally been the friendlier part of the country, the general populace we have encountered here have been exceedingly pleasant, patient, and helpful beyond what we envisioned. This is something to be thankful for!

Here are just some examples that have drastically changed our perception:

• Graham and Mitch’s landlord going out of his way to make sure they get the right shower - driving them all over the city.
• A neighbor that has already invited us up four times to just chat in Czech - or more less just fumble over Czech words, laugh at each other, and sit in awkward silence.
• An extremely friendly Pizza Shop worker who is always patient to help with grammatical blunders, or to just cast an incredibly infectious good mood with her wonderful personality.
• The man we saw helping a lady pick up her belongings that had fallen everywhere out of her bag. And he did it with such care and love.
• Our landlord has already had us over for dinner in her house with her family, and has implied that we will get together soon to go bowling.
• The young boy that helped a blind man get off of the tram and asked him if he needed any more help.
• Our teachers who continually exude the highest level of patience and professionalism despite our lack of both.
• Christie’s landlord routinely checking up on her to make sure everything is okay and if there is anything he can help out with.
• Josh and Sarah’s neighbor who allowed them to borrow his ladder with utmost generosity.
• The warm smile the elderly lady gave the young girl when the girl gave up her seat on the tram.
• A new friend who continually takes time out of his week to share his feelings and perceptions on the Czech Republic, life, and this world we call home.

And I could go on…

This brings hope! It’s like the feel of warm sunlight when all you expected for the day was clouds. It’s a springboard for discussions - about Truth already visible here, about living out the Kingdom of God, and about the community of love that God desires us to be.

And, this is the kind of stuff that drives us - knowing that these examples are Godly, and how He intended us to live out our life here in this world. May we continually experience God already here, and know that He is working ahead of us. May we have the courage to be lights that radiate the Kingdom of God. May we not only share with the citizens here the truth that He has shown us and His desire for all to be in a relationship with Him , but also engage in making this life the place that God intended it to be - much like the examples mentioned above.

May our perceptions about this city continually change for the positive. May it continually be more Godly.