God has done many amazing and wonderful things the past 2 years as Christ's Greenfield has partnered with the Silesian Lutheran Church in the Czech Republic to reach youth who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Registration is now open for our summer 2012 mission trip.
Download Application  
Application forms are also available in the church office.

Your support, encouragement, prayer and participation is truly a blessing appreciated by all. If you would like to make a financial contribution to this mission, please use your regular offering envelopes, be sure to include your family ID#, and indicate that your gift is for "2012 Czech Mission.
 

 Our 2011 Mission Teams

____________________________________ TEAM #1 English Camp June 27 to July 1 [from left to right ] Rev. Dr. Kevin Wyssmann, Carla Lindquist, Lynne Davidson, Chris Rogowksi, Deb Seleen, Rikki Parren, Aiden Clevinger [not pictured] Wendy Kozloski & Luke Wyssmann	____________________________________ TEAM #2 English Camp July 2 to July 15 [from left to right] Lois Frauhigher, Barbara Bird, Regan Brennan, Katie Vasquez, Sara Vasquez, Linda Raxter, DCE Michael Jessop [not pictured] Rachel Bird
____________________________________ TEAM #3 English CamP July 9 to July 15 [from left to right] Alyson Wood, DCE Jacob Boessling, Katherine Sarina, Jacob Lindquist, Jennifer Sarina, Jayne Adams [not pictured] Derek Roenfanz	____________________________________ TEAM #4 Vacation Bible School July 25 to July 29 [from left to right] Wallace Blomker, Jean Blomker, Mark Harris, Donice McDonald, Pastor Mark Chase, Rose Dorsey [not pictured] Holly Harris & Kim Harris

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2011 Mission Updates

Update:  September 8, 2011:
VBS Team #4 By Holly Harris
God did some amazing things in Třinec during Vacation Bible School. Every member of Team #4 loved the experience and privilege of sharing Jesus with the children that attended. The children enjoyed the music, crafts, Bible stories, worship, and games. Kick Ball and Dodge Ball were big hits, however, “Mr. Shark” was probably their favorite. They loved the story/picture books we read to them about Arizona. It was extremely hard to say good-bye on the last day. I will never forget their beautiful smiles and willing hearts to learn about God! We made so many new friends among the Czech team and members of the church. They were wonderful hosts and told us the history of their beautiful church and took us to Poland for a fabulous lunch. We had dinner one night with host families, went bowling with the youth, experienced what Czech barbecue is, toured the steel mill, and the women of the church cooked meals for us. Our most common phrase was, “Do we have to eat again?!!”  We are still in touch with members of the Czech team and have made life-long friends. Thank you so much for your prayers and support and giving us the opportunity to live our primary ministry focus statement at Christ’s Greenfield: “Families Gathered to Proclaim Jesus Christ to the WORLD.”
My daughter, Kim, put together this video of the Czech team and children in Třinec that we have come to know and love. It is our prayer that it be a blessing to each of you.
                                                       Link to UTube Video

Update:  June 15, 2011:
Gearing Up for 2011 - "Believe It or Not" - Teams have formed and fundraising is well underway. Bible studies have been written, resources have been ordered, flights have been booked, and Team 1 has begun the final phase of preparation for departure on June 23. (Teams will leave the U.S. approximately 2-3 days before each event begins, and will have the option of extending their stay at the conclusion of their event before returning to the U.S.)

Update: January 4, 2011
Mirka, Janusz and Romana flew out of Sky Harbor Airport today, and are making their way back to the Czech Republic. It was a joy to have them in our midst for the short time they were here. We all pray for their safe return home and for God's blessings in all that they do!

Update: December 23
Mirka, Janusz and Romana have arrived and are making their way to their host family homes!!

Update: December 19
Due to weather in the Czech Republic, flights were delayed and Mirka, Janusz and Romana's arrival has been delayed!

Mirka, Janusz and Romana's arrival was delayed by a few days, but they are finally here! They are still scheduled to depart on January 4. All hosting assignments have been made.

Update:  December 9, 2010
The delegation of Czech Lutherans arrives here on December 19 at 8pm. Mirka and Janusz represent the Silesian Lutheran Church, and Romana represents the parish in Trinec.
  Our hope is now to send four teams this summer to run three summer camps and one VBS program. Adding another week will help us reach more kids who had to be turned away in 2010. While the team is here, we will be working on schedules and themes, and on building a stronger partnership with our brothers and sisters in the Czech Republic. Keep up with the schedule of events while they are here.

Monday, November 1, 2010
A delegation of Czech Lutherans will be arriving here in December. Two will represent the Silesian Lutheran Church, and one will represent the parish in Trinec. The two English language summer camps that we ran this past summer were a result of our partnership with the Silesian Lutheran Synod in conjunction with our Synod’s Board of World Missions out of St. Louis. Mirka and Janusz will be representing that element of our outreach to the unchurched in the Czech Republic.
   Our hope is to be able to send three teams to the Czech Republic during summer 2011 to run summer camps. The Lutheran parish in Trinec partnered with us this past summer to conduct an English language Vacation Bible School for about fifty Czech children. Romana is representing that ministry. This past summer children had to be turned away because the demand was greater than our teams were prepared to manage. In anticipation of next summer, we want to work hard to anticipate those growing needs and not to turn any child away. Romana’s time with us over the holiday will help lay a solid foundation for a much larger program this coming summer.
   All three delegates will be arriving in Phoenix on Sunday evening, December 19, and will be hosted by our parish through January 4, 2011. During that time the delegates will be given the chance to get to know our parish and our people better and work with our staff to construct next summer’s programs, themes and schedules. They will be asked to meet the leaders of our parish at various levels to talk about the impacts and possibilities that our ongoing partnership with our Czech brothers and sisters might have. And of course, it is my hope that the members of our parish will show them Godly hospitality and the warmest of fellowship while they are here with us.
   Here is what I would like to encourage you to do: (1) Choose a meal: lunch or supper and a date to have them over or to take them out. I will want to coordinate this so that they don’t “overdose” on only one restaurant (like Joe’s BBQ). (2) Consider including them in some of your seasonal traditions. Remember that they are away from their homes and families over this important holiday season. Let’s try to minimize the negative aspects of being away from home for the holidays. (3) Invite them out to see the sights and sounds of the Southwest. Maybe you could take them to a sports event, out hiking, or up to the Grand Canyon.
   In any case, I will be organizing their time here. If you have an idea or you would like to commit to a meal or an event, please give me a call between now and the second week in December. You can reach me at (480) 892-8314, ext.101, or kwyssmann@cglchurch.org.

In Him, Pastor Kevin Wyssmann

Friday, July 23, 2010
Under the theme “Bold and Beautiful,” based on Romans 10:14-15 “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” fifteen of the twenty-seven missionaries from our parish traveled to the Czech Republic during the month of July. Twenty-five hundred teens of high school age were handed the publicity flyer shown here that was designed by one of our Czech partners and distributed by a mission team from Norway in anticipation of our arrival. Wow! Talk about an international effort! The two English camps were held at a mountainside resort called Chata Polana. The cost of the camp for each camper was $1550 Czech crowns or about $75 US. Each of our teams was matched with a Czech team which served as co-counselors and interpreters. Campers ranged in age from 11 to 18. Some came with a good grasp of English and others with only a curiosity to learn. Some were Christians and many were not. By the end of each week relationships had formed, friends had been made, and more importantly, the Gospel had been shared in a variety of ways. Day #1 was all about “Beautiful Hearts.” Campers received heart-shaped stickers and stamps and the theme was all about what God wants to do with our hearts. Day #2 was entitled “Beautiful Feet.” There were coloring projects and poetry that reinforced how beautiful the feet are of those who bring “good news” – especially when that news is about Jesus. Day #3 focused on “Beautiful Ears.” All of the staff was given green and purple plastic elf ears to wear. When the campers got up in the morning they were greeted by Czech and US counselors that looked like they just beamed down from Star Trek’s Enterprise. We talked about how important listening is and what God is trying to communicate to each of us. Day #4 was Thursday and on that day the theme was “Beautiful Lips.” Everyone was given brightly colored plastic lip whistles along with tubes of lipstick that they used throughout the day to decorate the night’s banner and the discussion was all about what the divine design for language is. Day #5 was Friday, the last day of camp and the theme was “Beautiful Hands.” Everyone was given plastic noise makers in the shape of hands when they arrived at breakfast. I am sure their parents appreciated that gift, which has traveled home with the campers, who have undoubtedly talked about their experiences.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010
It is Wednesday morning in Trinec. We are on day three of the VBS "adventure." It is an amazing experience for all of the team. We have over 40 children, ages 5 to 13 with varying abilities in English. More of the students are boys than girls. We have wonderful, Christian young women for translators. It is raining today so Jeff and Dave are planning indoor activities for the game portion of the day. Stephanie and Kim have crafts organized and Laurie, Alberta and Ray are presently teaching their classes to use English. Leah, Sara and Caitlin have led singing, told Bible stories, and helped in the class rooms. I wish you could see them at work.

The facility here is great for VBS; nice classrooms, a large gathering room, and add to that, wonderful meals prepared by the ladies of the church. In Czech culture the main meal is served at noon so we have had soup followed by a typical Czech main course. No one has needed much for their evening meal.

Our time with the Czech team is an especially good experience. Last evening one of the translators told us she has been a Christian for a year and a half. At camp, another young woman told us how she had resisted the calling of the Spirit, but kept coming to English camps and finally "gave in." Now two of her sisters are also believers. In these stories we see young women who will be the mothers of the next generation of campers and VBS students so more of the children coming will know about Jesus before they get here. A wonderful prospect for the future of Christianity in the Czech Republic.

Two of our translators are planning to go to Uganda soon to teach English and share their faith with children there. The circle widens.

Please pray that God will continue to bless the Christian people here, the Story we are telling, and the children we see each day. We will be leaving here Tuesday. Lord willing, we will see you at Worship Sunday, August 8.

Blessings, Mary Edmundson

Friday, July 9, 2010
Hello Christ's Greenfield! A quick note to let you know that I just put the second team on the train to Silesiai and will get the first team back here to Prague tomorrow.

Hope all is well with everyone there.

Blessings, Marry Edmundson

Sunday, July 4, 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,

Friday, July 2, 2010
The first mission team (led by Pastor Wyssmann) arrived safely in the Czech Republic, weary from travel but still raring to go!  Tomorrow, they will begin preparing themselves for English camp at their new surroundings in the rolling hills of Silesia. After attending church in town with the Silesian Lutherans on Sunday, they will acclimate to their surroundings and continue to prepare. On Monday, the fun begins! Several dozen junior high and high school-age youth will converge for a five-day opportunity to learn and improve upon their English while also learning about Jesus the Christ! On Friday, the team will say goodbye to their new friends, and welcome the second team from Christ's Greenfield on site. The next day, they will pack up and depart for Prague, where they will spend the next 36 hours touring a beautiful and historic city. They will finally return on Monday, July 12.

The second team (led by Vicar Rooney) will depart Phoenix on Thursday, July 8, and repeat the same schedule above, returning Monday, July 19.

The third team (led by Laurie Wyssmann, Preschool Director) will depart on Thursday, July 22, and head to the small town of Trinec, where they will help host a 5-day, all-day, VBS-oriented English camp for elementary-age students. They will return on Monday, August 2.

Please continue to support the mission teams with your prayers!  And if you would still like to help financially, the church office continues to receive donations while the teams are gone. Please indicate “The Czech Mission" fund on both your check and the giving envelope, and, if your donation is for a particular person, that person’s name. Thank You!