New Website!

Hello!  I realize I haven't updated this blog in quite awhile.  I have decided to use a different platform and new website for my blog and general information about ministry.  If you are interested in keeping up with my ministry in Prague, please visit my new website, www.micahlembke.com.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

2013

(note:  I started this on January 2.  It was, and likely still is, a bit rambling, so I spent some time editing and narrowing the focus of the post)

Wow.  Here I sit, on January 2, 2014, typing a blog from my parent's home in Iowa, reflecting on what a year it has been.  In these reflective posts, many people reflect on the past year with positive nostalgia, however, I must admit that 2013 was not an easy year.  It was a very full year.  Much too full to be able to fit into a blog post.  It was a year of transition for me, with much of what happened wrapped up in that, so I will focus this post on my decision to stay in Prague.

On January 1, 2013, I met with a supporter at 7am, got on a plane, and headed back to Prague.  I remember contemplating the new year and what it would all hold.  I knew my time with AIA was likely coming to an end, so I was in a quandary as to what to do next.  All I knew going into 2013 was that my STINT with AIA ended at the end of April and I had enough money to last me through the Multisport Kemp in August.  So I began to look further into graduate degree programs.  For whatever reason, I did not feel as compelled to enter graduate studies as I had in the past.  The desire is still there, but I feel like that is something that is further down the road.

So I started to look at ministry options.  I prayed a lot.  I honestly had no idea what I was going to do next.  Long term, I think I have an idea of where God wants me, but the short term steps to get there are not as clear.

Deciding to stay required that I trust God on a whole new level.  I had to find an organization to work with.  Eventually I settled on Alongside Ministries International.  The transition between AIA and AMI took a lot longer than I had anticipated.  Through it all, I had to trust God to provide for me.  I had money to last me until the end of August, but I wanted to stay and coach the junior football season and I wasn't accepted by AMI as a missionary until the end of September.  By God's grace, and with the help of some close friends and family, I was able to stay and do ministry right up until my departure on November 9.  God provided. 

The bottom line is I decided to stay because I did not feel called elsewhere.  And I think this is an important point to mention, because often, as Christians, when faced with large decisions, we seek God and His will for our lives, which is good.  Until we spend so much time seeking that we spend no time actually living in the present.  We become obsessive about the future.  Big decisions can paralyze people.

It was an issue of faith for me.  Did I have the faith that God had a plan for my life, despite no clear calling to stay or go?  I think it is important to take steps and then trust God to use them.  Pray.  Seek God.  And then act.  This can be a huge step of faith for some people.

My prayer for 2014 is that God would honor my decision to stay in Prague.  I am a bit nervous about staying.  Basing what could possibly become several years of ministry on not feeling called elsewhere is not something I would have done two years ago.  However, I am excited for what God has in store for ministry in Prague in 2014!

Junior Season 2013

Our Junior season wrapped up a few weeks ago.  We finished 3-1 in organized games, with another couple of scrimmages thrown in there.

The Lions Junior team opened our season with a camp outside of Prague.  I really like these camps because they allow us to get to know our guys better in an environment and have an affect on their lives.  Each season we do a leadership program during camp.  The program itself is not overtly Christian, but the concepts we put on front of them can easily be tied back to the gospel.  At the very least, it serves as a mechanism to get values in front of our guys that are biblical in nature and sets the stage for future conversations. 

Each season brings with it a new set of challenges, but this season has its own unique challenge in that we do not have a Czech league this year, meaning we have to completely make our own schedule against international opponents that we, honestly, don't know much about.  So we started out season with a minicamp and scrimmage against the juniors from three other teams.  It was a good chance to work with other teams and help develop the game in Czech as a whole.

In light of that, we had our first game against a much larger and more numerous Dresden (Germany) team.  It was quite obviously our first game, just based on the mistakes we made.  But we managed to score a touchdown with 39 second left and converted the two point conversion to win the game 8-7.  

We opted to go for two simply because we were missing some guys on our roster and the ones who played were exhausted.  Our second game was against the Trnava Bulldogs.  We played really well and put up 36 points in the first half.  We started substituting guys who had never played before which is great for getting these guys playing experience.  We didn't score in the second half, but neither did they, so we won 36-0

Our third game was in Bielawa, Poland against the Owls.  The Owls are the champions of the Polish league, but the league itself not being that old, they play 8 man football at the junior level.  So this was their first 11 man game and they brought the hammer.  The Owls were more aggressive than any team we've faced.  We ended up losing that game by a touchdown.  It was a learning experience for our guys because up to that point, we had had poor attendance and effort at practice.  

Our final game was against the Trnava Bulldogs again, but in this time at their place.  We saw an entirely different team.  They fielded a number of guys who were older than junior level.  We suited two guys who were a few months too old, but we were upfront about that.  They had at least three guys suited who were more than a few months older.  So the game was a bit more difficult.  We trailed for a lot of the game, but managed to take control late in the fourth quarter and 23-18.  

This was by far the most interesting football season I have ever been apart of.  Being the only Czech junior team to field an 11 man team, we were pretty much left to schedule our own games, which obviously adds some work to the season.  Nonetheless, the guys who came to practice got a lot better and I enjoyed working with them.  

Transition

My transition from Athletes in Action to Alongside Ministries International is almost complete!  My time with AIA ended at the end of April.  I continued to work with AIA through the end of the school year in June.  After that, my director left for the States for a Government mandated 6 months and that effectively ended my time with AIA.  I worked at the Multisport Kemp in August and hope to continue to have that ministry opportunity in the future.

My journey to AMI was not clear cut.  Nearly a year ago, i began to look into where God wanted me.  Returning to Prague was not a clear cut decision.  I looked at different ministries and I also looked at going back to school.  Eventually, I do feel called to return to school and get some futher education, but I came to the conclusion that I had unfinished business here in Prague.  Ultimately I didn't feel called elsewhere, so I began looking at other ministries and options in Prague.  A few other things happened during this time span that narrowed my focus on where to look for ministry opportunities.  First, I met Andrew and Amy Funka, who were coming over to Prague with AMI.  Second, I began attending a Czech language church called TaCesta, which means The Way or The Journey, depending on the context.  I began attendign this church simply because Zach attended and had managed to get a number of our football players to attend with him.  I decided it would be good for ministry to go to church where my ministry focus was attending.  

I had looked at a few other ministries, and for one reason or another, those ministries just didn't feel quite right.  So I talked to Andrew about AMI.  After our conversation I began to look more and more into AMI.  After having a conversation with their Executive director, I decided to submit my initial application, which was completed in Mid-July.  At the end of August, I had a preliminary interview, followed by a secondary application which revolved more around personal testimony and theology questions, as well as what ministry looks like for me.  Finally, at the end of September, I had another interview, at the end of which, they gave me an invitation to work with AMI.  

My transition was a much longer process than I had anticipated, but I learned a lot about waiting on God.  I know that God's timing is perfect and that He will bless my ministry here in Prague.  

Over the next few weeks, I will begin the process of support raising yet again.  I have more support needs than I did in the past.  That combined with the fact that my support team has not had a place to support me since March or April will make support raising more of a challenge than it has been in the past.  I also have a very limited window, maybe seven weeks total, to get as much support raised as I can while I am in the States.  

I will be in the States starting around November 9th.  Right now I am at the whim of Czech immigration.  Once they give me a date that I can pick up my visa, I can begin to look into getting a plane ticket.  

Tentatively, I hope to be in Indiana from roughly November 13 to 18.  And I hope to make another trip in December.  I am also looking into trips to other parts of the country.  If you are interested in hearing from me  or having me come talk to a group while I am home, please feel free to email me at micahlembke@gmail.com.  

Summer

Summer is an interesting time for ministry here in Prague.  Life moves on at a hundred miles an hour during the school year, then all of a sudden it stops.  Normal people aren't around to hang out and do ministry with.  School is out, football is done.  Summer is very much a season of hurry up and wait.  Some weeks will be packed with camps or other activities, while others are completely empty.  

The hurry up and wait mentality is magnified by my changing organizations.  I fill out applications and paperwork, then wait for references to be contacted.  That's where I'm at right now.  I know this because about every other day I get an email from one of my references telling me they had a conversation with my prospective new organization.  The mentality is also magnified simply because since I'm in between organizations, I haven't received a paycheck for some time and I also have no account from which I can reimburse ministry expenses.  That means I must keep my expenses, both ministry and personal, quite low, which means fewer events, which means more downtime.  

The upside to this is I have an opportunity to focus on guys that I already know.  I don't have to extend myself out to meet new people.  I have met with George a few times.  He's always good to hang out and our conversations are always at least surface level spiritual.  

Luboš, my boxer friend, is usually good to hang out for an afternoon every week or every other week.  He is Christian and is much beloved by those who go to his gym.  I recently heard from one guy who works out at his gym that Luboš is unlike any other boxing or fitness coach he's ever had.  Luboš is very encouraging, taking an interest in the lives of those who attend his gym.  This is not normal Czech behavior.  Coaches here tend to be very severe and belittling.  Luboš's coaching style is, in a way, a very passive witness to those around him, yet people notice that he is different.  

One new opportunity that I have was basically handed to me by the good folks at Starbucks.  One of the baristas was asked by a former NHL hockey player to help his young protege practice his conversational English, since he would soon be headed for the States to play in the farm system of an NHL team.  She said that she would be apart of the conversation, but that it might be better if she brought someone like me into the conversation.  So she asked me if I would help and I, of course, agreed.  I'm glad God used my caffeine addiction to open some ministry doors.  I'm not sure where this open door will lead down the road, if I'm just doing this for one person, or if this will open the door for further relationships.  

This lull in my schedule will be brief.  We had Multikemp last week and junior team training camp next week, after which our season will take off, so I'll savor these last few moments of peace before the next round of organized chaos that is ministry here in Prague.

Runner-Up

Few things in life are more humbling than a medal ceremony where, after a long, hard fought battle on the field, you are awarded the second place medal.  Immediately after the final whistle, the winners explode all over the field congratulating each other and you are left at the 50 yard line waiting for some measure of decorum so that you can proceed with the handshake line.  Following that, the medal table is set up with the trophy.  You are awarded your silver medal first, before the champions are awarded their much sought after gold.  Everyone in the stands and everyone on the other team gives you a courtesy clap as you choke back your tears, allow some strange guy to sling a medal around your neck, and walk off and wait for your team's post game huddle.

Eventually, after the head coach has diplomatically shaken hands with nearly every person in the stands, he makes his way over to the huddle as Queens' "We are the Champions," blares over the speakers for someone else.  He congratulates guys on a great season, recounting how far we have come in the last few seasons.  It is a bitter speech to give, given the circumstances.  He reminds us that we have come along ways for such a young team and that our future is bright if we all stick together.

This season had its share of highs and lows.  Mostly, we were blessed with highs.  We finished our second consecutive regular season undefeated in Czech play, including our first victories over our rivals since 2006.  We had two scrimmage games against Berlin Adler and the Dresden Monarchs, arguably two of the better programs in Europe, and our guys came away with a good idea of what we are striving for in our program.  Thanks to working with our American QB, Garrett, our receivers got a lot better, and our defense is ever improving.

Our group of American players.  

My own retirement from playing was short lived, as we noticed after week one that our depth on the offensive line was not going to get us through the season.  So, right before our second game, I showed up to practice with my equipment, instead of a whistle.  I anchored down the right tackle position, feeling pretty good for about two games, then feeling pretty lousy for the rest of them.

At my final practice, with Marco, one of our junior centers who played up this year.
Sort of an out with the old, in with the new kind of picture.

Our coach is right.  We do have a bright future.  As of right now, we are the only team in the country who is fielding a junior team, which means we are the only people developing our own talent.  As every coach in America will tell you, there are no shortcuts on the way to the top.  The road is long, but in the end, I firmly believe that we will have success.

I am proud of our guys.  For some to receive a second place medal is a huge accomplishment.  It marks the first time many of our guys have something to show for something that they have done.

As for me, my playing career is, without question, over.  Because I was slated to simply coach this year, I came into the season not in game shape, and as a result, played most of this season hobbled and out of shape.  I used more tape this season than in all previous seasons combined.  It is time to hang it up.  What was a difficult question last year is no more.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to have played this game for a number of years and have received more than I could ever imagined from this game.  The Lord has blessed me with great coaches and mentors throughout my career.  I look forward to being able to coach and influence a new generation of football players here in Prague.

On offense.  I am #70, playing right tackle.

Christmas

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year.  For me it is a special time of year where you can gather as family and friends to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Prague puts on a good show for Christmas.  The Christmas markets are all set up selling a wide variety of things.  The city is all decked out in lights and Old Town Square has a huge Christmas tree lit up, as well as a stage where different acts perform throughout the Christmas season.  Nativity scenes and advent candles dot the landscape, as well.

I was lucky enough to get in on the first part of the Christmas season here in Prague.  I got to take advantage of the markets and the sites.  After that, however, I spent my Christmas at home.  My parents shelled out money for a plane ticket for me, so for the first time in 19 months, I stepped foot in the United States.  I had a bit of an adventure getting home, but that will be the focus of another post.  It was great to get back home and see so many friends and supporters.  The trip was, of course, too short, but I was glad to get back to Prague.

I was able to spend a lot of time with my family, which was a blessing.  My parents and brother, Seth, came for a visit last June and that was all I saw of my family for the last 19 months.  So it was nice to see everyone again.  I enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at church immensely.  Our church has changed a bit since I left.  I finally got to meet the new pastor, Tony, who is a great guy.  I was also able to meet up with some friends and younger supporters in Omaha during my time at home.

My schedule originally did not allow for meeting with too many members of my extended family.  Unfortunately, my aunt passed away while I was on my way home, so we went to the memorial service, where I was able to see many of my extended family.  It was good to see everybody, I just wish it could have been at a happier occasion.

One of the highlights for me was, of course, the food.  The food in Czech is good, but it is different and I don't eat near as much (my Czech friends will find that hard to believe).  When I got home, all bets were off.  I told some of my church friends in Prague to expect to see a much wider me when I got back.  They were charitable when they saw me, saying that I didn't gain any weight, but the snugness of my pants tell a different story.  My mom set out to spoil me and did an admirable job.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  I pray that God blesses you in this new year.  Please continue to pray for our ministry here in Prague as we begin a new year, as well.  My life and ministry looks to have many changes on the horizon.  I look forward to an exciting 2013!