Kelly is an elementary school teacher with CISP (Christian International School of Prague) where she teaches through TeachBeyond, a missionary organization that supplies missionary teachers for positions all around the globe.

To get Kelly's latest news, please visit her blog at: http://kellybeyond.blogspot.ca

Springing into Summer
From January to June

Usually I try to get out an update every quarter but this year time raced on faster than I could keep up. So quick recap on our adventures. Covid restrictions loosened throughout the semester that by March we were mask free in school and able to have regular school events including spring concerts and field trips. By the end of the school year wearing masks and Covid-19 testing and restrictions seemed like a long gone memory. I received 3 new students bringing my total to 15. We finished off our year with a series of field trips and activities.

This years events brought about many great conversations as our students grappled with the realities of pandemics, war and why bad things happen. What I loved most about these conversations is how kids see the world and learning the choices they get to make. We were at the zoo on a field trip and near the elephant enclosure they have some statues of Hindu gods. This sparked a conversation with one of my students about whether these were gods or idols and why would they be at the zoo. As I have a number of students from India and from Hindu faith this is a tricky subject. So I explained just like in the Bible where there were people that believed in other gods there are people today that believe in different gods.  We have a choice in what we choose to believe. This student responded with"Well I believe there is only one God." Seeds of truth, and understanding who God is, are planted daily in my class and I am blessed by the little moments like this one.
  
Praying for Ukraine
Helping where we can

From a pandemic to a war we have been through a lot in the past year. People have been asking how the war in Ukraine has been affecting us here. Explaining the impact of war to 6 and 7 year-olds was never something I thought I would have to do. However, kids are amazing how they see the world and we talked about fighting and what people do when they disagree and how adults and governments have different ways to try and solve their problems. I had one student ask why they couldn't just play rock, paper, scissors for Ukraine. This is how most disputes about ownership, or desire for possession, are handled in grade one and two. Someone wants a particular spot on the carpet I ask how they want to solve the problem and they say "rock, paper, scissors" Winner takes the spot, crisis adverted and we move on to the next thing. Unfortunately the adult version of rock, paper, scissors is not so easy or simple. We prayed for peace daily and it brought loving others into a whole new perspective for my students.

Throughout the Spring refugees came pouring into the train stations and the people of Czech Republic responded with compassion. There have been protests in the larger squares, Ukrainian flags flying from major landmarks and support being provided from many charities and organisations. I had two new students from Ukraine join my class in April. Their families were able to get out before the bombing had begun and these kids were spared from having to witness a lot of the tragedy that has followed.

Our school has been partnering with a Christian school from Kyiv, called New Generation, that has temporarily  relocated to a small town just about two hours northeast of Prague. They have about 30 families that are now living in this Czech village, and we have been helping provide supplies for these families to set up their apartments. In April I got to visit with the director of their school and help bring supplies. Later their teachers came to visit our school and we were able to donate a large amount of supplies to help get their school started. It was humbling to think of what it must be like to start a school when you had to leave everything behind. Please pray for these families and this school as they prepare to set up a life in a foreign country for an unknown length of time and making decisions about when it will be safe to return to Kyiv.
  
Spreading the Joy 
Welcome Miss Rose
This semester I was blessed to have a student intern from Germany, who is in her second year of study in education. Miss Rose was with us from January - March and then returned to help us finish out the school year in June. She was a breath of fresh air as she brought great joy and enthusiasm to our classroom. She helped remind me to find the humour in the ridiculous things the kids say. To find the joy in the little things and to once again find the wonder in this amazing world that God has created. Sometimes we get weary and burdened with all the things happening that we miss sight of the precious joy that can be found in the every day mundane. From pandemics to war we can be buried under a weight of all the negative and yet there is this inconceivable joy that comes when we rest at the feet of our Saviour.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you Coming to Visit?

Although I hoped to be back this summer these plans did not come through. However, I am planning for a trip to Canada in December. This summer I will be doing another English camp with friends from a Czech church, along with dog sitting. Lord willing I will be getting a visit from family in August, as plans are in the works for my mom, and possibly sister-in-law, to come for two weeks and help me with getting ready for the next school year.
How is your financial support?

I have been blessed beyond measure by God's faithful servants and all that have been giving over the years to help support me and the ministry I do here in Czech Republic. We see inflation rising and with it I will need to up my needed support but so far all that I have needed has been provided. Thank you for all your faithful prayers and support.

How to Give

Do you have enough teachers?

I am excited for the elementary team we will have this school year as we have new teachers coming to teach grades 3 and 4 this year. We are still in desperate need for teachers in our secondary especially in middle school Science and English. If you know anyone interested in overseas teaching please contact our HR department at [email protected]