When all you've got is a little, love a lot.

Well, we are here. Safe and sound. The weather is perfect. 70s most of the time. The last few days it was in the 80s and pretty hot, but today it was low 60s because we got a nice rain. No humidity... what a lovely change.

Laura, one of the other two interns, is my roommate for the summer. We are staying in a dorm. In our dorm there are three bedrooms with two beds each. The other two rooms have Czech college girls in them. The 6 of us share a shower room and a water closet (i.e. toilet room.) It is nice because I have the comfort of having Laura with me yet the opportunity to meet Czech girls!

I think it is fair to say that coming here was the most overwhelming thing I have ever done. It is all so foreign. Foreign language, foreign food, foreign living arrangements, foreign transportation... just foreign. I couldn't get anywhere or anything. It's not like I could ask for help either... they wouldn't understand me.

One thing I learned quickly was simple thing I had in common with the people of Czech. A smile. So simple... but everyone seemed to understand. It is so neat to me that a smile is such a universal language around the world.

The first couple of days were also a big mental game, so to speak. It was a struggle for me... harder than I thought. It was just a huge concept to wrap my mind around that I am away from my family, friends, and boyfriend, Heath, for over 8 months... but all in all, I held it together the whole time.

We had lunch with the team here Saturday. I can't explain the feeling I felt when I saw them. I was SO excited. Then the strangest thing happened... when we went to say "goodbye" just for that day after our 2+ hour lunch... I couldn't hold it together anymore.. I just cried. I didn't want them to go. I felt so comfortable when I was with them. They could speak to and understand me... and also the Czech and their culture.

That moment was quickly overcome by the shield of sunglasses and the tour of Olomouc that Christie (a team member) took us on. The beauty of this old city was overwhelming as well. Also, a full night of rest helped those emotions. :)

Sunday, we had our intern orientation, where we got all of our tasks for this summer. Again, lots of info at once :) Then we had church. I was amazed by the turn out. there was 27 people that came! It was so encouraging to see that the Czechs cared enough to come just to encourage us and meet us! I loved the warm, cozy, setting that filled the room.

Throughout this whole weekend, a phrase one of the elders at my church back home rang in my head. It was just one of those things that loomed right in front of my brain and I couldn't quit thinking about it not only during my first weekend in Olomouc, but during the whole trip to Olomouc, and really, since it was told to me. Wednesday night, before I left on Thursday morning, I was at WOLFLIFE for our weekly bible study, this particular person gave the usual "we are thinking and praying for you... and keep us updated spill," but then he said "Bree, let them (Czech people) know how much WE love them."

Wow. This is my mission. To pour my heart and faith and LOVE into this empty population, missing a huge piece of the puzzle of life. My job is to be the messanger, not only and ultimately God's messanger, but a messager for Christian community in general... and what an important role that plays within our personal and/or development in our spiritual walks.

Sunday, was the light for me. This was the first time I was able to meet several Czechs and begin to love them. I began immediately asking them to go eat with us and trying to find times to meet up with them this week, because I have lots of lovin' to do!

It was so encouraging to hear that... And then SEE the opportunity here! I only hope that I can fullfil that as my time here marches on! I am so elated to see how God can use me in that simple, but dynamic way through my display of HIS love for US!

 

John Coffey, a fellow intern, and I our first full day in Olomouc. This is taken in the town center.

Natalie, one of the little Gypsy girls, and I at the park after playing frisbee and futbol "soccer."

Breeginnings

So, first of all I am a little new to this.. This is my FIRST blog..

As you all know by now, I am going to the Czech Republic this summer from June 6-August 2 to do mission work as an intern for the team there. I could not be more excited, nervous, and scared at the same time! There are three of us that will be interning... John, Laura, and myself. We decided we would do a joint blog together. We all wanted to post before we left to tell you a little about ourselves since we are doing this together... :)

I am Breanna Futrell. Most know me as Bree. I was born and raised in a small town in Northeast Arkansas called Pocahontas. I graduated high school from Pocahontas High School in 2011. I am currently a Senior in Nursing School at the University of Arkansas. The plan in to graduate in December with my BSN, RN. (Lord willing!) After graduation... is a mystery...  I would like to go to grad school eventually... but we will see :)

My mom, Beth, is a Third grade literacy teacher at Pocahontas. My parents also own the oldest pharmacy in the state and my dad, Mark, is the main pharmacist there. I have a sister, Olivia, who is just finishing up her Freshman year at Harding and a brother, Jared, who is just finishing up his Junior year of High School at Pocahontas.

I met a great guy, Heath Walton, at the state wide campus ministry retreat in March of 2012. We have been dating for 9 months. He is from Jonesboro and attends ASU.

I have two dogs. A miniature Shih Tzu, Mistletoe, and a Toy Poodle, Madie.

I enjoy traveling (obviously :)), being involved with the Razorbacks for Christ (in Fayetteville), Wolflife Campus Ministry (in Jonesboro when I am home), canoeing, being outdoors, and I guess reading Nursing books (because I feel as if that is all I do these days!)

This opportunity to go as one of the 2013 Czech interns sort of just fell into my lap. I was planning on going with the Razorbacks for Christ for 5 weeks. Then, two of the original interns had to back out. Steve (my campus minister at UofA) mentioned this was a need. John Coffey (another intern) and I both applied and it just kind of all has worked itself out. I am so excited to see how God will use me on this awesome experience. It is definitely out of my comfort zone... but that is what makes this exciting!

With this all occurring last minute, I am scrambling to try to raise the funds needed to go, studying up on the culture, and doing all the things you just have to do to get ready to leave the country for two months! (I LEAVE A MONTH FROM TODAY! :))

Thanks for taking the time to learn a little about me. I thank you in advance for your support, continual love, and prayers as I embark on this adventure!