Floods bring opportunities to give hope in Czech Republic

Streets and homes were destroyed as floods ripped through Northern Czech.

Two weeks ago, swollen creeks overflowed in northern Czech Republic, causing major flooding. At least four people were killed, children’s camps evacuated, livelihoods destroyed and nearly 1,000 homes left without electricity. The damage was estimated at more than $250 million.

Harold Johnson, IMB missionary in Hradec Kralove, has been working with Czech Baptists to get help to the victims.  Two days after the floods, Harold met with pastors and walked the streets of some of the hardest hit areas to access needs and encourage those who lost all their possessions.  He met people who were left without jobs, money or houses. Homes by the creeks were especially devastated, not only by water and mud, but also by crumbling foundations.

Harold saw one man drowning his sorrow in alcohol. Another man, a believer, kept a joyful spirit in spite of the fact that he lost everything. He earned his living making glass from his home and all his equipment was ruined–picked up and hauled away with the trash. His small two-room house was covered with two and a half feet of water; his children have gone to live with grandparents. He has no flood insurance, so there is no real hope of recovering what was lost.

This disaster has opened doors for the Baptist church and other Christian organizations to reach out to Czech people in the name of Christ.

The Czech Baptists are using relief funds to help repair some of the damage. The greatest need was getting things dried out, so they purchased humidifiers, a coveted luxury that cannot be rented in the Czech Republic. Other money is being used for simple start-up funds for families who lost it all. Harold is coming alongside his Czech brothers to help them help others.

“We’re here to help,” Harold said. “Anything we can do to be a blessing to these people, to create a piece of fertile land in their heart to say, ‘if you’re important to Christ, you’re important to us.’”

Unfortunately, when disaster hits a nation of agnostics, their reaction is not to turn to God but to blame him.

“They would say that this only affirms God isn’t there,” Harold said, “or if He is, He doesn’t care about us and we can only depend on each other.”

However, the history of the Czech people is rich with faith and Harold is trusting that in God’s timing the people will turn back to God.

Please pray for quick recovery, opportunities for spiritual conversations and fertile hearts in the days ahead.

Posted by Karen Pearce on Aug 21, 2010

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