They returned home with stories of hope, from a country drowning in despair.

A 12-member mission team from Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City relived their two-week stay in the Czech Republic for their church friends last weekend, through a series of slides, souvenirs and anecdotes.

For some of the team, the trip was a renewal of friendships founded on faith and English language classes initiated in previous years. For others, it was an eye-opening experience of life in a country whose population is more than 99 percent atheist or agnostic.

Despite its natural beauty and grand architecture, which remained unscathed during World War II, the Czech Republic has a depressing feel to it, according to the mission team. “There is an overall tone of sadness; there's little laughter,” commented Dan Swartz, who co-led the trip with his wife, Grace. While the majority of the population is pessimistic about their future, the small congregation of the Reformed Church of Zlin is moving forward, building on their Christian faith.

The Carriage Lane group has formed a close alliance with the church and residents of the community, which is an industrial city of about 100,000 residents. Worshiping together was the high point of the trip for many of team members. “It was such a blessing,” said Rhonda Quillian, recalling the day of worship.

“The church was very welcoming. Listening to 13th century melodies in Czech was such a joy... I didn't feel like an outsider at all... they welcomed me and reached out to me,” she said.

Larry DeBert described the setting for the service — ”They meet in the hall in the Institute of Shoe Design,” he said. After the service, he recalled the lunch they shared with the small congregation. “They were speaking in broken English... it was a very heartwarming time.”

The purpose of the trip was to provide English classes, help with church organization and share the gospel with the Reformed Church and its extended family. The volunteers agreed that many Czechs came to meet them for the English classes, but came back again for something else. That extra something was the spiritual conversations and testimonies shared by the Carriage Lane contingent.

“I spent a lot of time with Jacob, 20, who has cerebral palsy,” DeBert said. Lengthy talks about God and the Bible led to an invitation to the young man's home where DeBert shared a meal with his parents. Others had the opportunity to shop, or visit places of interest in Zlin, or nearby cities with their native hosts. Members of the group were often pressed to tap into their personal well of faith to answer probing questions about Christianity.

Jan Polgardi told about her encounter with a young woman named Hannah whose conversation “quickly turned to the spiritual. “I had a New Testament with me and shared scripture with her,” Polgardi recalled. Selecting a verse from Ephesians, Polgardi talked with Hannah about being saved by grace and at the same time, said her own prayer, ”I'm really responsible here, Lord.” Ultimately, Hannah accepted the Lord as her Savior,” Polgardi said.

Matt Rees found a larger than anticipated audience after he agreed to talk about business management principles to the church. The impromptu seminar was advertized city-wide and Rees found himself a major attraction. He has continued to communicate via e-mail with a man who wants to learn more about the American way of business.

Despite delayed luggage, cramped living quarters and no cooking facilities, the team kept their spirits up through prayer. They left the Reformed Church's pastor with a car to carry on his mission and a promise to return and further the work they have started — establishing personal, God-centered relationships.

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