January 31, 2005 - AIM Rocks: What We Didn’t Expect

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AIM Rocks: What We Didn’t Expect

By Scott and Suzi McGarvey
January 31, 2005

(Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a six-part series on working overseas for a season of your life.)

Imagine sitting down in a McDonalds, eating your Big Mac, minus lettuce and pickles. You’re reading USA Today and listening to Bruce Springsteen sing on the overhead speakers about the joys of being born in the USA.

And you are in Prague.

Centrally located between the fascinating world of Old Europe and the mysteries of Cold War Europe, we find ourselves in a great location. But, while the beauty is a nice touch and the collision of cultures is highly interesting, it’s the people we have enjoyed most of all.

Koffi, aka Mark, emigrated from the Ivory Coast to Prague because of civil war. He didn’t speak the language, know anyone, or even have a job prospect. He just got off the plane and walked out onto the street. Another African noticed him, gave him a temporary place to live, and a shot at a job. Three years later, he’s married to a successful Czech businesswoman, has a beautiful 1-year-old daughter named Ebony, and is making a comfortable living working for a tour operator. He even bought a flat. He was Muslim in Africa. He experienced an anointed Apostolic service there and switched sides. While he hadn’t been baptized or received the Holy Ghost, he began attending services in Prague when an AIMer invited him to church over a year ago. When we went to Youth Convention in France, he absolutely loved it and said it was much like his church in Africa. He sang, danced, and prayed intensely for the Holy Ghost. Someone asked him if loved Jesus. Mark responded that he loved Jesus with all of his heart and though he was raised a Muslim, when he found the right way he completely gave up his Muslim ways. He said it is like having a glass of two different beverages. You taste them both and you choose the better. He said that one day he will preach to his family from “this book” (the Bible), that they will all follow him and he will have victory (followed by a big, joyful “Mark” laugh).

Rasty is a violin maker by trade. He travels around Europe, working for various masters, doing repairs in their shops, and building his own instruments for sale. His twin brother, Jaromir, started coming to our church after a coworker invited him. Rasty wasn’t interested for many months and then he suddenly showed up. Jaromir’s constant, daily testimony rang true with Rasty. He was baptized on Pentecost Sunday. Their parents are divorced and are not quite sure what to think of their sons’ decision. Rasty is in Spain for the holidays. His last words as we parted ways at the bus station were, “Pray for me.” Miracles are not always evident to the naked eye.

There was the Polish pastor who baked a cake for us when we visited his home for lunch. As he cut the cake into individual pieces, he said in heavily accented English, “I’m a piece-maker (peacemaker) just like your president!” You appreciate a joke more when you know it wasn’t told in someone’s native language.

Alena travels around Europe conducting seminars and presentations using centuries-old Czech-language Bibles to generate interest in the scriptures. One of the Bibles predates the original King James. She was also baptized on Pentecost Sunday.

Sometimes we find a powerful witness in most unexpected places. When Scott started Czech language class, the teacher, Jiri, told him to get a Czech Bible and read it to understand the soul and emotion of the language. Later, when Jiri was discussing Czech history and the effects of communism, he compared the success of countries that did not have access to God or the Bible to those that did. America’s success, according to Jiri, is tied directly to its connection to God. “Freedom, creativity, and motivation come from having the ability to communicate with God. First, there is the understanding that God exists, then having access to Scriptures. But, you [pointing at Scott] have taken freedom to another level. You have the Spirit of God inside of you.”

“Why are you here?” We have answered that question a hundred times in e-mails, on street corners, and in cafes. We are here to put a face on the Apostolic message and to put that face in front of people who want more of God.

ninetyandnine.com

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Scott and Suzi McGarvey are trying to use the freedom that comes from serving God to further the Kingdom’s work as AIMers in the Czech Republic.