Tuesday, September 23, 2008

We're off to Europe!!

Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you all happy and encouraged in the Lord. Real quick, I just wanted to take some time to let you know that this blog is one of the main ways we (dizmas) plan to communicate with you while we are on tour in Europe. So, please check in regularly as I will try to let you know of all the amazing things God is doing in our lives while we are over there. 

For those of you who do not know, Dizmas will be leaving this Thursday to tour in the country of Czech Republic. We will tour the country for about seven weeks, playing in local high schools, educating teenagers, and working along side an organization known as Josiah Venture. Josiah Venture, with the help of the Czech government, has organized this  tour and called it "The Exit Tour."

To give you a brief history, the Czech Republic is known to be a nation of musicians and poets. In it's history, the Czech Republic has produced many famous composers, thinkers, and innovators. Along side the many outstanding artists in it's history the Czech also has a rich spiritual heritage that includes Jan Hus, a reformer who inspired Martin Luther, and in a period of 20 years accomplished more missionary work than the entire Protestant church in the 200 years preceding.

 

In spite of this heritage, the forced domination of the Catholic church during the 1800's and the powerful impact of communism during the 1900's have produced a nation that is profoundly secular and quite skeptical of religion. Some say it is the most atheistic nation on earth, with the highest percentage of people convinced that God and a spiritual world does not even exist.


As you might imagine, we have a huge opportunity to impact this country with the truth of the gospel. In fact, we have been told, that we are the first Christian band to be allowed to play in Czech schools in the last 50 years. We consider this opportunity an honor and would like to ask for your prayers as we begin this new adventure. For now, if you would like some specific things to pray for, please pray that we will travel safely and that once we arrive God will give us the energy, unity, and wisdom to minister the truth in love. Thank you.


Finally, if you would like to support our trip or learn more about Josiah Venture and it's vision please learn more at www.josiahventure.com. Thanks again and don't forget there are many more of these letters to come.


Be blessed,

Zach Zegan

 

16 comments:

jesusfreak12590 said...

You guys are totally in my prayers! God bless you and all you do over there.
=]
can't wait to hear some stories!
God speed,
Valerie

Tyler said...

Dizmas! Looking forward so much to having you guys come and use your talents to impact the youth of Czech for Christ. Hope to see you all soon and hope to get to tag along at some point! ;)
Tyler Patty

Megan said...

I'll keep you guys in my prayers and make sure to watch your blog for updates! Miss you all and I hope you have a great time!
-Megan

Unknown said...

Thanks for your nice message! We'll talk to you more soon! We have a blogspot too, so you can check ours out while you're gone to keep updated about our family addition!

Lynnea Yancy said...

I'll be praying for you guys for safety and that many lives are touched. It's awesome that you get to go over there! God Bless
-Lynnea

Unknown said...

I love you guys so much! I hope you have a wonderful time and Jared and I will be praying for ya'll! My grandparents are from the CR, so I'm really excited about what ya'll are going to be doinig there!

Miss you guys!
Kat

mskitty said...

We will be praying for our "Overseas Missionaries" !!

We are so honored and proud to have you all as our friends !!

We are excited for you and know that God will bless you all in many ways !!

Can't wait to hear updates.

We love you :)

Your faithful fans,
Karen & Veronnika

Holly! Novaturient said...

Hey guys. I am so excited for you. This is a wonderful opportunity. I will keep you in my prayers. Have a fantastic time and I cant wait to hear about it.
God Bless,
Holly

Julie Deaton said...

Praying continually for you.
I am so proud of you all. I know that God will bless you in all you do. Be bold in sharing Him.
Can't wait to hear of your adventures.
I love you all and am so blessed to call you friends. :)

Julie Deaton

Pavla said...

Hello guys! I´ll be praying for your safe journey and a lot of energy. You will definitely need it! It´s true that Czech are the most atheistic of Europe!
It´s amazing work that you´ll be doing here. I don´t think you are coming to our school but anyway, maybe I will see you some day :) Hope you´re doing well and enjoy your Czech mission!
-Pavla, Czech Republic, www.pavlasnewlife.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Guys!.. I am totally excited for you guys to be headed over there. You guys will be in my prayers. I look forward to hearing stories of how God uses you all over there. I love you all a bunch.. and cant wait til the next time I see you.. which will more than likely be after the wedding.. anyway this is a long comment.. sorry.

Love in Him,
Charissa aka Charoosa? (who started that? ) :)

My name is Damaris said...

I am looking forward to hearing more. It is incredible how much of Europe has gone dry after the centuries of revival and theological protests, along with the political deconstructions and so forth. I firmly believe that these countries which have been left stained and shattered have NOT been forgotten by God and that He still reigns in the darkest places. Much prayer will be poured over you.

-Damaris
(btw, I'm your GMA week PB&J girl! Yay PB&J!)

Jac Ann said...

Praying for you guys! God will use you in so many ways! Can't wait to hear updates on here (and from your parents)!!! :D
-Jess

Renelle Davis said...

I'm so excited to hear about what the Lord is going to do through Dizmas and all your talents. I, along with lots of friends and family around these parts, will be praying for you guys during the next seven weeks. What an unbelievable opportunity for you to share the realness and importance of the Word of God with a nation who needs it. Love you guys mucho! :)

P.S. I caught Cole singing the "Redemption" song (as he calls it) to himself the other day...it was awesome. :)

t**g* said...

hi ;) i just came home from your concert in Havířov. From my opinion, you made it really great! Wednesday, you were in our school. I really enjoy you and your music =) I wish you enjoy your mission and have a good time in Czech republic ;)

Unknown said...

HI!!! i´m sorry but my english is very bad...
I´m Marketa from czech from tensing you´ve had a concert on our festival.. Do you remember on us??? YOU ARE VERYVERY GOOD... please write back on my e-mail...BYE BYE
marketka.billik@seznam.cz