Coyans in the Czech Republic

Q&A

Question: Why did you change jobs and why are the girls going to a new school?


Answer:  When we first came to live in the Czech Republic we had planned on putting the girls in the Czech public school system as a way for them to quickly learn the language. This was a priority for us as we knew that if we were going to live here for a long time learning the language was paramount. We also knew that having them in the public school system was an experiment and we didn't know quite how it would go especially with Rebekah as she was already 9 years old when we came and that was quite old to make such a transition. So, Roxie went off to Kindergarten and Rebekah to 3rd grade (both a grade lower than should have been because of language acquisition). For Roxie it has been really a good experience partly due to her age when we came and partly to her personality. She is like her dad and really easy going. Rebekah had more to overcome when we came because third grade here is when the fundamentals of this very difficult language are dissected and hammered into your head. A grade not to miss but a tough one to start with. She has done really well academically but hasn't been happy and this year was the hardest for her. This has been such a difficult process for her that we have spent the last two years wondering what to do. Praying, crying with her, frustrated. We know that God loves her and has a plan for her that is good, but we didn't know what or how.

When we first came to live here the plan was for me to teach a little bit at the language school with Dan and maybe head up a few ministries. A couple of months or so here and I was offered a job at the local public school as an English teacher. I was nervous about taking the job as I didn't yet speak Czech, but I was assured everything would be OK. My first year there was like a horrible nightmare and if I had known it would be this stressful and insane I would never have taken the job. But God used my ignorance of the situation to place me right where I needed to be and to make something amazing happen. Three years later I see why I was there. I speak the language, understand the culture, have become a stronger, less scared person, have been a light in a dark place and have really integrated into the community. I can say now that I love my job and my students and my co-workers and can do my job with confidence. I have learned so much and am thankful to have been dragged though the bowels and to have come out the other side.

A couple of weeks ago I was offered a job at the international school here in our village. Rebekah has always wanted to go to this school (she went there on an exchange program for a couple of weeks and fell in love and her best friends go there). We would have put her in the school when the Czech school started really getting to her but it is very expensive. We live month to month and even a small tuition we can't handle...and this is no small tuition.The job I was offered is kind of a dream job for me and one that I have great experience with and fits right into my skill set. Kindergarten teacher. At the Czech school I had 210 students in 8 grade levels and 13 individual classrooms. Teaching English and mostly trying to maintain order in Czech. This will be my own classroom (Oh, I have missed my own classroom) with no more than 12 students and in an English speaking environment. I was immediately interested in the job, not because I am unhappy with my current one, but as a teacher this would be for me personally more fulfilling. But I wouldn't change jobs just for that. We wanted to see if this was God's timing to get Rebekah out of her nightmare and into a bit of a happier place. The problem would be in that we would want the girls to be together so that would mean negotiating TWO scholarships. Remember, we can't afford any tuition. We had talked about keeping Roxanne at the Czech school as she is doing OK there, but I really had this sense that we needed to be together, plus I have noticed her English getting worse and if we ever return to the US I need her to be able to keep up in an American school. So I put out the test, knowing God would open this up for us or it would be clear that this is not the time. I really had to trust that He knows what is best and has a plan. We kept this all from the girls as I didn't want to give Rebekah hope only to tell her it didn't work out. I think that would be worse. When the final offer came in it was for a comparable salary and TWO scholarships. It was obvious. Our lives were changing, but it felt right. Peaceful. Knowing that God was making the way and we were following His path laid out for us.

It was difficult to tell my bosses that I was leaving. I have many friends there and love my students and my bosses are the best. Everyone has gone out of their way to help me there and I cried when I told them. But they have seen the way Rebekah has struggled and they all understand that this offer is perfect for us. But both of my bosses said to me that if ever I need anything to come to them and they would hire me back in a heartbeat. That was nice to hear. Having said that, I am totally stoked to teach Kindergarten. I am overflowing with ideas and I am really looking forward to it. And the girls are over the moon! Rebekah cried when we told her and she walks around now like a girl who just got out of prison and is tasting freedom. I think she struggled more than we know there. She is thankful that God has answered her prayers and can see why His timing is best. She was able to articulate to me why she thinks she spent three years in the Czech school...she really had to discover who she was there and she is stronger for having been there and had to rely on God through the lonliness.

On August 20th I start to work getting everything prepared and getting to know my new colleagues. On August 31 the girls will don their uniforms and accompany me to our new school, our new adventure.

We thank you God, for loving us, for caring for us, for walking us through difficult times and for lifting us up when we fall and can't go on. You are GOODNESS and LOVE and worthy of our praise and worship.