I know it’s been a while since I last posted, but ever since I found out I was pregnant it’s been difficult to write. Not because I’ve been super busy — I’ve been the same amount of busy — but my brain has struggled to take my emotions and put them into concrete words. I’d hoped I would be one of those women who naturally share countless stories and pictures from their pregnancy, but it’s felt like swimming against the tide.
However, today marks ONE MONTH until Baby Lucchi is due, and I finally feel like I’ve stored up enough words to sew together into a coherent post.
Ten years ago, I could clearly picture what starting a family would be like. I’d have a loving Christian husband, a big house for us to grow into located close to my family (preferably in or near the countryside), our own accumulated library of novels and homeschooling books, and a nursery all prepared for the little sprout’s arrival. Even five years ago I hadn’t given up on this dream, though I could see my life starting to take a different turn, and had started downsizing my belongings in preparation for God’s call.
And now? Well, I do have the loving Christian husband, and for this I am super grateful, but everything else is different. We live in an apartment, in the city, in Europe, far far far from my family. We do have books, but so far they’re squeezed onto only one bookcase. Not quite the library I’d envisioned. We don’t have space for one of those gorgeous Pinterest nurseries, but we’ve managed to squeeze baby’s crib into our bedroom and set up a changing station in the living room. Small apartments are a great training ground for maximizing space.
Do I consider myself to have lost something by choosing to start a family of my own on the mission field? Yes, I do. I lost the sense of security that comes from watching your life play out the way you’d planned. I missed the opportunity to spend my pregnancy with my family, to laugh together over my growing belly, to go “baby shopping” with them, and to have them all be around after the birth. I also gave up the security of my own culture, like shopping at big box baby stores in a language I understand, never having to wonder whether my doctor could speak English, or ever considering whether I have what it takes to raise a bilingual, cross-cultural child.
Perhaps that sounds strange, even silly. But it’s honest. Sometimes the knowledge of what I’ve lost keeps me awake at night.
The silver lining? Where I see loss, I also see gain, for myself, and for my child. In choosing to set aside my security and plans, I’ve found a life of risk, of adventure, a new piece of God’s heart and a new side of His character that I would never have known otherwise. And because I’ve experienced it, I’ll be able to pass this knowledge on to my child someday. In surrendering my close proximity to my family, I’ve gained new friends and brothers and sisters. My child now has such a host of uncles and aunts that I wonder how she’ll ever keep them all straight, or keep from getting spoiled. ๐
Perhaps I didn’t experience the convenience of having all my needs met by Wal-Mart’s baby aisle, but we still have all we need for baby, and more! Despite my fretting, we’ve never gone to a doctor who doesn’t know at least a little English. And though the jury is still out on what kind of cross-cultural parent I’ll make, well, there’s definitely some wisdom in letting tomorrow worry about itself.
The Christmas story this year had special significance for me. After a rocky start involving angels and a virgin pregnancy, Mary was all settled in, her “nesting” phase complete, the nursery ready, her family all at hand for the big day … and then the census occurred. Who wants to ride a donkey all the way to Bethlehem during their third trimester? Imagine it, sitting there, your belly bulging painfully, your body aching with every jolt of the donkey, and your bladder throbbing with no rest stop in sight. Did Joseph ever complain about how many times they had to halt so she could find an available bush? And when they did reach Bethlehem there was no available room at either hospital or hotel. Her birthing room became a stable with a pile of blankets and hay. No proud family members were there to take pictures, and the carefully prepared nursery was far away.
Yet after her baby came screaming into the world, miracles started to happen, stories she would always treasure.
I’m sitting writing this on my comfy couch in my comfy apartment. There’s food almost ready in the crockpot, the cold winter weather is kept at bay by solid walls and windows, and everything a newborn could possibly need (like diapers diapers diapers) is close at hand. My unborn baby is happily kicking my rib cage, probably wondering why I’m so quiet and and still and where her noisy, exciting father has gone. (He’s at work, but we’ve noticed in the last week or two that she often gets very active when she hears his voice. Daddy is apparently the fun one in the family. ๐ )
Pregnancy may not be what I expected it to be. It may not be what I had planned. But when I feel those little feet pushing against me and see the odd bulging of my stomach, I know that this pregnancy has been more amazing then I could ever have hoped for.
Maybe, soon enough, I’ll have some miracle stories of my own to tell, and to treasure.
Towards the middle of May, this good looking team converged upon ValMez to help us run our first camp of the season, Business English camp. Coming from different parts of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and America, this group of dedicated leaders, interns, and translators came prepared to teach, play sports, lead activities, and connect with the students in whatever way possible. This was Keifer’s first time as the camp director for Business English camp, and my first time being his assistant leader and creative director. With Max’s help, we’d been preparing for weeks before the camp started, and we were understandably nervous about how the week would go. But as soon as the team arrived, they came together behind us like one big family, and with their help we knew we were ready to go.
Camp ran for six days, from May 20 – 25. The first day was mostly focused on setting up the camp at the campsite, the arrival of the students, and then our opening session and some “get to know you” time. The rest of the days fell into a natural rhythm. The students had business sessions for the first part of the morning, where they learned important business principles in English through interactive learning. The rest of the morning was spent practicing Business English through interactive games and team challenges. Lunch was followed by special 
forty-five minute workshops that changed each day and which ranged from beginner’s piano to poetry, from barn dancing to coffee making, and from beading to photography. Afterwards, the students trooped down to the sports field to engage in American sports taught in English, such as flag football one day and baseball another. After break and dinner we had an evening talk and discussion time, followed by fun activities until lights out.
A team of three girls flew from America more than a week before the camp to assist Keifer, Max and I with the preparations. We talked through plans, gathered props, learned dances, and grew together as a team. After the week of prep, we launched into camp up at an old hotel in the mountains. As well as leading in the theater track, my sister-in-law, Cati, taught the contemporary dance workshop, my OYAN friend, Laura, taught the musical theater group the song and dance for “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and my adopted sister, Maggie, went from group to group, leading and assisting every way that was needed.
Our script for the theater track was a shortened version of The Princess Bride, which the students learned and performed in English, adding their own twist to it by providing humorous translation for their audience of parents and family. During the week we held auditions, students practiced their lines, and learned key theater skills through a variety of games and exercises. The boys especially loved learning stage sword fighting under Keifer, often practicing in their spare time. I spent the week creating props for the play (like stick horses, and a
rather large tree), helping where I could during class, and fighting off bouts of first-trimester nausea. I’ve always been a good eater, and it was a struggle for me some days to keep going with a positive attitude while being too sick to eat. But the team stood behind me, making sure I got rest when I needed it and food when I could. I couldn’t have done it without them.
DJ Meissner — Sports Team Leader
Christy Meissner — English Team
On February 17, Keifer and I went to a weekend camp run by Josiah Venture. This was the first camp that we’ve attended since being back in CZ, and it showed me just how much I’ve grown over my time in the Czech Republic.
One of my favorite parts of camp was the creative games that the entire group did every day. The first day was relay races, involving toilet paper snowmen, balloon antlers, and ping pong balls passed back and forth with spoons. The second day was full of outdoor adventures, like “swimming” through the snow, pulling people uphill on a sled, and breaking a secret code. The last day was a round of winter “olympics,” from building a cardboard bobsled to skiing on cardboard skis, as well as a very competitive “balloon stomping” tournament. 
Our team managed to win the winter olympics, and we were called forward in front of the other groups and honored with a candy prize. You can see by the looks on our faces that we were pretty excited.
I caught a cold on the last day of camp. It came on strong and lasted for several days after we were home. I was pretty miserable, but it gave me a chance to compare my experience at camp with a similar camp experience last spring. Looking back, I can see how much more confidence I have now than I had last year. I’m less afraid to meet new people, more comfortable in new situations, and able to actually do some teaching now instead of just helping. It’s encouraging to see growth, and even more encouraging that I’ll be able to learn and continue to grow here. By this time next year, who knows how far I’ll have come!
I was asked by Caity to write a few words about the time I spent in the United States this fall. I guess you may have heard of me, know who I am, where I am from, and why my English is so good. Some of you might have even met me. If not, here is a little bit of an introduction: My name is Max, I’m 21, and I’m helping Keifer and Caity with their mission work here in the Czech Republic (now known by the horrendous name “Czechia”).
and Caity Lucchi. Keifer wasn’t sure whether the trip was going to happen or not, since I needed a fairly big (by European standards) amount of money, but God provided for me and for all the expenses I was going to have. We flew from Prague to Frankfurt and then to San Francisco, where we were supposed to attend a conference organized by Keifer’s mission organization. At one meeting several missionaries from around the world were speaking about their service in different countries, and I got to help Keifer and Caity share more about the Czech Republic.
the retreat I got to know the people who run the mission organization better, and I got to walk under the stars, talk, and worship with them. One of the most thrilling things I got to do during the retreat was to visit Yosemite National Park, which that day was open for free — what a coincidence. God is good and He spared us some money. I got to see Bridal Veil Falls, and Keifer and I went climbing up towards the falls and here is some good advice: don’t climb waterfalls when you’re tired and on jet-lag. The results of climbing were Max and Keifer 0, waterfall 1. I got all wet and Keifer hurt his rib at the top of it, but we both agreed it was worth it. Long story short, I liked California a lot, and I’m thankful for all the people and experiences and growth I experienced during that time. And one more very important thing — in California I tasted my first street taco. It was an instant love that lasts to this day, when the taco-trucks appear only in my dreams. ๐ฆ
After the conference in California we flew to Kansas City, where I was to spend the rest of my time in the US. I attended another ministry conference, met a lot of cool people, and, last but definitely not least, attended Keifer and Caity’s wedding. I stayed most of the time with Keifer’s brother Case and his roommate Kyle. Case introduced me to his cooking skills, which I greatly enjoyed, secretly being thankful that I don’t have to live with them forever since his food is really delicious and just irresistible. Case, Kyle, and Keifer showed me several coffee shops and introduced me to barbecue, for which Kansas City is very famous. In Kansas City I experienced more growth, and the whole time I was learning how to do what God wants me to do at the moment and learning how to abide in the Lord. I got introduced to a lot of people, some of whom I had heard about long before I actually met them. 
Let me recognize at least a few of them. The Schwabauers, who are awesome people, how awesome I don’t even fully know yet. Some other cool people from the OYAN (One Year Adventure Novel) community, who have the word “STORY” written all over their faces without even knowing it. I got to meet Keifer and Caity’s families, and I’m happy to say that I have gained new brothers and sisters in them. I’m thankful for every single one of the people I got to meet and talk to. At one point I was asking God about the purpose of the trip, because I didn’t want any more goodbyes in my life, or more people that I am going to miss. But still, I went, and God knew why He wanted me back in America, even though I still don’t fully understand yet.
We were living like single people with separate lives. Well, we still have two different apartments, but now we have two right next to each other on the SAME floor in the SAME building. We will be living and doing ministry in one, while the second, smaller flat (which used to be mine overlooking the river) will also be used as a ministry space and guest apartment. We are excited about this big new step, and the chances it will give us to grow our ministry. The way it all came about was truly a gift from God. 
Not only did the apartment open up at just the right moment, but we were able to see it and agree to it in just the little bit of free time we had before coming back to America for our wedding. We have the most awesome landlady who has been super kind to us. She consulted me about paint colors on our trip back and is even planning to remodel our kitchen while we are away. She, and all the friends who helped us move Keifer’s furniture to the new place, have been such a blessing. We couldn’t have done this without a huge amount of help and love.
When we reached their house in Hostaลกovice, we found their two small dogs, Bianca and Sophia, waiting to greet us. Bianca and Sophia have always been an important part of my trips to CZ. They love to cuddle, and during the worst bits of my culture shock they’ve always been there to minister to me by curling up in my lap and letting me stroke them. But this time it was my turn to help. Both dogs were very lonely without their owners around all the time, so I took it upon myself to pet and cuddle them as much as possible. I jokingly referred to it as my “puppy ministry.” But it actually became an important part of my trip. 
It’s easy for those of us who minister to only want to do the big, exciting things that get us noticed and sound good in our newsletters, but often true missionary work is paying attention to the small things (in this case, small dogs) that need our love and attention.
You have to climb down one hill from the train station and climb up another hill to get to their house. It was great to see Max’s mother, sister, and brothers again. They’ve become family for Keifer and I as well. ย Max took us on several walks around his home, showing us the cultural heritage of his town. My favorite place was the “Jerusalem Hill” overlooking the city. You could see for miles all around, and there were signs pointing out particular sights. One sign, though, was pointed in the direction of Jerusalem, a reminder for me of ancient times and of Christ’s desire for us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” The spot was beautiful in the daytime, but also at night, when the clouds blew aside and gave us an awesome view of the stars. I remember praying about my time back in America, and that God would bring me back to this same place again someday. If He does, I know I’ll be able to look back and see the many ways He’s been changing me. This became my “mountaintop” experience.
the nearby school to a different building they’ve named the “Aquarium” because of its windows all around. We had a wonderful time seeing the young people again, and seeing how much the club seemed to be flourishing since moving to its new location. I loved helping with games and practicing my Czech vocabulary, and Keifer taught the Bible story one night through a translator.
seeing Keifer and all my friends in the Czech Republic. On the other hand I was really sad about leaving my friends, the Marriotts, in Ireland. Their love for me and the way they’d opened their home for me during my time in Ireland was such a huge blessing. In such a short period of time they’d become my family, and leaving yet another family was hard. (It’s still hard.) I hope to visit them again someday. Part of my heart now has a home in Ireland.
Thursday and Friday at camp, plugging into the activities wherever possible. I helped peel potatoes and bread zucchini for lunch, helped blindfold kids during a game and guide them around obstacles, and I twice played the villain’s henchman, once in a game of hide’n’seek tag, and once in a game of paper ball war. I loved being with the kids and seeing how much they’d grown and changed over the summer. And I was there at camp the evening four of the girls gave their lives to the Lord. What a blessed time!
playing they would crowd around to watch him work and see what new funny videos he had taken. At the end of camp he showed the movie to everyone at once. Seeing everyone gathered around Keifer’s computer, watching them smile and laugh as they saw themselves and other friends in the movie, is a moment I will always treasure. We were one big family. I remember crying, knowing that in just two days I would leave them to return to America.
incredible English vocabulary. ๐ Keifer’s supporters generously pitched in to help Max afford the trip, and we were excited to take him with us to our Grace Covenant conferences, and introduce him to our friends and family in America.
and receive ministry from our fellow leaders, as well as share with our ministry family in California about what the Lord is doing in the Czech Republic.
never been more nervous in my life. But with massive amounts of help from friends and family, our wedding day was amazing. I loved being a bride. I loved seeing everyone. And I loved doing it all with Keifer at my side. Our relationship has been quite the journey. We’ve come through long-distance between two separate countries while we each made innumerable life changes to follow God’s call to missions. Our wedding was a celebration of the love, friendship, family, and perseverance that brought us this far. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, everyone who sent us gifts, and everyone who prayed us through to this point. We couldn’t have done it without you.
But before we move back to the Czech Republic, we get a chance to visit! Keifer and I will be making a two week trip to the Czech Republic at the beginning of October. Keifer has important paperwork to do regarding our marriage, and we’ll also be using the time to reunite with friends and work on our apartment. Max will also be traveling with us, 
and will stay in the Czech Republic when we return to America. He has been such a blessing to have with us. He never misses an opportunity to lead worship (he led worship during our wedding!), and he’s always ready to help when needed. I will definitely miss him.
And while I was praying a van drove past with the words “Gotcha Covered” printed on the back window. I laughed so hard! I can’t claim that it was a direct message from God, but it made me feel calmer inside. My reception at the embassy was much better than the previous time. The woman I’d met before received me kindly, had no fault to find with my paperwork, and even told me she hoped my visa would come quickly so that I could attend some of the camps with the kids this summer. I left feeling so encouraged. I know a lot of you were praying during that time, and I’d like to thank you. Your prayers were definitely heard.
Drop Inn raises money to help those in need around the world through thrift stores, coffee shops, and donations. There are even some Drop Inn centers located in my home state, Iowa (though it took coming over to Ireland for me to learn that…). Over the next two weeks I helped at several locations in Armagh and Portadown.ย 
I worked in two different thrift stores in Portadown, organizing, cleaning, helping customers, and running errands. One of our biggest projects was sorting through donated clothing, putting aside tattered and stained items for recycling and hanging new and like-new merchandise out on display. My favorite project was the day we received several boxes of books which had to be organized and put out on the shelves. But whether I was dusting, sweeping, or organizing, my favorite part of the job was seeing the many people who loved the thrift shop and found exactly what they needed at prices they could afford.
Washing dishes and restocking the pop fridge were all jobs I was used to. Something I wasn’t used to was arranging vases of fresh flowers for every table. But while I was there I did it twice and loved it. It really brought out my creative side. ๐ One of my favorite experiences at the shop in Armagh was when we carried drink samples outside and set up a 
little stand to attract passersby. It was a cold gray day, but I think we made some lives a little happier. If I have the chance someday, I would definitely go back and do volunteer work for Drop Inn again. The experience I had was invaluable for my own ministry career, and the friendships I made are some that I hope will continue even while I’m gone.
you’re engaged with a wedding coming up, feels like forever), and I cannot begin to express how thrilled I was that both of them would spend the time and money to come and see me. We didn’t really do many touristy things while they were there except walk around Belfast, but we had a blast just being together. I’m really grateful for friends like Keifer and John, and I can’t wait to see them both again. ๐
NOT as an advertisement for Ryanair, but as a way to capture all the traveling I’ve done between the Czech Republic and Ireland during June. However, the real moment that stood out to me this past month, the moment that repeatedly shaped my decisions and caused me to draw closer to the Lord, was the brief period of time I spent by the ocean near Dublin. For all of you who have been waiting for an update about my ongoing visa process … well, it’s finally time!
found, much to our dismay, that they didn’t have an appointment for me. Worse still, they’d never heard of the man I’d spoken to on the phone, who had introduced himself as “Patrick,” spoken Czech, and set up my appointment. Keifer even checked the number in my phone’s call log, and it was the same number as the embassy. We were flummoxed. The embassy kindly set up a new appointment for me on June 21, the day I was supposed to fly back to the Czech Republic, and Keifer and I beat a hasty retreat. I’ll admit I was very upset. But instead of letting our day be ruined, Keifer suggested we make the most of it. We took a tram to the ocean and spent about an hour walking along the beach, discussing what we should do next. We also did a lot of praying, asking God if I should stay in Ireland and apply for the visa, or if He had another path for us. God spoke to both of our hearts as we looked out over the water, reminding us how His paths aren’t always easy, but how they’re always an adventure. Together we chose that I would stay in Ireland and apply on the 21st.
You can tell by my face that I wasn’t “in love,” but that changed the moment I found my dress. ๐ Now I can’t wait until September for the big reveal! Well, and finally being married of course. ๐
To Czech with a Backpack 