Autumn Update 2022

November 16, 2022

The Hobbit play in Šumperk. Thankfully we read the book to the kids right before seeing this.

Visiting the longest suspension bridge in the world in Dolni Morava

Andrew and Dan having some Man Time in Olomouc

Kostel Jinak watching an apologetics documentary

Open House. It has been nice hosting again!

We’re grateful to God for our friend, who took care of Zwingli for 3 whole years.

Only a few more days until we’re all ready to move in!

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Fall & Winter Update 2020-21

January 10, 2021

SOBO 151 Czech Restaurant in Denver had Svičkova! It was a little taste of heaven

Svičkova. It's like a vegetable stew with the meat cooked inside for hours, with a little cranberry sauce, whipped cream, and an orange slice. It's amazing, and we found it in America!

Mini Oki harbor reunion. Some amazing people we did ministry with in Okinawa.

I held back tears as the kids professed their love for Jesus and received the Lord’s supper for the first time.

5 year difference at the same apartment we lived in while we went to seminary in Denver

We even got to reconnect with the apartment grandma while we were there. We’ve really missed her.

Nora was playing on the playground at MTI and chipped her tooth! 4 hours later it was restored.

The fires in Fort Collins could be seen from Denver

There was a Christmas parade in Shelby (a town of 3000). Wasn’t bad!

Andrew hanging out next to some Big Bud tires. He said he could lift it.

The kids got to join the soccer team while we were in Shelby

TThe kids decided to start climbing up the laundry shoot. Nora got stuck for a bit.

Waldrug is the biggest tourist trap I could imagine, but we always go!

Getting some world class training in language/culture acquisition at MTI

Some faces blurred out for security reasons, but sharing daily meals with these people was a great honor.

As TCK’s the kids have had to say a lot of goodbyes over the years. MTI was able to give them words for the emotions they’ve felt and equipped them to be prepared for all of the changes.

Each of the kids made life long friends with kids moving all over the world.

We used language acquisition techniques to learn a little Mongolian. It made me a little more grateful to be tackling the Czech Language

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Summer update 2020

August 24, 2020

Over the last few months we have covered 6 states, transitioned to Lisa’s side of the family in Montana, and experienced the new way of flying with masks to and from Oklahoma. Our time in Milwaukee was a sweet time of rest, and we made a lot of progress as a family. Though it was hard to rest at times, it has only energized us to make our way back to CZ. The kids have gone through a lot of growth spurts, and we’re now experiencing the early stages of tweens now that Addey is 10.

Being in Dan’s hometown was different for each of us, since Lisa nor the kids have lived there before, and Dan hasn’t lived there since 2003, but seeing family and reconnecting with people we love was a time well spent. In 2017 Dan’s grandfather died, which was a hard on all of us being away, but processing that with the kids at his grave site was healing for all of us.

We considered our time in MKE as season of active rest, and learning what that looks like practically to simply abide with Jesus and examine how our time in CZ affected us. There were some amazing highs and lows, and yet as we’ve been pursuing what God wants for us in the middle of all the changes going on in the world, our hearts have only grown for wanting to go back.

The kids with their counselor on their last day together. She was a sweetheart to them and we’re eternally grateful for her wisdom and insights into how the kids process all of the changes they’re going through as TCKs.

Grandma and Grandpa Lieske haven’t had this much time with their grandkids since we had them, so this season in Milwaukee was a huge joy for them

We were grateful for Mercy Hill church in Milwaukee. They became a home away from home to us.

Cocos curry was a staple of Okinawa for Dan, and Joe just happens to be a pilot who can procure such delicacies.

The Bartol/Myers kids became life long friends in a short period of time.

Andrew had never played baseball, but the team opened up to him quickly and he picked it up pretty quickly. He even hit the ball each time he came up to bat.

The Myers have been family to us for nearly 2 decades now and we’re grateful to have been able to meet up with them on our trip to Montana

Calvin was a great traveler and made friends with every dog he came in contact with

The kids love finding new temporary pets.

Lisa’s sister in law, Kathleen, made a labrynth out of the tall grass in the backyard.

Trying to represent CZ in whatever way I can.

Our time in Oklahoma was refreshing to say the least. Our friends, the Webbs, made us feel welcome visiting with them at their home, and reconnecting with our churches there was everything we hoped it would be. It is something else to see the faces of so many who have been praying for us and having our back from the US side while we were in the middle of things in CZ. An encouragement is an understatement. Being able to do church together again, and praying together was an awesome reminder of where we came from and what we want to bring with us, as we seek to plant churches where Jesus isn’t known and treasured.

Sam Storms has been a spiritual father to us for over 12 years now, and it was awesome reconnecting in OKC. If you haven’t read any of his books I highly recommend them.

During our trip to OK we found out that our dog, Calvin, had died in a tragic truck accident. He was a pillar of joy for us in the Czech Republic, especially when things were hard. And he was a great traveling dog to be with us on our adventures. He was gentle around kids and strangers, and yet acted like a tough guy when he would bark at the wind. He knew a dozen tricks, including the ability to say I love you and giving high fives by jumping up to slap your hand with his face. Even people who said they don’t like dogs would quickly fall in love with this guy. We will miss him deeply. Thank you everyone for your support as we grieve our pup.

We didn’t realize it when we bought this, but this children’s book was about losing a pet, and we just happened to have bought it at a 2 day Bible conference in Muskogee the weekend before we lost Calvin. And having read it the day before we got the… — We didn’t realize it when we bought this, but this children’s book was about losing a pet, and we just happened to have bought it at a 2 day Bible conference in Muskogee the weekend before we lost Calvin. And having read it the day before we got the news, we realized later that this was God preparing our hearts for what would come. Edward Welch did a masterful job connecting the Gospel to a hard situation, and we’re grateful to have found it when we did.

Andrews first day in this world involved Lisa walking around this zoo in 115 degree weather. So it always brings us a lot of memories.

The kids all took part in the town play: The wizard of Oz.

A few pics of Montana. It is beautiful out here.

Calvin never wanted to leave our side, so we took him out on the boat at Lisa’s brother’s cabin.

Andrew learning how to shoot, because that’s what you do on the farm.

The next season will be filled with harvest season tractor rides and traveling throughout Colorado for a few months. It’s an adventure God has us on, and each change brings another opportunity to see God’s hand at work.

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SPRING UPDATE 2020

April 25, 2020

It’s been slow on pictures, but that reflects the slowed pace we’ve taken while on home assignment. It’s been good to move into regular rhythms as a family and most of those rhythms fit into the lockdown. We all got sick at one point about 3 weeks ago, so hopefully we’re in the immune category now.
Before the lockdown we had a few short trips. Lisa’s family flew her and the kids out to Montana while I did some work on the house. Then we were able to take a few trips to Minneapolis to reconnect with Vašek and Lida from Kostel Jinak over New Years, and to attend a missions conference later that month.

It’s been quieter since the lockdown, but we’re doing well and God has been really sweet to us in the midst of all the changes going on.

We tell the kids that the park across the street is our park (because we pay taxes), so they get a little more excited to go for walks through the woods at ‘our’ park.

Reconnecting with Vašek and Lisa in Minneapolis.

Getting some play time in before the lockdown.

The kids inadvertently made a Lisa Simpson snowman, which became the prime spot for dogs to pee on

Andrew has been growing as an artist and hanging everything he’s got on his wall

Addey’s new friend came to church wearing the same thing.

Zoom small group is definitely better than nothing

Lisa and the kids were able to take a short trip to Montana to visit her family

Date nights are more prevalent with grandma and grandpa around.

Daddy Daughter dates with Addey and Nora

Before the lockdown the kids were able to pass their swim classes

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FALL + WINTER UPDATE 2019

December 26, 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

In September we had a great group from Park Church, Denver come out to spend time with us and to help equip the church in the areas of worship and art. From the time they landed the guys became instant uncles to the kids, which was a big deal for them. They loved walking, talking, and wrestling them to the ground on the trampoline. Our good friend, who just happens to be a tour guide, walked us all around Olomouc and gave us insights into the culture that few know outside of CZ. They were a great encouragement to us, and the Czech church connected with them immediately.

The retreat with Kostel Jinak was really sweet. The guys offered different workshops on worship, graphic design, music, and other art. And it all culminated at communion time, where we talked about the Gospel and what God is doing in the lives of everyone there. It was hard to see them go, but we’re excited to see them all again this Summer!

Doing pushups with 3 kids on your back is a challenge

These guys all became uncles to the kids, and they’re still talking about them.

Olomouc has its own astronomical clock, so they work construction on this building frequently to keep it up and going.

Jana taking us all through the history and culture of Olomouc

Introducing the guys to svičkova. It’s our favorite Czech food.

Celebrating Communion together. Na Ježiši/To Jesus

Joel talking to the group with our friend Lenka interpreting.

Joel and Jacques’s workshop focused on the question of whether we are all artists, and how the creative God made us in His image to reflect His artistic nature.

Transition and uprooting is never easy, especially for the kids. And with all of the logistics of moving back to the US for home assignment, we labeled that season “Operation Rubik’s Cube.” Thankfully Lisa literally learned how to solve the cube and we were able to take care of all of the odds and ends before making our way to the US. The flight over was interesting, with lots of vomit, taking care of our dog, and jet lag, but we made a lot of good memories together and we’ve settled in the Milwaukee area well.

One of many examples of Google Translate’s inability to understand Czech. It really says “Pub on Špici street.”

Business signs around the country always make us laugh. :-D

We love these people, and everyone who has been video chatting with us over the years. It was a huge means of encouragement to us

When we labeled our season of transition from Czech “Operation Rubik’s Cube” the kids got mommy a little present. There were a ton of logistics that went into those last few months, but Lisa learned to solve this thing, and we were able to finalize … — When we labeled our season of transition from Czech “Operation Rubik’s Cube” the kids got mommy a little present. There were a ton of logistics that went into those last few months, but Lisa learned to solve this thing, and we were able to finalize everything before we left.

Our Pioneers team in CZ. It was bitter sweet, since a few have already left since we went on home assignment. These people are amazing and we’re grateful to have them.

Lenka was extremely gracious to take care of Zwingli while we’re away. The kids miss him a lot.

Having Calvin on an international flight wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. He low crawled through a few seats ahead of us when I fell asleep, but that was about it. He kept most of his farts in check too.

One more flight before we get to the US.

We picked up our rental car in Saint Louis at Righteous Rides, and made our way to Milwaukee.

When we moved to Wisconsin we lived with my mom and step dad for a few weeks before buying a house with the VA loan. Thankfully they don’t require a down payment for the mortgage, so we were able to pick it up as a long term investment with hopes of turning it into an Air B&B when we go back.

Dan’s grandfather died a few years ago while we were away, so we felt it a little more deeply when we visited his grandma. She’s doing well, and to their joy, the kids have been able to see her a handful of times now.

Until we return, we will be in a state of “active rest” while we seek the Holy Spirit for growth and renewal in the US. God has been good to our family and we’re grateful for all of you who have prayed for us throughout this journey to see Gospel centered churches planted in the Czech Republic.

Thanks to the VA loan, we were able to buy a house in Cudahy, Wisconsin as a long term investment.

This was my first moment of re-entry shock. I didn’t want chips, but this shelf went as far as the eye can see, and there was another chip row behind it. It was sensory overload.

The kids went trick or treating for the first time with their cousin, Jack.

Mercy Hill church has been a great community to connect to while we’re in MKE.

Lisa found her brother and sister in law in Chicago

Multi-lane highways like this are non-existent in the Czech Republic

I’m pro-2nd amendment, but it is funny to see shops like this. This also wouldn’t exist in CZ.

Grandma and Grandpa reading to the kids before bed. You can see the joy our my parents as they get to spend quality time with them.

Making gingerbread houses and chocolate covered pretzels for Christmas

The sign is blurry, but we found a Czech house in old world Europe at the Milwaukee Public Museum

Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The family from Chicago came out, so it was really sweet reconnecting with them again.

We celebrated our 11th anniversary by taking Lisa on a carriage ride through the city

A few weeks ago we packed up the van (thanks to Righteous Rides missionary rental group) and drove 22 hours to Orlando to visit the Pioneers campus. We went through a few days of debrief, received a solid prescription for our time on home assignment, and reconnected with a few from our Czech team. By providence we had the Forney family and Alan Williams with us, so we were able to have a small team meeting before the Forney’s make their way to Australia and while Alan was recruiting for our team in CZ.

Anika and the girls have been BFF’s throughout their years in CZ, so it was so good to see the squad together before saying “see ya later.”

The last time we were here the building was just breaking ground. So it was nice seeing the final center built.

This chart offers the average track missionaries take before heading to the nations.

Visiting Candy Cane Lane in West Allis. Dan’s sister and him were babysat on this street when they were little, so it was fun bringing the kids back to see all of the houses lit up.

Some of the houses had little things the kids could do while they made their way through Candy Cane Lane

Merry CHRISTmas!!! From our family to yours.

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Family Blog

Autumn Update 2022

Fall & Winter Update 2020-21

Summer update 2020

SPRING UPDATE 2020

FALL + WINTER UPDATE 2019