The Cech family with Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball.

2006 Dallas Visit by the Cech Family

Many team participants in the 2006 trip to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic felt that an important step in forming a strong partnership with St. Lukas UMC would be to bring Rev. Miloslav Cech and his family to visit Suncreek UMC.   This would permit many more Suncreek members to connect with the family and more opportunities to identify ways that we can join together to create an effective partnership.  We were aware that the family is one of only a handful of families in their city that worship regularly at a church.   We wanted them to experience what it was like worshiping with a large group of Christians.  We wanted them to experience the powerful loving spirit of our church.

The family arrived in Dallas in late July 2006 for a two-week visit.   We filled their days with novel food, meetings with small and large groups of Suncreek members, and fun activities.  We had an all-church Potluck Lunch on their first Sunday to welcome them to the church.  Mila spoke to groups like Suncreek's Methodist Men and the Confirmation Class.  The children met with Suncreek's children in Palmer Hall on their first Sunday.  On several occasions, Mila picked up his guitar and shared an original song or two.  On one evening, he joined Suncreek's Worship Team for a jam session.   He sang during worship on both Sundays of the visit. Mila preached from the heart at our Sunday worship services on August 6th.  He displayed amazing command of English, told powerful stories, and connected the biblical story to our contemporary lives.  The children participated in several youth events including a trip to lend a helping hand at Wesley-Rankin Community Center.  The family enjoyed a day at Hawaiian Falls, the Dallas Aquarium, Dallas Museum of Art, and Six Flags.  They played Texas cowboys as Deidre Hildebrand treated them to a morning of horseback riding.  They climbed the tall rock climbing walls at Stonebriar Mall.  The children described those days as “crazy fun”.   The family enjoyed all these activities in the company of Suncreek members.  The entire family said that even though they loved all of the fun events, food, and experiences they had during their visit the most meaningful aspect of the trip to them was to get to know so many people that love Christ and to be able to worship with so many believers.  Mila shared that it was an inspiration that will strengthen them in their ministry and give them hope for the future. 

Mila and his family kept sharing that everyday in Texas felt like Christmas to them.  Their visit was truly a joyous Christmas-like gift and blessing for Suncreek!

Click here to view photos of the visit.