Prague: Life Slowly Returning to Normal

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (August 21, 2002) - Life is slowly beginning to return to normal as flood waters continue to recede, though a considerable amount of cleanup remains following the worst flooding in 500 years.

That is the word today from Kelly Prudek, who along with her husband, Fred, serve as Covenant missionaries in the Czech Republic.

"The public transportation system has adjusted its tram and bus routes to help with the problem of increased riders above ground, due to the flooding of the majority of metro stations," Kelly reports. "Out of a total of 12 bridges spanning the Vltava River, there are still only two bridges open to public traffic. The traffic jams are huge as the buses are given one of the two lanes for rapid transit.

"They are working feverishly to get the roads and bridges in good working order by the end of August, when the mass of vacationing Praguers return home," Kelly continues. "The amount of time estimated for cleanup is one to two months. Many neighborhoods in town are still digging out of the mud, waiting for the building inspectors to confirm the safety of the buildings . . . allowing the residents to move back in (the majority of Prague residents live in apartment buildings).

"The destruction of property is unbelievable in its scope," she writes. "In the meantime, many people are still displaced - either staying in schools or with family members. The entire country is in crisis because of the destruction and we ask you to pray for them. Fortunately we have only heard of two families affected (in our church). One family of five . . . had completely renovated an old home they had inherited. The flood wiped out all their work and they are unable to live there now. Another family of seven . . . lost their home and is currently staying in the office of the husband until they can find other accommodations." The school the Prudek children attend was seriously damaged by water, which destroyed the school's inventory stored on the first floor.

News agency reports suggest other dangers remain, from the inadvertent release of chemicals and other materials to the potential for disease relating to rotted food and other decomposing materials. Flood levels increased to nearly 30 feet above normal river level, not only flooding basements, but flooding first and second floors in some of the buildings.

"Raw sewage from a waste treatment plant not far upriver from our school and other toxins, which flowed down the river, are complicating the cleanup process," Kelly reports. "We are told by the health department to only work up to four hours at a time clearing out the (school) building, taking precautions by wearing surgical masks and not exposing any skin.

"In all this we know that the Lord is sovereign and holy," Kelly writes. "Last week I read Psalm 29 - a very apt and encouraging word from the Lord. Here is just a portion: '. . . the voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters . . . the Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.'

"Thank you for your concern and for lifting up the people of this nation to God, our Father," Kelly concludes. "I pray that eyes will be open through this very painful experience to see the reality of God and that many will turn to Him."

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