BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
“You are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple”
(1 Peter 2:5, NLT)
Dear Family and Friends,
Julie and I greet you from the Czech Republic. As we step back and look over the Tyrannus and Lydia Hall world, a lot of building is happening. The photos below are from construction work that has occurred over the last 4 weeks.
Sonapur Tyrannus Hall (India)
The Guwahati Tyrannus Hall that closed at the start of COVID (2020) has relocated 30 kilometers to the east in Sonapur, Assam, India. Rental contracts were signed earlier this month, and retrofitting of the building is currently underway so that students can begin their school year next month. Please pray for the successful completion of the construction and the re-start of this discipleship community. The first year is especially important, because the culture and rhythms established in the first year set the tone for all the following years. Please pray for these 20+ students and resident staff to wholeheartedly embrace communal discipleship under Jesus.
Prague Tyrannus Hall (Czechia)
After 25 years of existence, the much-needed replacement and upgrading of gym lighting has taken place. New, energy-efficient LED light fixtures designed to withstand the impact of volleyballs and basketballs now give their gym a fresh new look. Anyone for a game of volleyball?!
Olomouc Lydia Hall (Czechia)
The building of a new home for the OLH is nearing completion. Julie and I just visited Mojmir and Monika and are encouraged to see the progress. Flooring is scheduled to go in this week along with installation of the doors. At the start of the school year in October, they will have their grand opening. Like the Sonapur TH, this will be a re-start after a 2-year pause. Please pray for these 10-12 Lydians and Monika to wholeheartedly re-establish this discipleship community.
These buildings exist however for the much greater purpose of carrying out Jesus’ commission to interdependently grow as His disciples as we walk with others in their growth as His disciples (Mt 28:18-20). In his letter to the Ephesian believers, Paul says, “you…are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Tyrannus and Lydia Halls exist to fulfill God’s agenda: growing in the Lord and being built together into “a building,” i.e., a people, where God’s Spirit dwells.
Chittagong Hills Tyrannus Hall and Lydia Hall (Bangladesh)
These photos capture only a portion of the building going on in the life of Tyrannus and Lydia Hall students. These Bangladeshi disciples are committed to studying God’s Word and praying to Him, and they also find time for fun 😊.
Two-minute video link of students’ performing traditional dance at Fun Night: 2025.05.24FunNightDance.mp4.
Olsens Leave Benatky nad Jizerou (Czechia)
Julie and I are presently packing up 33 years of life in the Czech Republic. The moving truck arrives on June 13th – our hard and fast deadline for having everything boxed and sealed. Youth group members along with our pastor and his wife helped empty a large portion of our very dusty attic yesterday. A huge help!! Tomorrow we will pick up assorted packing boxes, packing paper and tape. After spending our entire adult lives here, we are not only sorting through lots of stuff but also lots of emotions and lots of memories. To keep it short, our hearts don’t want to leave but our bodies must keep moving. Maybe one day our hearts will catch up with our bodies.
Building with you for the future,
Steve & Julie
P.S. – As I was finishing this letter, Atola Subong, longtime leader of the Shillong Lydia Hall (India), asked for prayer, “15 girls have done their final exam and will be leaving by this week and the next. If we are to fill up the Hall we will need 26 new girls! Please pray that God fearing girls will come, girls who are willing to follow Christ.” Please remember her and the SLH in your prayers, too.