Internship at Hillside
Nikol Markvartova
Hi everyone from Hillside!
I’m reaching out to you after some time since I’ve returned home, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect more deeply on my internship and to share what it truly meant to me. Now that I’ve had the chance to slow down, settle back into my normal routine, and look at the whole experience from some distance, I realize even more clearly how much this time shaped me, not only in practical or educational ways, but also emotionally, personally, and spiritually. With every passing week, I notice how lessons from Michigan keep showing up in my everyday life, quietly influencing how I think, what I value, and how I understand my relationship with God.
My stay in Michigan gave me the opportunity to experience life from a completely different perspective. I got to know how people live and work, what they do in their free time, how families function, and how churches organize themselves and serve those around them. I was able to see so many ministries up close, ministries that touched my heart in ways that I didn’t expect. Many of them opened my eyes to possibilities I had never considered before. I felt truly grateful for the generosity that I saw everywhere. Above all, I am most thankful for the people I met. Every conversation, every shared moment, every small interaction became a blessing that still continues to shape me.
Spending time in a Christian environment was something very new for me. In the Czech Republic, only about 13% of the population identifies as Christian, and practicing Christians form an even smaller group. That means that outside of my local church and my Christian friends, I rarely meet believers in my everyday life. Because of that, being surrounded by a community where faith is openly expressed, celebrated, and lived out on a daily basis felt almost like stepping into a different world. It was refreshing, energizing, and sometimes even a little overwhelming in the best possible way.
Seeing God through people’s stories was incredibly inspiring. I was amazed by the joy and hope in so many of you. The way many people shared their testimonies, talked about their struggles, and described how God worked in their lives helped me see the Christian life from a different angle. I noticed, too, how much people value emotions and openly talk about them. That is something that differs quite a lot from the culture I come from. In the Czech Republic, emotions are often considered private and not necessarily something to share openly, but at Hillside, I saw people express joy, sadness, fear, and hope openly. This openness taught me a lot about authenticity and vulnerability. It encouraged me to think about how I myself relate to emotions, both my own and those of the people around me.
The church life I saw in Michigan was also very different from what I know at home. It was fascinating to observe the many ways churches in Grand Rapids serve and support people, not only spiritually but also practically. I saw churches that take care of their communities through social programs, educational opportunities, creative ministries, outreach events, and genuine care for those in need. This brought my idea of what a church can be and what it can offer to society. It inspired me deeply, and I found myself dreaming about what church life in the Czech Republic could look like in the future.
I’m happy to share that our church here is growing and improving, too. Recently, we introduced new groups for moms, separate community groups for men and women, and a group specifically for university students. We also created a new room in our building where workshops will take place on topics like spiritual gifts, art, creativity, and personal growth. Seeing these changes happen fills me with hope. Even though the church environment here is much smaller and less visible than in Grand Rapids, the desire to serve and grow is real.
Since churches in the Czech Republic are very different from those in Michigan, I’m still discovering where my place in church is. I’m trying to understand what my role could be both in my local church and in Christianity in Prague. Churches here tend to collaborate closely because the Christian population is small, so their networks are strong and interconnected. I find this encouraging because it means people support one another across denominations.
I want to find the best way to use the many things I learned during my internship. I believe that God placed me in Michigan for a reason, and that He will show me how to use the experience to serve others. For now, I am focusing on being present, helping where I can, and continuing to grow, both spiritually and personally. I am trying to share the joy and encouragement I received from all of you with people at home.
Once again, thank you for welcoming me. You made me feel at home even though I was thousands of miles away. I hope to return someday, and if any of you find yourself in Prague, please let me know. Until then, please know that I think of you often and that your impact on my life continues to grow.
- Nikol
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10