As you know, there is a volunteer team here in Poznan for the week. Today, I was teamed up with 2 students, Hilary and Shaphan (Shay-fen). Our purpose was to walk around our selected area of the city and strike up conversations with Poles in hopes of sharing the Gospel. I was a little nervous about this strategy, thinking that Polish people would surely not be interested in talking with us. But, I headed out with a good attitude knowing that God can do anything with us and through us.
We decided that we would start going in small stores and begin conversations with the store owners or employees by asking them to tell us their favorite place in Poznan that tourists must visit. I would explain that my friends were from the states and were here for only a week and wanted a Polish person's opinion on where to go and what to see. We figured that we would allow them to share about something of importance to them and have that sense of pride in their country.
And it worked! Just like we thought. As soon as we asked them to tell us what is their favorite place in Poznan and where we have to go, their eyes lit up as they began to talk about their city.
I won't go into detail about all of our encounters today but I will say that we were able to talk to about 10 or 12 people in various stores and almost all of them were thrilled to answer our questions and were given a tract before we left. I think they really got a kick out of us Americans here in their country wanting their opinion.
I must admit that I am not necessarily a person who will just strike up a conversation with complete strangers, especially in Polish. But I did and I was so surprised to find that I was able to share with ease and felt extremely comfortable. The power and peace of God, I believe, filled my heart today and gave me the ability to plant the seeds of the Gospel.
We will be in that neighborhood all week and are hoping to get to talk to some of those folks again and follow up. I am anticipating how God will use us to touch the lives of those around us.
On Michael's blog there will be an audio file and slide show of one of my encounters today. I won't share here so you will have to go on there and listen for yourselves!
Thank you all for praying for us this week!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Ministry with kiddos
This week our friends and colleagues from Krakow are in Poznan with 3 of their 5 daughters, the Goss's. They are working with a group of volunteers from the states who are here sowing the seeds of the Gospel with tracts and through relationships. We did not plan on being a part of the group as for 6 months we have been hoping to come home. God had other plans.
The Goss's are a wonderful family. They have a sweet spirit and a heart for the people group they work with, the Roma. They originally were planning a Roma camp here in Poznan but, as it turns out, there is not a great population of them here in our city. So, their team is passing out tracts, witnessing through translators and simply plowing the soul for God to move.
Today was the first official day of work with the volunteers. There would be 6 groups, spread out through the city, prayer walking in preparation for the work they would be doing the rest of the week. I decided that Matty and I would join them and see how far we got. With the addition of children to our family, my role looks a lot different, especially with a pre-schooler. Brenda Goss is also here with her youngest, Abbe, who is 8. So, I figured that we would team up and tackle the kids together. And so we did. We joined a small group and headed out. About 10 minutes into the walk, Matty begins to ask where we are going and when we are going to get there. The next thing is that his legs are hurting. I thought "Man, this is going to be a long morning!"
Suprisingly enough, he actually enjoyed our morning walking in the city. He was able to be with his friend Abbe and they had a wonderful time. Let me share my favorite part of the morning. As we began to walk with the kids, with the purpose of prayer walking, I thought that we could all say a prayer as we walked, as to include the kids. So, I began to talk to the two little ones about praying for the neighborhood and immediately, my precious son began to pray. He jumped right in and asked God to help the people know about Him and at the end he said "And thank you for my God". Wow!
Man, we are doing something right! Sometimes, as a new parent and to three kids I wonder how I am really doing at this parenting "thing". When he began praying without hesitation I was so touched realizing that prayer is something that he has already learned is such a natural part of our lives. And at 4! Amazing.
The morning was long but well worth the effort to be out and a part of the work. I may be a little more limited with my pre-schooler but I am still able to be involved. And, what a blessing for our kids to be a part of everything going on also. We are truly ministering as a family. My prayer is that we will find more opportunities to work together as a family and grow closer to each other and God in doing so.
The Goss's are a wonderful family. They have a sweet spirit and a heart for the people group they work with, the Roma. They originally were planning a Roma camp here in Poznan but, as it turns out, there is not a great population of them here in our city. So, their team is passing out tracts, witnessing through translators and simply plowing the soul for God to move.
Today was the first official day of work with the volunteers. There would be 6 groups, spread out through the city, prayer walking in preparation for the work they would be doing the rest of the week. I decided that Matty and I would join them and see how far we got. With the addition of children to our family, my role looks a lot different, especially with a pre-schooler. Brenda Goss is also here with her youngest, Abbe, who is 8. So, I figured that we would team up and tackle the kids together. And so we did. We joined a small group and headed out. About 10 minutes into the walk, Matty begins to ask where we are going and when we are going to get there. The next thing is that his legs are hurting. I thought "Man, this is going to be a long morning!"
Suprisingly enough, he actually enjoyed our morning walking in the city. He was able to be with his friend Abbe and they had a wonderful time. Let me share my favorite part of the morning. As we began to walk with the kids, with the purpose of prayer walking, I thought that we could all say a prayer as we walked, as to include the kids. So, I began to talk to the two little ones about praying for the neighborhood and immediately, my precious son began to pray. He jumped right in and asked God to help the people know about Him and at the end he said "And thank you for my God". Wow!
Man, we are doing something right! Sometimes, as a new parent and to three kids I wonder how I am really doing at this parenting "thing". When he began praying without hesitation I was so touched realizing that prayer is something that he has already learned is such a natural part of our lives. And at 4! Amazing.
The morning was long but well worth the effort to be out and a part of the work. I may be a little more limited with my pre-schooler but I am still able to be involved. And, what a blessing for our kids to be a part of everything going on also. We are truly ministering as a family. My prayer is that we will find more opportunities to work together as a family and grow closer to each other and God in doing so.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Language learning
You guys probably think that this post is going to be about some funny language blunder that I or Michael have made where we embarrassed ourselves to death and wanted to crawl in a hole. As funny as that might be and as there are lots of those stories floating around, this is about my little Maciek (soon to be Matty in the states).
As I have shared in a previous post, Dr. Pepper has been made available at one of our local grocery chains for the drinking pleasure of all Americans and those unsuspecting Poles who stumble upon it. Yesterday, I needed to go to Carrefour and pick up some groceries (it seems I am always at the store) for the up-coming weekend. I decided to pick up Matty from preschool and treat him to a trip to Carrefour with mom.
As a surprise, I decided to buy Dr. Pepper for the kids. They love the stuff! They must be true Americans! So, we got home and Piotrek (Ben from now on in my blogs), Matty and I were unpacking the goods. With a huge smile on his face, Matty pulls the Dr. Pepper out of the sack and yells to Ben "We bought for you Dr. Pecker!" I laughed out loud, hard. Ben politely corrected him, not having a clue what he said, and I asked Matty to repeat it. He got it right the second time. Even now, I am laughing as I write this. How hilarious!
Another language blunder that will go down in history for me happened several months ago. We were at dinner and I had made sauerkraut and sausage (Michael's favorite!) and Matty looks down at his plate and says, "Mom, I don't like sourcrap!" I again laughed out loud and told him it was sauerkraut and told him he just had to eat a couple of bites. Michael agreed that his description was correct! We all got a kick out of that one!
As I sit here, a moment ago feeling stressed out from our three kiddos and all the newness, I am now laughing and remembering how precious these little people are. God has blessed me!
As I have shared in a previous post, Dr. Pepper has been made available at one of our local grocery chains for the drinking pleasure of all Americans and those unsuspecting Poles who stumble upon it. Yesterday, I needed to go to Carrefour and pick up some groceries (it seems I am always at the store) for the up-coming weekend. I decided to pick up Matty from preschool and treat him to a trip to Carrefour with mom.
As a surprise, I decided to buy Dr. Pepper for the kids. They love the stuff! They must be true Americans! So, we got home and Piotrek (Ben from now on in my blogs), Matty and I were unpacking the goods. With a huge smile on his face, Matty pulls the Dr. Pepper out of the sack and yells to Ben "We bought for you Dr. Pecker!" I laughed out loud, hard. Ben politely corrected him, not having a clue what he said, and I asked Matty to repeat it. He got it right the second time. Even now, I am laughing as I write this. How hilarious!
Another language blunder that will go down in history for me happened several months ago. We were at dinner and I had made sauerkraut and sausage (Michael's favorite!) and Matty looks down at his plate and says, "Mom, I don't like sourcrap!" I again laughed out loud and told him it was sauerkraut and told him he just had to eat a couple of bites. Michael agreed that his description was correct! We all got a kick out of that one!
As I sit here, a moment ago feeling stressed out from our three kiddos and all the newness, I am now laughing and remembering how precious these little people are. God has blessed me!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Day at the Pool
Last Friday, Doreen (whom you know) and I decided to be brave. We decided to haul our kids, 5 in total, to the swimming pool. There is a rather nice one about 30 minutes from Poznan called Wodny Raj (Water Paradise). Before hand, we had to get our boys the dreaded SPEEDO! Yes, a SPEEDO. Here in Poland, as in probably (I've never checked) every other European country, those of the male persuasion must be in a speedo to enter a swimming pool. They even have designated posters showing what is appropriate and what is not.
This has always perplexed me considering that in all the stores, there are swimming trunks of all varieties to be purchased. Just don't try to wear them in a pool, for heaven's sake. They call them "walking shorts" for some reason.
So, Friday morning, Doreen and I packed up the car, speedos and all, and headed out. A car full of overly excited kids and two already exhausted moms. We made it to the pool, took off our outside shoes and gave them to the check-in guy and proceeded to the cashier. After paying, we took our stuff into the locker rooms, got changed and headed to the pool.
The kids had a blast. We went down the slide, swam in the lap pool, got run into in the kiddie pool and just had a great time together. Mid-way through our adventure, Doreen and I noticed an older man, about 60, in SWIMMING TRUNKS! Man, I thought, maybe they have changed the rules and Michael can actually go to the pool with us. Not 5 minutes later, a younger guys, around 20, entered the swimming area also in trunks and, as if someone come in with a bomb strapped to themselves, the lifeguards began frantically blowing their whistles! Code red, code red! Swimming trunks sighting! The young man was reprimanded and told he had to change those despicable, unsanitary, shorts or he was not going to be allowed to swim. I guess the older guy was, well, older and therefore had the right to wear swimming trunks. Like the older neighbor that came to our house, this man has obviously earned the right to do what he pleases.
I have asked the rule makers at the pool why trunks are not allowed. They promptly told me that someone could come in and try to swim in regular shorts that look like trunks and that it is completely unsanitary. How much more unsanitary can you get than 100 overweight guys swimming in their underwear????
This has always perplexed me considering that in all the stores, there are swimming trunks of all varieties to be purchased. Just don't try to wear them in a pool, for heaven's sake. They call them "walking shorts" for some reason.
So, Friday morning, Doreen and I packed up the car, speedos and all, and headed out. A car full of overly excited kids and two already exhausted moms. We made it to the pool, took off our outside shoes and gave them to the check-in guy and proceeded to the cashier. After paying, we took our stuff into the locker rooms, got changed and headed to the pool.
The kids had a blast. We went down the slide, swam in the lap pool, got run into in the kiddie pool and just had a great time together. Mid-way through our adventure, Doreen and I noticed an older man, about 60, in SWIMMING TRUNKS! Man, I thought, maybe they have changed the rules and Michael can actually go to the pool with us. Not 5 minutes later, a younger guys, around 20, entered the swimming area also in trunks and, as if someone come in with a bomb strapped to themselves, the lifeguards began frantically blowing their whistles! Code red, code red! Swimming trunks sighting! The young man was reprimanded and told he had to change those despicable, unsanitary, shorts or he was not going to be allowed to swim. I guess the older guy was, well, older and therefore had the right to wear swimming trunks. Like the older neighbor that came to our house, this man has obviously earned the right to do what he pleases.
I have asked the rule makers at the pool why trunks are not allowed. They promptly told me that someone could come in and try to swim in regular shorts that look like trunks and that it is completely unsanitary. How much more unsanitary can you get than 100 overweight guys swimming in their underwear????
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Disturbing the Peace
As you have read I'm sure, today is Corpus Christi here in Poland. "Holy" for many people. About 10 this morning Michael asked Piotrek to cut our tiny, tiny yard. All three kiddos ran outside to watch the ceremonial cutting of the grass. As kids are, they were being a little loud, having a good time and watching Piotrek.
All of a sudden, we heard the ringing of our door bell. A lady was standing at our gate, waiting to talk to Michael. Michael quickly went downstairs to see what she wanted. This older lady began to explain to him that today was "holy" and "no one works". She told him that all she wanted to do was have a quiet cup of coffee in her yard with her son and the lawnmower and the loud children were bothering her. Why would we be letting our kids do work on this special day, maybe we didn't understand what today really was?
On and on she went, the discussion lasting about 20 minutes. Michael kindly told her that, yes, we understand what today is and that he thought the "holiday" was more about God than about being quiet or not doing anything. He also explained that the 10 minutes (literally) to cut the grass, in his opinion, did not disturb God.
In the end, they both politely chatted and even discussed the possibility for Michael to come down to her stained-glass shop to take some pictures. Strange. If someone would go to someone else's house in the States to share with them the way they should conduct themselves in their own home, I'm afraid they would have the door slammed in their face and possibly the police called for trespassing. But not in Poland! Older people especially believe that they are the "social police" and have the right to tell anyone younger than them what to do. Again, strange. I don't get it.
Living in another country...a new experience everyday!
All of a sudden, we heard the ringing of our door bell. A lady was standing at our gate, waiting to talk to Michael. Michael quickly went downstairs to see what she wanted. This older lady began to explain to him that today was "holy" and "no one works". She told him that all she wanted to do was have a quiet cup of coffee in her yard with her son and the lawnmower and the loud children were bothering her. Why would we be letting our kids do work on this special day, maybe we didn't understand what today really was?
On and on she went, the discussion lasting about 20 minutes. Michael kindly told her that, yes, we understand what today is and that he thought the "holiday" was more about God than about being quiet or not doing anything. He also explained that the 10 minutes (literally) to cut the grass, in his opinion, did not disturb God.
In the end, they both politely chatted and even discussed the possibility for Michael to come down to her stained-glass shop to take some pictures. Strange. If someone would go to someone else's house in the States to share with them the way they should conduct themselves in their own home, I'm afraid they would have the door slammed in their face and possibly the police called for trespassing. But not in Poland! Older people especially believe that they are the "social police" and have the right to tell anyone younger than them what to do. Again, strange. I don't get it.
Living in another country...a new experience everyday!
Thief!
Have to share what happened to me today at the mall. Today is a "holy" day here in Poland. At least, on the calendar. You would never have known it from the masses of people not at mass but in the mall.
My dear friend, Doreen, is about to leave for stateside assignment and will return in August, when we will hopefully be in the States. So, we are getting in all the time we can to sit and chat, for hours, as my husband incomprehensibly states. We decided that we would go for coffee this morning and look around at the mall.
We were in one small shop and there were about 25 women trying to decide on which pants would make them look the skinniest. The aisles were very narrow (for all those skinny people) and crowded and as I was browsing the European selections, I felt someone bump me. I turned, reached for my purse and kept shopping. A few minutes later, I felt another bump and again, I turned, grabbed my purse and began looking around for who bumped me. The next thing I know, I feel a tug on my bag and hear the zipper open! I looked and saw a lady who was trying to steal my wallet out of my bag! So I said loudly, "I know what you are trying to do!" I immediately went to the cashier and tried to point out the woman but she was gone!
I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe someone was so blatantly trying to steal my wallet. What nerve! I was shaken for a while afterwards and told Doreen that I was still freaking out. Of all things, at this point in my life, I do not need to get robbed! I am already a tad embittered at the people in this country and I don't need any more reasons. But God protected me today. He was there with me. He knew what I could handle. Thank you for God's mercy and His angels watching over me.
My dear friend, Doreen, is about to leave for stateside assignment and will return in August, when we will hopefully be in the States. So, we are getting in all the time we can to sit and chat, for hours, as my husband incomprehensibly states. We decided that we would go for coffee this morning and look around at the mall.
We were in one small shop and there were about 25 women trying to decide on which pants would make them look the skinniest. The aisles were very narrow (for all those skinny people) and crowded and as I was browsing the European selections, I felt someone bump me. I turned, reached for my purse and kept shopping. A few minutes later, I felt another bump and again, I turned, grabbed my purse and began looking around for who bumped me. The next thing I know, I feel a tug on my bag and hear the zipper open! I looked and saw a lady who was trying to steal my wallet out of my bag! So I said loudly, "I know what you are trying to do!" I immediately went to the cashier and tried to point out the woman but she was gone!
I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe someone was so blatantly trying to steal my wallet. What nerve! I was shaken for a while afterwards and told Doreen that I was still freaking out. Of all things, at this point in my life, I do not need to get robbed! I am already a tad embittered at the people in this country and I don't need any more reasons. But God protected me today. He was there with me. He knew what I could handle. Thank you for God's mercy and His angels watching over me.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Am I really 33?
Yes, I turned 33 today. Amazing how time flies. I always thought that "those people" in their 3o's were older, more mature, experienced in life. Yeah, right! I feel like I have no idea what I am doing half the time, still love to act like a kid from time to time and look like I am 25. Ok, that last part may not be true but the other things are.But, turning 33 is not so bad. We had a great day. In our family, when your day comes around, you get to choose what you eat for all three meals and what kind of cake mom will make. I decided that I would make homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, chicken strips, fries, honey mustard dipping sauce (cant' buy the stuff so had to make it) and strawberry pretzel salad. We topped everything off with marble cheesecake with caramel and chocolate topping. Just talking about it all makes me sick. It was good though and the fam enjoyed it.
The best part is how my family spoiled me. We went to the store after church to get my birthday present from my mother-in-law, grandma, and Michael...a food processor. In the store, Michael actually wanted to buy me the most expensive one they had. No joke...if I had said yes, it would have been mine. But I kept control of myself and got the lesser expensive one which is still incredible. Strange to say, but I really love it.
My eldest son, Piotrek, soon to be called Ben, bought me flowers and had them for me when I got home from grocery shopping. He actually walked to the flower shop, used his own money and bought me beautiful tulips. Paulina had already given me my birthday/mother's day chocolates a few weeks ago and the other half of my present was an hour massage in her very own "spa". She put about 30 candles around her room, made a nice place to lay down on the floor and massaged my back for an hour! A whole hour! She was so excited to do it and of course, I loved it. I actually fell asleep. And for Maciek. Well, he is 4. When we were at the store today, everything with some kind of flower on it, whether it was chocolates or toilet paper, he was going to buy me for my birthday. I kept telling him that he was helping daddy buy my food processor. After we got home with the machine, he asked me if I liked the food processor he bought me! I told him of course! What an awesome family!
As the day comes to an end, I sit here looking around my living room with my two precious kids, one in bed and my adorable husband and know that I am truly blessed. God is good to me. In the big things and in the little things, He is good.
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