Second Day of English Discussion Groups

Well, the tour group left before 8 AM, so no stern looks to start the morning.  Yeah!  The original plan was to meet at the Krzesinskis.  Rachel and I would go over the first chapter of Discipleship Essentials and the guys would do Leadership Essentials.  But Josiah's arm was still hurting and they needed to go see a doctor - this meant calling around to find where they could take him, due to insurance issue.  So we took a stack of flyers to advertise the English Club (a short way of saying English Discussion Group) to Centrum.  It is the center of the city and there is a lot of foot traffic.  Besides there are several other people handing out flyers.  There is a group advertising for English classes that cost 499 Zolty.  So with ours being FREE and with speakers from the US...we are really offering them something better.  Usually those classes are more like school where you gain head knowledge, but lack the practice.  We were there a few hours and got a lot handed out - some people would take them and crumple them up without reading them or throwing them away, but we pray that some would take the time to read and come check it out.  Then Robert came and picked us up from Centrum and took us to meet the rest of his family at a nice restaurant.  The food was very good and filling - Yes, I remembered to get pictures this time!  I had the broccoli soup and for dinner pork chop, potatoes and salad - kind of like a cole slaw but a dill flavor to it.  Very good!  After dinner, we went to a park nearby to hand out some other flyers...it was a very nice park and had a playground for kids.  So it was my turn to step up - I talked to the Moms and asked if they would be interested in free English Clubs - most took the flyers and a few were very interested,  So I am hopefully that they do come and even bring their kids.   Keith went to talk with some teens and totally ignored him - he never felt so rejected before.  There was a huge procession about Solidarity - people from all different areas of Poland came and it stretched for miles - holding up traffic and blowing horns (some looked like the ones from the World Cup).  There were cannon noises also - a little different than in America.   We probably should have handed them flyers and we would have been done for the day.  Even though handing out flyers randomly is not as effective as making personal contact, we decided to go back to Centrum because we did not have a lot of time before needing to get over to Klub 29 to set up for Discussion Group.  The Cranberries were doing a sound check for concert - so Travis went over to check it out.  Then finished up handing out flyers...Keith again had another bad experience.   An older man came and looked at his flyer - continuing to say USA and Keith said yes, I am from the USA, the guy smiled said some stuff in Poland then proceeded to rip up flyer in front of him and toss in garbage.  Unfortunately that is the way some people feel about God here, that they don't need Him or want to get have a relationship with Him.  Then we got our stuff and headed to Klub 29.  I was hopeful that we would have some kids and I did have one and her Mom.  Asia (pronounced as Asha) and her mother, Donna came early.  I was going to set up in a tiny room, but the Lord blessed us with nice weather and were able to do it outside.  The large room that we will have in the future, had a movie night planned and could not reschedule (but this is the only time there would be a conflict).  Anyway, Asia is in kindergarden and did very well with the ABC's and 1-10, she lost interest in the book and just wanted to color.  So I went over the different fruits that could be colored.  While she was coloring, I asked Donna about what Asia learned in school - she told me that she has only had one month of study.  Ugh!  I was hoping for at least a year or so...  After Asia was done coloring, she wanted to go home.  I said that I had a video and she was interested in seeing Veggie Tales at first, but because she did not understand...she lost interest very quickly.  I told Donna that I would try to find some games and songs to make it a little more fun for her.  Robert also talked with Donna - she is interested in the discussion group for herself, so she may come by herself on Wednesday nights and Thursdays stay with Asia.  Even though I was a little disappointed, it was all good.  Then I joined the other discussion group - Barbara returned from yesterday (she was more confident and spoke more last night), Micheal (guys met handing out flyers last week), his friends Corrina (sp?) and Dominik (18), Renati (about my age).  They enjoyed the discussion groups and are looking forward to coming again.  Dominik is preparing for exam (similar to SAT - but they have a written part - English grammer and oral part -he is very concerned about), but shared with Robert that this is a blessing because he does not have the opportunity to speak and corrected when necessary - so this will had him to gain some confidence before the exam.  Even though the group is growing slowly, it is encouraging to know that our work is appreciated and people are thankful that we are offering them a chance to practice their English and it is Free!   We went back to the Krzesinskis for dinner - almost 9 PM...we had sandwiches and then Rachel & I went to find a caffe to discuss Discipleship Essential while the guys stayed at their home.  We went to 3 different places and found one that allowed us to stay for 1/2 hour.  We got through most of the lesson, but we had a chance to chat and that meant more to me...I just really needed to talk with a friend last night.  I thank God for Rachel and so thankful that we did get to share from the heart!
Needless to say, it was a late night - we got back to the Hostel after midnight...so I crashed. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."   
                                             I Thessalonians 5:11