River Cities team comes to help minister….
The team of 14 people from River Cities (R.C.) – WV came in last Monday evening! Krzesinski family and I were there to greet them and take them to a hostel in Ursynow. It was nice to meet everyone, have dinner and then I took a group to REAL. The next day, we geared up for what I call the Scavenger Hunt – Metro. This is the one I put together and the directions were actually pretty good! This was to help the R.C. team to get familiar with the area that we are trying to reach. Wednesday, Robert taught a class on Cultural Awareness before we went out to hand out flyers for the English Boot Camp – 3 day event of games, relationship building and fun. Thursday, we headed to Old Town to do surveys and give the team opportunities to talk with people on the street and find out their hopes, goals and if they believe in God. That evening we did have 8 people come to our game night! It is exciting because a lot of people go away for the summer. Friday, we gave the team some “free-time” to really check out Old Town and shop. Then in the evening, we had our city Scavenger Hunt…we had a ton of fun racing through the city to find places, do some silly things and the reward at the end was at E. Wedel – CHOCOLATE! Yum!!! Saturday, we went to the Warsaw Uprising Museum – it helped all to see some history of Poland and the trials of the Polish people. Then the final English Boot Camp night – we had a few new faces and we had a big game of Apples to Apples, tossing Frisbee and fellowship…not to forget PIZZA and POP! Sunday to Monday, team went with the Krzesinski family to Krakow, while I spend most of the day in prayer and studying Polish. Monday – I was back to taking Polish class with Jola and this time it is one-on-one and she will take it my pace. We were both surprised how much I remembered and it was very encouraging. In the evening, I went to say good-bye to the R.C. team as they were flying out early Tuesday. Time got away from me and we kind of had a slumber party, since many stayed up to finish packing and fellowshipping. We got to give them big hugs at the airport and return home to get some sleep!
Coffee cup version…this may be a 2 cupper….
On last Monday, most of the day was spent in prayer and getting last minute things in place before River Cities (R.C.) team arrived. Then we packed in the car and went to meet them at the airport! After arriving at the Hostel, we allowed them to get settled a bit, had dinner and fellowship, some wanted to go to REAL to get some things – like fans and converters, so I took them there – then we were all off to get some sleep. Tuesday, we prayed, Rachel went over the Scavenger Hunt with R.C., as I caught my breath – one of the mornings that I felt like I was just chasing after buses….then we were off to start the Scavenger Hunt – Metro. We all started in Centrum – had a chance to go to train station, photo by Hard Rock guitar and then up to 30th floor of the Palace of Culture & Science. Thankfully the Lord blessed us with a beautiful day! Then some groups went different directions – my group arrived last for lunch – I was a bit more eager to show them around than to think about how hungry they might be. Then we finished going to the other stops, got a great deal on raspberries – they fit on the tip of your thumb and were 4,50 PLN (about $1.50 for a quart)! They were yummy and shared at the bus stop at the end. That is where we met up with all the teams and headed back for a great dinner at the Hostel. The caterer is nearby and delivered the meals fresh out of the oven (or pots/pans)! After prayer and sharing of the days events – some headed to REAL, while most went to get some sleep. Wednesday, we were off to a rough start – Robert had printer issues, I had to stop at REAL for lunch supplies and thankfully the R.C. team were singing worship music and sharing testimonies when I arrived. That was really great and helped calm my anxious heart. Robert taught on Cultural Awareness and then we headed to Centrum to hand out flyers. Unfortunately Eli got a bug and Robert was not feeling well, so they rested at home – while Rachel and I took the team to Centrum. Some people had the opportunity to have some good conversations and many flyers were distributed. After another great meal at the Hostel, answers were shared about cultural awareness, prayer and then off to rest up. Thursday, we headed to Old Town after prayer, to do surveys – asking questions from what are their goals in life to do you believe in God. We got a lot of similar answers to what our group experienced last year and many team members said that they appreciated having the opportunity to find out for themselves. More flyers were handed out before heading to Klub 29 for game night – first night of English Boot Camp! We were thankful that 8 people came, because summer is a hard time to get people to attend events, even if they are free. It was great to see the R.C. team jump in and play various games from ice breakers to board games and some games they came up with on their own! People were engaged and those who were not playing a game – were in prayer. Then we went back to Hostel for dinner, shared about surveys and made a change to itinerary based on forecast of rain on Saturday – moved “freetime” to Friday. So after prayer and preparing for events of the day, I took the group to Old Town for an opportunity to take in the sights, shop or hang out with friends. I did some church hopping – don’t tell Robert! No – I went into a few churches to see the stain glass windows, statues, plaques and so forth. Also got to enjoy an ice cream cone…before being treated to lunch by Bob & Ellen! I got to sample the best chocolate cake I have had since coming to Poland…probably put on a few pounds too. LOL Then I took one group to Metro to meet up with Rachel and go Polish pottery shopping, then got the rest of the team together and we headed out to the Klub 29. Where Robert met up with us and thankfully was starting to feel a little better. Polish people tend to run a little late, so instead of heading out on the scavenger hunt at 4 PM, we started at 5. We were able to divide into 3 teams, I got the girls, Robert had the young guys and Bob & Ellen headed up the mixed team. The competitive spirit within me kicked in and I was ready to GO! At the tram – a guy shouted “Are you crazy?” I relied “Yes I am!” He did not know what to make of it – just shook his head and walked the other way. I admit playing chicken was not the smartest thing I had done…but it is in the past now. We were the first group to the National Stadium and were able to get up by the statue & have our picture taken…before the gates closed. Even though it was not a race, it was fun getting to know the girls and being able to sit at the end and enjoy dark hot chocolate! It was a late evening – dinner around 9 PM and then home for some rest. A few guys that came, asked if we would do this event again…so we are praying about doing another scavenger hunt in the fall. Lord willing! Saturday, we went with the team to Warsaw Uprising Museum. I am very thankful to have gone to see some history and get a better understanding of the way things are here. There was a neat film – 3D showing what the city look like after WWII and all the destruction…to see it today, you would not know. Due to the forecast of 40% chance of rain - we decided it was best not to do Capture the Flag in Pole Mokotowskie park and stay back at Klub 29 for another game night, pizza and fellowship. It was good – people hung out for a while after games were done. Mason had a chance to share his testimony with a few girls and Evie handed out a New Testament. Then I took the Metro home, while they went via bus back to the Hostel. Sunday morning, the Krzesinskis went with the team to Krakow, while I had a chance to rest, cry, pray, listen to a few messages from Pastor Tom, talk with Pastor Bill & later my parents and prepare for Polish class on Monday. On Monday, I was thrilled that Jola will be my teacher and it will be a one-on-one course. So we are really going to work at getting a good foundation and striving forward with my Polish studies. I took some time to research trains going to Ukraine and gearing up for that trip. My 90 days are almost up and I was not able file for visa melding in time, so to legally stay in Poland, I need to leave and re-enter. Due to many European countries no longer stamping passports, I need to go somewhere that they do. It is also blessing that Denise, (from First Bible) is a missionary in Ukraine, has invited me to come visit her. It will be great to see her again and gain some knowledge. Back to R.C. team – they got back late Monday night to hostel, so they talked me into staying while they packed…most did not sleep because they needed to leave at 3:30 AM to get to the airport. It was really nice to have that time of fellowship and to be able to say good-bye. Praying that they have a safe journey home, appreciate the sacrifices they made to come, times of fellowship and help with our ministry.
This is the parable that I think of whenever we go to distribute flyers….
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth off earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty and some a hundred.” Mark 4:3-8
