Back home and thankful for all the BLESSINGS…

The last few weeks in Poland were bitter-sweet.  It was wonderful to have opportunities to spend time with friends, a few parties and some tears.  I am so thankful to learn that I have made an impact in some lives in Poland and a few friends are asking that I come back very soon.  LOL   The last week was a bit stressful, trying to pack and finish strong.  Lord provided an opportunity to get to know Ellie and her husband better.  They left their home with only clothes.  Thankfully I was able to bless them with many items – that just would not fit and fulfill their needs.  Also able to pass on things to others and know that the Lord will bless them too!  Flights went well and even arrived ½ hour early!  After a long day, there is nothing better than being greeted by family and friends!  Then had a day of rest and on Saturday, I went to help at ODBC for VBS prep…coming around the corner before seeing the church, my heart was racing with excitement!  Then to be greeted by more friends, fellowship and teamwork!  Sunday service was such a blessing to see so many that have been supporting, praying and allowing me to be their hands and feet in Poland!  Please continue to keep the Krzesinski family and others serving at Daily Grind in your prayers for ESL teachers, volunteers, and wisdom as the ministry continues to reach the community for Christ.  Also for the Lewis teens helping with the ministry this week!  J   

 

Cup of Coffee version…

The blessing of people sharing their hearts with me was huge.  I am very excited about Ellie – she was an English teacher in Belarus and loves crafts!  This is an answer to my prayer, that the Lord would bring someone to help the ministry and I believe Ellie is my answer to prayer!  Praise the Lord!  Even though it was very hard to say “good-bye” to friends, it was exciting to know that I would see family and friends soon!  Rachel even arranged to have a lady from EDG make a special Polish cheesecake for my going away party and I wish I could have brought you a piece – it was so good.  A few of the girls, made me homemade gifts to remember them by!  I am thankful that Ania wore the skirt that she sewed at my apartment.  Some blessings – I appreciate more now than at the moment…when people stopped in to get items that I just could not bring or send home - God provided not only the items for my use earlier, but people to receive the items- just in time!  Looking at an empty apartment and dragging out the luggage...and then good-byes, check-in, security and boarded the plane.  It is great to be greeted by family and friends when I returned home.  The funniest thing so far, was when someone said “Hi, Marie… MARIE!” and then got a big hug!  We laughed so hard.   Some even sent their kids to track me down on Sunday morning after service.  LOL   Also the signs all over church – someone knew all the places I go.  Thanks so much to ODBC, Charity, family and friends – for your support, prayers, love and encouragement that made an impact for Christ in Poland!  Also thankful to Robert and Rachel for allowing me to be a part of Daily Grind and to help launch the ministry in Poland!  God is so good – All the time! I know that God will continue His work and great, amazing things through Daily Grind!  Thanks again for all your prayers and support!  Please continue to pray for me as I seek the Lord for where He will lead me next! J

 “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.”        Psalm 138:8

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End of June and getting ready to return home…

I am so thankful to have been blessed to spend time with some fellow Christians and friends that I have made.  Please continue to pray for my friend, Heidi, as she is having a difficult pregnancy, raising a family and doing all she can as a missionary.  She has 2 beautiful kids who love doing crafts with me and I love that they think I am their age!  God is so awesome to give me the gift of helps and being able to help a friend in need blesses me more than the person I hope to bless.  My Mom has given me an ample supply of taco seasoning and I was able to bless the family with some- so they can make a giant taco – an easy meal.  Also have been able to get to know a few young ladies more and encourage them.  It has been great to have these young ladies take me to places that I wanted to see before leaving Poland.  Powsin – has a large botanical garden, even though it was raining, it was neat time of fellowship!  Wilanow – which is said to be the Versialles of Poland – the gardens were beautiful and walking through the park…they even had a China tea house and Roman bridge – how international!  This past week, I was able to go by train to Bremen and meet up with my Dad and brother – (American) Father’s Day – my Dad got the gift of getting to see ME!  LOL  Then we spend a few days with relatives – so awesome to see them again before going home.  My Dad and Karl brought me back to Warsaw – to help me pack.  We ended up getting a new suitcase and I am so thankful that they are able to bring a lot of my things home for me!  Please pray for me as I finish packing, say my “good-byes” and new beginning to where the Lord will lead me next!  Please continue to keep Robert, Rachel, the kids and others serving at Daily Grind in your prayers for ESL teachers, volunteers, and wisdom as the ministry continues to reach the community for Christ.  J   

 

Cup of Coffee version…

I will be able to share more when in person.  The different places I have been blessed to see and people that I have met.  Please continue to pray for the people here in Poland.  Many are Catholics and many cling to tradition – not gain knowledge of the personal relationship with Christ is what they are truly seeking.  Robert and Rachel are doing a great job of reaching out to others and continuing to be in prayer that more will come through the doors of Daily Grind…  God has blessed, as the weather has gotten nicer, more people are stopping in to see what we are all about!  They have multiple English discussion groups, activities for kids, Ladies book club and bi-weekly Bible studies.  The challenge now is to bring helpers and I know as we all continue to pray, God will provide!  This is a bitter-sweet time for me…my heart breaks for the people here in Poland as many do not know God as their Savior and seem to be so content with their day to day living without God, also for the friends that I have made and will be leaving behind…but the sweet part is that I am able to come home and see my family, church and friends!  I know that the Lord has worked in and through me and can’t wait to share with you.  Looking forward to the hugs and smiling faces – a time of renewal and rolling up my sleeves to serve as the Lord leads.  Please pray for the finishing strong, wrapping up loose ends and prepare for what the Lord has before me…  God is so good – All the time! Thanks again for all your prayers and support!  J

 “Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”        Psalm 86:11 

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Ania helping with flower craft

baby wrap instruction

Karen helping with flower

More crafts...

craft and English lesson

more wrap instruction for new Moms

ODBC quilt to Mom-to-be and all smiles!

June and the cottonwood is flying…

Mother’s Day in Poland was on May 26^th and we were blessed to do an outreach event at the hospital that the blankets ODBC ladies made.  We were able to set up in the courtyard of the hospital – an area for the kids to play, make crafts, face paint and learn English.  There were about 15 volunteers and I am grateful for the ladies that helped me with the crafts.  The kids had a hard time understanding my Polish, so these ladies stepped in and made things flow wonderfully.  There were about 50 kids and God blessed us with nice weather – the rain held off till the event was over!  Lord willing some of the people will come check out Daily Grind and get involved in the English Discussion Groups, kid’s English or possibly the Bible Study.  The staff was impressed and Lord willing this will lead to more opportunities for outreaches.                Here is another update… I am leaving Poland and returning home to Rochester on July 4th.  Although my intention was to stay two years until May 2014, after tons of prayer the Lord has definitely directed me come home. I know that the Lord led me to Poland to help Robert & Rachel start begin their wonderful ministry.  I am equally convinced that my time is done here, as the Lord has given me confidence to return home – for the next step He has for me, ministry wise. Pastor Bill is in full support of my decision and this has given me great peace that this is what the Lord wants me to do.  I am thrilled that the Lord will use me in Rochester and am excited to see His will and way accomplished in and through me.  This has been a wonderful training ground for me (here in Poland) and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.  I am so thankful to you all, your support, your prayers and all that you have done.  I appreciate it more than words can express.  This has been a difficult decision, even though I know this is what the Lord wants for me… I covet your prayers during this transition period.

Please continue to keep Robert, Rachel, the kids and others serving at Daily Grind in your prayers for ESL teachers, volunteers, and wisdom as the ministry continues to reach the community for Christ.  J   

 

Cup of Coffee version…

To share a little more about the Mother’s Day event – it was called a picnic.  Not like we have in America – tons of food, family and friends.  It was an event for new Moms or new Moms-to-be.  The hospital had stations set up for the ladies to be informed about different things and our area was set up to entertain the kids.  Rachel had some friends come that showed the ladies how to make a wrap to carry your baby or small child.  That corner was busy with ladies wrapping material all criss-cross their bodies…some even used the dolls or their own little ones.  There was a boy interviewed on TV, so there may have been some free publicity too!  A friend has asked for a Polish Bible, so she can read it on a regular basis and will be getting it this week.  My teacher is hopeful that visa approval will no longer be needed in the near future to visit America, so she can come and see Niagara Falls in person!  I went to the park today – in hopes of catching the Chopin concert, but missed the first performance and second one was 2 hours later, so I walked for about an hour in the park, before the cottonwood made my nose itch.  So I made it home in time to catch ODBC service!  God is so good – All the time! Thanks again for all your prayers and support!  J

 “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Your marvelous works.”       Psalm 9:1 

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They arrived!

ugly bird

craft time

 

Old Town - this one is for you SARAH!  :)
 

Kim and Sarah’s visit…

It was so great to have friends from home come to see and hang out with me.  I know they made a lot of sacrifices to come and I don’t take that lightly.  It was a few rough days of getting through jet lag and being able to eat some food that looked a bit different.  We had coffee/cream and pistachio ice cream… Thankfully we walked enough, to be able to enjoy a bowl.  They were troopers, as they helped me do crafts with the kids and Sarah was Layla’s friend.  Rachel started the Ladies book club – they are reading “Life without Limits” in Polish & having opportunities to share about Christ and will be meeting once a month.  Robert started the Polish Bible Study on Fridays – biweekly and we had dozen kids for crafts on Saturday - few new faces.  All the new activities are helping us to grow the ministry here and more opportunities to share Christ.  Needless to say, I kept Kim and Sarah pretty busy.  We had very nice weather, that was a huge blessing.  On Sunday we were able to squeeze in a visit to the Zoo, Monday – trip to Old Town and a few other places.  We were all blessed by their visit and the kids miss them.  It has been like summer weather here and I would be totally OK if the temperature returned to the 70’s with a breeze…but sunshine is so much better than the gray skies we had before.  Well, back to the studies and getting crafts prepped for future events!  Thanks again for allowing Kim and Sarah to come and be a blessing!  J   

 

Cup of Coffee version…

After trying to getting to the airport, camera in hand and eagerly waiting to see Kim and Sarah come through the arrival doors…all of a sudden I hear someone behind me say – are you looking for us?  Go figure, I was talking to Robert and missed Kim & Sarah coming through the doors and they were standing behind me!  Robert parked close, so we got in the car and were on our way in no time.  After settling in a bit, we went to the Crepes restaurant nearby, but that was probably not the best choice…when people have been traveling.  Thankfully we were able to get to-go containers and had a quick meal on another day.  The time adjustment was a bit rough on the girls, but they were troopers and came with me each night for the lesson/craft time with kids.  Layla and Sarah were buddies.  All the kids were excited to go to the zoo and play in the park together.  Funny how you mention ice cream and playing in the park…suddenly they have energy.  LOL  It was great to spend time with Kim and Sarah…see Old Town and meet some interesting people.   Found a neat gift shop…it did not look like much for the store front, but you walk inside – things from ceiling to floor…you name it – they had it.  Sarah tried Smerf ice cream…it was definitely blue…you will have to ask her what it tasted like.  It was hard to see them go, but I know they were eager to go home – see family and share with others their experience in Poland.  Note to crafters – string art projects are not ideal for young kids…always better to opt for pony bead projects instead.   I found a great idea online for preschool kids – paper octopus with pipe cleaner legs – add a few pony beads and a silly face…kids are happy and so am I!  Older kids made little lizards… Thanks again for all your prayers and support!  J

 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”       Proverbs 18:24 

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hospital blankets were donated to

sight on way to IKO (school)

at hospital with directors

Saturday craft

Ania and me

May is here…

The past few weeks has gone by quickly.  We were able to deliver the blankets to the hospital and the people were so excited.  They could not get over the bright colors and beautiful work by the people of ODBC!  It was like Christmas and they could not wait to go through the boxes and look at each one.  Thanks again for all your help and support.  I have been continuing to meet with Eva and have been blessed by being invited to her home.  God has allowed me to have opportunities to fellowship with other ladies, in creative ways.   One called wanting to have some adult fellowship while her husband was in Greece for work, another helped clean and prepare for her son’s birthday party, and another to get to know her better before she heads off to Thailand. On Saturday, we had kids English and craft time with 9 kids.  We made keychain holders or decorations for backpacks…whichever way you want to look at it.  The kids had fun and enjoy learning English through play with Rachel.  This week we have 2 holidays, May 1 is Labor Day and May 3^rd is Constitution Day (like our 4^th of July).  So many people go away on vacation and this allows for me to meet up with others and them not to come to me.  Iwona and I continue to work at Polish conversation.  I am thankful for some extra time of prayer and for getting things ready for Kim and Sarah.  So excited about them coming to visit and helping me see Warsaw again through new eyes!  J

 Cup of Coffee version…

There are little things that have been exciting for me – like being able to find new places or take different stops off the metro or bus route.  Also has been neat going on different bus routes, to see how some areas are so different than others.  To help you visualize a little – think of driving in Brockport, then Greece and then over to Pittsford.  It has been fun getting to know people and getting to meet for coffee or go to their home and help them out.  One friend is 5 months pregnant with her 3^rd child and not as active as she is used to being…so being able to help her clean a little and help her feel better about the way her home looks – means a lot.  Also was able to bless a family with a meal and that was really neat too!  Good thing I like coffee – I am meeting some friends for coffee or cooking at my apartment.  There was an opportunity to share about our ministry and I was asked when we will open a second location and if it will be north of Warsaw.  Other friends have been so encouraging and wanting to share where I should take Kim and Sarah.  They are also excited about meeting them.    So I have a few more things to get in place and ready for a few weeks of fellowship at my place.  Thanks again for all your prayers and support!  J

 “For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”       Romans 14:18 

 

thinking spring...

kid's handy work

sneak peek at Saturdays project - 4/20

girls hard at work

finished craft!  :)
 

Spring…I think it may be here…

It is great to say that the weather is finally cooperating and we are getting more sunshine, snow has finally melted, crews are out raking and sweeping, flowers are peeking through and we even had a rainbow this weekend!  Things are going well at the Daily Grind.  More people are starting to stop in and check us out.  The past few weeks, we have even had Dads bring their little ones to play and enjoy having a snack.  The past few Saturdays, there have been almost a dozen kids participating in the crafts.  Thankfully we will be starting two sessions soon, that way we can do a little more one-on-one help for the little ones and let the bigger ones do more on their own.  This past Saturday, I was very encouraged, one of the older boys actually wanted to make the craft – CD fish!  This Saturday, we will be making candy bar clowns…so if you want to come, you better hurry!  LOL  Please join us in prayer that our Tuesday and Thursday evening groups grow like the Saturday craft time.  Since the weather has gotten more pleasant, there are more people out and about, so they may stop in more often.   Sometimes in the afternoon, I sit behind my computer and pray for the cars and people going by…that God will burden their hearts to come to know Him and that He would allow us to be a part of that.  The meetings with Ewa (pronounced Eva) are going well.  She brightens my day and thanks me for helping her with her English – yet God is the one working to draw her closer to Him.  Continuing to work on my Polish and so thankful for my teacher’s patience.  God has also allowed me opportunities to do things with Anna, if she opts out of coming for cooking in Polish nights.  Activities are growing as summer is drawing near…next week, Lord willing – we will deliver the baby blankets to the hospital, Kim and Sarah are coming to visit me, then Debbie is going to visit the Krzesinski family and in July there are a group of teens coming (possibly 18 people).  Please continue to pray for our ministry here, opportunities for God to use us, and wisdom & strength as we prepare for events in the near future!  J

Cup of Coffee version…

There is not a ton to expand on, but here are some fun facts that I have learned while I have been here.   A Polish woman explained to an American woman that Americans are like peaches – warm and friendly to anyone they meet, but only have a close knit group of people that really know them (or are invited into the pit).  She went on to say that Polish people are more like walnuts, you have to get past the tough exterior and then you will be welcomed into their inner circle and see their softer and friendly side.  Another thing I learned is about brown eggs.  They always need to be washed, rarely the same shape, and to access the most nutrients, leave them out at room temperature, especially if you bought them at the Bazarek.  Also a side note, it is best to wash the egg, crack it in a separate bowl before adding to your dough or pain…need I say more.  LOL  I am so thankful that God has brought some special ladies into my life, I am able to help them with their English or teach them the differences between Catholic and Baptist beliefs – not only at the Daily Grind, but in my Polish classes.   My teacher and I have grown closer and she has shared some personal things with me.  We have not only had great conversations (half in English) and to share Christ’s love with her.  She often teaches nuns that come to learn Polish and study here, so my faith is giving her some food for thought.  Also giving her some baked goods.  LOL  Please continue to keep all these ladies in prayer, as they seek God and grow in their faith.  Not only am I excited about people coming to visit, but there may be an opportunity for Joy and I to see each other in July!   Thanks again for all your prayers and support!  J

 “You who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved forever.’”       Psalm 104:5 

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photos from Palm Sunday to April Fool's day

kid's colorful paper palms

Old Town looking more like a ghost town

blessing of the baskets

Easter Sunday

April Fool's Day

Polish Easter celebration…

This is a different spin on the blog this time…I will share what I have learned about the Polish Easter tradition.  On Palm Sunday – they make bouquets of pussy willows, some with holly branches and/or dried arrangements.  The kids made colorful paper palms this week (picture will be posted).  They have parades (no big bands – just people in procession) celebrating the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  They carry their palms and banners.

Holy Saturday (day before Easter) – decorated baskets are taken to churches to be blessed.  Here are items that are in their traditional baskets are hard boiled eggs, ham, sausage, salt, horseradish, fruit, bread, cake, Easter lamb (molded out of butter or sugar) and colorful pisanke (traditionally colored eggs).  Many of the items have a specific meaning: eggs – symbolize life and Christ’s resurrection, bread – symbolizes Jesus, lamb – represents Christ, salt – represents purification, horseradish – symbolic of bitter sacrifice of Christ, and ham – symbolizes great joy and abundance.  Blessed food is untouched till Sunday morning.

Sunday –Easter – there is a sharing of the eggs with the family for good health and happiness for the rest of the year.  Many families have recipes that have been added down from one generation to another – where hard boiled eggs are prepared and fried in a special way.  Easter soup is Zurek or white barscz – traditional Polish soup served with hard boiled eggs and kielbasa.  White tablecloth on the table represents white swaddling cloth of Our Lord.  Polish women do not cook or work on Easter Sunday – it is a time with family to have a spirit of joy and good will. 

Wet Monday – kind of appropriate this year that it is April fool’s day – people sprinkle water on each other.  It brings good luck all year through…apparently the tradition started by guys sprinkling water on the girls they wanted to marry. 

Ironically this year, we had more snow on Easter than at Christmas…so Merry Christmas everyone!  I was blessed to be able to go to the Krzesinskis new home and had dinner with them.  Then hurried home through the snow to be able to Skype with my family!  I am so blessed!

Cup of Coffee version…

Sorry no cup of coffee version… Have a wonderful day!  J

 “But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He is risen! He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.’”       Mark 16:6 

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K.C.H. pictures