Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Thankful for answered prayers…
Thanks so much for your prayers – the Krzesinski
family are healthy! A lady that I have
been gotten to know through a Bible study is coming to Daily Grind on Tuesday
and Thursday mornings to practice her English, to understand the English bible
study material and stays a little longer to help me with my Polish! Saturday was a highlight of my time in Poland
– being able to go to the Kowalewo Children’s Home. Not that you could ever image me in the
kitchen, I was so blessed to help with baking muffins with the kids. We made 4 different kinds and they did not
like me even washing the dishes.
Ugh! We ended up making about 8
dozen muffins and they were gone in minutes- after getting permission from the
adults to eat. LOL The other people that I went with were
involved with crafts, ping-pong and board games. We had a great time hanging out with the
kids. Kind of bitter sweet about the
ODBC news, but I know God is in control and so thankful that it may not cause
drastic changes in the near future.
There are more people stopping in to Daily Grind and it is neat to see
how the Lord will continue to grow our ministry. This Saturday we had 9 kids and 2 new
families! We dyed Easter eggs and made
chick/bunny egg holders, played games and had books read. Thanks again for all your support!
Cup of Coffee version…
Things have
been busy the last few weeks and continuing to pray for God’s guidance and
provision of opportunities to meet others.
We have found a bakery that makes cookies and muffins similar to ours
and we are so thankful that they are willing to work with us. The other day we had cupcakes from the bakery
– I thought they were too sweet, guess my taste buds are adjusting to less
sugar here. LOL We continue to find new ways to teach and
make speaking English fun. I am thankful
for the years of helping at VBS and working with the toddlers on Sundays – it
has helped me with ideas. Also thankful
for brainstorming sessions and being able to pick people’s brains – it has led
to some interesting games/crafts! Saturday (at K.C.H.) was a ton of fun – not
only getting to work with other Christians, but meeting some great kids that
not only love to help and enjoy people coming to stop out to see them. The adults that work at the orphanage are super
nice and one of the ladies kept telling me to sit down… obviously she does not
know me! LOL A few of the kids spoke a few words of English,
so it was great to be able to encourage them to continue to speak. I met a few of the girls and it was
encouraging to have the opportunity to something that blesses others and fills
one with joy. On Sunday, I was able to
pass on a few muffin recipes to one of the people from Saturday and they were
so shocked that I would remember and think of them. LOL
Then cried a bit on Sunday – it is sad that Pastor Tom is stepping down,
but I am also excited that Pastor Bill (Lord willing) will be the new Senior
Pastor! It is bitter-sweet and exciting
to see what the Lord will do next at ODBC!
It was funny the other day I was just wondering how things may be when I
return home. LOL I am thankful for friends who give me
suggestions and help me brainstorm…so that I can give my best with the Lord’s
help! Things are getting a little more
back to normal, as Krzesinskis are healthy and able to move to a new home. I had an oral Polish exam on Monday…I have to
laugh because the teacher said that she understood what I was saying, but my
grammar needs some work and I need to be sure to use past tense (when
applicable). She has not heard me speak
English! LOL I thank God that she understood what I was
trying to say…that is my goal right now anyway.
Saturday, one of the ladies shared with me that she has been in Poland
for 13 years and still waiting for the 10 years of speaking Polish to be fluent
kicks in. J
Here are a few funny things that have happened this week: in Polish
class, I learned you do not say “przepraszam!” (which means “I’m sorry” or
“excuse me”) when someone is ill – you are to say “przykro mi”(also means “I’m
sorry” – more sympathetic response). My
teacher and I had a good laugh over my mistake!
Another funny thing was on the bus yesterday to DG – I had a big Euro
cup bag that I bought last year full of craft supplies…an older gentleman asked
me where I bought my bag. At first, I
was just caught off guard that someone would inquire about my bag/also
embarrassed because people were leaning over to look at my bag. Then mustered the courage to speak Polish and
told him I bought the bag last year at REAL.
It came out as “buy bag last year REAL.”
He smiled and thanked me and then left the bus. LOL This week, I got to help my friend prepare
for the English Bible study and she started sharing more (even though she feels
that her English is not very good). She
has invited me to her home on Monday and God is blessing in so many little ways
these past few weeks. It is so neat to
be in the will of God!
“And being
confident of this, I know that I shall
remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith.”
Philippians 1:26
Monday, March 11, 2013
Just getting a hint of Spring and back to Winter…
It has been an interesting few weeks…the bad news first – please continue to keep the Krzesinski family in your prayers as sickness has been lingering in their home for about 3 weeks now. Thankfully the Lord has kept me in good health. We have continued with the EDG on Tuesday and Thursday nights and the number of people attending is growing slowly and we are grateful. The kids I work with are very smart and we have to keep things hopping in order to keep their attention for an hour. LOL Also have been blessed with opportunities to minister to others – one young lady comes over on Monday nights to learn to cook and she helps me practice speaking Polish. We call it “Cooking in Polish” – only thing is the meals are usually not very polish – like tonight we are making a chicken stir fry. On Wednesday, Ania and I do a short Bible study in Philippians – she is helping me to write things out in Polish. So I may have a complete polish bible study when I return. J Last week, we had a hint of Spring – there were 5 days of sunshine and temperatures in the 50’s to 60’s! It helped brighten the days and give a little spring in my step. Answer to prayer, I will be going to an orphanage this Saturday and help in the kitchen for the day! Thanks again for all your support!
Cup of Coffee version…
Last few weeks have been busy with time at Daily Grind, putting together crafts for 2 nights a week and bigger project on Saturdays. Also had the privilege of teaching a few of the kid’s EDG lessons. The girls know their vocabulary, one does not like to speak in English – so we are trying to find ways to encourage her to try. Singing songs like “Old MacDonald” or “ABC’s” – are one of the ways to get her to participate. Unfortunately the Krzesinski family has been battling a sickness that has been going through the whole family, along with some other things. It has been a challenging time for them. The Ladies Bible Study has been a blessing in getting to know other ladies and encouraging one another to strive out of our comfort zones. One of my friends will be moving to Thailand this summer, her husband works for the American Embassy and they have friends in Thailand. Another friend stops by Daily Grind every so often to study and I am always thankful for the fellowship. Cooking with Anna has been fun and getting the opportunity to practice my Polish – she is very patient with me. The spring weather was a blessing, a lot of people were out walking and to see the kids playing in the parks. On Friday, as I was returning from class, the snowflakes started falling again. At least, we were able to enjoy the sunshine for a while. I am enjoying the other bible studies also and helping to keep my focus on what is most important. Looking forward to friends coming to visit in the near future and opportunities to pass along the blankets, other gifts and bless others as God guides. An acquaintance asked if I would be interested in going to an orphanage that she helps out at once in a while, I was so excited and am so looking forward to Saturday! Not only has God answered a prayer to visit an orphanage – the opportunity to work in the kitchen! God is so good! Thankful to all who continue to keep in contact with me via e-mail, facebook and so on. Well, I have to get back to work – doing homework, bible study and preparing for this week’s classes.
“For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.”
1 Cornithians 9:17
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