Riding the rollercoaster….

Hi, All – it has been a week and a half of ups and downs.  The school had some afternoon activities last week…each were things that I was excited about and later cancelled.  Last Wednesday, was the Feast of the Assumption holiday and one of the teachers was going to have an International pot luck dinner at her home.  Unfortunately her child was sick and it was cancelled…so I have a lot of leftovers.   On Thursday, we were to meet at the Uprising Museum for a tour of the Ghetto (areas either touched by the war and statues/memorials are there as a reminder).  We had a team meeting and I am not very fast on my bike…so I let Jola know I was running late…but before I got there it was cancelled.  Over the weekend, I met Stephanie and her kids…she is in Warsaw to adopt her special needs daughter, Anistasia.   The last few days, I got to spend some more time with Jola.  Not only in the classroom, but talking about more personal things and had the opportunity to talk about my faith. 

The coffee cup version…

Last week, there were some challenges…I kind of psyche myself up to go to some of these school activities and then kind of bummed when they don’t work out.  The International dinner was right up my alley…other than trying to figure out what bus or tram will get me closest to the teacher’s home and whether I will need to make a left or right turn at the first stop.  For those of you that did not know – I am directionally challenged – even with a map in my hand!  Ugh!   So it was kind of disappointing that the teacher cancelled, but understandable that she needed to care for her child.  On Thursday, we had a good team meeting, then hurried to get to the museum for the Ghetto tour, fortunately it was Jola that was going to lead the tour, so I could let her know I was running behind.  Just bummed when I was 3 tram stops away and got message the event was cancelled due to no shows…  Later I found out she had work for her certificate program that needed to be done and she was thankful for the extra time.  So I stopped in Centrum and checked out TK Maxx – very similar to TJ Maxx at home and good prices.  Over the weekend, I met Stephanie, she is Navy wife and mother of 3.  She was in Warsaw for a few weeks, to adopt her special needs daughter, Anistasia.    I had a chance to talk to her for a bit and Lord willing, she will try to get me connected to the orphanage.  My hope is to be able to go once in a while to volunteer…if the orphanage gives me permission.  Monday, I had a double lesson and then Jola and I went for coffee.  She is sharing more personal things with me.  She is currently going through a rough time and needs prayer.  Yesterday, we met at a park and talked over cookies and drinks.  My hope was to listen and encourage her,  but she was not up for talking much and started asking me more questions on why I am here, how I got here and so forth.  It was exciting to share my faith and how the Lord opened the doors to be here.  Also how He has helped me to find peace and overcome the trials.   She was surprised that I would sell my house, she shared that it usually takes people about 30 years to build enough credit to get a house or others live in the same home that has been in the family name for years.  This was another instance, where I saw how blessed I am to be an American and a Christian.  Lord willing we will have more opportunities to get together either after class or meet at the park.  Praying for wisdom, discernment and grace every step of the way…

In the evening, I was blessed to spend time with the Krzesinski kids…Layla is always on the go and loves to play.  It is so fun to see her run at me, for me to pick her up and then she gets in my face to says “Rie I love you.”   The boys like to play baseball or tennis and inside (cause I needed a rest) we played Uno Moo, Go Fish and Cooties!  I am blessed and thankful to be in Poland.  J

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”                            Eph. 5:2

bike





my new bike

Lessons learned…

Not a lot of excitement this past week.  Most of the week was spent studying Polish, doing homework, devotionals & Jonah bible study and usual household upkeep.  Last Sunday lesson – Robert taught on temptation and how Jesus was tempted… Thanks to all those who posted updates on ODBC – VBS!  I was there in spirit through prayer.   My lesson learned this week – pictures are not always worth a thousand words…my hair is much shorter than I had hoped for, but it is all good – hair grows back.  On Thursday, after a Polish lesson with Anna, I went on a school outing, to Zacheta Galeria – art museum.  There were 8 of us, Sara is from Germany and her fiancé is from Poland, her Polish is more advanced.  It was neat to have a chance to speak a little German too.  On Friday, we had our team meeting and watched movie “Expelled.”  It had an impact on Robert and now the next few Sundays will be focusing on Truth.  I bought a bike today (last day of sale) and they do a free check of the bike…but being Sunday, I get to pick it up tomorrow!  Thanks so much for the prayers and encouragement – you are a blessing to me!!!

Coffee cup version…

This week in Polish class, we went over time and I am amazed how many ways time can be stated.   They use the 24 hour system, but also refer to time like we do in the states, just add if it is morning, afternoon or evening after the time.  There are other grammar things that are a challenge to me – like each word has a gender and this is confirmed by the way it is said or written and plural form…not as easy as adding “s” to the end.  Jola led another outings this week to Zacheta Galeria and it gives me a chance to meet and speak to others.  Jola and I will start meeting weekly, to have conversations in Polish and then switch to English.  Please continue to pray for this relationship to grow and that we may start speaking of spiritual things in the near future.  Anna and I meet once a week to help me practice speaking and she was funny on Thursday.  I said a sentence with Germany – she stopped me all excited because she and her boyfriend were planning on going to Berlin end of this month.  She has been a blessing in teaching me some things that I have not learned in class yet.  The Jonah bible study has helped me see things from a different perspective and has challenged me – it is so neat to see the Lord’s hand at work.  Today has been really nice, Biblical message, then dinner with the Krzesinskis at a Crepe restaurant and I got a new bike!  I can’t wait to pick it up tomorrow after it is thoroughly inspected and ready to go!  It will make getting around the area a little easier and less time waiting on buses.  Rachel said that she was able to get from her home to me in 15 minutes….so I am hoping to make it in 20 – 25 minutes, but that sure beats the 35 – 45 minutes by bus & walking!    Lord willing, this will be a way for Jola and I to meet at a park and I can bring cookies or something!  Rachel and I will be starting a new book study, “Get Out of that Pit” and I know it will help me out of this funk that I feel like I am in.  Even though Polish has een easier on paper than speaking…praying that the words will start flowing out of my mouth also.   Thanks so much for taking the time to join me on this journey, reading my blog and most of all your prayers!

These verses have been on my mind and working in my heart…“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”     Psalm 139: 23-24

pictures from outing, birthday cake

library looking down from the rooftop garden

our group heading to the roof top garden

view of city from on top of the library

group from Slovakia, Hungary, Belgium and Jola taking picture - Poland

Spiderman birthday cake

my first pie made in Poland

Hitting the four month mark….

Since returning from Ukraine, the focus is back on learning Polish.  I take classes a few days a week and Jola is sometimes pleasantly surprised at what I remember and a little disappointed by what I don’t.  So we are trying different things to help my brain get in gear.  I also meet with a tutor once a week, to keep me focused and she has a different teaching style.  On July 25^th, Jola led an outing from the school…all the students are advanced, but she let me tag along.  I was so thrilled to meet Irene, she is from Wisconsin!  Lord willing, we will see each other again, before she returns to the states in September.  Josiah’s birthday was on the 26^th!  He got rollerblades and pads – now he set to go…he is very athletic and picked it up quickly!  Friday, I met with my tutor, Anna, and went over greetings and other basics…actually learned a few new words!  Sunday had service at Krzesinskis and got to spend the day with them – going to lunch, park, and good fellowship.  Tuesday, Rachel and I went to immigration office to submit visa paperwork.  Other than a long wait, I am so thankful Rachel was there to help me make corrections on the form.  In September, I find out if I am approved to stay and for how long.  Lord willing I will be approved for the 2 years.  I have been doing a Bible Study “Jonah” and it has been a huge blessing!  Thanks Debbie!!!!

Coffee Cup Version….

Besides focusing on Polish studies, I got the rest of the things needed for visa paperwork.  I needed to get approval for another 90 days, after returning from Ukraine.  Also needed a few things translated to Polish – these needed to be done by a professional and stamped and so forth.  Please pray that I may be able to retain the Polish vocabulary that I have learned and be able to build on from here.  It is frustrating when you look at the word, know that you know it, but your mind goes blank!   Jola has suggested that I write out sentences and questions.  I am working on flash cards – so that I can test myself.  Last week, meeting Irene was a blessing, since I could not follow all the conversation on the roof of the library... we could chat a bit.  She has been researching the Holocaust and she is studying for her doctorate with a goal to become a professor.  Then on Thursday, Josiah turned 6 years old!  He was so excited that he got rollerblades and pads…now he gaining confidence and eager to get out on his own!  Rachel made him a peanut butter Spiderman cake!  She is so talented!  Josiah requested make your own pizza and it was fun to watch the boys get into making each of theirs unique.  Friday, I met with Anna for a tutoring session.  I learned some new greetings and found a new book, “Polish doesn’t bite,” to work from.   Not only looking forward to learn more Polish, but to get to know Anna.  She is a bubbly, young lady, who likes to teach and hopes to continue teaching Polish to English speakers.  We went to one bookstore together and found a neat bilingual visual dictionary…so I can add a few more words to my vocabulary list.  She went shopping and I went to the other bookstore to pick up the book.   Sunday, we met for church service and Rachel & Robert hooked up computer to display the worship music on the wall.  This was a blessing to me – because I do not sing well, but I can read!  After lunch at Pizza Hut, we went to the park – Rachel and I got a chance to talk and the kids met new friends – from Canada, visiting their grandparents.  The kids hit it off and were excited to share Christ with them.  It was a good day!  On Tuesday, Rachel and I went to immigration office to submit my visa paperwork…most of the morning was spent waiting.  We were blessed when someone handed us a number that we 2 less than mine and we were able to pass on my number to someone else.  The lady was so thrilled!  I am so thankful that Rachel was with me, even though the administrator spoke English, having Rachel talk to her in Polish allowed her to lighten up a little and actually smiled!  She also was kind to hand us a booklet on how to fill out the paperwork correctly, in the future.  I treated Rachel to lunch.  Other than that, I have been studying Polish, working on some accounting & other administrative stuff, and bible study.  If you feel like your life is constantly being interrupted…I recommend the bible study “Jonah ” by Priscilla Shirer.  Granted, I am only about 1/3 way through the study, but there are things that I have missed in the story of Jonah in the past.  I’m sure you all knew this, but for me it was new – the story is really about God – His sovereignty, He is our Deliverer, His mercy and His righteousness!  How life interruptions are really - God’s Divine Intervention!  There is a ton more, but it is a 6 week study.  I hope you will check it out and if you do, let me know your thoughts!  Oh, I also made my first pie in Polish pottery!   Thank you so much for your prayers, e-mails, facebook updates, skype visits, letters and packages!!!!  I can not image anyone going to the mission field without the loving support that I have from HOME!  It means so much to me!  Praying for VBS/Sports Camp at ODBC next week and may the Lord get all the glory!

“But I , with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you.  What I have vowed I will make good.  I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”    Jonah 2:9

L'viv and Poland's countryside

Sorry a few are out of order - this is in Poland between border & Krakow

more of Poland's countryside

On way to Krakow

near Krakow

last picture from countryside of Poland

Middle - statue of Kind Daniel in L'viv

L'viv near statue of King Daniel

Church downtown

street in L'viv

man posing as chess player for money & photos

more of L'viv...sorry I was busy talking and did not write down street names...

Main theater in L'viv - on Sundays this park is full of activity

bazaar in L'viv - the place to get souveniors and more

kids playing soccer in the courtyard

rainbow after a short & heavy rain

Denise - missionary in Ukraine from First Bible

view from the top bunk of schlafwagen

the ladder I climbed to get to my bunk

next set of pictures are all from Ukraine border to Krakow

gardens that are rented & maintained by apartment owners

cemetary with chapel nearby



another church along the way



My trip to Ukraine…

Wednesday was started with my Polish class and then packing, nap and off to the train station.  I took the fast train from Warsaw to Krakow.  It was a blessing to have the train station attached to a mall.  This way, I had a chance to walk around a bit and grab something to eat.  Then there was the wait for the next train…it was 2 hours late.  Thankfully the train was a sleeper.  I got the middle bunk, Miriam from Holland was below me and Jolia & Maria (mother and daughter were above me).  Thankfully Miriam told me that they would be asking for documents at the border, then 4:15 AM, train came to a sudden halt, bang on the door, and documents were requested.  Thankfully the passport was stamped, then on to the next stop… another wake-up call and passports handed off again…this time for longer and train started moving.  Then realized the controllers were still on the train, we got our passports back and they left the train.   Early Thursday morning, train arrived in L’viv, Ukraine – stepping off train, felt like a step back in time…  Denise met me and we were off.  It was great to fellowship with a sister in Christ, who has faced many of the similar trials and truly gets it!   I was thankful for all the knowledge she shared with me and a chance to see L’viv.  Left early Friday morning, I hopped on a sleeper train to Krakow.  After the passport checks and getting the stamps I needed, we had to wait around for tire change (that took about an hour).  I climbed down from my bunk and offered Katarzyna some granola bars…she proceeded to give me food in return.  Thankfully I made it on time, to catch my next train back to Warsaw.  I was very thankful to be home and praised God for all that He showed me on this venture.

Coffee cup version…

Wednesday, my Polish class went well.  I am actually retaining more than I thought.  Then it was time to pack, take a nap, try to find Dr. Pepper (a can was all Denise requested – and I could not find it) and off to the train station.  I took the fast train from Warsaw to Krakow - that was about 3.5 hours.  It was a blessing to have the train station attached to a mall in Krakow.  This way, I had a chance to walk around a bit, hunt for Dr. Pepper (again no luck) and grab something to eat.  Then there was the wait for the next train…  Besides speaking in Polish, the announcer had the microphone too close to her mouth.   So I was able to make out my train number and pretty much watched the reaction from the crowd to determine if this meant there was a delay or train was not coming at all.  At one point, I made out that the train was 100 minutes away… so needless to say – it was a long wait (about 2 hours).  I am so grateful to Beth for giving me “Case for Christ” to read…I got almost halfway by the time the train finally arrived.  Schlafwagen #35 (sleeper train)came  and they did separate guys from girls.  There were 3 beds – I got the middle on, Miriam from Holland was below me and Jolie & Maria (mother and daughter were above me).  Thankfully Miriam game me the heads up about the early wake-up call, because he had traveled by train before.  Then 4:15 AM, train came to a sudden halt, bang on the door, and documents were requested.  Thankfully the passport was stamped and she only asked me where I was going (think it was because I was the only American this time, but thankful that is all she asked), then on to the next stop, the doors flew open again and passports handed off again…this time for longer period of time and the train started moving.  Then I realized the controllers were still on the train, you have soldiers walking back and forth, looking in the rooms…nothing like being wide awake as your heart is racing!  Oh the hissing sound of short bursts of steam did not help any either.  Then we finally got our stamped passports back and they got off the train.  We got a little more sleep, then received coffee & croissant filled with nutella – yummy breakfast.  Arrived in L’viv, Ukraine – stepping off train, felt like a step back in time…  Denise met me on the platform and then we shuffled through the crowd to a bus.  It was great to fellowship with a sister in Christ, who understands the challenges of moving to another country, learning the language & culture,  and the challenges of being a single woman.   I was thankful for all the knowledge she shared with me and a chance to see L’viv.  I got to see the soccer stadium from a distance, but seeing the differences of one country to another.   It makes me appreciate my mission field more … it was a very humbling trip. Early Friday morning, I said good-bye to a sister in the Lord and hopped on another sleeper train, this time I really did not feel like sleeping, but my bunk was the top one.  So I climbed up and got as comfortable as I could to read.  After the passport checks and getting the stamps I needed, then I climbed down from my bunk.  We had to wait around for tire change (that took about an hour).  I offered Katarzyna some granola bars…she proceeded to feed me a whole meal…cucumber, hard-boiled egg, cheese and tomato.   I only had the granola bars to offer.  We had a chance to talk a little – she is a retired teacher, her son studies in Ohio and only knows a little more Polish than English.  It was fun talking with her – even if we had to throw in hands and feet.  LOL  Then once the train started up again – she took a nap and Ola (the other Ukrainian woman in cabin) too.   So I read – actually finished the book, started working on “Polish in 4 weeks” and looked out the window as much as I could.  Katarzyna asked what book I was reading and when I showed her “Polish in 4 weeks” – she and Ola laughed.  I said that I did not expect to learn it in 4 weeks, but using it to help me with my weekly studies.  Thankfully the train made it on time to Krakow, so I was able to catch my next train back to Warsaw.  Katarzyna said “good-bye” to me out of the window and waved.  It was like I made a friend that I may not ever see again – all over offering a granola bar.   I was very thankful to be home and praised God for all that He showed me on this venture.  Also thankful for Denise sharing her heart, putting up with a ton of questions and her hospitality!  It is neat to see the Lord’s hand continues to work in my life – bringing 2 people together after over 15 years.  God is good, all the time!   Now this week to get the visa paperwork completed and filed.  Lord willing, everything will go smoothly and I will be given permission to stay longer in Poland.  Thanks so much for all those who were praying for me – I am so thankful that I am not on this journey alone!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to His purpose.”               Romans 8:28