it's worth celebrating!
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Saturday, August 28, 2004
It's been how long?
Well I can’t believe it but yesterday I celebrated my eighth anniversary of ministering in Poland. We had a college / career meeting last night and I decided to bring a cake with candles to mark the day. I’ve never done anything like that any of the other years but it seemed necessary this time. This past year has had its tough times so I needed to celebrate with others even though none of these people knew the actual day I (we) arrived here.
This year I learned more from others about what I did and do wrong than anything I might have done right. I realize that this is generally the cultural way here. But being an American I’m used to having a few encouraging words along with some suggestions about what can be done better! I can struggle with my own thoughts when there isn’t much encouragement.
For example, this week I had some great time with people. I had a good conversation with Sabina – poolside! (It’s a new outdoor pool in Zakopane.) The topic wasn’t necessarily easy nor did I have all the answers but it was open and honest. On Wednesday almost the entire group that went to the U-Turn camp did a rather relaxed hike in the mountains. Well, I must say, it was relaxed for them but taxing for me! Anyway we had a wonderful time worshipping, praying and just having fun, along with many pictures being taken. Yet still my disappointing answers to people’s questions weighed heavily on me. At least the answers were disappointing to me.
Maybe because it was the “anniversary week” discouragement crept in too easily. But my thoughts were not holding on to the positive but rather focusing on my inadequacies. So I chose to start the meeting Friday night with the cake and candles. Then the meeting and what was shared was so encouraging for me. The people were just talking about their past week and how God was working. God is so great and it’s just amazing he uses any of us! I’m looking forward to what he has this year. After all, diamonds aren’t made overnight!
Thanks for any prayers you send up on my behalf.
This year I learned more from others about what I did and do wrong than anything I might have done right. I realize that this is generally the cultural way here. But being an American I’m used to having a few encouraging words along with some suggestions about what can be done better! I can struggle with my own thoughts when there isn’t much encouragement.
For example, this week I had some great time with people. I had a good conversation with Sabina – poolside! (It’s a new outdoor pool in Zakopane.) The topic wasn’t necessarily easy nor did I have all the answers but it was open and honest. On Wednesday almost the entire group that went to the U-Turn camp did a rather relaxed hike in the mountains. Well, I must say, it was relaxed for them but taxing for me! Anyway we had a wonderful time worshipping, praying and just having fun, along with many pictures being taken. Yet still my disappointing answers to people’s questions weighed heavily on me. At least the answers were disappointing to me.
Maybe because it was the “anniversary week” discouragement crept in too easily. But my thoughts were not holding on to the positive but rather focusing on my inadequacies. So I chose to start the meeting Friday night with the cake and candles. Then the meeting and what was shared was so encouraging for me. The people were just talking about their past week and how God was working. God is so great and it’s just amazing he uses any of us! I’m looking forward to what he has this year. After all, diamonds aren’t made overnight!
Thanks for any prayers you send up on my behalf.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Lookin' Good?
This particular post may not be long or personal, but I’ve spent a bit of time getting this “blog” to look right after “they” put in a search bar at the top. I don’t really know html so I’m quite proud of myself that I’ve got it to look this good and mostly how I want it. So is there grace for me even though I don’t have a deep and profound post?
Monday, August 16, 2004
A Visitor Straight from Africa!
My cousin, Charles, is about to leave after having been here a total of 10 days. He’s on his way back to the States after serving 2 years with the Peace Corps in The Gambia, West Africa. I can’t really imagine what he has experienced in the past couple of years, including a cobra in his shower! And I can only begin to grasp the various emotions, sights seen and the impact on his perspective of life because I too have lived in a culture other than my own. But Poland is much closer to my culture than Africa is!
It’s been great getting reacquainted with Charles after all these years, to hear some of his stories and to share about our lives a bit. He shared with our Wednesday night group about his time in Africa complete with pictures. The most popular question and with the biggest reaction revolved around the issue of toilet paper or the lack of it!
When I think of Charles’ reentry into life in the States, I can’t imagine what all is ahead of him. He does have some desires and ideas of what he’d like to do. I just wouldn’t have a clue if I were in his position. But that’s probably because I’m feeling a little at a loss these days. I think I need some refocusing time for passion and drive to return. I find myself in a strange state. I’m quite comfortable doing whatever in terms of ministry which is rather unusual because I typically can be hesitant about some things. But the passion or heart behind it seems to be lacking. What is God up to? Time will tell.
It’s been great getting reacquainted with Charles after all these years, to hear some of his stories and to share about our lives a bit. He shared with our Wednesday night group about his time in Africa complete with pictures. The most popular question and with the biggest reaction revolved around the issue of toilet paper or the lack of it!
When I think of Charles’ reentry into life in the States, I can’t imagine what all is ahead of him. He does have some desires and ideas of what he’d like to do. I just wouldn’t have a clue if I were in his position. But that’s probably because I’m feeling a little at a loss these days. I think I need some refocusing time for passion and drive to return. I find myself in a strange state. I’m quite comfortable doing whatever in terms of ministry which is rather unusual because I typically can be hesitant about some things. But the passion or heart behind it seems to be lacking. What is God up to? Time will tell.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Monday, August 09, 2004
Camp - on a personal note
So on more of a personal note about the camp …. The corporate worship of a large group of believers can’t be replaced by anything else. I really needed to worship together with the 160 others and in English! It is amazing the difference it makes worshiping in your native language. I have gotten to the point where it is possible to truly enter into worship in Polish but it’s still different than English. One guy, a number of years ago now, came to me after a service (before I began church planting) to ask forgiveness. He was judging me because during worship I didn’t raise my hands. He was feeling sorry for me because I wasn’t really worshiping. I just thought that he has no idea what it is like to try and worship in a language not your own. And at that time I didn’t know Polish very well. So worshiping in English is always a treat for me.
As a missionary and church planter, it is also easy for feelings of isolation to set in. I think it is mostly because I don’t really know where to call “home”. Poland, America and even Switzerland (where I have friends and churches that support our work) all are home in one way or another. But when I’m in the larger body of Christ and can experience my family on a larger scale I’m comforted and reminded of the connections I do have. Unfortunately I am not spiritual enough to fully grab hold of the truth that heaven is our home. Yes, that’s true but I’m still in this body and struggle with feeling out of place.
I’m very thankful for the heart connections I was able to make at camp. And for the worship and conversations with others that soothed my soul as God watered my parched land.
As a missionary and church planter, it is also easy for feelings of isolation to set in. I think it is mostly because I don’t really know where to call “home”. Poland, America and even Switzerland (where I have friends and churches that support our work) all are home in one way or another. But when I’m in the larger body of Christ and can experience my family on a larger scale I’m comforted and reminded of the connections I do have. Unfortunately I am not spiritual enough to fully grab hold of the truth that heaven is our home. Yes, that’s true but I’m still in this body and struggle with feeling out of place.
I’m very thankful for the heart connections I was able to make at camp. And for the worship and conversations with others that soothed my soul as God watered my parched land.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
High Time at Camp
We are back from the Netherlands. Oh! Didn’t I tell you I was going with a group from Poland? Well we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in Foursquare’s European Young People’s camp – U-Turn. All together there were 160 of us. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but our group had a fantastic time. There were visions, answers to prayer, freedom to worship, and real change through the power of the Holy Spirit that left our group excited about God and desiring more of Him. And why wouldn’t we? He is so great!
For me it was an important time. I needed to be refreshed in God through his Word, worship and relationships. I also went with a group last year but this year just seemed to “click” for me. Primarily, I think, because I was able to spend more quality time with our group. Plus, I think this group is very special this year. Connections are so important and I’m very thankful for the opportunity through this camp to make and deepen connections with these people. I’m not the most outgoing person so to have this kind of opportunity is critical in putting the relationships on a firmer foundation.
Our group consisted of two guys and nine females (including Denise and myself). Each of us is unique and I treasure the individual relationships I have begun or deepened because of this time. These people are very precious and I feel privileged to be, in some way, a part of their lives. It is my prayer that each of us will be able to build on what God has given us from this camp time. To build and continue to invite and embrace God in more and more areas of our lives. Going back to the “routine” can be difficult after such a close time with God and others. Please pray with me that we all hold onto the gifts, further steps in our faith and the renewed hope God has given us. Pictures will follow soon!
For me it was an important time. I needed to be refreshed in God through his Word, worship and relationships. I also went with a group last year but this year just seemed to “click” for me. Primarily, I think, because I was able to spend more quality time with our group. Plus, I think this group is very special this year. Connections are so important and I’m very thankful for the opportunity through this camp to make and deepen connections with these people. I’m not the most outgoing person so to have this kind of opportunity is critical in putting the relationships on a firmer foundation.
Our group consisted of two guys and nine females (including Denise and myself). Each of us is unique and I treasure the individual relationships I have begun or deepened because of this time. These people are very precious and I feel privileged to be, in some way, a part of their lives. It is my prayer that each of us will be able to build on what God has given us from this camp time. To build and continue to invite and embrace God in more and more areas of our lives. Going back to the “routine” can be difficult after such a close time with God and others. Please pray with me that we all hold onto the gifts, further steps in our faith and the renewed hope God has given us. Pictures will follow soon!
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