Don't we look great!
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!
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Too Long Since I Last Wrote
OK - I’ve been requested to write more and I know it has been a long while since my last entry, especially for a blog! It’s great to know that people could be interested in what I might have to write. But it will definitely push me to be consistent in updating. Maybe once I get into the flow of it it will be easier. Thanks, Anonymous, for the encouragement to write!
Over this weekend we have had a visitor from Switzerland. Matthias is our pastor/mentor friend. Naturally we don’t see each other all that often. However, the visits are more frequent than I ever expected when he first said he would come and help as he could. I never came to Poland with the idea of church planting. Far from it! Nevertheless, this is where God has led. It’s exciting and challenging to say the least. But I can’t even imagine continuing with it if it weren’t the support of our Swiss friends and our new found friends in California who have visited.
This weekend with Matthias was rather laid back, without any big outreach meetings. He came on his own this time without a team, so we were able to have more individual time. My time gave me a lot of food for thought. I now have a new perspective for refocusing. It’s amazing how I can narrow my field without even realizing it. When I was preparing to come to Poland I was asked how long I would stay. Back then I narrowed the field for God by saying 2 or 3 years – 5 years maximum. Next month I will have been here 8 years. Lately I haven’t been narrowing the field in terms of time but possibilities. Remaining open and available to God I guess is the biggest challenge, no matter what.
Over this weekend we have had a visitor from Switzerland. Matthias is our pastor/mentor friend. Naturally we don’t see each other all that often. However, the visits are more frequent than I ever expected when he first said he would come and help as he could. I never came to Poland with the idea of church planting. Far from it! Nevertheless, this is where God has led. It’s exciting and challenging to say the least. But I can’t even imagine continuing with it if it weren’t the support of our Swiss friends and our new found friends in California who have visited.
This weekend with Matthias was rather laid back, without any big outreach meetings. He came on his own this time without a team, so we were able to have more individual time. My time gave me a lot of food for thought. I now have a new perspective for refocusing. It’s amazing how I can narrow my field without even realizing it. When I was preparing to come to Poland I was asked how long I would stay. Back then I narrowed the field for God by saying 2 or 3 years – 5 years maximum. Next month I will have been here 8 years. Lately I haven’t been narrowing the field in terms of time but possibilities. Remaining open and available to God I guess is the biggest challenge, no matter what.
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