I have been home for just over 5 days, and think that I have finally gotten over my jet lag (although I did fall asleep on the couch last night at 9:00 p.m.). I thought that it was probably time to update you on the trip to Poland and thank you for your prayers. The trip to Poland was amazing. It was slightly stressful being in charge of 18 other people and their safety and team finances and traveling to a place where only about half of the people speak English, but it was worth all of the stress.
While we were in Poland, we had the opportunity to do a good bit of ministry & sightseeing. We spent most of our time in Gdansk, which is one of the largest cities in Poland right on the Baltic Sea. While there, we spent the majority of our time building relationships with about 25 students at what would be the equivalent of a Jr. High in a nearby village. Our students jumped in with both feet having conversations, playing sports (even though most of them weren't very good) and pouring themselves into the students. We spent three full days with the Polish students (which included a basketball game between our students and the Polish 14-year-old National Champions), and hosted them to the Nazarene Ministry center for a coffeehouse. It was an incredible experience for the Trevecca students to get to know the Polish students. There were definitely some relationships built that will last a lifetime. Our other main avenue of ministry was building relationships with Polish youth who are already a part of the Church of the Nazarene. It was a great way for them to get to know a little more about Protestants in general and the Church of the Nazarene in specific. One of the things that I really admire about the work that Nazarenes are doing in Poland is their willingness and excitement to work with the Catholic church and provide avenues of involvement that the Catholic church may not. They aren't trying to evangelize people that are already Christian, but to work alongside of them to help enrich the spiritual lives of people who are interested.
We also had a good bit of sightseeing. We saw Malbrook Castle, which was for a time the headquarters of the Crusades and the Teutonic Nights. The castle was almost completely destroyed in World War II, and has been meticulously restored. We also saw the shipyards where the Solidarity Movement began (this was the beginning of the Fall of Communism in Poland), and some incredible old buildings. We took a trip (an 8 hour train ride!) to Krakow, which is in the southern portion of Poland. Krakow was the only major Polish city not destroyed in World War II, and so it has some incredible churches that are 8-900 years old! While in Krakow we got to visit Wawel Castle, which is the castle of the Polish Kings. I spent my time there in the chapel and crypts where many of the Polish royalty are buried. It was incredibly beautiful and interesting. We also went to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, Nazi death camps from WWII. It was an incredible experience. Until that day, I do not think that I could even begin to fathom the atrocities that went on in Nazi concentration camps. To think that 1 million, or more, people were murdered there, because of a man who didn't think that they were worthy enough to be treated as human beings. It was a tough day for our students, but I think that it was good for them to experience the camps. A quote posted in one of the bunkers really summed it all up, "Those who do not learn history are destined to repeat it." I hope that the hours that we spent in that place will be hours that challenge us to stand up for those who are persecuted, and to keep anything like this from ever happening again. It was not until I spent this time in Poland that I realized what a tragic and violent history the Polish people have had. They have stood up under centuries of oppression, violence, upheaval, and still continue to be a gracious people. After this trip, I can say that I am truly proud of my Polish heritage.
In addition to sites, we had the opportunity to eat some wonderful Polish food. Lots of sausage, bread and cheese, along with pirogi (a family favorite), Polish pastries, European chocolate and plenty of gelato. There were a few things that I didn't like, but most of it I did. Our students were brave enough to try tome things that didn't look so great (warm, shredded beets!) I was surprised when I came home to learn that I had only gained 1 lb. It was probably the incredible amount of walking that we did while we were there.
Brad and Ella did just fine without mommy. They were glad to see me when I returned, but were quick to tell me that they made it okay. They enjoyed their 5 days in Muncie with Brad's parents, and I think that Pat-Pat and Paw-Paw enjoyed it, too. It was good to be away, but even better to be home!
I learned a lot during my 10 days in Poland, and I am so thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to share the good news of the gospel not only here, but around the world. Thank you for your prayers, they were truly felt and uplifted us during this time.
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