Together in Poland

The Light of the World

Dave and I have just finished a wonderful 3 weeks with our 5 musician friends from Poland and we are thanking God for His provision and blessing. We traveled throughout the Midwest, performing music and sharing testimony in homes, churches, a culture club, and the National Missionary Convention. Thanks to many of you who supported this tour in various ways .. and mostly in prayer. We are confident that God will continue to bear fruit as a result of our time together.

And now we turn our attention to the holidays. As you know, as part of GMM we work closely with messianic Jewish ministries. We have been sending out greeting cards to some of our Jewish friends overseas because this Tuesday evening (Dec. 4) marks the beginning of Hanukkah. Dave and I weren't raised celebrating Hanukkah .. actually, it's only been in the last few years that we have begun to appreciate and enjoy the significance of this Jewish holiday. So, I thought it might be interesting and helpful to write a brief explanation of Hanukkah. I've added it as an attachment for your reading pleasure. :) I hope it will be an encouragement to you!

May God's love, joy, hope, and peace permeate our homes and hearts during the holiday season.

As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded not only of the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world, but also of another festival of lights -- Hanukkah. Although Hanukkah is often mistakenly viewed as a “Christmas alternative for Jewish people,” it is a holiday of much deeper significance.

Travel in your mind to Jerusalem, 168 years before the birth of Jesus. Antiochus IV, a Seleucid king, has invaded the land, looted the Temple, massacred Jews, and forbidden worship of the God of Israel. He even goes so far as to erect an altar to Zeus in the Temple, itself! Mattathias, a Jewish priest, and his five sons (including Judah, the Maccabee), rise up and lead a rebellion against Antiochus.

In 165 B.C., Judah and a handful of men and their followers successfully defeat the armies of Antiochus, liberate the Temple, and rededicate it to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is an amazing testimony of God’s mighty hand at work to protect His people and to preserve the honor of His Name. This defining moment in Israel’s history is remembered during the “Feast of Dedication” (“Hanukkah” means “dedication”) -- and has been celebrated ever since (see John 10:22-23 -- the feast during the time of Jesus).

According to Jewish tradition, when the Temple was rededicated and the lights of the lamp stand were to be rekindled, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and the light filled the Temple. Accordingly, candles are lit each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. It is a special time to remember the faithfulness and holiness of our God and that His light endures and triumphs over the darkness of evil. It is a reminder for each of us, as “temples” of the most high God, to get rid of any “idols” in our hearts and to re-dedicate ourselves to purity and holiness before God.

As we partner with messianic ministries in Central and Eastern Europe, we can appreciate our Jewish heritage and grow in our understanding of God and His ways. Even now as we see greeting cards in the stores and Hanukkah candles in the windows, we remember the story behind the holiday, give praise to God for His faithfulness, and rededicate ourselves anew to Him.

What an Amazing Summer '07 (part IV)

This summer Kezia and I spent over a week together at two different camps in Ukraine with Oksana. She was our translator last year and again this year. She returned to Zhitomir with Kezia. She shared with us her testimony and we requested that she write it down so that we could share it with you. She is a committed believer to exudes God's grace and mercy through her smile and her life. Please enjoy her testimony of coming to faith and walking daily with God.

Oksana's testimony

“…How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

(Romans 11:33)

I live in a small village in Ukraine called Stryzhivka. This is where I took my first steps, said my first word, and tasted life in all its beauty and danger. When I was small, I was not deprived of parental love. My elder brother and I always had all that we needed. I thought that my family was perfect. Only later when I became older I understood that I was entirely wrong.

Since my birth my parents quarreled with each other. My father preferred alcohol in pubs to family dinners and dating other women to his wife’s love. When I was 13, he left us. The sufferings that my mother faced were unbelievable. All this caused a depression in my life. I could not understand why it happened to my family. Additionally, I did not have real friends with whom I could speak about this or simply cry. Only my brother tried to cheer me up.

A few years later he got married and his wife became like a sister to me. They began to visit a Protestant church. It was unexpected. I had heard about such churches but was against them. I considered myself to be an orthodox like my mother. That is why everything was very confusing, but I was curious to find out the truth for myself. When my brother invited me to the church, I agreed without any hesitation. I continued visiting because I wanted to know the answers to all my questions. These were my first steps to God. Later, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and began a new life.

I told my mother everything. At first she had no objections to me visiting the church, but then she realized that I was serious. She forbade me even to speak about going to the church or the small group. My mother was afraid of what people would say about her and her children. While she could not forbid my brother to do such things, she considered me too young to understand what I was doing. I was 16 and obeyed her. It was very difficult for me to live without communication with believers. My brother’s family was my only support.

One year later I entered the university in Ostroh and went to live there. I found a church and started visiting it. Of course, I told my mother about it. It seemed she was not against my attending. Every time I came home, we prayed before the meal and sometimes read the Bible together. When I grew up spiritually, I made a decision to be baptized. This began a new period of problems in my life. My mother begged me not to do this “sin.”

Sometimes it is very difficult to understand why she opposes this choice that I have made. She should be happy for me. I could be mixed up in something bad, but instead I know God who protects me from troubles. My mother knows that, but does not want to accept it. This hurts me so much because she is very precious to me.

I am not going to give up, especially after so many blessings that God sent to me. He created a new person inside me and absolutely changed my life. Like bright morning sunbeam fills a dark room with light, so did God with me. He became my Father, my Friend, my Lord, my Teacher, my Savior, and my Life!!! I know that He has a special plan for me. Even if I can’t give a meaning to it, I know that everything leads to my growth in God because He intends only the best for His children. I want to serve Him with all my heart, my mind, and my skills! I want to be ready every minute to accomplish His tasks and obey His will.

I’m going to be baptized this winter and believe that nothing will prevent me from this because God is on my side. Everything depends on Him. As for my mother, she knows about my desire and the choice is hers whether or not to agree. All that I can do is to pray for this situation. I am sure that my Lord will never leave me or forsake me! Thank you for listening.

What an Amazing Summer '07 (part II)

Join us in celebrating God’s grace in extending salvation to these seven ladies from Kaliningrad, Russia. Halelujah!!!

Also, pray for safe journey today from Detroit to Warsaw via Chicago for Vickey and Joshua Priest, Marsha Wade and Dave Hatfield.

God’s loving kindness endures forever.

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Hi, Dave!

I just wanted to tell you that there have been 7 women altogether who have surrendered to Jesus during this camp. All of them are from Kaliningrad. They are: Mariyah, Ludmila, Ludmila, Vera, Nadiezhda, Lidya, and Olga. We met with them this morning. They will return to Kaliningrad and will be discipled and many are already talking about when they will be baptized. We prayed with them and took their picture, telling them we would pray specifically for them by name ... and that many of our friends and family in America would join us in these prayers. There were tears and joy and it was a special time. The Kaliningrad group has already left ... so now it's just us and the group from Belarus. We will celebrate Shabbat together tonight ... a smaller, more intimate group.

Our prayers are with you today as you travel!!

Love you!

...Sandy

What an Amazing Summer '07 (part I)

Greetings again from Ostroda, Poland.

Yesterday I was asked to teach the morning lesson here at the camp. Paula and I prayed about what I should teach. Last night I stayed up late, preparing a lesson. I decided to teach on Jesus as the Alpha and Omega. I traced him from before the foundations of the earth until that day when He will return and reign in Jerusalem. For 45 minutes I spoke only of Yeshua, as Creator, as appearing in the O.T., as teacher and healer, as the one who died and resurrected, and the one who is coming again. I gave testimony in my own life and finished by saying that it is the most important question we must answer ... who is this Jesus? (I admit I was feeling a bit frazzled since I had such short notice, but God gave me power and the words to declare the truth of Jesus with clarity and passion.) When the lesson was over, many people were standing around talking. Two women came up to me, one holding the arm of the other. They spoke intently to me, in Russian. I asked for George Repetski's help in translation. The woman said, motioning to her friend, "My friend, Mariya, wants to accept Yeshua (Jesus) as her Lord." I was so surprised and so happpy! There had been no formal invitation ...it was just a class setting (with about 60 people)... but the truth had spoken to her heart and she had responded. Many women gathered around her and George R. asked her many questions and she confessed her faith and desire to surrender to Jesus. He led her in a formal confession. We prayed more and there was much weeping. Mariya is from Kaliningrad. There are several unbelievers who have come ... but now there is one less. :)

So .... we are praising God in Ostroda!!!! And I am overwhelmed. It doesn't matter about us .. we are nothing ... but when we speak the truth of Jesus, there is power. When people get a picture of Him, how can they not respond?

May each of us live in such a way as to give a clear picture of our Lord Jesus .. We give glory to You, O Lord!!!!

Keep praying ... He is answering!
...Sandy

Pray with us and pray for us

To the Faithful Who Pray,

Sandy and I are so thankful for you who have been praying for us. We do remember you and our hearts rejoice when we think about your commitment to remember us in your prayers. On the one hand it is quite humbling, yet on the other hand, it is the foundation on which we minister and share the gospel. Pray for the power of God to be released in ways that will glorify Him and advance His kingdom here on earth. Thank you again for praying.

On Monday evening, May 21^st we will be gathering at our home on Culver Road from 7:00-9:00 p.m. to pray for our summer camps and conferences, our many travels with short term teams and the new contacts that we will make in church leaders and youth in Belarus, Poland, Ukraine and Czech Republic. You are invited to come even if you cannot come for the entire time. We hope to see and share with many of you on this evening.

Garage Sale Update: Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! There are so many who have contributed to the Garage Sale with their donations and their time. It has been a huge success because of everyone’s effort and contribution. Bill and Vivian Nylund were fantastic hosts. From the set up, the coffee, the Tent, and Bill’s jokes to the tear down it was God honoring and God pleasing (a sweet aroma to His nostrils). The rainiest day (Thursday, April 26^th) saw the most “garage salers” out. It was amazing. We even unloaded Dan and Deb Kelbert’s iron gates and cedar posts to a local farmer. They (the farmers) were so excited to find these at a garage sale. God has blessed us with enough funds to cover 25 children (over $3,000). The Barrieault’s (4688 Kenicott in Brighton) will be extending the Garage Sale this Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until noon (May 10-12). You can drop off any thing you would like to contribute to the sale at their home any time this week (preferably by Friday morning).

Our 2007 Summer Itinerary

1) Pray for safe journeys

2) Pray Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:29-5:2 for us and for those we lead

May 24^th: Sandy leaves with Paula Styles for Ostroda, Poland

May 27^th- June 7^th Bible Camp for seniors from Russia, Belarus, and Poland (40 adults

expected) West Cypress Christian, CA,, short term team will assist the first few days

June 8^th: Dave leaves with Marsha Wade, Vickey and Joshua Priest for Ostroda, Poland

June 10^th: Ostroda Christian Church

June 11-20^th Bible Camp for youth from Kaliningrad, Russia (60 campers)

Brighton, MI and Temecula, California, short term team will assist

(June 16^th-24^th Kenan travels with short term team from Brighton Christian to Costa Rica)

*June 24^th-July 6^th Dad and Mom Hatfield with Josiah and Kenan in Michigan

June 24^th: Pulaska Church in Warsaw; Dave, Sandy, Paula, and George Repetski will be traveling from Warsaw, Poland to Kobryn, Belarus

June 24^th- 28^th Pearl Camp near Kobryn, Belarus (185 campers expected)
June 29^th: Travel from Kobryn to Minsk, Belarus
June 29^th: Shabbat with Vladimir Hasin and his congregation
June 30^th AM: Leadership Conference at Good News Church (Dema & Lena Lazuta)
Donovan and Lana Grey, Azusa Pacific University professor and wife will team with Sandy and Dave to lead this training.
June 30^th PM: Messianic congregation in Minsk
July 1^st: Good News Church in Minsk
July 2^nd-5^th: Visit Timur, Dema, Vlad, and others from Minsk

July 6^th: Travel from Minsk, Belarus to Warsaw, Poland (without George Repetski)

July 6^th: Kenan leaves from Detroit for Warsaw, Poland (alone)

July 8^th: Paula returns home/Attend Warsaw North Church Fellowship, Krzysztof Zaremba

July 9^th-19^th Bible Camp for Junior age youth from Poland at Ostroda Camp

July 13^th: Travel to Koszalin (northwest Poland on the Baltic Sea)

July 14^th: Messianic Congregation in Koszalin

July 15^th: Kolobrzeg Church with Peter Karol (then return to Ostroda)

July 21^st: Kenan returns to Michigan

July 21^st-August 15^th Dad and Mom Hatfield with Josiah and Kenan in Michigan

July 26^th: Travel to Kovel, Ukraine

July 27^th and 28^th: Leadership Training: Children’s Ministry and Worship Leaders

Pavel’s church and Natasha’s church (both near Kovel)

July 29^th: Churches in Kovel, Ukraine

July 30^th –August 3^rd Camp near Kovel, Ukraine, with youth from Kovel churches

August 4^th: Travel from Kovel, Ukraine to Katowice, Poland

August 5^th: Church in Wroclaw, Poland

August 9^th -13^th Prague, Czech Republic

August 12^th: Prague Church, Daniel is the pastor

August 14^th: Travel from Prague to Warsaw

August 15^th: David returns to Michigan

August 16^th: Sandy travels from Warsaw to Ostroda (prepares for worship conference)
August 17^th-26^th: Worship Conference for worship leaders, vocalists and musicians at Ostroda Camp (120 attendees expected). Sandy is one of three main teachers.

August 30^th: Sandy returns to Michigan

Six camps with teaching responsibilities and leading a short term team (four)

Picture # 1: pray for the children who will come to the camps

Pray for Kazik and Dorota who help to gather many of the children (upper left in pic)

Picture # 2: pray for Vlad and his wife (we will be with them in Belarus)

Picture # 3: pray for T (pastor in Belarus)
Picture # 4: pray for our children (Kezia, Josiah, and Kenan)
We will be separated from them for most of the Summer

We will be able to stay in touch this summer via email for most of the weeks. If you have prayers, Scriptures, questions or answers please feel free to contact us at dave.hatfield@sbcglobal.net or sandy.hatfield@sbcglobal.net.

It has been an incredible journey so far. We are anticipating great days ahead for what God has prepared for us to do.

Excited to Serve our King,

Dave and Sandy Hatfield

What an Amazing Summer '07 (part III)

Hello, all my friends!

All I can say is that this music camp is simply amazing! Yesterday I taught on how to plan a worship set .. and then used the band to demonstrate. It went really well and the music was just great (I mean, when you have Adam, Ewa, Ewa, Kacper, and others .. how can you go wrong?). I feel that all my experience in worship is being passed on to these young worshipers and they are receiving it so well. Even Mariusz S. (a leader in Missio Musica) said I have renewed vision in him and he wants to ask me more about my thoughts on worship. After supper we had another service and Adam and his band led 1 1/2 hours of worship last night. It was incredible. I don't have words to describe it. Of course, the music itself was great, but all of us were worshiping with all of our might and we were before the throne of God in such a powerful way. Afterward Janusz spoke and many people came forward for prayer. At the end, they sang a song written by Ewa G. about the promised land -- real upbeat and just great. We were dancing and celebrating!! What a great way to end a day. I have become so close to these young people and it's going to be hard to say goodbye. The Spirit among us is so sweet and precious. It gives me great hope for the country of Poland to be with these young people. I will savor the next couple of days .. the camp ends on Sunday after lunch. We have a concert on Saturday night and have invited all the people in this neighborhood of Ostroda to come. I hope many will attend. So .... I am finished with my formal teaching (lectures), and now I can just relax and enjoy. Tomorrow night is a "humor" night, so I'm involved in a couple crazy performances .. should be a good time. :) There have been many highlights this summer, but I must say this week is at the top of the list. It's all just so "right" for me and I feel God is using me significantly. I am blessed, humbled, and thankful to be here. God is good!!!!!!!!
...Sandy

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August 17, 2007

Subject: pray at 11:00

Hello, dear prayer partners!!

David left Poland on Wednesday and is now in Michigan with the boys. I must admit, I was a bit weepy when he left, since I, too, would like to see my family again. But I will remain in Poland for 2 more weeks, and I am convinced that this may be one of the most significant times for me to be here.

I am in Ostroda, Poland, and today began the music/worship camp. The camp is packed to its maximum limit and students have been arriving all day from all over Poland (plus a group of 8 from Belarus). There are approximately 90 students. They come with backpacks strapped to their backs and instruments in hand. We are praying that they will not only improve in their musical skill, but their hearts will be purified and refined before God as they seek to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

And so I ask you to pray. Each day there will be workshops throughout the day, both focusing on specific instrument training and also teaching worship bands how to work together musically. Then at 5:00 pm (11:00 am Michigan time) there will be the main teaching lecture for the day. It will last for about 1 1/2 hours. They have asked me to be the main lecturer for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday! It is a large responsibility and I am both excited and nervous about it.

My basic topics are:

Saturday: What is worship? (an expression of devotion to God .. a lifestyle)

Sunday: Who I must be as a worship leader (e.g., living in purity and holiness before God)

Monday: What I do as a worship leader (e.g., practical advice for leading worship)

Tuesday: How to plan a worship service (step by step, plus listening to Holy Spirit, etc.)

A lot of my material will be new for these young leaders (and for the churches in Poland and Belarus). Most of all I pray that I will hear from God and He will anoint my words. They have also asked me to do a "panel," where I will have a team of musicians and will actually "lead" a rehearsal and all the students will watch how it is done. Then I will lead worship with this team. Please pray for God's presence in all of this.

SO..... I would LOVE to know you are praying for me the next 4 days as I teach. 11:00 am until 12:30 pm (Eastern time). Your prayers will make such a difference, I know.

I love you all ... and look forward to seeing many of you in a couple weeks.

Blessings!

...Sandy

God is the INITIATOR

Dear Friends,

I was reminded by the Old Testament story of Elijah in I Kings 17 that if we give to God first then He will see to it that we will have all that we need. After Elijah asked the widow at Zarephath for a drink of water and a piece of bread, she responded by saying, “I only have a handful of flour and a little oil. It is barely enough to feed me and my son for one meal, let alone include you.” Elijah responded by saying, “First make a small cake of bread for me from what you have…then make something for yourself and your son. The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.” The widow did as Elijah had told her and there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.

This was undoubtedly a miracle from the hand of God. The widow of Zarephath was applying the principle of obedience to her life and received blessing from her obedience. The Israelites were instructed by God in a similar way to bring their first grain of the harvest to the priest to be waved before the LORD. This was their firstfruit offering. (Leviticus 23:9-14) God then blessed them and the remainder of the harvest with providing them with all that they needed to be healthy and strong.

It appears from these two references that we are the initiators in this process of “having all that we need.” It is in this season that we are reminded that “before the foundations of the world the Lamb was slain for the redemption of all mankind.” God is indeed the INITIATOR. I Corinthians 15:20 tells us, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits…” And now we have everything we need for eternal life and health and strength (the forgiveness of our sins).

“We love God (and others) because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 God is the INITIATOR.

Thank you for giving first to God and seeing His provision for the rest of your life.

Please pray for these important dates coming in April.

April 2 Presentation of Global Missionary Ministries work at Cornerstone in Brighton

April 4-6 3 days of prayer and fasting for the mission of GMM (You are invited to join in this time of seeking God and His favor on the level in which He directs you.) We encourage you to pray the book of Ephesians and other passages of the Word over GMM and its work in central and eastern Europe.

April 12-14 Sandy and Kezia (and Debbe Barker) will be attending a conference on prayer and Israel at the IHOP in Kansas City (pray for safe journey and rich times of intercession and revelation from the Lord)

April 26-28 Garage Sale to raise “Scholarship funds for children from Kaliningrad, Russia” to attend Ostroda Camp, June 11-20

April 27-28 Sandy and Dave will be attending a Leadership Conference in Mississauga, Ontario (you are welcome to attend with us)

Please also pray for:
Our financial support (we are still seeking to raise an additional $2400/mo for next year)

Our summer schedule (four camps and three leadership training conferences in Poland and Belarus)

Our raising up a team for the Kaliningrad children’s camp (June 11-20)

Remember God first and He will take care of the rest. Let’s join together in this season to celebrate the Firstfruit, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who has indeed been raised from the dead.

Dave and Sandy Hatfield

How to become Covenant Partners with Global Missionary Ministries

Email us with the following information at dave.hatfield@sbcglobal.net:

I/We _____________________________ (please print) want to partner financially with GMM in taking the gospel to post communist central and eastern Europe. I/We are excited to commit in giving:

a special gift in the amount of $____________.
a monthly pledge in the amount of $ ___________.
I will begin giving in the month and year of ____ ____.
securities or stocks as a donation to GMM
a $120 children's camp scholarship for __ children totaling $_______.

I can be reached at this phone number:
home __________ or cell ____________
My mailing address is:
______________, ____________, ____, ___________
street or P. O. B o x, c i t y, state, z i p c o d e

Please make checks payable to: Global Missionary Ministries
All gifts to Global Missionary Ministries are tax deductible.

Home office:
Global Missionary Ministries
P. O. Box 41201, RPO Rockwood Mall
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5C9

Please send your first check to my home address:
David Hatfield
10747 Culver Road
Brighton, MI 48114

Additional checks in future months should be sent to the home office in Mississauga, Ontario.

Please email me at the above e-address or call me with questions.

810-923-0226 (Dave's cell)

Thank you for considering in prayer "how to become Covenant Partners" with Global Missionary Ministries.

What an Amazing God

My trip to Russia and Poland was a great experience. I was able to meet many people and was exposed to several quality ministries. We've posted a few pictures to give you a "feel" for the trip.

Photo #1: our meeting with the Rabbi in Kaliningrad, Russia. Next to me is Zbygniew Chojnacki, the Ostroda Camp director, and next to him is Kazik Barczuk, who organizes the camps for Jewish children.

Photo #2: meeting with some Jewish children in their classrooms

Photo #3: Sandy in front of the Christian Church in Warsaw

Photo #4: A group of jazz students at the academy in Katowice. These are some of the students I taught in the dorm room on Monday night. What an intense time! Some are believers, some are not ... all are interested in talking about God.

I am SO thankful that I was able to make this trip. Now that I'm back home, part of my heart remains there in Poland. May our prayers increase for the work God is doing in Central/Eastern Europe!
...Sandy

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Warsaw, Poland

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you of you."

II Th 3:16

• Please pray for Sandy's safe return to Brighton on Wednesday.
• Please pray for Dave's journey to California as he meets with six churches to share the GMM vision: the Vineyard Church in Glendora (Jacob Gaines is Associate Pastor); Parkcrest Christian in Long Beach; the Reality Church in Hollywood (Kezia's church); Southwest Christian in Temecula; Vineyard Community in Laguna Niguel; and Cypress Christian in West Cypress. Our desire is to raise up partners in intercession, short term workers and investment partners. Ask God on our behalf for divine appointments.

Sandy writes from Warsaw, Poland

Hello from Warsaw!

God is good. The concert with Missio Musica went very well. As usual, the music was excellent ... but more importantly, many people were touched by this music. I shared a testimony, and they also asked me to sing a solo (in English, thankfully). And this morning's worship was powerful and God's presence was very near to us. We thank Him for His faithfulness.

Since I last wrote, I have met SO many people involved in so many ministries. I am seeing that although the evangelical presence in Poland is less than 1%, those who are leading and involved are quality people with huge passions for Poland.

I met the director for a Christian music school, and she showed me their classrooms and introduced me to some of their teachers.

I met a man who is establishing Christian schools in Poland, and he gave me a tour of their school (I was quite impressed!) -- his vision is to train up young people with solid Christian worldviews who are prepared in every area (literature, the arts, media, etc.) to impact this society for the Gospel.

I met a couple who work in Christian radio...they have won several awards for some of the best radio production in Poland.

And today I even met a family who have moved to Poland FROM MICHIGAN who are here for 4 years to serve this country (and their 16-year-old son moved with them, whom they are homeschooling). We instantly connected and I believe this meeting was definitely from God.

I travel on now to Katowice to meet with university students. I am excited to share with their group and know we will encourage each other.

It has been an amazing time thus far, and I am thankful. For those who know me well, you can imagine that my journal is growing daily! :)

Thanks, again, for all your prayers. God is at work here in Poland. Praise to the name of Jesus! (Chwala imie Jezus!!)

...Sandy

We are official GMM staff

Thank you for your prayers.

Last Saturday in Mississauga, Ontario, Global Missionary Ministries officially accepted Sandy and I as GMM staff members. There are still details to work out (like funds to raise, job descriptions to upgrade, etc.) but we are now officially on staff.

As many of you know Sandy has just returned from Russia and is now in Poland. She will return late next Wednesday (February 28) to Michigan. Please continue to keep her in your prayers and enjoy the story of her journey in the following email I received this morning.

Dzien dobry, everyone! (Good morning)

Today I am in Roznowo, Poland, a small village in the northeast region of the country. I arrived here yesterday after our trip to Kaliningrad, Russia. It is great to be here in Roznowo, visiting with friends from Missio Musica. Last night we stayed up until the early morning hours, talking about what God is doing in our lives. It is a special treat for me to be here with such dear brothers and sisters.

I arrived safely in Poland on Monday and then we drove north 3 hours to the home of Zbygniew Chojnacki, the camp director. We left early Tueday for our trek to Kaliningrad. It was quite an adventure. When we arrived at the Russian border, we had to wait about one hour for all the passport checks, inspection of the vehicle, etc. Fortunately, there were no problems. Then began a whirlwind of events. We checked into my hotel, located right in the center of town, where traffic was heavy (they are crazy drivers!), and across the street from a 4-story mall (galleria). I took the small elevator to the hotel's 5th floor. I was amused (actually I laughed out loud) at the sign posted on the inside of the elevator, written in English: "If you have problems with elevaror, please don't worri. Don't worri if the lights turns off." Great, huh? And then when the "elevaror" stopped at the 5th floor, it was about 5 inches short of being even with the floor. I loved it! But my room was nice and I had everything I needed.

From there we drove to the Jewish community center to meet with Rabbi S. They served us a wonderful lunch (potato soup, fresh fish, noodles, hot sweet buns).
We met with the Rabbi for about 1/2 hour. Of course, the conversation was totally in Russian, so I was always begging for a translation. The Rabbi was very pleasant, had a quick smile and a sparkle in his eyes, yet he was still very hesitant about letting his children come to our camp. If they come, he wants to do all the teaching and design the program. I can understand this, and I believe it will be a good thing if we can host them at the camp and serve them in love.
He will possibly bring his children for a weekend Shabbat. We continue to pray this will happen.

Since I asked to meet some of the children, they took us to a public school where special classes are set up for Jewish children. We visited 3 classes, and I enjoyed the children SO much. They were about 9 - 10 years old, the boys wearing the Jewish cap (yarmulke). I showed them pictures of Kezia, Josiah, and Kenan on my camera and talked simple English with them. We became friends quickly and I didn't want to leave. Each child would say, "My name eez (is) Vlad" or "My name eez (is) Daniel" and they were quite interested in my name ... how to translate "Sandy"? We also drove to a children's center, where they bring in children off the streets. I met about 7 children there ... Yulia, Natasha, Tanya, and others. They were painting ceramics. We met with their leader, Sergei, and they will most likely bring 20 children to the camp in June.

From there we wound through the heavy traffic and quickly visited a large cathedral (rebuilt after it was destroyed in WWII), and then to the port and shipyards (there is a canal through the city that connects Kaliningrad with the Baltic Sea). All the time I was learning about the history of this city, once a German capital over all of East Prussia. My brain was trying to assimilate all the sights, sounds, information ... so much to process so quickly. (Actually, I had printed more than 20 pages of information from the internet regarding Kaliningrad and Immanuel Kant prior to coming ... gave me something to read as I sat on the floor in the Frankfurt airport! :))

Our last visit was to the small apartment of Andrej and Elena, a pastor and his wife (they lead an Evangelical church in Kaliningrad). We visited with them and their friend, Galina, for about 2 hours concerning the camp and the possibility of their children attending. They had many questions. Their 5-year-old son, Timofey, became my shadow, and we enjoyed playing together. He left the room for a while and returned with a beautiful finger-painting ... it will soon adorn my refrigerator at home. (I can now say I possess an original Russian painting.)
Their 9-year-old daughter, Nadia, was quieter, and stayed mostly in her room, talking to friends on a cell phone. I enjoyed this family very much, and we hope to work together at the camp in Ostroda this summer.

By this point in the day, my jet lag was kicking in big time (it's even more difficult while you are listening to Russian for so many hours). And I can imagine by this point in this email, you, too, are about to nod off ... sorry, I will finish quickly.

We returned to my hotel, met a wonderful woman, Inga, who had arranged official papers for us for our return trip on Wednesday. She works in a high government office, and the head officer signed these papers for us. What this means is that on Wednesday morning when we arrived at the border to return to Poland we found a line of HUNDREDS of cars and trucks. They were all waiting to cross the border. Some of them had been there for 3 days! They sleep in their cars, go to the bathroom in the woods, etc. It's crazy! But Kazik took our papers up to the main building, and they waved us forward. We drove past all these cars (receiving many glares along the way). When we got to the main gate, the guards opened the gate just for our car (I was feeling like quite the V.I.P., in a nervous sort of way). We had to go inside a special building to have our passports processed, but it took only a few minutes. The Russian officials were not pleased with us, because it was a very high-ranking paper, and if they gave us problems, they would lose their job. But, they were disappointed because usually they receive good bribes from business people wanting to cross the border quickly. I began to realize that the border is the site of a lot of corruption. Altogether it took us about 45 minutes to cross, and we were shouting "Woo-hoo!" when the bar lifted and we drove into Poland. I am now wondering about those long lines of cars ... how long must they wait? We are so fortunate to live in freedom in our country.

O.K. ... time to wrap this up. As I said, I am now in Roznowo, resting a bit and meeting with friends. We will drive later today to Warsaw. Tomorrow I will visit the Missio Musica School of Music and a few other places. Tomorrow night rehearsals begin for their Saturday concert. All day Saturday they will rehearse, as well. The concert will be Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. (12:00 noon in Michigan). Please pray for this concert. Many churches are invited, and they are hoping many un-churched friends will also attend. Adam Kosewski will be directing the concert and it is his great desire that God will be honored. We hope the people will be open to God and they will join us in worship (not just a performance with an audience). On Sunday we will lead worship for the church services, and then in the afternoon will be an important Missio Musica council meeting to make plans for the summer. Please pray for this as well.

I hope I can email you again after the concert and give you an updated report.
They have asked me to share a testimony at this concert ... so please pray that God will put His words in my mouth. The churches here need encouragement so much .. they need to know that God is very active and is doing great things among His people. I want Him to use me to bring hope and joy by His Spirit.

It is so incredible to me that I am actually here in Poland once again. It is a special gift. I look out the window .. it has turned very cold overnite (I'm afraid I brought the cold Michigan weather with me) ... it is extremely windy and snow is blowing across the barren fields. Everything is grey and "dead," but spring is not far away and new life will once again spring from the earth. May God's Spirit bring renewal in the same way here in Poland ... may righteousness spring up from the ground; may hopelessness give way to joy; may dead religion experience the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus; and may God, Who is robed in majesty, reign in love over this land.

Thank you for your prayers. God is good. He is faithful. He is my mighty fortress and my Rock upon which I stand. All glory to Him!!
I love you all.

Z Bogiem (go with God),
...Sandy

Give God the Small Things

Hello, everyone!

Just a quick note to report that my visa for the Russian Federation arrived in the mail today! Woo-hoo! So I am thanking God that it came with plenty of time to spare.
Thanks to all of you who were praying.

One more thing ... I will be leading worship this Saturday (Feb. 4) for the Women's Aglow meeting here in Brighton. Please pray that God will use me for His glory and we will be drawn into His presence. Thank you.

Blessings to all!
...Sandy

P. S. The time with Michael Perry from Spring Hill went well. There were three significant results of our conversation.

(1) He is going to give us "specs" for a zip line, a blob platform and a climbing wall. We will just have to build it now.

(2) We discussed a future relationship with CCCA (Christian Camp & Conference Association) to potentially develop an international partnership with a US camp(s).

(3) He will be passing on to us lessons/devotionals for 8-14 yr olds and instructional material for orientation and training for camp counselors.

We are thanking God for this great beginning.

LIFT OFF

Dear Intercessors,

Paul writes in his second letter to the Church of Corinth, "On him (God) we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you (intercessors) help us by your prayers. Then many (central and eastern Europe) will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." You are helping us tremendously in wonderful ways by praying for us regularly. We give thanks to God for you.

Please pray as we prepare to "lift off". These next two weeks are critical weeks of preparation, communication, resting in God, being full of Him in every way, as we begin a "full" schedule.

Feb 4-Post Road Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana (1)

Feb 10-Taylorville Christian in Illinois (1,2)

Feb 11-First Christian in Champaign, Illinois (1,2,3)

Feb 16-17-Global Missionary Ministries Board Meeting in Mississauga, Ontario

Feb 18-28-Sandy travels to Ostroda, Poland and Kaliningrad, Russia to assist in organizing summer camps

Mar 3-12-Dave travels to California with George and Vera to share with churches

Mar 4-Vineyard Church in Glendora, California (Jacob Gaines) (1)

Mar 4-Parkcrest Christian in Long Beach, California (1)

Mar 6-Reality in Hollywood, California (Kezia’s church) (2)

Mar 7-Southwest Christian in Temecula, California (1)

Mar 8-Vineyard Community Church in Laguna Niguel, California (2)

Mar 10 Angeles Crest Christian Camp

Mar 10-11- West Cypress Christian in California (1,2)

April 2- Cornerstone Church in Brighton, Michigan (1)

1-indicates a meeting with the church's mission's team

2-indicates a gathering of potential short term workers

3-indicates sharing the GMM vision with a Sunday School class

May our God make you rich in every way in Christ Jesus.

Peace and Joy,

Dave and Sandy

Accelerating

Dear Ones who faithfully pray for us,

As you know, last week we traveled to Toronto to meet with both GMM (Global Missionary Ministries) and Impact Canada. It was a very productive time. Tuesday evening we shared dinner with George and Vera Bajenski and talked about the plans for the summer. George informed us that there are 10 churches here in the States interested in sending groups and/or individuals to East/Central Europe this summer. Obviously, it will require the coordination of many details, and hopefully we can assist in this. It is exciting to realize the work is beginning to become a reality.

On Wednesday we spent 7 hours in a meeting discussing the possible merger of GMM and Impact Canada. A professional "facilitator" charted the course for us as we candidly explored the various options. It was beneficial to get everything out on the table and look at the pros and cons of a merger. The results of this meeting are being sent to the Board members of each organization, and the matter will be decided officially February 17 when the Board meets. Impact Canada is a church-planting organization that has seen significant success over the past few years. Merging the two organizations together will increase resources and provide for more focused ministry in East Central Europe. Please pray for God's direction in this matter.

(By the way, while in Toronto, my neck "went out" badly, so we are reminded that we need prayer for continued good health. I am doing much better now and am thankful for all of you who were praying for us.)

So ... what's going on right now?? We continue to meet each weekend at our "partnership gatherings," which have been a great encouragement to us. We have two more scheduled the next two Saturday evenings. Our "Covenant Roots" class began this past Monday evening and it was a wonderful time of worship, teaching, and fellowship.

Please pray for us as we make plans for the summer and begin the scheduling process. We so want to be in the center of God's will in all this ... and are asking Him to design our summer schedule according to His plan. Please pray specifically for the following matters:

1. Dave is currently contacting churches (e.g., California) to line up opportunities to share our work. Please pray for significant appointments.
2. We travel to Champaign, Illinois, February 10-11, to speak to 3 groups at the First Christian Church.
3. The GMM Board meeting is February 16-17 in Toronto. It is at this meeting that our position as staff members with GMM will officially be decided. The merger with Impact Canada will also be discussed.
4. I have been invited to join Kazik Barczuk (the Jewish director of the camp ministry) and Zbigniew Chojnacki (the Ostroda camp director) as they travel to Kaliningrad, Russia, on February 20-21. We will meet with the Jewish rabbi and others of the Jewish community to discuss the possibility of bringing 50 Jewish children to Ostroda, Poland, for camp in June. It is a very important meeting and I have been praying for more than a year that these orthodox children would be allowed to attend our camp. I will fly to Poland and then we will take a bus into Russia. While in Poland, I will also have the opportunity to attend a large Missio Musica concert (our friends who are professional, Christian musicians ...with whom I have traveled on tour several times). I will have opportunity to meet with the leaders of
Missio Musica to discuss summer plans. They have asked me to teach on worship at their music camp in August. In order to make this trip, I must first secure a visa to Russia. There are many details involved, and I am currently trying to work through this process. Obviously, there is not much time to prepare, so please pray that the details will come together smoothly.

As you can see, everything is ACCELERATING at a fast speed. There's much to be done and each day presents a new opportunity. We are SO grateful for God's daily care and guidance.

We love you all ... and thank you, as always, for your prayers and support.

Love,
...Sandy (and Dave)

Partnership Gatherings

Partnership Gatherings are small groups of individuals who are interested in hearing what God has invited us to join Him in doing with our lives and future involvement in ministry and missions. We meet in homes and share in regards to our family, we pray for all of our children, and we testify to our call to missions, specifically Global Missionary Ministries in central and eastern Europe.

Our primary involvement centers around "establishing, strengthening and multiplying the church" in central and eastern Europe through leadership training, camps for children and musical festivals and outreaches in larger cities. We discuss partnering with others as intercessors, short term workers and/or investment partners. In addition to these roles there are opportunities to serve with us as a part of our Shepherding Team and Advisory Team.

We end our time together with a simple covenant meal of bread and wine. Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, "Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the loaf which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf." (I Corinthians 10:16-17) Not only does this passage of Scripture highlight the vertical relationship that we have with the Father in heaven but also the horizontal relationship that we have with members of the body of Christ. It also emphasizes the fact that we are one (loaf) in the body of Christ. We are each needed by the other to be complete and whole.

To date, 224 people have committed to intercede for us and our future ministry. In addition to this, fifteen families have partnered with us by making a financial investment in our future work in missions. Truly, we are one loaf in the body of Christ to reach the ends of the earth with the good news of the gospel.

If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity in missions please feel free to contact us in the following ways:

email us: dave.hatfield@sbcglobal.net or sandy.hatfield@sbcglobal.net
call us: home phone: 810-227-3543
cell phone: 810-923-0226 (dave) or 810-923-6063 (sandy)
write us at our home address: 10747 Culver Road
Brighton, MI 48114

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!!!

In this New Year may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

My family has been abundantly blessed by the encouragement of those who have interceded on our behalf. By not only your prayers but also your words and notes of encouragement spoken and sent to us. We are excited about the work that God has prepared in advance for us to join Him in accomplishing. We will continue to rest in Him fully.

Last Friday (Dec 29) there were nineteen of us who gathered at the Piehler's home for our third Partnership Gathering. It was a joy to gather with those who are fully devoted to following Jesus. We were strengthened in faith by our time together. Randy and Virginia were gracious hosts. (The apple pie was delicimo!!!)

This Saturday we are looking forward to gathering with nine more families at the Gaines' home for our fourth Partnership Gathering. If anyone else is interested in attending a future PG to find out how God is leading Sandy and me in our venture of faith in missions, please let us know.

This Saturday is FULL. But Jan 13th and Jan 20th both have room for more. You can email or call us at home to reserve your place. Please pray for these times of sharing that all the purposes of God would be complete and His will would be accomplished.

Please pray for all the Partnership Gatherings (Jan 27 at the Beakers-FULL);
Jan 9-10 Sandy and Dave will be traveling to Mississauga to meet with GMM and Impact Canada
Networking and contacting churches to partner with in our outreach to central and eastern Europe
for Dave as he moves out of his office of 17 years at Brighton Christian this week
for Sandy as she allows Dave to move his office into the front living room (half of it anyway)

Praise Report
Two churches in addition to BCC have invited us to meet with their Missions Team (both in February)
We have received seven "special gifts" and ten families have made monthly pledges to support us as we join GMM and their work in central and eastern Europe
81% of our projected basic income for 2007 has been given or committed in a monthly pledge (ministry expenses will be needed in addition to this)

We are thanking God for you and all that He is providing through you for His kingdom work.

Blessings in this New Year,

Dave and Sandy