Humble Servants

I'm a student, a writer, a teacher, a worship leader, a thinker -- but a painter or handy-woman?? ... not so much. But sometimes we have to roll up our sleeves and allow God to stretch us in ways we aren't so familiar with. Thus, I found myself at our camp facility in Ostróda with Dave and a 3-member team of dynamos from the States. Jan and Margaret are two "seasoned" ladies who put me to shame with their endless energy and ability to wield a paint roller for hours at a time. Steve is the kind of guy who knows how to fix everything and can paint a straight border free-hand with no problem. For ten days we labored together, painting the dining hall, stairwell, and upstairs lounge in our main building at the camp. I was sore and exhausted, while my cohorts were cheerful and relentless. :) Dave and I thank God for such dear servants who sacrifice their time, pay the price, and come to Poland to quietly perform some much-needed tasks so that the ministry can continue with excellence and lives can be changed to God's glory. Thanks, Jan, Margaret, and Steve!! You're the bestest!!!

Welcome Taylor!

Dave and I LOVE university students and one of our all-time favorite "jobs" is to host students in Poland. So, we were thrilled to once again welcome a group from Taylor University as they came to assist one of our partner ministries in Kraków. For a week we served as conversation partners and teacher assistants at the Graceland English school, directed by our dear friends, Jay and Colette. We get excited watching God capture young hearts and enlarging their vision for the nations of the world. These students are sponges -- eager to learn the language, the culture, the history, the spiritual climate ... and we are eager to pour into them all that God is teaching us. What a joy to interact with these enthusiastic and committed young adults. It brings fresh motivation and revives our hope that God's work will go forth in power in the generations to come.

Say What?? :)

We're never too old to learn, right?? That's what Dave and I kept asking ourselves as we embarked on a 4-week intensive Polish language course in Warsaw. This was my third such endeavor, but for Dave it was a first. It's amazing how much one can learn in a 3-hour class, 5 days a week. Dave was one of 6 students (from Tunisia, Turkey, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Holland) while I was one-on-one with my instructor. You can imagine each day after 3 hours of non-stop Polish conversation, my brain was ready to implode! :) We are thankful for such "jump-starts" in this beautiful, yet difficult, language. Having a grasp of the native language is so key to effective witness, so we pray that God will supernaturally increase our ability to communicate. Wierzymy, że Bóg będzie wierny nam pomóc (We believe God will be faithful to help us.)

Brussels Prayer Summit

This past weekend Dave and I had the awesome privilege to tour the European Union Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium. Several people from various European countries gathered for a prayer summit hosted by the European Coalition for Israel (ECI). ECI's mandate is to be a "voice" to the EU Parliament on behalf of Israel. They conduct research and provide detailed information so that the members of parliament can make informed decisions that promote peace and stability in the Middle East. We have joined the "prayer shield" that provides prayer coverage for each of the 736 members of the European Union parliament. Each week Dave and I pray for the two members assigned to us. We are praying blessing over them and their families and that God will give them the courage and resolve to make wise, just decisions in support of Israel. As Poland assumes the leadership of the EU in July of this year, it is a critical time for us to pray that her leaders will continue to be friendly toward Israel. Every nation must enter the "valley of decision" (Joel 3) and determine whether they will stand with Israel. It is the ultimate question upon which each nation will be judged. Let us pray that Poland, America, Canada, and all nations will value God's standard and humbly line up with His plan. Only then will true peace be established.

White Fields

Greetings z Polski!!
As you can see, the fields are indeed "white" in Poland! :) This picture was taken in the small village of Pawełki where we gathered this past weekend with the students and staff of our Christian School of Music. In the background you can see a large yellow building -- this is where the school meets each month. During a break in lessons, we ventured out in the cold (less than 10 degrees F.) for a brisk walk along the country road. Wish you could feel the cold air on your face, hear the church bells chiming, and smell the cow "pies" along with us!! :) As I write, we are warm and cozy in our small "office/bedroom" downtown Warsaw -- quite a contrast to Pawełki! Daily we take the bus to the city center for Polish language classes. David attending for the first time and me in an intensive one-on-one with my teacher ... we are both being challenged and stretched! We're learning a lot and developing new relationships t'boot! Almost daily we're meeting new people that God has purposefully introduced and we are amazed at His precise orchestration. Don't worry ... the stories will be forthcoming! :)
Joining God in His work is a continual adventure -- and we are thankful and excited to be a part of His unfolding plan.

Countdown

It's been a cold and snowy January/February, but that hasn't slowed us down! :) We traveled twice to Indiana to meet with Taylor University's Poland spring break team, as well as to Brownstown, IN, to meet with a work team coming to Ostróda in April, and then on to Toronto to meet with our Impact Europe staff. Here in Michigan we've been busy studying and writing lessons, sending prayer emails, preparing tax forms, corresponding with teams and individuals with whom we will be serving in Poland this spring and summer, and taking care of endless details prior to going overseas. Yes ... the countdown has begun and soon we'll be in Poland!

Here's a look at our upcoming schedule:
... 4-week intensive language course in Warsaw
... teaching at the Christian School of Music (CSM)
... worshiping with churches in Torun, Olsztyn, Grudziądz, Ostróda, Warsaw
... attending a prayer summit in Brussels, Belgium
... hosting a team of 15 students and 2 adults from Taylor University (teaching English at Graceland Centrum in Kraków)
... coordinating a work project at Ostróda Camp with volunteers from Indiana and Michigan
... countless opportunities to encourage and pray with various groups and individuals

It's a full schedule and only possible through the strength that God provides. Thank you for your prayers ... they are invaluable to us. When you have a chance, shoot us an email. It's always encouraging to hear from home!! :) Blessings to all!!!

God on earth

Two millennia ago our world experienced a dramatic collision of seismic proportion. Heaven met earth; eternity met time and space; the Creator became the created; God became man. In a humble stable, the Lord of the cosmos invaded our planet. The “radiance of God’s glory and the exact image of His character” was born by woman and laid in a trough. Son of God now Son of man. The fullness of God wrapped in swaddling cloths.

For centuries, the prophets had foretold his arrival and for as long the people had waited. Born to be a King, heir of David’s throne, his coming brought freedom for the captives, hope for the hopeless, and the promise of a kingdom without end. The impact of the incarnation cannot be measured. No man has moved feeling or influenced thought like this God/Man – Jesus. And when he returns, the full impact of God on earth will be realized.

During this holiday season, we pray that the “radiance of God’s glory” will fill your hearts with joy. May the wonderful reality of “Immanuel - God with us” impact you like never before. Thank you SO much for your ongoing prayers and support on behalf of GMM-Impact Europe. Please pray that the good news of our blessed Messiah will continue to impact the hearts of men, women, and children throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

From our family to yours ... Merry Christmas!!!