Beyond Tradition

Easter is a big deal in Poland. Since the majority of Poles are Catholic, this holiday is one of the most holy and most observed. Special Easter markets appear in the city squares, with special flowers, painted eggs, cakes and cheeses, holiday greeting cards, and more. David and I enjoyed such a market in Kraków earlier this week. This Easter weekend, though, I'm alone in Warsaw as Dave is now in Ukraine. On Friday I attended a special "Great Friday" service at the Christian church on Puławska street. I later took the tram to the one synagogue still standing in Warsaw to buy matzos and that evening celebrated the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb. "Great Saturday" found me in Old Town Warsaw, amidst the lines of people streaming through the churches with food baskets in hand, seeking the priest's blessing. Each church uniquely displayed the body of Jesus, wrapped in linen, lying in the grave. Beggars sat in the doorways, huddled in the cold, hands cupped for alms. I met a few of them, and now pray for them by name. Today, on Resurrection Sunday, we gathered early to sing praise to our Redeemer who lives forever. Afterward, I took the tram to be in the city. The sky was cloudy, the wind cold, the city grey. The streets were unusually quiet -- the only ones out were the homeless, or a few on their way to a family gathering. I was glad to see the city shut down -- knowing families were together, honoring this special day. I pray, though, that this day goes beyond tradition in the hearts of the Polish people. I pray that the resurrection of our Lord will be a vibrant reality that brings hope and life to this nation. He is risen, He is risen, indeed. And He is coming again ... oh yes, He is coming soon. Lift up your eyes, O Poland -- your Redeemer is near!

Welcome Korytkowski's!!

We are SO happy to welcome Andrzej Korytkowski to Ostróda as our new camp director! Andrzej and April, with their children, Lidia, Ben, and Klara, arrived in early March and have begun getting settled into their home. Andrzej, born in Poland, had a life-changing encounter with Jesus at Ostróda Camp when he was a young man. He later met April at the camp when she came with a short-term mission team from the States to build bunks for the cabins. They married and lived in Poland for a time before moving to the States. Andrzej has served as a pastor in Connecticut for the last 7 years, but now he and April have answered the call to return to Poland to serve in Ostróda. We were glad to be in Poland to welcome them and to assist them as they prepare for the camp season. Please join us in praying for this dear family as they commit to the growth of God's kingdom in Poland.

Taylor Time

This spring we had the great opportunity to once again host a team of students from Taylor University (Upland, IN). Twelve students with their team leaders, Mike and Ann Saunier, arrived Sunday morning, March 18, at the Warsaw airport. After attending a worship service and spending some time in Warsaw, we took the Polski Bus to Ostróda Camp. The students gave two full days of hard labor, scraping and painting in our new camp director's home as well as preparing the camp for the summer season. One of the local church leaders is an English teacher in the public high school and he invited the Taylor team to participate in his classes for two days. It was quite an experience to meet students all day long, conversing on a wide range of subjects. We invited the students to a pizza party on Friday night at the camp. We weren't sure how many, if any, would come since a Protestant group such as ours is often viewed as a "sect." So, you can imagine our excitement when 36 high school students (ages 17-19) showed up for the party! We played games, sang, performed a drama, and shared testimony -- and, of course, ate pizza. Many of them stayed late, hanging out in the cafe. What an amazing night! We collected their names and email addresses for follow-up in the weeks ahead. We give thanks to God for the impact that the Taylor students had upon the community of Ostróda -- seeds were planted that will produce a harvest in the months and years to come. Thanks, Taylor students! You're awesome! :)

May Praise Arise!

One of our greatest prayers for Poland is that worship would arise amongst the churches in spirit and truth. I (Sandy) was thankful to be a part of CSM (Christian School of Music) in southern Poland this past weekend. Our dear friend, Adam Kosewski, is the director of this school. God has placed a strong vision on Adam and the leaders of CSM to provide training and inspiration for church worship leaders in Poland. This year 35 students plus teachers and staff gather each month Friday-Sunday for teaching and worship. I had the opportunity to teach at the main sessions -- from the practical aspects of planning/leading a worship service, to the big picture of who Jesus is as the coming King, to the heart of David as a worshiper and warrior. I was so encouraged by the atmosphere of worship, love, and humility amongst these young worship leaders. It gives me great confidence for the future of Poland as these trained musicians go forth to lead the way with songs of hope and life. May Your praise be glorious in Poland, O God!

Packing Perplexities

Well, here it is ... time to pack and head off to Poland. It's strange how life becomes so "normal" in the States, and then we board a plane and before you know it our world has shifted once again. We find that we are living in two worlds, both feeling like home, but in different ways. This time I will leave first, arriving in Warsaw and then taking a train the very next morning for southern Poland where I will teach throughout the weekend at the Christian School of Music. From there I will head to Ostróda to make sure the house for our new camp director is clean and warm before he and his family arrive. Dave will follow in two weeks as together we will host the team from Taylor University. So -- what to pack? It's always a trick in the springtime since who knows if there'll be sun or snow. Should I take my heavy coat? What about boots? or maybe sandals? And in the midst of these life-or-death decisions, Dave reminds me to "pack light." Yeah, right! He's a man -- how can he understand?? :)

Team Building

These first few weeks of 2012 have been full of travel as we meet with short-term teams and raise awareness of God's work in Poland. Yes, our spring and summer are always full of camps and activities in Poland, but it requires months of preparation to make it happen. Dave and I love meeting new (and old!) friends as God brings teams together to serve in Ostróda Camp. This past weekend we met with the team from Post Road Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN. They will come to assist at a camp for Russian children in mid-June, and another team will come in August to help with Makeover 2012. Yay, Post Road! :) Thank you for your willingness to be servants in a foreign land to make known the name of Jesus.

Be Exalted

Happy New Year 2012!!

When the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, I was with 25,000 people in the Kansas City Convention Center as part of the IHOP OneThing conference. How exhilarating to be among 1,000’s of young adults from all over the world with their hands raised to heaven, expressing their love to God! We sang, shouted, clapped, danced, and rejoiced with all our might in His presence. At one point, the concrete floor of the massive auditorium was bouncing up and down under the weight of the crowd as we jumped for joy. What an amazing way to welcome the New Year! Times Square can't compare.

And Who is it that we worship? It is Jesus, the blessed Messiah. His eyes are like fire, his hair white like wool, His voice like thunder; He is the glorious One. He is the King of Israel who will sit on David’s throne forever. He is the Lord of all who ascended to the highest heavens and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father. He is the magnificent One who is worthy of unending praise.

O God, we praise you that you are raising up worship and prayer throughout the nations in preparation for your Son’s return. Would you please cause worship and prayer to arise in even greater measure in the nation of Poland for the glory of your great name? Would you place a hunger in the hearts of your people to know you more, to praise you more, to seek you more, to love you more? We commit this new year of 2012 to you and to your glory. O Lord, be exalted!