Summer 2010

Summer 2010 in Poland was a great experience!

The Russian children's camp is always an amazing time, and this year was no exception. 21 children stepped forward to say "Yes!" to Yeshua. We are thankful. And for the first time at Ostróda Camp, we hosted teens from Israel! It was quite an international event - 50 from Israel; 4 from St. Petersburg, Russia, 12 from Ireland; 3 from Germany; 2 from Ukraine; 4 from the States; and 2 from Poland. How we praise God for making it possible for Jews and Gentiles to gather together in His name in Poland! We also "enjoyed" scraping, painting, and working alongside our wonderful summer interns from Ukraine as we finished several work projects at the camp. Later in July we had the opportunity to join our musician friends in the mountains of SW Poland for a time of seeking God and glorifying Him through concerts. Throughout the summer, we were able to preach, testify, and worship in several local churches. We thank God for His provision and guidance. May the seeds of the Gospel that were sown bear much fruit in the days ahead.

Now we are home for a season. This week we moved Kenan into Grand Valley State University near Grand Rapids, MI, so we are officially "empty nesters." Although it feels strange to be back in the States and even stranger to be in an empty house, these days at home in Brighton are very important for us. It is a time of refining our vision, refueling on God's Word, and being refreshed in His presence. We have found that it is only in seeing God that our spirits are renewed.

The world is changing at an ever-increasing speed and now more than ever we must hear the voice of God and be quick to obey. So as we assemble powerpoint presentations, write DVD scripts, study and prepare teachings, email, skype, and blog, our greatest desire is that we stay in step with the Spirit. O God, we long to join You in Your work so that Your kingdom may be established in the hearts of men and women!

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. May the Lord bless you, keep you, shine His face on you, be gracious to you, and give you "shalom."

Strong Tower

On February 17 I flew to Warsaw and spent 7 weeks in Poland. Every single day was filled with significant activity and encounters! I studied 4 weeks in Warsaw at a Polish language school (10 students in my group from 9 different countries!); taught at our Christian School of Music (CSM) on two separate weekends; visited my translator, Ola, in Poznan; spoke at churches, met with leaders, etc.; had countless 'divine appointments' with people on trains, buses, trams, and on the streets; and simply "lived" in Poland. Dave joined me at the end of March and together we hosted a team of 19 from Taylor University (Upland, IN) during their spring break. We worked at an English school in Kraków, served at an orphanage, did some work projects at Ostróda Camp, and performed music/drama at various churches. It was an amazing time!

Now it's April and I've been home almost 3 weeks. Dave is still in Poland -- he's been working at Ostróda Camp (lots of grunt work ... you know, pouring concrete, sawing block, taking down trees -- what a man!!) -- plus he's been preaching, teaching, and developing relationships with the believers in the NE regions of Poland. He comes home on May 3 and it will be good to be together again.

As all the world is well-aware, Poland has recently suffered an immense loss. On April 10, 2010, as a large delegation of Poland's official leadership traveled to Smolensk, Russia, to honor those who were murdered at Katyn, their plane crashed and all were killed. Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and 94 other of Poland's elite perished. A week of mourning ensued. Many remain in a state of shock and unbelief. We must pray that God will protect this country and provide stable leadership in the coming days. May He bring comfort and hope to these people who have suffered so much. May the name of Jesus be a strong tower for those who mourn. May His name be exalted above all others and may the people of Poland find their hope in Him!

Dream for Poland

An army of worshipers, strong in prayer, trained and equipped with the word of God, mighty in the Spirit’s power, washed clean and pure, dressed in the armor of God, ready for battle, marching to love‘s cadence, committed to their King, longing for His kingdom on earth, watching for His return, and hanging on His every word. This army stretches the length and width of Poland, overflowing the borders, and reproducing itself in neighboring lands. Justice, mercy, and humility characterize its ranks and blessing follows in its path. Hearts ablaze for their Servant-King, they stand strong; faithful in adversity, patient in trial, loyal in love. Heads lifted high, hearts sealed by love, their eyes are fixed on the One emblazoned on the banner before them: the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God.

O God, would you raise up such an army??

Sneak Preview

It's official. Expedia confirms that Sandra S. Hatfield will depart Detroit Metro Airport on Feb. 17, 2010, en route to Warsaw, Poland.

Yes, we're headed back to Poland. I'll be in Poland for seven weeks (Feb. 17 - Apr. 7). As originally planned, I will serve at two weekend sessions of our Christian School of Music (CSM) plus visit several churches/groups/individuals with whom we minister in Poland. And then just this week an unexpected opportunity became available and now I've been accepted into a 4-week intensive Polish language course in Warsaw (Mar. 1 - 24)! I will attend classes Mon.-Fri. mornings and then be free on weekends for travel. I't's a full schedule and I'll be a busy girl ... just the way I like it! :)

Dave will join me on March 25, a few days before a 20-member team from Taylor University (Indiana) will arrive in Poland. Dave and I will host these students as we assist at an English language school, an orphanage, and our ministry center in Ostroda. Various work projects are scheduled for April, so Dave will stay to help coordinate these efforts. He will also visit several churches and attend two CSM sessions. Dave will return to Michigan the first week of May.

So, that's a sneak preview of what's to come. Thank you for all the prayers as we finalize plans and arrange the details. The task before us can be overwhelming, but we are reminded that it is "...His energy which so powerfully works in us" (Col. 1:29) It is God who has called us and it is God who will do it. Blessed be His name!

Who wudda thunk?

One of the delights of ministry overseas is developing lasting relationships with people from all over the world. Sasha is one such friend. Both in Ukraine and Poland, Sasha has been one of our treasured translators. Her faithful service and godly testimony have been such an inspiration to all of us.

And guess what? Sasha is now in the States, serving as a nanny for a family in western Michigan! She will be here for at least a year and is adjusting to life in this big country. She had a free weekend, so we brought her to our home in Brighton. How fun is that?? We introduced her to the Polish market in Troy, a multi-ethnic congregation in Detroit, "Sonic" America's Drive-In, the historic Brighton millpond, and more.

As we sat with Sasha in our living room, studying the Word together and thanking God for His saving grace, it struck us once again how gracious is our God. He brings dear people into our lives and then makes arrangements for us to spend time together. It doesn't seem to matter to Him that they live half-way across the world.

Sasha in our house!! Who wudda thunk??

Eyes Fixed

Is it just me, or does life seem to be whizzing by at ever-increasing speed? With each passing day the headlines reveal a changing world that seems to be reeling out-of-control.

It's in times like these that Scripture takes on new meaning ...
Psalm 46: "God is our refuge and strength .... therefore we will not fear ... Be still and know that I am God ... I will be exalted among the nations ... the Lord Almighty is with us ... the God of Jacob is our fortress"

As we enter this new year of 2010, may we fix our eyes on the Faithful One who goes before us. He reigns over the nations. He is seated on his holy throne. His kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting. O God, we look to you with hope and in anticipation of all You will accomplish this year. May Your name be proclaimed to the ends of the earth!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

As we celebrate the amazing truth that Jesus is the very Word of God made flesh, we commit ourselves afresh to live only for Him. The One who spoke the world into existence is the same One who speaks life into our spirits. We are forever thankful that He has called us and written our names in His book of life. Jesus, the Messiah, is our hope, our peace, and our very life.

We are SO thankful for each of you who pray for us and encourage us as together we proclaim our Beloved to the nations. We pray that you will have a very blessed Christmas, filled with special moments and simple delights. May you experience anew the wonders of His love.

Merry Christmas!!
...David, Sandy, Kezia, Josiah, and Kenan