Time to Pray

As I sit here at our kitchen table in Brighton, Michigan, my mind is full of thoughts and images from our summer in Poland. How to begin to process all that we experienced and all that God revealed? It was a full summer -- undoubtedly one of the best yet. We participated in several camps, interacted with many national leaders, served the poor, hosted teams, and so much more. From the ladies on the streets of Katowice to the orphans on Dave's lap in Ukraine, we saw the hand of God at work in marvelous ways. Our ties to Israel grew deeper still as we served Holocaust survivors and Israeli teens in Ostróda, and as our friend, Asher Intrater, joined us in Poland for the first time. We spent time with worship leaders and offered encouragement for the school of music/worship. And it was so good to spend time with both Kezia and Kenan for a couple weeks of ministry together. Throughout the summer, God broadened our vision and gave us dreams for the future. And now as we catch up on correspondence, assemble reports, touch base with supporters, build teams for 2012, and serve our neighbors in Brighton -- we don't want to go too far forward without first prayerfully processing all that just took place. He has entrusted us with individuals, churches, leaders, government officials, and nations -- so we must be diligent in prayer. We believe God has much to say to us, so it is time to quiet ourselves and listen. Things are happening quickly in our world, and we who know His voice must train ourselves to watch and pray. We thank God for each of you who join us on our knees.

A Miracle for Ola

Ola is our dear friend. For the last few years she has faithfully translated the "prayer and fasting" email that I send out weekly to our Polish friends. But since she was a young girl, Ola has been struggling with heart arrhythmia. Her condition has left her weak, struggling to breathe, and often she would faint while at school or going about her daily routine. Because of this, her activities have been limited. The hospital became her second home. Frequent surgical attempts proved futile and disappointing. She was trying to adjust to the sobering reality that this could be her lot in life. She continued to cry out to God and even in the midst of her despair, she ministered hope to those who were likewise suffering in the hospital. BUT GOD heard the prayers of Ola and so many others who were praying on her behalf. Just this summer she began to feel much better! The doctors ran some tests and were amazed at the results! They took her off all her medication - the first time in 8 years! Dave and I met Ola in Warsaw and enjoyed watching her smile as she relayed the good news. How we thank God for Ola's renewed health! Please join us in praying that she will continue to enjoy this "new life" that she has been given. God is good -- all the time!

Go Bananas!!!

When I (David) looked into the eyes of 92 children in a camp near Dubechno, Ukraine, I could see a hunger and thirst for life. I prayed, "God, help us to feed this hunger and quench this thirst." I knew the only remedy was the power and presence of God. Only salvation that comes through Jesus could provide the hope they need and adequately feed this hunger and quench this thirst. I prayed again, "God, what do you want us to do? Teach a lesson or preach a sermon? Sing a song or share our testimony?" God is always surprising me with how He answers our prayers. What we think is the best answer is not always His answer. Our first opportunity to engage with the children in a large group had us singing a silly song with them. It is called, "The Banana Song". It is such a silly song. "Peel banana, peel, peel banana. Cut banana, cut, cut banana. Moosh banana, moosh, moosh banana. Go bananas, go, go bananas." We sang this song with full hand motions and the children loved it. What I realized was the entire team (from Brighton, Michigan, Indiana intern and two Polish translators) had just connected with the campers. God used "a silly song" to build a bridge of communication that lasted for the entire camp. One of the eleven small groups of children even chose "The Banana Song" as their group's theme song (see pic). God used this song to establish relationships with the children but He also allowed us to lead in devotions, lead all the craft activities, share some of our testimonies around the campfire, in small groups and just before bedtime, and teach the children two English worship songs. We led in morning exercises and games and recreation as well but perhaps the most meaningful times spent with the children were those informal times of rollerblading or pushing a swing or jumping on the trampoline. My prayer is that these children will never be the same. My prayer is that they will "Go Bananas" for Jesus and have their hunger forever fed and their thirst forever quenched.

All Significant

Dave and I consider ourselves "global" Christians. We have a heart for the nations and daily pray that God would enlarge our vision to mirror His. We pray "big" prayers for "big" things -- e.g., that Jesus would rule as King over Poland; that spiritual strongholds would crumble at His Name; that the Bride would be prepared for His return. We host people from all over the world at our center in Ostróda and pray that lives would be changed and churches established in every nation. We meet with church leaders and people in prominent positions to discuss current world events and to pray for God's kingdom to advance. And yet, in the midst of all this, God is faithful to keep things in perspective. This summer He led us down the side streets of Ostróda to places we seldom notice as we hurry from one event to the next. Walking down roads not far from our camp, we found a former alcoholic, living in a one-room apartment, badly in need of repair; children in abusive situations, hungry for affection; and single mothers, desperate to make ends meet. "Realna Akcja" (Real Action) was a week set aside to serve the community of Ostróda. More than 100 volunteers came from several countries to join in this endeavor (including our son, Kenan, and a team from our hometown, Brighton). We cleaned and painted apartments, painted a mural for the city, led a 5-day "day camp" for 80 needy children, painted curbs and cemetery fences, and much more. Many lives were touched, both those who served and those who were served. But for Dave and myself, the week took on special meaning as we encountered the people of Ostróda on a deeper level and as we were reminded to be faithful in both the big and small things. Whether praying for the Prime Minister or scraping paint from a poor man's floor, it's all significant in the kingdom of God.

From a Mother's Perspective

It was really an honor to spend time with Kezia and the Exodus Cry team in Poland. I must admit, I was freaking out a bit the first night in Warsaw when they slipped off the bus into the dark, rainy night, and 2 1/2 hours later still hadn't returned to the hotel. They weren't able to operate the Polish cell phone I left with them so they couldn't let me know that the Thai cook had led them through her kitchen into the dark stairwell leading to the "red door" where girls were "at work." Nor could they tell me about the guy on the street who asked for a light and received more "Light" than his darkened heart could imagine! :):) And then on to Ostróda where the girls shared their lives and testimonies with the youth from Israel. Kezia's teachings each morning were spoken softly but resounded loudly in each heart. By the end of the week when it was time to leave, hugs and tears abounded. So many seeds planted. The harvest is coming. Our next stop - Katowice. It's hard to describe all that happened in two short days. I watched as a seasoned, war-torn abolitionist was re-inspired by a handful of spirit-filled young women. We learned so much from Sister Anna, but it was painfully evident that she and her co-workers were weary from years of labor. Kezia and her team brought blessing and encouragement, expressed in tears, prayers, and gentle touches from God. We didn't know if they would allow the EC team to minister on the streets, but they decided to let Kezia and Marni go out with a few of their street workers. I remember clearly when Kezia and her partner walked through the door of the apartment. It was after midnight and they had been out on the streets for a couple hours. Their faces were glowing and all they could say was, "It was amazing." The presence of God had been strong and they saw major breakthroughs in several of the girls. I will never forget the moment when the streetworker, sitting on the couch with her arms wrapped around her knees, began weeping as she admitted how discouraged she had been. She was ready to give up. Nothing was happening on the streets. No changes. But she said tonight they prayed with the girls and God came in power-- it was like a new beginning. She has new hope. Amy prophesied over her -- that the desert season was finished and the rains were coming. It was such a powerfully precious moment. God is so good. He is using Kezia and her team in eternally significant ways. It hasn't been easy, e.g., traveling in Central/Eastern Europe is difficult. Standing on a train for 6 hours, hauling luggage up and down flights of stairs, walking everywhere, ... it's quite exhausting. And now the team is in Ukraine where conditions are even more taxing. It was difficult for me to say good-bye at the train station -- watching Kezia's sweet face at the window disappear into the distance. But I am convinced that God goes before them as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Yeshua, the Beautiful One, is at their side -- bringing light into the dark places. And because of that reality, this mother can rest and be at peace. :)

Timely Encounter

Just minutes after I wrote the previous blog, I walked out the door of our room and headed across the campground. I passed a woman who had arrived for the next event; she was wearing a Star of David necklace. I paused to ask her about her necklace. She told me that she lives in Łódż, a city where, before the War, a large Jewish community thrived. In 1968 when the remaining Jews were forced out of Poland, she lost many of her Jewish friends. She missed them desperately. Now she prays to God that He will use her however He desires on behalf of the Jewish people. She is thankful that some Jews have returned to Łódż and she again has a few Jewish friends.
So ... my question was answered quite swiftly. Were there Poles who missed the Jewish people?
Yes ... in Łódż, and doubtless in countless towns and villages throughout Poland. I am encouraged.

I Miss Them (Tęsknię Za Nimi)

I miss them.

For two weeks we laughed, sang, danced, and cried with 34 Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors from Israel. They traveled to Ostróda, Poland, for a time of rest and refreshment. Nine of them live in Sderot, a town only 4 km. from Gaza which has endured 100’s of rocket attacks, so the peaceful tranquility of Ostróda Camp was a welcome relief. Others hail from Jerusalem, Ashkelon, Hadera, and Eilat. Among them were doctors, physicists, engineers, architects -- brilliant minds with painful memories. Each story filled my heart with grief. I am thankful that these dear ones survived. It was a privilege to meet them, to love them, to clasp hands and sing “Am Israel Chai” (the people of Israel live!).

But now they are gone – the cabins are empty, the dining hall still. Yet I still hear their voices, see their faces. The lilting melodies of their songs linger in my mind. The beautiful artwork, the stimulating discussions, the bent toward neatness and order, the clever wit, the relentless optimism, the seemingly endless energy and creativity -- these are the Jewish people who graced our campground and entered my heart. And now as I gaze over the quiet grounds, I can’t help but wonder ... after World War II in Poland, was there anyone (perhaps one, a dozen, maybe many more?) who felt as I feel now?

When 3.4 million Jewish people disappeared, were they missed?