polandmission.com
Why is it so difficult to stay focused on God and His purposes? Paul talks about the struggle between the old and new self, and how that battle continues but we have overcome the evil one through God’s power. So, coming back to my question, why don’t I focus better? I have moments of victory, but they seem short lived. Even while traveling on mission trips completely out of my normal every day life I still battle with where my focus is.
Sometimes I think the more I travel, the more I realize how Satan is battling with God’s church. I see division and struggle everywhere I go. It breaks my heart. I gently encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to rest in His sovereignty and strength and to keep fighting. Reminding all of us that the battle has been won, we simply need to remain faithful to God’s calling and give Him glory and praise with our lives, daily… moment by moment.
Maybe that’s my answer. Sometimes I want to live life ahead of schedule. I need to live moment by moment. Praising God for each breath and opportunity that He provides.
Focus on today and what He brings you!

polandmission.com

I've said repeatedly that mission is irrelevant to geographic location. So, I've been thinking... When we send someone to be a missionary, whether it's for one week or one year or a lifetime, really what we are doing is sending someone to be neighbors in a differant culture than what they are used to.

I took a class on Urban Ministry this past semester at GRTS and we talked a great deal about being a good neighbor and what that looks like; how this is spreading the gospel. I started thinking today as I make preparations in Ukraine about what the goal is during my extended stay in the fall. It's about knowing people. Accepting them exactly where they are. Understanding a culture a little bit better because you get to know a number and a variety of people.

Of course, you need to have tasks and use your God given gifts and abilities to further God's kingdom, but so many times we get caught up in the task that we lose sight of the face and heart of people -- even the heart of God.

I pray that God will continue to transform my life so that I might effectively transform people for His Kingdom.

Finally, pictures that you've all been patiently waiting for!

polandmission.com

I can't beleive that our time in Poland is quickly coming to an end. We have been busy completing our painting and meeting with people. My apologies for not writing more frequently. However, it is always with so many different emotions that I approach saying goodbye to my friends here.

I am encouraged by their faith. They tell us that the American visitors give them a different perspective, but I wholeheartedly think that it is they who show me how to completely trust and have the tenacitiy and the faith that is needed in our Christian obedience.

I am blessed with their gift of hospitality. They are gracious, generous and loving people. I understand God's heart of mercy because I have had the priveledge of knowing some of my Polish friends.

I understand the importance of being faithful in adverse times and understanding that God has called us to obedient living because of the example that they show me daily.

I see beauty and care in how they present themselves, gifts and food. I appreciate that we serve a creator who is blessed with our sacrifices and offerings given from our hearts.

I will miss them greatly while I am away. I will remember the lessons that they have taught me and I will pray for God's blessing and continued guidance in each one of their lives.

Please pray with me for the following:
For blessing on the church in Lodz. That God would continue to transform people's lives for His kingdom.
That He would keep these beleivers safe and rested.
For our team's safety as they travel back to the U.S. on Saturday.
For my safety as I travel to Ukraine Saturday.

It has been a wonderful trip. There has been significant personal renewal as well having the opportunity to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to our brothers and sisters in Lodz, Poland.

As I continue to debreif from this experience, I will continue to post here. Thank you all so much for your prayers. We all appreciate your interest and concern. If you want to come to Poland so that you can experience some of what was blogged first hand, let me know!

polandmission.com
We had a great time at church on Sunday. It is always so amazing to worship God with people who live in a different part of the world than you do. It's pretty incredible to understnad that we serve a God who created the whole universe. Somehow, you understand that concept just a little bit better when you start to understand that all over the planet earth there are people serving and worshiping God.

Cheri has made many new friends. Particularly all of the Polish cooks. She talks about her grandparents meals that they made in the U.S. and has already gotten many tips and recipes to improve her own Polish cooking. She is known as Sarah's mom to everyone in the church.

I was asked to blog about the design of the Polish pews. It's great for the tall western visiters. Our legs can stretch out while sitting down. You can even walk through in front of someone sitting down instead of making a schene, which is pretty much what we have to do in the states because our pews are so close together. Nate is happy to have found a place where being 6'6" isn't quite as much of a bother.

Today we are working on staining and painting. We are very meticulous because we have a Polish inspector who checks all of our work (chef Pit).

Thank you for all of your prayers. Our trip has been refreshing both to our team members as well as the missionaries and pastors here. Please continue to pray for good conversations and that we would be a shining reflection of our creator.

polandmission.com

This morning I woke up at 5 am. After getting ready for the day, I still had a good 2+ hours before the team was meeting for breakfast. I felt so completely refreshed. It's one of those days where I feel completely relaxed and content. As I start to think through why I feel completely relaxed I am reminded of the slower pace of my life in Poland. I remember that I had time this morning to spend time with God, uninterupted and for an extended period of time.
So, the question that nags me all day long is: my discontent and completely unrelaxed pace of life at home is driven by? ... I hope we all can reflect and understand no matter what stresses each of us out today should not distract each one from our relationship and time with God.

polandmission.com

We have arrived safely and are adjusting to the time zone. It is a beautiful day outside. We enjoyed a long walk down the famous P Street. Now we are enjoying seeing old friends and meeting new people. I will work on my technological capabilities so that I can post some pictures for all of you.

The Refiner's Fire

I've been on enough mission trips that you would expect me to become a little more accustomed to some of the pre-trip challenges that occur with painful repition as I prepare to leave again.

Here is a list of suggested preparations: I'll start with the easy ones...

• learn about your destination, including customs. ok, handled.
• pray with team mates. in fact, did this a couple of hours ago.
• pray for wisdom, team mates, destination friends, family and self. this is appropriate.
• establish a relationship with at least one person who will pray daily for you and with whom you can be personal and candid with after you return home. Praise God for my friends! People that God has placed in my life to help smooth out my rough edges.

moving on to the more difficult to grasp:

• expect to encounter the unexpected, including problems. I am great with this in country, but prior to departure I expect everything to run smoothly, no difficulties or obstacles in final preparations. This is where I need to admit bouts of dillusion...
• get lots of sleep the week before leaving. This rarely happens in a typical week in my life, let alone the week that I'm trying to wrap up my personal life as well as work before traveling internationally.
• make a vacation day for yourself prior to leaving, perhaps the day before. Completely impossible for me to do with my personality of trying to estimate time frames to accomplish goals. There's always a big stack to complete before leaving.

Please understand that I think this is a great list to work through and suggest for short term mission team participants, it's just that being totally honest, 9 days out, feeling stressed out and completely overwhelmed with my to do list, it is interesting that I expect to be changed and challenged while on the trip. I realize that re-entry into our culture is anything but easy, but yet, I seemingly resist the fact that the pre-trip is life changing and causes tension and change to occur as well. This is my first aha moment of the trip.

Repeatedly, I tell people that our journey starts well before we embark on the actual trip itself. For some reason, this trips has driven that point home in my own life.

Please pray for each of us this week as we prepare... personally, spiritually and as a team.

polandmission.com

It's hard to beleive that we will be in Poland the end of next week! Please pray for us as we make final preparations. Also, pray for the individuals we will meet and friends we will see again. It is our sincere desire to share God's love with people that God brings across our paths as we journey. We are so excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Christ's ambassadors!