Then to Denver and Chicago...

The 2x3 campaign meeting in Denver was a little overwhelming with all the special people we were able to connect with.  It was a meeting of all of our worlds... former Malachi friends, special people who have supported this whole thing since the beginning in 1993, interns who have served summers in Poland, family, long-term friends, and even some brand new friends ... the list goes on.  It was an amazing time to rejoice with those we love so much in what God is about these days.  My joy could hardly be contained.

One of the greatest joys for me was to have my assistant, Jola, and her husband, Łukasz, be with us for the meetings.  They are such a part of what God is doing here in Poland that it wouldn't have been right to be there without them.  We sure love them!  Also, two couples who are considering joining our team in Poland also flew out to be with us and get to know us.  Pray for them!  On the far left are Josh and Lora Blair and next to them are Thomas and Stephanie Washington.

We also while in Denver were able to meet with some youth pastors who have led teams of students to Poland in past years and others who are considering bringing a group.  We felt so joined by these leaders who have become so dear to us.  We're encouraging by those who have decided to come... but we're lacking enough groups.  Pray that others would come!  (And, if you know any group that would like to come, let me know!)

My special brother.... how I love my family.  In the midst of meeting after meeting, there were moments of connection with my family.  We were able to remember my Dad (it's already been 4 years!) in a special time gathered around his graveside, have a wild birthday party for Jacob and his cousin, Karri, who are one-day apart in age, and Dan was even around at the exact time when his parents were moving to Dallas.  He and Jacob helped them drive their things down and helped begin the process of unpacking before they flew back to Denver.  Once again we were so thankful for our precious and supportive family.  

We had the privilege of an invitation to join Bill Armstrong, Colorado Christian University President and former US Senator, for lunch in his office.  There are four of us on our team who are CCU graduates and as we pursue a deeper relationship with this university by having students join us for summers and other ministry opportunities in Poland, we were delighted to have the chance to get to know this man and his heart for Poland.  He's been here in the past and desires to do more to be a part of reaching Poles for Christ.

Then we headed to Minneapolis...

We were greeted by hunting season in Minnesota!  That was a culture shock!

The time in the states continued and we spent a few days in Brainerd and Nisswa and then in Minneapolis.  Who would have ever thought we could love so many people in Minnesota?! We've never even lived there.                        

Reflecting

It's hard to know where these past two months have gone.  For sure, I've spent many of those days traveling in all kinds of different directions.  It's good to now be home... and able to just look "back" on some of those miles on planes, trains and automobiles!

In October, I took three ladies from my church in Katowice and we drove 12+ hours one-way to get to Rivne, Ukraine.  The adventure was quite enjoyable for us all (border crossings and all) and we ended up at a Young Women's Conference at a church where my friend and her Ukrainian husband (great to be with you Lindsay and Andrej!) are serving.  I spoke 4 times in two days to these dear women about caring for our bodies and souls.  After each talk, my three Polish friends and I each led a "spa" treatment and spoiled the girls there.  One of the greatest joys for me, besides talking while massaging Ukrainian girls' hands, was to see the Polish ladies get out of their comfort zone and begin using their Russian (studied it many years earlier in school), Polish and limited English to try to talk with the girls.  We also had such a great time together in the car and siteseeing in Lviv on our way home.  What a treat this time was in every way.  I pray that God will use my words to continue to speak to the girls about "being healthy" in all ways.

A few pictures:

A week after I returned from Ukraine, we all left for our trip to the US and Canada for Josiah Venture's 2x3 campaign.  If you don't know what that's about, check out www.2x3campaign.com to learn more.  Basically, we're asking God to double our fruit in the next three years.  It was SO fun to see so many of you.  We were first in Denver for a time with family and friends and then headed to Canada.  A few pictures from there: