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:

We're still alive!

So, I'm working on updating my blog. I want to be connected with people so I think this is what I want to do. I'm just still not very good with it! So, if I have a different look, maybe then I'll have a bigger desire to update!

The Fall has begun. Jacob's doing well in school thus far. Dan just returned from a trip visiting 3 cities who held camps this summer. He and Jola and Lukasz traveled west almost to Germany and then on up north, all the way to the Baltic. And, back home in just a few short days. It was a whirlwind but awesome for them all.

Next week Dan and I will be at our JV Fall Conference and Jacob and Zoe at home with our friend, Wisnie. He's a wild guy that Jacob really likes who leads our Winter Camp. I'm not sure who will be taking care of who!

And, besides that, we're staying warm. The weather suddenly has changed from summer to winter! All in a few days. Burrr!

Also, wanted to show some pictures of my newly organized home! Kathy and Neal Gaalswyk, friends from Minnesota, were here last week and were the "wind beneath our wings!" THANKS!!!

And, a new rug!

Zoe loving summer, her ball, and Jacob!

The life of a dog...

Jacob's adventures

Jacob's been learning to play the violin the past few years. A few weeks ago, he had the chance to join a few kids from our church in a Christian competition sponsored by a church not far from us. Take a listen!

The Camp Song!

Every year we have a theme song and dance... Thought you might enjoy seeing us learning it!

Summer Prep

We've had two separate meetings that have happened at our "Hash Garage Hotel." The first was back in May when all the leaders of the Polish youth groups gathered together to pray, practice telling their life-stories, learn the camp song, role play leading someone to Christ, learn some new games and just hang together. This summer there will be 8 camps happening throughout Poland and it was a privilege to have all these leaders together in one place.
Katowice Group

Learning games...


The other group just left on Sunday morning. They are a Canadian group that has come to Poland to serve with our youth group here in Katowice. They are at an English/Volleyball Camp happening in the Tatra Mountains near a city called Zakopane. This was the first time we've done the orientation time with North American teams at our home. Due to the fact that a smaller group of people were here, we decided to host it. Besides the Canadians, we also had our summer interns (4) and three girls from Multnomah Bible College who are helping alongside the interns at another camp going on right now in Swinouijscie which is on the Baltic right on the German border. It's amazing to us that God gave us this home which can easily house 20 people besides our family. With a newly installed pool filter, the environment led to great discussion and preparation for these servants who have come to co-labor with us to reach the youth of Poland. Pray with us for these camps!


Three of our interns... The group for orientation (and the pool!)

Listening intently!

The Armenians are coming!

Well, they actually were already here. A choir from Armenia came to Poland to take part in a church choir competition. They were awesome and actually took 2nd place out of about 15 choirs from all over Europe. After their competition, they had made contact with our church earlier and came to Katowice for a concert for a coop of churches. It was awesome. They really were talented.

There were about 24 in the group and 14 of the ladies ended up staying in our "garage." It was quite interesting trying to talk with them as they only spoke Russian and Armenian! They were here for two nights and at 3:30 am the second night, a few came running to our house banging on the door. One of the ladies had fallen down a few stairs while she was going to the bathroom. It ended up that she broke her leg very badly and we had to call the ambulance. After deciding that she would need surgery and to stay in Poland for a few extra days, the entire group ended up staying in our "garage" that night. (They were to leave the day she broke her leg but plans needed to change...) So, that night we had a concert around the campfire.

Enjoy!