Ode to Tobi

Well... on tuesday our dog got attacked by our neighbor's boxer dog. We were all gone but the neighbor lady did her best to call the dog off. From what she said, Tobi ran off very quickly after being dropped out of the jaws of "Bella." There was no blood and no evidence that there was deep injury.

The only problem is, is that we haven't seen him since and it's now Saturday. He took off so quickly and in such a panic, we believe, that he's scared to come home or someone has taken him or....

We've looked and looked and looked. We talked and talked and talked to neighbors. We just can't find him anywhere. We've cried and cried and cried.

We've had Tobi for almost 6 years. He's a part of our family. He brings us such joy. The house has felt empty without him.

I think what is really hard is that it's not a closed story. We're waiting... not sure what the end of this story will be.

As I've reflected on this, a few thoughts have come to mind. I've wondered if God really cares about dogs. I think he does. Mostly because He cares about me (and Jacob and Dan) and what gives me joy or brings sadness. I also know that he cares for the sparrows. And, I know that Jesus told the parable about the shepherd who left 99 sheep to look for the one lost. I understand looking and looking for one that is lost.... And, actually, as I was reading that parable the other morning, it ends by Jesus saying how much more the heavenly father looks and looks for His lost. I thought of the camps going on right now here in Poland and how our Father is searching for the lost young people in Poland. How the search brings grief. He longs so much to be in relationship with them. And, the joy of finding... Yee haw!

I've prayed these days for Tobi to come home. And, for many young people in Poland to come home to the Father's open arms.

An Ode to Tobi. We love him and miss him.

Camps, camps and more camps

Our summer is well under way. It's an interesting schedule this year with a two week break of English Camps between the first session where we had 6 camps and the second session which will have 3 camps. I think I like having a break between it all!

The theme this year is "Underground--Mind the Gap" where we're encouraging students to evaluate and consider if there is more to this life than what they can see and touch--maybe there is something "above ground" that needs to be considered. I was personally involved in the camp that was for our youth group from katowice which was joined by a team from my home church, Mission Hills. It was an awesome time as we saw our young polish leaders especially move towards their friends by leading discussion groups and initiating great spiritual conversations.

While Jacob and I were there together taking it all in, Dan was traveling about the country visiting 4 of the other camps which were spread out from western Poland to the Baltic Sea. I had the chance to visit the 6th camp also during that week which was not held too far from where our Katowice camp was.

As we've reflected on what we've seen and heard from the Polish and American students who participated, we again believe in camps and see it as a "win-win" experience for both American and Polish groups and for the new young people who have a chance to hear about Christ in a delightful context.

Just today, our assistant Jola received a call from a distinguished catholic lay leader in the country whose son has attended one of our camps over the past few years. He already was at one camp this year but wants to attend another!

We're thankful for the chance to be a part of God's work through English Camps.

SLOT
I had a break after English Camp but Dan and Jacob went straight into another camp which is called the SLOT Art Festival. It's in western Poland and is attended by 7000 young people. Despite the rain and mud, Dan managed to set up a "tent city" for the 18 youth that were there from our area. Many of them had just been at the English Camp as well. This is quite an amazing festival (maybe something like Woodstock...) with many non-believers in attendance. There are workshops on every possible topic and art form and also lectures from different Christian speakers.

When I saw the pictures, I knew that God was about something great there... but I was glad I was home in my dry, comfy bed!

For more pictures, http://picasaweb.google.com/hashlaura/Summer2007

I'm just beginning!

Here it is! The first edition of the Hash Happenings! Aren't you excited?

Let's see how it goes! Thank God for Alice! (No, that's not me next to Alice... that's my other great friend here, Krista!)