Wrecked Without Crayons

I am completely overloaded. I can't even put words to what is happening in me. Even as I write this I am tearing up. I will post a few pictures from the day so maybe you can catch a glimpse of what is going on here. I think I am going to paint what is happening in my heart today. I was going to sketch it out, but believe it or not, I have no crayons with me.

The events of the day included a visit to Hurnhut, Germany. This is the place of the Moravian revival. We also visited a family in the church that just had a baby. What an honor to sit at their table and then pray for them and baby Michael. Then I went to visit Dominika and any part of my heart that was left was definitely ruined there. Then we had a dinner with Marek and his staff that was wonderful. Very powerful.

I am a wreck. I will try to put more into words later.

The Little God Moments

Today has been a day full of God moments for me. If I recorded all of them, you would be bored and my fingers would be tired! We had a church service this morning and once again I was amazed at God's goodness to break down cultural or language barriers. There are none in worship! It is fantastic to join with these wonderful people and worship Jesus together! Sweet Natalia sat with me and whispered to me in Polish on and off through the service. I have no idea what she was saying but I used the opportunity to whisper words of life and encouragement back to her in English. Dominika was there and she has grown sooo much! I look forward to spending time with her tomorrow. Her mom has invited us into their home for coffee tomorrow!

After the service we drove through the mountains. It was breath-taking! God is so amazing and I just could not help but feel His presence in such a beautiful place. We ended the drive at Peter and Anya's home. They are the youth pastors in Marek's church. I am so moved by the hospitality of the people and the slow pace of the culture here. I love not having an agenda. I love sitting with coffee just for the sake of being with people! Spending time with Marek and Marcia is so good for me. I feel like I am being impacted on a leadership level that is not really definable yet. God is indeed moving!

Am I Hearing You?

The youth meeting was good. I spent about an hour or two preparing a message only to have it scrapped at the last minute. I was jotting down a new sermon on the way to the meeting after a fresh download from God. (those are usually better anyway) It was one of those times when you wonder if you are even hearing from God at all. I was reminded to think and analize less and just follow the Holy Spirit. My heart was so moved for the young people. I shared what was on my heart and then we had a time of prayer over each one of the youth as well as Peter, the youth pastor. It was so fun to watch God move and speak!

I have been so captured with God's love for these people. He is doing something wonderful here, and I am being so blessed to just be a part of it...just to watch it!

Balloon Art

This is our team as balloon dogs (or pies in Polish). I am the pink one. :) Thought it was amazing that they stuck to the back of the couch!

The Sweetest I Love You

This morning was so fun! We went to the church building and helped out with the children's club. Dominika was not there today becuase she was with her dad in another village. I was soo sad to miss her, but Swavek said she would probably be at the service in the morning. I found out that I was teaching the Bible lesson while the kids were eating breakfast. In my head I was thinking it was no problem because I have been teaching kids for so long. So I asked Swavek what the lesson plan was about. He told me they were teaching about paper...how paper was different when people were recording the bible,how they had to make their papyrus, ect. I can honestly say that I have never taught a lesson on that and, in fact, it has never even crossed my mind. So I had all of ten minutes to figure out how to teach children about this. It went just ok.

Gary came in as a clown and the kids loved it. We made balloon creations and painted faces. It is always amazing to see how God crosses culture barriers and knits hearts together. There was this sweet little girl named Natalia. She was probably four or five and she just latched on to me. She held on to my leg and then did something that absolutely melted my heart. She kissed me on the cheek and said in the best english she could...I love you. It was one of the sweetest 'I love yous' I have ever heard!

It is cold here! Today it was around 13 degrees. We spent the morning cleaning the church building instead of working outside because of the cold. It was such a neat experience even though it was just cleaning. I think the whole team would agree. For me personally it was more than just serving that church...it was serving the Lord. Cleaning became a joy and I had so much fun mopping. While we were there a man came with a bunch of bread. The church hands out bread every day to the poor people in Gryfow. We didn't actually get to be directly a part of that, but we saw it and it was powerful! Something amzing happens when the church serves people in need!

After cleaning we went to lunch at Marek's house. Marcia prepared the most wonderful soup for the first part of the meal!! It was enjoyable to be in their home and to visit with them for a couple of hours. When we got back to the center, Melissa, Laura and I walked down to the river. (I don't really know what we were thinking with it being 13 outside) It was really neat. You could see where people had been ice fishing and the snow was beautiful. The second picture is me standing on the frozen river. Never done that before!!

The guys are at the men's meeting. We ladies are hanging out and working on face paint and balloons for the kids tomorrow. Should be a good time!

Spork!

All the pointy-ness of a fork with the perfect curves of a spoon...the spork is a marvelous invention. And now it is availiable in silverware only when you fly Lufthanza! Who knew?! Sporks are not just for KFC.

Twilight Zone Day

What a loooong day it has been. When I boarded the plane in Houston I got a copy of USA Today for January 20th. When I got off the plane I recieved a copy for January 21st. Weird. I must say that after 12 hours on a plane and about 2 hours in the car, I am thankful to just be settled.



God has been soo good. For the long flight (9 1/2 hrs) we were able to spread out because the plane wasn't full. If you have ever been on one of those flights you know it is the hand of God moving when you get extra space! I tried to sleep, but only managed about thirty minutes. In my efforts to go to sleep I thought I would try and read some of the Bible. That didn't work at all. God just ambushed me...right there...in public...while flying over the ocean. I was reading John 20 and could not keep myself together. I was just thankful that the plane was dark and most people were sleeping! God is doing good things in my heart...not even quite sure I know exactly what.

I am excited to see what God has planned for me and the rest of the team. Gary went straight from the airport to preach in another town, and the rest of us came to the center for dinner and unpacking. It is definately getting close to bedtime though...

Good Night All!

Leaving On a Jet Plane...

I think it is finally becoming real that I am leaving. (Guess that is a good thing since it is only a few hours away) I am excited about what God is going to do in me through this trip. I feel like there has been so many attacks from the enemy to try and draw me away from going, but my heart is at peace and my spirit is filled with expectancy. The last couple of days it has been easy to pick up control. With Jon out of town and Evan not feeling well, I began to doubt and get anxious. After spending some time with the Lord last night I got His perspective back. Thank you for all your prayers during the next nine days! You can join with me in asking the Lord to have His way!