Matt and I in the Chicago airport feeling excited and rested

Our time in Poland was amazing.  We really enjoyed it.  Matt and I were both struck by the fact that doing something that is worthwhile and of lasting significance is so much more enjoyable that say, laying on the beach for a week.  It seemed that we couldn't soak up enough from the wonderful missionaries that we met while we were there.  They are all very ordinary people with their own set of problems, but it is amazing how they prioritize people and don't give up on them when it get's tough (which is most of the time!).  These were definately not people you would meet everyday here. . . they are passionate about God and serving him, whatever it costs.  I love that. 

This is the place where the conference was held.  We had a very nice room and private bathroom.  We were pleasantly surprised.  It took a bit to get used to the twin beds wherever we went but we learned that you just push them together and everything was great.  It's a European thing.

We stayed in a little town called Poronin that is in the southern part of Poland and up in the mountians.  It was beautiful and very quaint.  The houses resemble little chalets and the mountians were snow capped and amazing!  It was cloudy, rainy and chilly while we were there (40's and 50's).  Actually, a lot like Iowa this time of year. 

The view out of our window.

Our little group heading out to a little town nearby to go site seeing.  It was cold, but so much fun! We got to know the couple in the back really well.  They are David and Nicole Beger.  They have been in Poland for one year now and are loving it.  They are experiencing what most missionaries in Eastern Europe are, the drastic drop in the value of the dollar.  They have lost a third of their income  and stand to lose another third due to a new EU tax law.  It is very tough for missionaries over there.  They are also expecting their first baby (after 6 years of trying!) and are planing to deliver in Poland.  What amazing people.  We just loved them.  Our young families class is planning on keeping up with them and praying for them. 

This is wonderful Iwona (pronounced, Evona).  She was our godsend the entire time we were in Poland.  She translated for us and took us site seeing.  She found us a nice Hostle to stay in in Krokow and took us to yummy restaurants.  She has been described as the closest thing to a Christian Terrorist because of her unstoppable desire to spread the gospel to everyone she meets (we witnessed this first hand many times).  She has an awesome sense of humor and an amazing love for God.  She is the only christian in her family and came to know the Lord through reading a bible on her own.  Amazing lady. She is single and Polish. 

This is the Schmitts.  They flew over to Poland with us and we enjoyed them so much.  They have been in ministry for years and years and are so faithful.  They were missionaries in Malasia to the chinese people. They have 7 grown children and are still serving the Lord.  They came to "work the edges of the crowd" at the conference and just be an encouragement to the missionaries.  For many of them, this conference is the only time they see other believers who speak their language, get to worship in their language, and have a chance to be "filled up again"  all year. 

Ben Olier.  An amazing guy (German National) who gave up a complete life of ease in germany to live for Jesus in Ukraine (the worst country in Eastern Europe because of being ruled by communism for so long.  The people are literally hopeless.  It is currently closed to missionaries).  He knows seven languages and is currently learning Arabic so he can minister to Muslims.  He talks of having to hide at the English camps they do in the summer when the KGB shows up.  Pretty amazing guy. 

We so enjoyed teaching our parenting seminars and helping people grasp parenting from a biblical perspective.  It was so encouraging to see American and National people hungry for help in parenting. We were pretty much exhausted by the time bedtime came.  So many conversations, all worthwhile and full of substance. 

A picture of our parenting class. 

The last day we were in Poland and were sightseeing, the Lord was so gracious and gave us a beautiful day.  55 and Sunny! Krokow is a beautiful city.  It is refered to as the Pearl of Europe.  As one person put it, "America's dirt isn't as old as the pigeons in Krakow".  It's almost true.  They have a castle right in the middle of the city that dates back to the 10th century.  We were told that Hitler set up his head quarters there but was determined to wipe out all of Poland's heritage so that it would be a german state.  Along with killing all the educated doctors, lawers, teachers, musicians, and artists, he decided to blow up the castle.  Someone, who was very brave, crept into the castle and cut the wires to the explosives and saved the castle.  No matter how hard Hitler (and the Russians for that matter) tried, he could never kill the Polish spirit! 

Castle Picture.

Siteseeing in Krokow.

I would so highly recommend that everyone take a trip overseas to experience what other people go though and live like.  It has an amazing sactifying affect to rub shoulders with modern day heros, people just like you and me that have decided that Jesus is better than anything else this world has to offer.   

Auschwitz consentration camp.  Not a fun experience, but worthwhile.  This is where Hitler killed 1.5 million people.

Last but not least, the directors of International Messengers, Darwin and Darlis Anderson.  They are truely a delight.  We flew over with them and had so much fun getting to know them.  During the evening session, they handed out candy to keep people awake!  It came in very handy for Matt and I!

After months of "blogstalking" my friends, I have finally decided to publish my own blog. My desire is to share a little about our life around here and to encourage other moms to live for Christ.  Here we go. . .