(Part II) John 4:13-14 -- "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

If you've read Part I of the May review, you've caught a glimpse of church happenings.

Part II gives you a glimpse of a brief return to road life.

PART II:  Joining Up With the Elbe Unit of Covenant Players (9-13 May)

From the 5th-14th of May, Covenant Player's Elbe Unit (Silke & David Groves + Anneli Schott) took on a very special mission-- ministering in Wrocław and Poznań, Poland.  Due to the growing challenge of the harvest being plentiful and the workers being few, CP hasn't been able to send out full-time units to Poland. (If you would like to do something about this, please let me know! I will gladly share with you more about the ministry and about opportunities to make a significant impact in God's Kingdom!)

LIVING WATER by Charles M. Tanner

onstage with the Elbe Unit

in the role of "Romalajah"

Nevertheless, CP has stayed committed and convinced that ministry in Poland continues to be of import. Twice a year, units traveling predominantly in Germany come to minister in Poland for 1- 1 1/2 weeks.  This time they even took on the daunting task of learning a few plays in the Polish language to be of more direct impact.

It was a joy to learn a new singlet for this time of ministry.  Charles M. Tanner's play, LIVING WATER is an exquisite account of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well and was offered by Him the water of eternal life.  In Chuck's rendition, she is retelling her story to family and friends gathered in her hometown.

Anneli performing in Polish (!)
Charles M. Tanner's IT'S WHERE YOU LOOK  

Silke and Anneli did an amazing job of learning and performing Polish plays with very limited preparation time.  I was so proud of them! Besides the exhilaration of performing again (which I do terribly miss at times), it was great to just share in fellowship again.  It was a particular joy to get to know Anneli more. She's one of our newer CP-ers and is an absolute gem.






Here's where we ministered during our time in Poznań:

Krysia's radiant smile

Koinonia 2nd Baptist Church 
(Sun, 11 May)
This is one of my favorite churches and Pastor Piotr Ożana is one of my favorite pastors in all of Poland.  He was one of the first pastors CP units in Poland ever worked with. We were so blessed to stay with the first hosts I've ever stayed with in connection with this church -- Przemek and Krysia.  Back then they were newlyweds.  They now have two adorable sons. We share a kindred spirit because they're also Christian performing artists.

Przemek & the boys perform for us :)

Our time at the church was extremely encouraging and God moved in people's hearts very deeply.  Their incredibly generous offering was a visible gesture of how touched they were by the ministry and God's provision for vehicle repairs that were needed later that week.  Many shared how moved they were. The children's Sunday School teacher ecstatically shared that that morning's lesson was about the Samaritan woman! The greatest cause of rejoicing that morning: a man giving his life to the Lord! Hallelujah!

the students love David

Catholic High School 
(Liceum Siostr Urszulanek) 
(Mon, 12 May)

Here, Covenant Players' English Language Communication Program (ELCP) was our tool of ministry.  While we normally stick to a secular program in schools, we seek to bring God's joy and love with us into the classroom setting and affirm the value of each student.  Here, we were also given permission to dig a bit into Christian themes.

Silke's got the students involved in an improv,"The Western"

I believe God answered the prayers the church over us the previous day -- to bless our ministry at the school. Not only did I see His anointing over our time at the school, but also with time with our host families.  Silke & David had a long conversation about faith with their hosts.  I shared about my missionary life with my hosts and at the end of the evening, I played the piano for them and sang "All Who Are Thirsty". Later we sang a couple songs together.


At the school, several students came up to me after to thank us specifically for a discussion we led about our identity and the question raised --  "How deep does our faith actually go?"




New Life Center
(Tue, 13 May)

New Life Center (you can click on "translate") is a Christian transitional home for men there. The men there seeking help commit to a one year program in an effort to find freedom from addictions, have a temporary home, and develop life skills that will help them build fruitful lives after their time there.  

Krzysiek shares his testimony

The men there loved the program and one shared that they recently studied in depth the story of the Samaritan woman and the play helped bring it to life.  Krzysiek also joined us for this ministry opportunity and the men were deeply challenged, encouraged and inspired by his testimony.


After the program, the men were eager to bless us with some songs. We also shared a meal with them and had an extended time of fellowship.  It was also a joyful surprise to find that an old friend & co-laborer in Christ, Darek Cieślak was there that day as part of their staff. Darek was one of the first person I ever met in Poland and he was the main contact for our unit my very first week of my first mission in Poland.

the men of New Life Center

Darek Cieślak
long-time friend of our units

Postlude...

Road life was not easy on my physically.  I look back now and I see that my 12 1/2 years of full-time itinerant ministry was evidence of God's anointing and His grace over both my spirit and body.

Thank you for those of you who were praying for me after reading my email of how I was not at my best physically during my time with the unit.  (It wasn't just because I was on the road again. I hadn't been sleeping well prior to that.)  I had some major problems with allergies and came home with an eye infection.  But if I had a choice to do it again, I would.  Like most things that are worthwhile in life, something is required of us.  The more worthwhile it is, the more that's required of us. Although it was physically trying, it was a spiritual mountain top.

Upon coming home,  I was reminded that we can't stay up on the mountain top.  We have to come down at some point.  The challenge is to see God and to walk with God all the days of our lives -- at every high and low point -- in every mountain or valley, desert or oasis -- we are to be faithful and keep moving forward.

Be blessed and walk with God no matter what terrain or season you are in.  And trust Him to refresh you with His Living Water as you pour out streams of life to others.

(Part I) John 4:13-14 -- "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

May has been a hectic but wonderful month.  Two highlights of this month illustrate how chock-full of life it has been.  I thank God for the living water Christ pours out to me and as I partake of that living water, I experience streams of water I can then offer to others. The wonderful thing is that it never runs out.  As I pour out to others, I go running back to my Daddy for more and He graciously gives it in greater measure. And I think He even delights in it.


PART ONE: MAJÓWKA (May 1st-4th)...
Majówka (pronounced for English speakers "my-yoof-kah") is a Polish word used for picnics, most particularly in the month of May (maja).  It also refers to the first week of May which is marked by two national holidays (May 1st being Labour Day and May 3rd being Constitution Day) -- a great time for picnics. We had a very full schedule hosting as we were not only hosting a special youth event (and attending other picnics), but we had Krzysiek's family as well as a friend staying with us in the church for three nights.  

the pastors battle it out

I didn't play so well...but I still had fun :)

Picnic With Our Sister Church (Thur, 1 May)
Our sister church invited us to a picnic at their new site.  They've been meeting for years but recently they broke ground on the new land they've purchased -- a historical site.

Where others saw a huge challenge and bureaucratic obstacle, Pastor Bernacki saw this as their Promised Land. We pray and bless their church.

For now, as the building is still under renovation, we met in a huge tent they've recently put up, which is now housing their Sunday services.

Ping pong was one of the featured events. The pastors played a very friendly round together.  I played with Krzysiek's nephew, Wiktor, and didn't do so well! Once-upon-a-time I played pretty well, but I guess I'm a bit out of practice! Nonetheless, I'm still smiling!



Armia Pania Ognisko (Fri, 2 May)

ognisko!

We hosted a special "ognisko" (bonfire) for Armia Pana (the name of our youth group, meaning "The Lord's Army") and their friends and family.

The weather wasn't great (very chilly and a bit cloudy) but I think our kids really enjoyed the fun, food, and fellowship. 

blind cake-feeding contest

Time with Krzysiek's family (Sat, 3 May) ...

hoping to make fishers of men (& women)

                                                             Krzysiek's life testimony is an amazing one but all I'll share in this context is that he and has family had virtually no contact for 8 years -- until one year ago.  Since that time, not only have relationships been rebuilt with his mother as well as his brother & his brother's family, but a spiritual hunger has been awakened. 

fun for younger kids...

Our desire is not only to love them and care for them but to also show them, more importantly, Christ's love for them.  We had a great with them fishing, playing at a local park, and eating (of course).

... and older kids, too :)

Sylwia & Aron host obiad (lunch)
[pictured in the center, Aron is the one in a green shirt]

Our wonderful neighbors, Aron and Sylwia blessed us so much by preparing the main meal of the day so that we could have a bit of a break and they could also share their hospitality.  

Church Picnic (Sun, 4 May)
Well, I have to be honest, I was pretty picnicked out but the time Sunday came around.  Once again, the weather wasn't superb for a picnic (even colder than the previous day).

But that didn't deter us from holding an indoors church picnic. 

 And it was a lovely time of fellowship together.