(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.