Thanksgiving day

Here is the view from my window....... with snow!

On Saturday I experienced another first-Thanksgiving. I travelled to a nearby mining town called Lubin and shared with the Americans missionaries (mostly from Send International) eating turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce and corn and pumpkin pie! The children put on a thanksgiving play and we sang a few hymns (in English!! How I miss corporate worship in English).

Today I am thankful as I write to you from my new computer (a gift) surrounded by toy Australian animals and french onion soup (you can't buy it in Poland!!) I have a bad cold but the director of the school has visited- bringing with her a truck load of medications and advice (she realised an Australian might not have a lot of knowledge about surviving the winter).

A picture just for my Mum!

A bad day

Today was a bad day-which got me thinking about what a bad day really is.......
The Bible says that ALL things work together for good for those who love God. So I think maybe a bad day is just something we use to scale our emotions (as compared to a good day). It is snowing again and we had some very productive meetings today. I also got to talk to some people about God-what more could I ask for!! I think God keeps growing us for harder situations-so bad days are good training days to keep your eyes fixed on Christ and your mouth as pure as possible.

I also thought about what Jesus would do on a bad day-and the answer I came up with was that he would take time out to pray. So bye for now, Keren

Sunshine is SO GOOD!!

The sun has been shining for two days now (after almost two weeks of grey). It is the greatest feeling!

Despite the gloomy weather ministries have been going well. The past week we have gone bowling with students, had a movie night, the 2nd Baptist Church ran a Pride and Predjudice ball and I had karaoke with my students (it was a great hit!).

I've also had some tough times. It is a challenge to know how to respond when you find out someone you see every week but who never speaks to you (in Polish or English) is fluent in English. I try so hard to use my Polish, even though it is not very good, however Polish people only want to speak if they know they can get it right.

On the other hand a lot of the ladies at Church will now speak to me-even if they are not fluent. I love their company and the insights they give into Polish life. Plus they are really encouraging.

Some interesting things to note:
In the supermarket cereal isle live about 15 sparrows-they are probably trying to escape the winter frost and found somewhere with plenty of food!!!!
I am getting used to smelling like cigarettes. Many people in Poland smoke and some of my favourite places to go to escape the cold and the grey are not smoke free. I try to sit away from the smokers but I still come home smelling of it.

Please pray for the new teachers at the school this year. They are doing a great job but many seem discouraged.

It's snowing!!!

Wow, snow is amazing! I have made mini snowmen, thrown snowballs and even made a snow angel. Everything is so white, and quiet and COLD. The parent teacher night was a great sucess. Most of the parents came and the ones I talked to said their children really enjoyed my class!!

The student Bible study group I attend is really excited about being more active for Christ so are organising events to build relationships. They have also started a new initiative-morning tea after Church!! It is not common in Poland and is a great way for uniting Christians and building relationships in the Church. It was something I took for granted in Australia but a vital ministry. So thank you to all those people who make tea and coffee, bring cakes and biscuits and wash dishes every Sunday!!

This week I also spoke with both my conversation students about God. They have very different views so it is good to get a feel for where they are at. One is very open to talking about God and said that is why she likes the Baptists-as they talk about God and think about what the Bible says. The other doesn't believe we have souls, just minds and that when we die life just ends.

It is Rememberance day in Australia and Polish Independence day here. So tonight I will go to a free concert where Actors sing poems written by a famous Polish author..... Not quite sure what to expect but am sure it will be fun!

~Keren

ps I ate at the oldest restaurant in Europe!

Answered Prayer

Thank you all so much for your prayers!

I wanted to share a little more with you about what has happened in my classes over the past few weeks. I am building good relationships with my adults class. I have one good friend and we keep in touch via SMS and emails during the week and will be meeting for coffee this week. Also we listened to a song in class and the students had a great time, so they are going to come round my house for a Karaoke night before class next week.

The students are really getting along well and opening up in class. It is amazing how a simple activity can become a really deep conversation, giving you a glimpse of what there lives are like and the individual challenges they face. Please keep praying for opportunities to live out the gospel!

Childrens class is going ok. One of the students broke both his wrists a little before class so we are having a parent/teacher meeting this week. The children and I get along well but I have 8 boys in the class and now that they know me they are trying their hardest to push the boundaries so I have to be (in the students words) "strict but nice". We are planning a childrens segment at the Christmas carol service. We hope that parents will come along to see the childrens item and we will have an opportunity to share the gospel with them too.

I am a third of the way through my stay and really blessed to have some Australian friends staying with me for 2 nights. I took the opportunity over the long weekend to travel with them for a few days and the encouragement and fellowship was exactly what I needed. Thank you also for the continued encouragement from home. I am so glad I am not doing this alone.

God Bless!
From your sister in Christ