Christmas in Poland

Journey to Poland
This is probably not going to be one of my most spiritual posts, but still a good update for the folks back home. My travels to Europe were very peaceful, and protected. I was delayed a bit in Chicago due to maintenance on my plane, and that of course made me late to my flight in Frankfort. No worries though, God was with me the whole time. I had extra time to say good-bye to my family on the phone, and got into Germany at a decent hour. Even when my flight to Warsaw was overbooked, I still got on the plane! You can imagine how grateful I was, and excited to almost be in Poland.

When I arrived in Warsaw, the weather was exactly as it had been in Kansas City; rainy. The rain didn't bother me one bit, because I was so excited to be back in Poland! An added bonus, on my way down to Cieszyn, my driver stopped for pierogies! If you have never had them, they are yummy Polish dumplings with cheese and potato filling. A must have when in Poland.Finally, after two days of traveling, I reached Cieszyn, and the place I will be staying at. When I got to the door Lukasz and Pastor Polok were waiting for me at the entrance. There were lots of hellos, hugs, and excitement as we were all back together again. Patrycja, Oli, and the rest were also there to say hello, and to welcome me back to Poland. We stayed up late eating, and talking into the night.

So what is the difference between Polish Christmas and American Christmas?
In Poland, they actually celebrate their "Christmas" on Christmas Eve. They have special foods such as fish dishes, borsch, potato salad, and cabbage dishes. We even had a turkey that was made especially for the occasion. For dessert there were special little cookies that are only made in this part of Poland. Now, they do have Santa, but instead of Santa bringing the presents that evening, there was an angel who does it. Our angel that night was Patrycja's sister Natalia. Everyone got something special, and we enjoyed watching everyone open their gifts. This next part is probably one of my favorite moments. Pastor Polok left the room, and came back with some wafers. Each wafer had a different depiction of the nativity. We were to break off a piece, and give it to someone at the table. Then you were to speak a blessing or prayer over their lives. So we went around the table as a family breaking bits of wafer, and blessing one another. I absolutely loved it, and the room was filled with God's goodness.

After Christmas Happenings
I must confess that I have been very jet lagged, and sleepy since I came back to Poland. So, my Christmas has been a time of rest. I slept, ate, and spent time with my two host families. There was plenty to eat, and that's what you do in Poland...eat! I had to wait a few hours to skype my family in America, but it was worth it. My uncle, parents, and grandfather were all together in Oregon, and it was wonderful to see them. Plus, it was wonderful to see how my friends in Kansas City were spending time with their families as they posted on Facebook. I know technology has its ups and downs, but I'm grateful for it this Christmas.

Friday night I had the privilege to lead praise and worship, and preach at Church of Glory Cieszyn. I spoke on Mary and Joseph, and their walk of faith. I noticed that they were a team, and that Joseph was a real man. He stepped up to the plate, and took responsibility. Plus, he had a right response to what God was doing. It wasn't an ordinary situation, it was supernatural, and Joseph was the right man at the right time. Mary and Joseph were a faith couple, and the right choice to be the parents of our Savior.

This has been an awesome journey so far, and I am missing my friends/family in the U.S. However, my Polish hosts have been beyond kind. They take excellent care of me, and couldn't be nicer. Thanks again for those who sent well wishes, messages, and prayers my way, it was greatly appreciated more than you know.

For those who are interested in praying for me, and the church in Poland, here are a few prayer requests:

• God's presence in our service
• Protection
• Strength
• Wisdom

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and keep watching for more updates from Poland!

Being a disciple...sticking to the plan

 

I never thought that my dream of touching the nations would become a realty so soon. I remember when I was about six years old, God was really squeezing my heart to be a missionary. It felt like the nations were almost embedded into my soul. I would just cry when missionaries or itinerant ministers would come through, because something inside me said, 'this is what I want to do when I grow up.' I didn't know that the feeling I had inside was the Holy Spirit calling me, and that he did have a wonderful plan for my life. The plan from the beginning for me was to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. To go into all the world and preach good news to people, to be empowered, just like they did in the book of Acts. 

Years later after I graduated from high school, no one would have picked me to be a missionary anywhere. I knew I had a calling on my life, but I was a directionless mess. It wasn't until a sweet couple from World Revival Church visited my church (Word of Grace Christian Center) in Lompoc, CA, did my life begin to change. I was 18 years old, and my life had hit rock bottom. That May of 2000, I attended a women's conference (put on by WRC) in Kansas City, MO that dramatically touched my life. A few months later, I packed up my belongings, and headed east to Missouri. Even though I was as faulted as could be, my heart was burning to become something for Jesus. Like a real disciple, I was first called, then I spent time in a school of ministry observing, and then I had years to practice what I saw. It was my responsibility to develop and become who God had called me to be. I had to remain loyal, become a servant, develop in my faith, learn how to pray prayers that God called prayer, and be stable. 

Week in and week out I did not just go to a revival, but I participated in helping advance it. Any opportunity to serve, give, do or be, I wanted to be a part. Years of character building began to pay off, as my life finally began to bear 'good fruit.' Prayers started to be answered like never before, and my faith was tested through the fires of circumstances. There were numerous opportunities to give up, go back to California, or live a life that was sub-level to what I was called to do. Even when the devil was telling me how rotten I was, when I saw how frail I was, and even God revealed to me things that needed to change...I NEVER GAVE UP! My calling card to survive was one word: loyalty. I had learned that early on, and it has saved my life literally.

Years began to pass, and I began to wonder what to do with my life. I felt that maybe God was finished with me in the ministry department, so I needed a plan to at least be productive. I went back to school in 2010, and graduated in May of 2014 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. I wanted to be a stable giver to my local church (WRC), and an influencer in my city. My pastor had mentioned in June of 2014 that he was looking to send someone to Europe. Someone with music and children's ministry abilities. At first I discounted myself, but the next day I said, "No, that's me!" While in Paris, France, on a trip with my friend, I emailed my pastor, and basically asked, "If you need someone to go, here I am." Weeks later, when I wasn't expecting it, my pastor called me into his office. He said, "Mary, how would you like to go to Poland?" I had made some friends in Poland, and was already thinking about making a trip someday. It was an offer I couldn't refuse.

In August of 2014, I flew to Poland for six weeks, and worked tirelessly with my friends there. It was what I was created to do! I enjoyed it tremendously, and was surprised at how much we were able to accomplish in such a short time. Coming back to the U.S., I knew deep inside that the work was not complete. I couldn't shake it, and was even being woken up in the middle of the night by the Holy Spirit. Finally, I took a leap of faith, and asked to speak with my pastor, Pastor Kathy. I explain what was burning inside of me, and from that point on I was put in a crisis of faith. I had no idea how I would get to Poland, but I knew I was going. Weeks later, God put everything in place for me to go to Poland. Everything was provided by the very hand of God, and it was a dream coming true. I was being sent out, just like the disciples, sent out to fulfill the call upon my life. 

That's my story, I stuck to the plan, and I stayed faithful and loyal to Jesus. He has stuck to the plan too, and has shown himself to be more than faithful back to me. So, if that's my story...what is yours? What was God speaking to you when you were a kid or a teenager? Do you remember being singled out by a man or woman of God, and they revealed a plan for your life? Or like me, had a feeling of destiny inside of you as a child? Maybe you feel that God has forgotten you, or that it will never happen. Maybe you're telling yourself that God is finished with you, but in my experience that is not the case. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If he wrote the beginning and middle of your story, there must be an ending. Really, that ending depends on us. God has all the resources available to get people in position, but it is we that must make the choice.

I would encourage you to start reminding God what it is you desire to do for him. He has not forgotten, but maybe he's waiting for you to remember. Maybe he's waiting for you to strike the match in your heart, and chase Him down until he changes your name. He will cause your dreams to come true, but you must stick to the plan. Be like a Joseph, stay loyal to Him, stay in position, and be productive where you are. You never know when your destiny might summon you