Books

After posting yesterday that I wanted ideas of books to read, I went online to look at the course syllabus of the class that I'm taking at Columbia International University. The class is called Global Missions and the Church. I'm way excited. The class is really devided up into three parts. Pre campus period, on-campus period, and post campus period. I'm doing most of my work while I'm in Maryland but I have to go down to South Carolina for one week in January. Anyways, I was looking at my syllabus and I have to read four books and write papers on them before January 23rd. The books are Camel Training Manual This is what I found for a description of the book : For centuries, Christians have feared, hated, or simply avoided Muslims. In his new book, Greeson shows us how we can love them as God loves them and bring them to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Greeson's Camel Training treats Muslims with respect and invites them to confront their own sacred writings as a bridge to the good news found in the Bible. It sounds really good. The next book is called Putting Together the Puzzle of the Old Testament. I can't find this book anywhere so if anyone knows where I can get it let me know. The next one is Loving the Church, Blessing the Nations and the last book is From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya its a A Biographical History of Christian Missions. Sounds really good but it is 528 pages long which is why I have to start now because I will never get them all done. Back to the point. I think these books will keep me really busy reading for a while. I'm really excited and I'm glad that I can start reading now. Thanks Stephanie for your book idea. I think I will read that over my Christmas break.

Looking for a book

Hey all!! As many on you know I love to read. I just finished a good book but now I'm looking for a new one to read. Does anyone have any ideas of a good book that you think I might like? Thanks!!!!

Home Already

Man did my trip to Poland go so fast. I tried to extend my ticket but it didn't really work out too well. It was really hard to leave. I'm so glad that I went. I had a great time with the Otrembas and was encouraged with what is going on in the ministry. Please pray for Genesis in this upcoming season of ministry.

On Sunday they had a church service at thier home and alot of people came. Some that I know already and also new people. Because we Americans were there they had a little different service. Tomek had a cd sermon with an American pastor. On the CD it was in English and translated in Polish. So it worked out for all of us. I see them out growing that room soon. Please be praying for a new place for them to meet.

That night we went to my favorite restaurant in Poland and had my favorite Tomato soup and Greek Salad. I promise that if any of you come to visit me in Poland I will make sure I take you there. I'm sure you will love it too!!!

I then went to the GCM church. I saw Krista and Jack and his family. It was good to see them also.

On Monday, We spent some time cleaning up the kids stuff and did a mad run to the mall. We had one and a half hour to do some power shopping. Plus COFFEE HEAVEN!!!!! I had the worlds famous Caramel Macciato www.coffeeheaven.eu.com I got some movies in Polish so that I can practice and yes they do have English subtitles. So next FFW guess what we are watching :)

Monday night we stayed up really late chatting with Tomek and Damaris. Pollyanna woke up about 1:30 so I got to see her again. I almost took her with me but I thought they would miss her too much.

So thats it. I'm home. I'm still a little tired. I went and checked to find tickets for the trip :) Thanks for all your prayers.

More Puppet talk

Sorry, I had to go eat some pizza!!! Not telepizza but good anyways. Also during the Puppet workshop Tomek was down stairs most of the time doing work but he came up when we had people practice. Tomek had a turn. He was really good. I say that this might be a ministry for him. :) Some of the puppets that people made were so creative. It made the puppets that I brought as examples look sad. Oh well. It was cool to see the stuff they made. i will put the pictures on my blog when I get back.
Last night we watched the movie The Sting with Robert Redford. Old movie but a good one. Kind of strange that the first time I have seen it is in Poland. I think we may have a ladies night and go out on the town. Will see.
Pollyanna is so cute if I have not told you already. Mary I have taken a lot of pictures of me holding her. i gave her a kiss for you.

Puppet Workshop

The puppet workshop went great! We had 16 poles come. The people learned a lot and left exciting about doing more puppets with their own ministries. They spent some time doing the puppets and they made their own puppets. They even put on a puppet show that they made up. I had a great time and I know they did too. This will be something that I will be doing a lot of once I get here. Very spoko. Well thats all for now. Talk to you all later.

We are here!!

Yes, We did make it to Poland. Tomek met us at the airport around 5:30. It was great to see him again. He took us to our hotel, which is great. (no more hallways) We than went to the Otremba's house. They are living in this great place. I know it has been such a blessing for them. It is so much bigger than their other place and no more mold. Krystian is getting so big. Of course Bill got him really wild playing with him when we first got here. Today we played all kinds of games with him. He even taught me a little more Polish. Polyanna is also so big!!! She is SO CUTE. Such a happy baby. She is no longer sick and just smiles all the time. Tomek and Damaris are doing well also. We took some time last night to talk about what is going on in the ministry and what they see in the future. They spent some time in the summer really praying and asking God's will for this upcoming season. I was really encouraged by hearing it all!!! Today we just hang out, did a little shopping. Christine and I cut out all these felt Bible people and stuff. I see great things in the Children's ministry here. We just need to pray for more people with a heart to serve in this ministry. Tomorrow I'm putting on a puppet workshop. Damaris thinks that around 20 people might come. I'm really excited about it. Please pray for me as I finish preparing for this and that I can show these people what a great tool puppets can be to reach children. Time here already is going by way too fast. Thanks for all your prayer.

Lima Beans are everywhere!!!

So we are stuck in Germany. Why would I ever think that it would be easy travels? We were about one and a half hours late out of Chicago which caused us to miss our flight to Poland. When we got to Chicago we went to the International terminal. Which we found out that we were in the wrong one. Then we went to the other terminal and waited in the United line for a good chunk of time. Once we finally got to the front of the line they told us that we were at the wrong place. We had to go to the Lufthansa desk. we went there and they said I don't think you are going to make the flight. They rushed us through security. We had our own personal helper to get us through. (she had to stop to get a cigarette break first :) ) But it didn't really mater because our plane was late. Once on the plane, I sat by Seth - well not really but he looked like him. I was really excited about the movies they are were playing. Must love dogs and Guess Who. But if you know me at all I didn't make it through them. I didn't even make it to the beginning of the movie. I was gone. The flight was not that bad. So we are now in Germany. We missed our 9:30 flight and the next flight to Poznan is not until 3:00. So we wait!!! Well thats all for now. Have a great Thursday.

Anna

Who would have thought that handing out free bagels and coffee would effect my life so much. A few weeks ago Crossroads, our young adults ministy went out and gave away free bagels and Coffee. While I was downtown, I ran into this girl named Anna. Come to find out that she is from Poland. Which happens to be the place that I'm planning on moving to. We exchanged numbers. We have been hanging out and she is teaching me Polish. She taught Polish to Americans when she lived in Poland. She is an awesome teacher. I'm learning so much. I'm so thankful to God that he has placed Anna in my life and that I'm learning so much more about Poland through her. Crazy how God does stuff like that. I will keep you updated on how my lessons are going.