It's Fun To Stay at The...

...Swietlica? Well, we don't technically meet at the YMCA, but a swietlica could be similar (it's a community center with after school programs for kids). I will say that it seems our team has officially morphed into "the village people". We had our first week returning to two of the villages and meeting the people in two more and it was great! On Wednesday, we headed out to Waplewo for what we expected to be three groups of students. However, silly me, I forgot to remember the Golden Rule of Work in Poland: always expect the unexpected. So, I shouldn't have been surprised when we showed up and there were only two rooms reserved. It was totally no problem and worked out really well. There were about 32 kids (wow!!) and around 20 adults (12 were teachers and the others were people from the village). All in all, I think it was a great first meeting.
From Waplewo, we piled into the big while VW van with our fearless driver, Bryan, and headed to Platyny...unsure what to expect (see: Golden Rule of Work in Poland--I learned my lesson after Waplewo). Platyny is the village that we've had a pretty long...hmmmm, shall we say "history" with. The first good sign when we arrived was that the lights were actually on! Woo-hoo! (we've previously had to wait while Marcin would go hunt down the key to unlock the building) And, once we walked inside, we saw a rule list posted, as well as a sign for our english lessons! Woo-hoo, yet again! And, lo and behold...there was heat, too! Then, when we were finished, some of the wonderful ladies in the village had prepared tea, coffee, cappuccino, and cakes for us. It was such a special night and will surely be one of my favorite memories of Poland.
On Thursday, Amber and I headed out with Marcin to a swietlica in Olsztynek (the little town where Marcin lives and pastors) which was great. Then, we headed out to Jemiolowo and had a great time with the kids and the Soltys there. THEN, we headed back to Marcin and his wife Monika's home where we joined them for some delicious, homemade cucumber soup (a Polish speciality that I've got to get the recipe for!) and their homegroup meeting with members from their church. After the meeting, we celebrated Marcin's birthday! It was, once again, a precious memory and great time of fellowship. During the previous month, while things have been so slow, I've been missing out on really spending time in the Polish culture. I know it sounds funny since, um, I live here. But, it's true. So, this past week has been a "breath of fresh air" if you will.

Me and Krystyna...a believer who attends Marcin's church and lives in Platyny. She's a very sweet lady. Please pray for her, that she'd shine the Light of Christ, as she lives among her neighbors and friends in Platyny.

This is kind of a dark, lousy picture, but I wanted you to see what these ladies in Platyny did for us. It was so sweet!

Amber and I in action in Olsztynek.

In Marcin and Monika's home with some of the members of their church.

And, last but not least, Marcin and Monika, whom I love. I'm really looking forward to getting to know them both better. Please pray for them as they continue to minister in Olsztynek. They are such a neat couple and definitely love the Lord and people!