Block Parties

In response to some recent teasing (ahem...Teresa!) that I don't do anything besides galavant around on trips to Warsaw and goof off with Amber, I'm posting some pictures of some of the "work" that we're doing around here =) We finished our english lessons in the villages the last week in May and have been in two different villages, Waplewo and Jemiolowo, last Saturday and today doing block parties. They were a great way to celebrate the end of the lessons and serve the communities there. We had games, prizes, songs (we taught the kids to sing "Our God is So Big" in English), Marcin shared the gospel, and we gave out a youth version of the gospel of John.

This was the stage at Waplewo. Sunday, June 1st was Children's Day here in Poland, so the school in Waplewo was already hosting a children's party that we got to come along and be a part of. So, they had quite the set up! And, do you notice the American flag along with the Polish flag on the sailboat? =)
Definitely the biggest hit in Waplewo was the relays that Bryan organized. He had some really creative relays and the kids had a great time! It also helped that it was an absolutely beautiful day! The girl in the front of the line on the left was one of my students in english class and is named Sandra. She is a super sweet and really special girl and I was so excited to see her there last Saturday. She took a gospel of John, along with another of my students named Alan, so please pray that they'd both be drawn to read it and that Christ would open their eyes and hearts and see who He truly is.
These are some of the kids that came out in Jemiolowo today. I think they are learning the motions to a song in this picture. After we sang some songs, we had relays again for the older kids, and several different games for the younger kids. It was a pretty relaxed afternoon and a great way to provide some fun and activities for this community.
It wasn't just the kids who came out to play today! The man on the right...ok, the only man...is the head pastor of the church in Olsztynek where Marcin also works. I believe he is 86 years old and, like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps going and going and going....
This is a group shot of us Americans (minus the Intemanns who were picking a friend up at the airport in Warsaw), Polish believers, and some kids and friends from the village. As you can see, Jemiolowo sits right on a lake and it was absolutely beautiful. I'm so thankful to have been able to be a part of this event and serving the people in this community. I know I still have over four months remaining here, but I'm feeling pretty nostalgic as I write this and man, I've met some great people here! I know I will cherish these memories for a long time to come =) Please continue to pray for the people in Waplewo and Jemiolowo who heard the message of hope and grace in Christ and who received the gospel of John books...that their hearts would be opened and they'd have a desire to talk more and grow in their relationship with God.