And God Created Man . . .

Today I went to the Vatican. I want to understand more of the Polish culture and thought this may help. I was so wrong! We got into the Vatican after walking around the wall and waiting in line forever and I was getting a really bad attitude, I admit. We got in and I was excited to be able to go from place to place and pray and think. That did not happen though. There were so many people there and the place closed at 1:30pm so we were ushered through like cattle! There were thousands of people and we just went from room to room. No thinking, no praying. My attitude got really bad, so put on my iPod and listened to Passion Worship. As I walked into the Sisten Chapel, their version of the Doxology came on. I looked up and there it was, one of my favorite pictures by Mike Angelo! The Creation of Man. Tears filled my eyes as I heard the voice of God whisper to me, "Alice I created you for My pleasure! You are special!" Psalm 139 kept on going through my mind. It was a holy moment for me. I snuck my camera out and took a few pictures (without flash) to remember this occation in my life.

Investment . . .

What can I say beyond, "Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy!"? Four years ago, these two young men were not thinking about anything at our English camps but girls and English. There were many investment hours and prayers made in these two young men's lives. I consider them friends!

Now, at this Snow Camp I have been privileged to see God at work in the their lives and call both of them "brother"!

Alex, (to the left) was in my English class several years ago and was a huge challenge to me personally. He was interested in God and yet had to be cool and not look interested. We battled in conversation but always laughed together. He has the American sense of sarcasm and that is what helped us become friends. Each year though I left camp with a heavy heart knowing that Alex had not chosen to follow Jesus. Two years ago, he was baptized and his life has not looked the same! Today, he is planning on possibly returning to his home town of Zielona Gora and starting up a youth ministry.

Boris, (to my right) is a young man who was in my English class 3 years ago. He was an atheist and philosopher and did not want ANYTHING to do with God or even Christ followers. He came to camp just because Alex talked him into it and to learn more English. I found out on Tuesday that he now believes! I asked him about his philosophy and he said that none of it helped him through his crisis's like God did, so he dropped them. God walked him through some pretty hard circumstances, but Boris knew that God was beside him the whole way! Boris is thinking about now being baptized! Praise God for this wonderful new brother!

Please pray for these young men as they seek God for guidance and wisdom in their futures! They are both living in Ireland right now trying to earn money so they can come back to Poland. I can see them become great leaders and investors in the younger generation of Poland!

Beautiful Slovakia!

When I took a solo train trip to Kosisa, Slovakia 15 years ago, on the way I was awed by the view of the Tatra mountains. This week I returned and I get to be awed everyday! These mountains are even more beautiful than I remembered!

I am here with 100+ Polish students at our annual SNOW CAMP! It is wonderful and God is moving! There have been many opportunities for the evil one to poison this camp and yet, God's protection has been so strong! He is in this camp and it is great to see it.

The other day I had a very interesting conversation with a camper. I complemented him and he asked me not to do it anymore because it confused him. After a very long discussion I found out that he prefers to live life with a negative view of life. This struck me deeply since I try to have a more positive outlook to life. I have known that this view is very Polish, but I have never really heard it from someone in the way I heard from this person. It made me sad and my heart cried out to God to show me how to share His joy with this person. The question I am thinking about this week is: Can you have a negative outlook of life and yet follow Christ closely? I am not sure. I have never been faced with this as a world view perspective.

This camp has been difficult on me since it is not an English speaking camp. The language barrier is not as bad as last year, but I long to be able to share in Polish the reason why I live my life!

Kasia! I have been able to use the Polish you taught me! You were right! I do know more than I thought! Thank you!

PS For some strange resaon, the picture of the Tatras is now showing up. I will try to work on this!

I am Here, but not here

I arrived in Poland on Thursday! I will tell you the whole long story later, but let me tell you! It was quite the little journey! I had one day to unpack, and then pack up for my Snow Camp in Slovakia. I did it, but I now only have one pair of socks in my suitcase. It seems that the rest of them are on my bed in Katowice. As I was furiously packing, they did not get in the bad. I am so bummed!

I ti s beautiful here! It feels like I am in Summit County! The snow is great, the peaks are white and air is crisp the cold!

As the week goes on, I will update you on the happenings. I am still gettin over some jet lag, so it has been a tough time to keep focus and stay awake! Being jetlegged AND hearing Polish and trying to speak it is exhausting!

In 24 hours. . .

24 hours from today I will be on a plane for a 18+ hour trip back to Poland. I am excited to get back and to see all that God has done and what God will do.

It has been an incredible journey of trust and relationship building! God has been great even in the times when I did not "feel" Him. He has always been faithful to me and I am so ever grateful!

I look forward to sharing more with you how my new life chapter is going.

Life is interesting and even when all looks bleak, you can alway loot upward and know that God does care, even when it does not feel like it!

See you on the other side of the pond!

Poland Bound!

God has been gracious! He has seen fit to provide my needed extra funds! I will be leaving on Wednesday for Poland!

It has been 5 months since I have been on this journey and He has been before me every step of the way!

I will land in Katowice on Thursday. Rest a bit, and then repack to go to Slovakia on Saturday for our annual SNOW CAMP! Then be home for a week to rest and get ready for our JV women's retreat in ROME!

After that, I will start my Polish classes on March 5th!

Whew! what a month! God is good though! He has sustained me this far and will do the same as I return to my home in Poland!

Thank you LORD!

I know! I know!

Yeah, yeah! I know! I have not blogged for quite sometime. I am trying to get out of here and back to Poland! I am hoping it will be Monday! I will keep you posted!