Week 1

The first week of our Poland trip consisted of Kenji and I going to Lodz for Real Action. This is a week of service where several hundred people from the states as well as Europe renovate homes and public areas for the community. The team we were placed on was renovating several rooms in an orphanage. This week was very trying for both Kenji and myself as God was teaching both of us patience and love for the unloving. Several mornings we walked in to freshly painted rooms to see them basically torn down. The director of the orphanage would come in every night and if something wasn't to her liking then she would have the maintenance guy (the sweetest Polish man you'll ever meet) pull the paint off to have us plaster and paint again. It became very trying when a group of people are working really hard and not pleasing anyone.

On the positive side, there are about 8-10 kids at the orphanage while we were working who became very fond of us, Kenji especially. (I will post pictures later when I have more time to upload them. ) These kids were so sweet and helped us paint whenever there was an opportunity, though they didn't know much English and we didn't know much Polish we taught eachother what we could and gave many hugs. They also gave us many gifts (toys from their room) to remember them by. Though some of the adults didn't find much joy from our work, we are all confident that for the rest of the years these kids have in this place they will remember the love and joy we shared.

At the end of the week we put on a concert in the big downtown area of the city. Many people came including the kids from our project as well as some residents from the houses we renovated. It was a great opportunity for the people whom we served to hear the Gospel in a more direct way and celebrate the end of the week with us. Just like last year, many friendships were made between Americans and Polish people all with the hope and promise to return next year.

I can not describe to you how amazing it is to serve alongside strangers in the world but family in the spirit. It surprises me how often we forget the strong bond that unites us in Christ.

Currently we are in the first day of English Camp - so far so good. Please be praying for the relationships with the kids as well as our English lessons. Thank you all for your support anf love. Promise to post pictures soon!