Having no internet access for nearly two weeks made it impossible for me to journal about our Poland family camp experience in real-life time. Now that I’m home again, I’ll blog for a few days about our experience in retrospect.
Perhaps the element that strikes me most is the peoples’ openness toward spiritual things. One woman said outright that she was seeking God and came to the camp hoping to find Him there. One man said he’d never been in such a group of people who prayed directly to God – he’d always communicated to God via a priest. These comments and others proved that spiritual hunger and interest is very much alive in Eastern Europe. So is the desire to learn how to raise kids and how to do marriage well.
Gene and I taught four workshops about marriage. Because of the days’ busy schedules, our sessions began at 9:45 PM. Yes, you read that correctly. It should have been bedtime, but that wasn’t the case for the 30 individuals and couples who showed up for the hour-long classes. I was thrilled to see so many attend. Many of the young adult singles (most of whom do not have godly role models) commented that our messages and personal example gave them hope for a God-centered marriage someday. PTL!
This year our team also offered workshops about parenting and about how to cope when a loved one suffers from alcoholism. These, too, were well attended. Our prayer is that these wonderful Polish people will have discovered new and practical strategies to help them face the challenges of everyday life. And our praise is that God is so big that He can use the likes of those of us on the team to accomplish anything of eternal value.
Glad your home safe . I’m looking forward to reading all your stories.They are so inspiring . Blog on .Love Kim
Hi Kim:
Feel free to share your insights, too! How about writing something about how your ministry to Romania impacted your life? Or a highlight you experienced there? I’ll post it on my blog.
Looking forward to hearing what God’s doing in Eastern Europe – also wishing we could see that same kind of hunger here!
Let’s pray for revival in our nation!
It is encouraging to hear about those acknowledging their need for God and really seeking Him. Thank you so much (you and the whole team) for your service in His name.
It’s a privilege to be part of building God’s kingdom in the former Soviet bloc. The spiritual needs are massive.
Welcome Home. I’m pleased to hear the workshops were well attended. May the example you have showed have a profound effect on those who saw/heard it. Starting at 9:45 PM!! and we think we live busy lives… a different perspective – most of that (I’m thinking) was just getting home from work and eating a quick meal. I once meet a lady in Russia who took 4 hours to get to church and two of those hours were on foot walking. We have a very easy life in Canada. We should not be complaining. Lord, help us not to loose perspective.
Hi Sandra:
The spiritual hunger over there always astounds me. People are so eager to learn. Two years ago at the family camp in the same location, they begged for more Bible study at the end of the day. About 20 people met beginning around 9:30 each evening and ending around midnight. They said, “We just can’t get enough.” Oh that we’d show the same spiritual hunger in Canada.