Update Sunday, May 31

The VISION XVII team has now completed its public ministry, with a well-received program in Jaworzno, near Krakow.

We are now in Krakow, enjoying a clear but chilly afternoon and evening in the central market square of this beautiful city. (It managed to escape the destruction of WWII that leveled Warsaw and so many other Polish cities.)

Several team members are with me in an internet cafe, so you'll probably be hearing from them!



















The concert this morning ended with the congregation and VISION joining in "Amazing Grace," sung in both Polish and English at once. How beautiful that was, and how much more so will it be when we are all united around God's throne lifting up His name with one voice and language!

The team will tour some more in Krakow tomorrow (Monday), then fly out to various places on Tuesday! We will try to post the flight information here on the blog, in case any family member is unclear. I'm sure the team members would be happy to see ANY welcomers when they land in San Diego after their long flights!

Thanks for praying, and please keep doing so!!!

Larry Wilson

VISION Update Saturday, May 30

10 pm in Poland (1 pm in California)

We have only one more concert here in Jaworzno on Sunday morning, then our ministry is over (at least the public part of it). It's hard to believe we are so close to the end!

The team's health is good, with only a couple (Luke and Sarah) having some leftover nagging coughs. We are very united and have enjoyed each other's partnership in the ministry.

I put up some information on Thursday's adventures, but Friday and today will have to wait. (We went to Auschwitz today...). I'll try to arrange internet connection again as soon as possible.

Don't stop praying! Thanks so much!

Larry Wilson
VISION Faculty Adviser

Thursday, May 28 Summary

After the Wednesday night program in the University of Opole, we started Thursday morning with a short tour of the old town district of the city, including climbing 128 steps to the top of a medieval tower overlooking the city.























We then drove on to Jastrzębie (yahs-CHEM-byeh), where VISION X had had the privilege of helping dedicate a church building converted from a barn out in the countryside back in 2002. This time, however, we weren't there to do a concert, but rather to move in for the next two nights in the new dormitory area of a huge add-on, built since that year, that includes a beautiful, large sanctuary.



Our evening concert was in a church in a town called Palowice, on a very rainy and windy night.



























Afterwards, we learned that the man who had announced us wasn't the senior pastor. The pastor had had an accident with some kind of tool shortly before concert time, and had gone to the hospital. He was told that he was fortunate not to have lost an eye. As it was, they spent a couple of hours pulling fragments of metal from his eye.

By the time our program was over, the pastor was out and ready to go home. Our host, Jan Tomczyk, arranged to meet him and his wife outside a restaurant along the highway, where we sang a couple of songs for him (since they missed the program). They were both very gracious and appreciative.

Thursday, 6:00 am in Poland

(Wed. 9:00 pm in California)

It's hard to sleep in when you're on the east end of the European time zone this time of year. It starts getting light by 3:30 am, and the official sunrise for this part of Poland is 4:35 am. Since it's a beautiful clear morning and my room is on the east side of a high rise apartment here in Opole, Poland...well, you get the idea.

By being up early, I've have some time to write for the blog and prepare some photos...

Wednesday was another long travel day, as we continued to work our way south. We left Nowy Tomysl after a wonderful breakfast in the church, and proceed south to the next town where the vans made another visit to a Christian mechanic.

Pastor Jan had taken the white van to him Tuesday night after our concert, and they worked on it until after midnight. Then we all stopped there Wednesday morning so he could do some work on the yellow van. (So where's the red van, you might ask? We swapped it out in Piła when Jan rejoined us.)

For all the hours of work, including late into the night, the mechanic charged us only 50 zloty, which is about $17. The least we could do was sing him a song, which he seemed to appreciate greatly. I regret not getting his name, but we trust the Lord will bless him richly for his generosity.






























Other than that, the vans caused us no delays as we drove south (at rush hour) through the bustling city of Wrocław (VROHTS-wahf) and on to the almost-as-bustling Opole (oh-POH-leh), (50° 40' North, 17° 56' East) where we presented a program in a modern lecture hall in the Uniweristet Opolski (University of Opole).














The program was sponsored by two small but active local evangelical churches as a community outreach. In addition to our posters, they had made small flyers which were handed out all over town. I was told that there were many in the audience of over 100 that belonged to neither church, and they got a good dose of the gospel, not only from our songs and dramas, but from testimonies by Amy and Luke who pulled no punches.

After the program, Colin and Caleb got into an extended and deep conversation with a university-age young man who is clearly seeking. He said that he related strongly with our dramas that depict the struggles of sin and the release that can only be found in Jesus Christ. The team separated to various homes immediately after, so I'll need to get more information about the conversation later this morning. In any case, the pastor with whom Jan and I are staying intends to follow up with the young man. Please pray for him.

One last note about the concert: I believe it was Sasha who pointed out that, as we joined hands just before the concert to ask the Lord's blessing on it, no one interrupted the prayer with a cough, a sneeze, or a nose-blowing! Praise the Lord for renewed health! We don't take that for granted!

Wait! Here's another note: We had a nice reunion with a young lady named Dorota, who became a close friend with both VISION X and VISION XI, even translating for us in some school programs. She is now married to Mateusz and lives in Wroclaw. The two of them came to our concert in Opole.




Members of VISION X (2002) pose with Dorota and her husband Mateusz





Today we continue south and east to Jastrzębie (yahs-CHEM-byeh). VISION X'ers will remember the white barn out in the country that was remodeled into a church. We got to participate in its dedication service back in 2002.

Thanks again to all who are praying with us!

Tuesday 9:30pm in Poland, 12:30 pm in California:

Today was mostly a travel day between Szczecinek and Nowy Tomysl. It was prolonged by van trouble, but when it happened (again), we were in a good place, just before noon. We were visiting a pastor and his wife in their home/church building in Piła, where Jan was to meet us (and did). In this church, VISION X actually did a concert back in 2002. So, while the van was being tended to, we all went to, guess where...McDonald's. Although we have no complaints about the Polish food, it was nice to have a little taste of home...especially the "frytki" (French fries)!






Colin McDonald welcomes us to "his place."


Because of the delay, we were behind for the rest of the trip to Nowy Tomysl, and arrived at the church 5 minutes before concert time. We did a quick change and set-up and started only 20 minutes late. The program went well, and afterwards the people quickly rearranged the room from church rows to fellowship hall, and we all partook of a wonderful Polish supper, featuring, of course, kielbasa (the real kind!).




VISION XVII revisits Nowy Tomysl, where VISION X stood seven years ago.



As in 2002, the students are staying in the church, girls upstairs, boys downstairs. Jan and I are housed in a nearby host home, and, thankfully, I have internet access again, so you can get this update!

The health of the team is much improved, and we look forward to our continued journey southward over the coming days. Thanks for your prayers! Don't stop!

Larry Wilson
VISION Faculty Adviser
lwilson@sdcc.edu



Tuesday 8:30am in Poland, 11:30 pm (Monday) in California:

We're packing up to leave Szczecinek. We'll re-unite with Pastor Jan Tomczyk in Piła then continue to Nowy Tomysl for a program (in a church VISION X will remember when we post pictures). After spending a night in homes there, we'll continue south and east toward the area around Katowice and Krakow.






Carolyn and Craig Rucin, Katie's co-workers in Szczecinek, helped host us in that city.


It's hard to believe that we're entering the last week of our trip. A week from right now, we'll be at the airport! Don't stop praying!


Monday 8 pm in Poland, 11 am in California:

After a 90-minute trip westward, we presented a public high school concert in Drawsko Pomorskie, and were enthusiastically received by students and administrators alike. As we left, however, the yellow van wouldn't start. The Lord was with us, however, and after some delay, we got a temporary repair and were able to proceed. We are now back in Szczecinek, in Katie Yates' home church for our last night of lodging before beginning to migrate southward.



Lindsey visits with high school girls after program.









Luke gets acquainted with some of the guys.







Teagan and others had opportunity to witness to some of the advanced English students in a reception held for us after the concert.







The students didn't want us to leave, so Colin and Caleb broke out some fiddlin' music for them in the parking lot.









Even the school principal got involved helping his students push our van to the nearby mechanic's shop.




The Sunday evening concert at a local cultural hall, which had the goal of bringing together four churches that haven't been able to cooperate well in the past went quite well, and there is talk of the pastors setting up a follow-up meeting. Any contribution VISION was able to make is a blessing!

The members with colds are getting better, and I don't think we have any new victims, thankfully! We'll fill in details of this and recent days as opportunity permits. Thanks to all who are supporting us in prayer! (See details and photos for last Friday just posted!)

Filling in the Details for Friday, May 22

After our adventure-filled time in the northwestern part of Poland, we left Kamien Pomorski early Friday morning – 6:30 am – having hurriedly prepared breakfast to go: sandwiches of meat, cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers. We needed to get to a school four hours away in time for their assembly.

The school was in a small town named Łubowo (woo-BOH-voh) and we soon found ourselves presenting for a group of some 200 elementary and junior high age students.


They listened politely to our songs, but they especially focused on our dramas, as is typically the case. With little or no restriction we were able to share the good news of the gospel in testimony, song, and drama. After the program the team was mobbed by students of all ages, seeking autographs. If paper wasn’t available, the students insisted we sign directly on their arms.



















We then traveled another hour and a half to a small but picturesque town named Borne Sulinowo. We didn’t exactly know what was planned, but we entered a large, official-looking building and were ushered to a room where coffee, tea, and cookies were served. A gentleman gave us a PowerPoint presentation on the history of the area, particularly its role in both the Nazi and Communist eras. The building we were in had been built as a hospital for German troops during World War II, and now serves several capacities, including a care facility for elderly people.



After “dessert,” the people operating the facility brought in a wonderful lunch, followed by more. As we learned, our afternoon concert was to be held in this same building, in a nicely designed ball or party room.

The room filled up, not only with the seniors who are cared for there, but several of their family members who were visiting them, and a good many local evangelical church members who came to support us. We were privileged to lift their hearts and spirits along with our own!


After the late afternoon program, the VISION boys were invited to play some basketball with the local guys. Caleb and Colin took up the challenge, and would join us later. The rest of us drove 20 minutes to our next destination, the beautiful lakeside city of Szczecinek.

We were brought to a large house which serves as the local Baptist church, where Katie Yates has been serving for the past several months. It sits in a row of houses right along the lake shore, with a nice tree-lined bike and walking trail running behind them. Many team members took advantage of the beautiful evening to stroll along this trail before coming in to make a late dinner in the little church kitchen out of the groceries that our hosts, missionaries Craig and Carolyn Rucin, brought to us.



After a long travel day with two concerts, we were well ready for a good night’s sleep and a morning to sleep in on Saturday!

VISION's location for Google Earth fans

53°42'36.26"N
16°41'57.70"E

Szczecinek, Poland
The church building where we're lodging is on the lakefront about 1/2 mile W of the center of town.

Fire and Water

Thursday, May 21















We began this day with a visit to the new and modern Kamień Pomorski fire station. Before leaving San Diego, I had been contacted by Daniel Kowaliński, who serves as pastor to the local evangelical church, but whose main profession is that of assistant chief of firefighters.

In that message, Daniel told me of a tragic fire that occurred last month, just after Easter, in which 23 people died, including 13 children. The firefighters were able to save 11 people. He was the one in command that night, and he and all his crew were deeply affected by this experience.

He asked if we could bring any sort of gift from our community and/or fire department that would be an encouragement to the fire crew, as well as be a positive testimony for the church in the community. In response, I took several medallion-style San Diego souvenir key rings, and prepared a framed certificate expressing appreciation to their Fire Department for their heroism in saving the 11 lives. I included a graphic of the El Cajon Fire Department's shoulder patch on the certificate, as well as the logo of San Diego Christian College.


At the station, we were ushered into the main fire chief's office, along with Daniel and several of the crew that had been on duty that night. We offered a few words of thanks, and mentioned the fact that three of our team members, Lindsey Davies, Colin McDonald, and myself had lost our homes in the Cedar Fire of 2003, and we therefore had a sense of the devastation that fire can cause. We then presented the chief and crew with the certificate and key rings. The chief in turn presented us with a memento with the fire station etched in three dimensions within a glass-like cube. (I was told by Daniel that his chief put the certificate on the wall immediately after we left.)










Daniel then gave us a tour of the very sophisticated and modern station, and we posed for photos with some of his crew. He was especially taken by the story of the families who lost homes in 2003, and had a special photo taken of the three of us.















Daniel then took us to the scene of the devastating fire. It was a three- story apartment building that was being used by the city as a shelter for homeless and disadvantaged people. Apparently, during the cold night, someone brought a charcoal grill indoors to provide heat and used a flammable liquid to get the fire going. It got out of hand and the tragic results ensued, leading to nationwide news coverage.

The problem now is that some are questioning the response of the fire department and even the state of things in the building prior to the fire, as maintained by the city. There are investigations going on that have put a great deal of pressure on both Daniel's department and the mayor's office (the mayor with whom we prayed the day before). We join with Daniel in prayer for the outcome of all of this, and especially that there be no hindrance to the gospel in this city.

Leaving Kamień Pomorski, we headed the rest of the way to the north coast of Poland, on the Baltic Sea, to the "beach town" of Międzyzdroje. Several of the team got their feet into the frigid waters, and spent some time walking down the beach, searching for the elusive amber that often washes up on this shore.

When we came to a pier stretching out over the water, we decided this was a good place to do our famous tradition, spelling V-I-S-I-O-N with our own bodies in some interesting location! Why not the Baltic Sea coast?






























After a late lunch in a seafood restaurant near the beach, we drove on to Świnouijście, the absolute last outpost in the northwest corner of Poland. Although it is not on an island, the only approach is by ferry. It is isolated by the Swina River and by the German border, yet it is a rather large and bustling city with two good evangelical churches that met together to hear our concert that evening.

Daniel presents his testimony in the Świnouijście church.

Swine Flu (SF) Affects VISION Team…

Don't panic! I should have said "Swine flu hysteria (SFH) affects VISION Team.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20. We were scheduled to do two public school programs today, but they got canceled. It seems that one of the parents looked us up online and found that we were from Southern California, which meant we had to be carrying the BUG! Apparently this person spread the SFH virus and convinced school officials to cancel our programs.

We're very disappointed, of course, but our prayer last night and again this morning in group devos was that God would reveal His real plan for us today.

One opportunity that was part of that plan was a visit to the Ratusz (Town Hall) here in Kamień Pomorski, where we had the privilege of meeting with the mayor of the city, Mr. Andrzej Jędrzejewski.
















This very gracious man met with us in a beautiful conference room, having made arrangements for cookies and drinks to be served. We couldn't help but notice a very nice grand piano in the corner, and hoped for a chance to use it for a song.

The mayor gave us some insight on the history of the city, which, as we learned, earns much of its income these days from tourism, being right near the Baltic Sea. He mentioned that, while he is Catholic, he likes to maintain an open mind to various belief systems. He also told us that he and his family pray daily.

After we gave him a little information about our team and our college, I asked him if he had any questions for us. Did he ask about our school? No. About our families? No. The first thing out of his mouth was "How you take care of your spiritual life?"

Luke jumped in with both feet, giving a clear testimony of his relationship with God through a decision of personal faith in Jesus Christ and how he continues to walk with Him though the study of the Bible. I believe God gave Luke just the right balance between personal testimony and challenging witness, and we pray that this thoughtful gentleman will continue to ponder on the words he heard in response to his question.

The mayor and other officials are going through some difficult times, due to a building fire that took place on the day after Easter, which has resulted in a series of investigations into how things were handled. Somehow the accusations involved have made it all the way to the top of city government and may have even placed the mayor's position in jeopardy.

















When we were given opportunity to sing for him, Pastor Jan suggested we sing "Jesus, Bring the Rain," which speaks of the way God brings challenging things into our lives, not to punish us, but to draw us to Himself. Enough of the song is in Polish so that the mayor could follow its meaning. Jan then filled us in briefly about the investigations taking place and asked the mayor if we could pray for him about these matters. We formed a circle and joined hands, including the mayor himself, as Jan lifted a wonderful prayer to Lord. The mayor was clearly moved by both the music and the prayer, and didn't mind saying so. He thanked us profusely, warmly shaking each hand as we departed. May God guide him and draw him close through the challenging days ahead.

Having met with the most important political figure in the city, we went on to an appointment with the most important religious figure - the priest of the local cathedral. He was also amazingly kind-hearted and warm to us. He gave us a tour of the church, the garden (cloisters), and a little museum they have which contains artifacts that have been discovered in various modern excavations, representing the centuries of local history.

We had been originally scheduled to present our concert in the Cathedral at 6pm that evening, but as part of the fallout from the cancellation of the school concerts due to SFH, the priest had felt compelled to cancel that concert as well. To replace that concert, Pastor Daniel, whom I mentioned in the previous blog posting, planned a program in the local house church instead.

During our visit with him, however, we sang a couple of songs, and he seemed to enjoy them thoroughly. To partially make up for the cancellation of our concert, he invited us to sing two songs at the beginning of their 5pm "first communion" mass, after which we could slip out and get back to the local evangelical church concert we now had at 6. We took advantage of that invitation and gave them our renditions of two songs that present the gospel ("How Deep the Father's Love for Us") and our future hope ("Hallelujah, We Will Sing").









VISION "opens" for the cathedral mass. The little heads in the foreground are the children about to receive their "first communion." We slipped out after singing and then presented a full concert in the local evangelical church.




The evangelical pastor in the area, Daniel Kowaliński, was very pleased with the bridges VISION built in the community, both with the mayor and the priest. Christian evangelical groups are often considered "cults" in Poland, and either or both government and the traditional church can be quite oppressive towards them.


Though a tremendous contrast with the cathedral above in terms of architecture and ceremony, this "house church" is where things are happening spiritually in Kamień.

Updated Post from Tuesday, May 19

Tuesday, May 19

We got an early start today, meeting at the church at 7:30 and departing promptly at 8:04. We had a four-hour drive, needing to be in the town of Nowogard in northwestern Poland by noon. Katie drove of the yellow van named “Bumblebee,” and Caleb was in charge of “Pomidor” (Polish for “tomato,” which tells you what color that van is), got us there even a few minutes early! (Pastor Jan normally drives the red van, but he was at home taking care of personal matters.)

These highly qualified drivers got us to Nowogard in plenty of time to meet Pastor Cesary and his wife Andrea, who have been serving faithfully in this town for many years. (VISION X members will remember Cesary, the large and happy man who joined us at various times during the 2002 trip.)

After a quick lunch at one public school, we drove several blocks to another, where we found ourselves setting up hastily in front of some 200 very excited junior high age students. Though restless, as one might expect in a large crowded classroom near the end of the school day, the students responded very well to the team’s message. As requested, we focused attention on the decisions of life that can lead to the traps of alcohol, drugs, and other destructive behaviors, but we were not hindered from clearly presenting Christ as the real answer to the problems of life.

Though he now teaches at another school, Pastor Cesary has had an ongoing ministry in this school, where he used to teach. He was very excited about the additional impetus provided by our team’s visit.

Tuesday evening we presented a program for his church. Though the audience was not large on a weeknight at 5pm, Cesary was excited to report that about half of them were first-time visitors, including a teacher who had seen the school concert earlier and brought her daughter to hear us in the evening. SEEDS BEING PLANTED!

One other blessing! Before the concert, Cesary pointed out that we would not need to set up our sound equipment for the program. Why? Because the church was all set up with the system that VISION X left for use in Poland back in 2002! (We get a new portable system every year and leave it behind, for the ongoing ministry in whatever country we visit. The one we have with us now is our 11^th!) It was fantastic to see part of VISION X’s legacy still serving in Polish ministry!

After the evening’s program, VISION drove another hour or so north, almost to the Baltic Sea, to the town of Kamień Pomorskie. There we were welcomed by Pastor Daniel Kowaliński and his wife Edyta at a large home that has been converted into a church building. The story of the house and how it was provided for the church is another miracle in a long string of them, showing us how mightily God is working in Poland.

There is also a story with this town, about which we will tell more tomorrow!

Before closing this day’s summary, let me add: I’m hoping that, as they have online time, the team members will add their own perspectives to these various events. I know you’ll enjoy hearing about these things from their unique perspectives. (ATTENTION: If you’re a VISION XVII member reading this during or after the trip, STOP right now and write something!)

Pray for: good health (some throats are getting dry and sore), unity among the team (very strong, but always subject to the enemy’s attacks), and above all, effective ministry in the hearts of Polish people, both believers and "un-"!