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-"!