Quotes from the Streets of Poland

-There were countless witnessing opportunities on the streets of Poland, here are some great quotes after hearing the Gospel:

-"I have never heard this before!"
-"I lived in the US for 10 years and never had a conversation about God, how is it I'm having one now here with you?"
-"If Baptists have the truth, why hasn't any one ever told me?"
-"You're a heretic!"
-"You're a Jehovah's Witness!" Jay: "No, I'm not." Pole: "Yes, you are." Jay: "No, I'm not." Pole: "Yes, you are." this continued until out of hearing distance...
-"I'm a Catholic" Jay: "What do you think about God?" Pole: "He doesn't exist."
-Jay: "Who forgives your sins?" Pole: "My priest." J: "Who forgives his sins?" P: "I never thought about that."
-One Jw woman said upon meeting Jay again (accidentally in someone's home) "I haven't had peace in my heart since we last spoke."
-Randomly witnessed to a group of boys in the park and one said "I've heard this message from you before a few months ago."
-Jay asked an older woman "Do you think you can be saved?" She put her head in her hands and sobbed.
-Young Polish man back packing through Europe said in perfect English "Why are we even talking about this, I don't give a #@!@*!" Jay: "You told me you were seeking enlightenment!"
-Young High School student: "I'm Catholic." J: "Do you believe in Evolution?" Student: "Yes." J: "How did God create Eve?" Student: "From the rib of Adam." J: "Is this Evolution?" Student: Pauses and answers "No."
-"I'm Catholic." J: "Do you believe in God?" "No, I'm atheist."

In closing: one woman asked: "Why are you going around doing this?" Reply: "Because people are going to hell."

The Greatest Gift of All

‘Tis the season for receiving wonderful packages filled with goodies and gifts from home. My roommate and I have been anxiously awaiting the sound of the mailman bringing a package to our door, so earlier this evening, when the door buzzed, you can imagine our overjoyed reactions at the thought of it being one of our packages. As it turns out, it was one of her Christmas packages. Not mine. Thus, I was struck by an unexpected and overwhelming sense of disappointment that the mailman wasn’t delivering something special to me. Sounds rather selfish, doesn’t it?

Well, I guess the Lord thought that an opportune moment to remind me of something very valuable. It suddenly occurred to me that I was getting rather worked up over a package that would eventually get here and more importantly, one that was filled with things that are temporal.

This time of the year is a special one, but not because it’s a time to give and receive presents, decorate a tree, sing Christmas carols, or watch funny movies. It’s a time set aside to celebrate the most beautiful and wonderful gift the world has ever known: God in the flesh who came to take away the sins of the world. Because Jesus was born into this world, lived a perfect life, died on the cross as an atonement for our sins, and rose again on the third day - defeating death, we have the most precious gift that could be offered to us: a reconciled relationship with the One who created us. This time of the year is not about when a package from home will finally arrive, it is about the Prince of Peace, the Redeemer, the Savior....the greatest gift of all.

School in short!

What we have learned:

We know how to spell, add, subtract, multiply, divide, check our math problems, (3rd, 4th, 6th grades) Algebra (9th grade) reduce fractions (6th , 9th grades), write a narrative (6th), write correct sentences (3rd, 4th, 6th), tell action verbs from state of being verbs and list them (4th), we have learned story problems (3rd), how to read faster and better (all), how to sound out long words that don’t follow the rules (1st, 3rd), how to pick out fun books to read (1st), all about taking good care of our bodies; both physical and spiritual (3rd, 4th), Hebrews 11:1-22 (23-40 coming soon) (3rd, 4th, 6th), from the beginning of time to old Kingdom Egypt (9th grade), from Christopher Columbus to the war of 1812 (US History) (3rd -4th grades), all about Canada and the Eastern United States (Western Hemisphere History)(6th grade), Insects, plants, trees, invertebrates (3rd, 4th, 6th), capitalization and punctuation rules (3rd), how to write a report (4th), when to use C and K (1st grade) singular vs. plural (3rd), Proofreading marks (4th, 6th, 9th), Biology (9th), Cursive (they have learned to write so nicely) (3rd, 4th, 6th), how to get along (all), how to study (all), how to draw dogs and lizards (3rd, 4th, 6th) that singing and dancing is okay and fun (3rd, 4th), how to play Clue (a favorite) (3rd, 4th, 6th), that by thinking we cannot, means we won’t (all), that it is okay to be wrong and get corrected (all), it may take time to memorize math facts and Bible verses (all), all we can do is our best, and that is not always 100’s (all), God loves us no matter out grades (all), that Miss Naomi needs to know when something is wrong (all), Homework is not all bad (sometime we color) (all), that practice makes perfect so we keep practicing (all, esp. 1st), special sounds in reading (1st), Polish (all), to love school and learning, (all), to take care of each other (all), that we may not always agree, but we always love (all), not to laugh at Miss Naomi’s drawing (all), that the drawings, though funny, help us learn (all), not to laugh at other students (all), not to criticize (all), that Poland does not have bugs to find after a good freeze (3rd, 4th), not everybody likes the same things (all), and above all that learning is FUN (all)!

WOW! We have learned a lot this year. I cannot wait until next semester when we can learn even more. I am so proud of all my students and love seeing them daily!

God's people and your support

December is here and so is the LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING. Every penny given to this offering is used to support the 5,600+ Southern Bapt. missy’s as they share the Gospel overseas. This year’s goal is $175 million and the theme is “Who’s Missing, Whose Mission?” It focuses on overcoming barriers to hearing and accepting the Gospel in various parts of the world and the mission that the Great Commission gives all Believers to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The shortfall in last year’s offering has resulted in large reductions to the number of new workers that will be sent to the field in 2010. Petition that Southern Baptists will give generously this year, so that those called can go and that the Good News will continue to be proclaimed to those who need to hear.

Thanksgiving in Kętrzyn

Privileged to be Shared

Jay recently wrote an article stating the changed teachings of the Watchtower society. God has crossed his paths with a national Believer and a former Jehovah's Witness. Together they have translated this document! It has also been posted on a Polish Evangelical website, whose author has a heart for reaching the JW's. Another praise is that some national believers are now meeting and sharing the Truth of Jesus Christ with Jehovah's Witnesses that came to their doors. To be used in sharing God's truth and His word is such an honor. Below is the link to view the document in Polish, really good for some night time reading...and then below that is the English version.

On another praise note, the Polish tract that Jay has written is on it's way to the printing press! So far it looks great! It will be used to go out to our community, and God willing over 21,000 homes!

http://www.straznica.net/?zmienione-nauki-%E2%80%9Estraznicy%E2%80%9D,102

Here is the original version in English:

Changed Teachings of the Watchtower

All Saint's Day

This weekend marked the celebration of All Saint's and All Soul's Days. As a group, including some people from the States, we prayer walked through the cemetery on Sunday, praying that the blinders would be removed from these people...that they can see the true and living God. As we prayed, I took some video footage and some pictures so everyone at home could catch a glimpse of the incredible beauty this holiday brings to the cemeteries. Despite the gorgeous display of candles and flowers, this is just an empty ritual. It has no eternal significance. And that is utterly heartbreaking....

Outside of my box...

I took American Sign Language (ASL) in college as a language. I love signing and watching others sign. I have wanted to learn Polish Sign Language (PSL) and then use it to reach the deaf here. I kind of gave up the idea once school started because nothing had happened and I figured I would be too busy to work with them. Well after thinking about it and talking with those here, I thought maybe I should “take a dare on God” and find the lady at church who signs in Polish. I found her this morning! (With a little helpJ) Because I speak very little Polish I signed to her. She was very impressed with me and in the fact she understood everything I had said, even though it was in ASL not PSL. It turns out she speaks some English too, and want to learn ASL. We are going to try to meet this next week and begin teaching each other the Sign Language we know. I am very excited, and a little nervous, about where this can and will go. I am hoping to be a light to the deaf here, who are rarely seen but there, and who might have been turned away from the Catholic Church and open to the True God and His love!

Kids Night Out!

Kid’s night was a blast! I had the kiddos over for a Kid’s Night out on Saturday. What a blast we had. The kiddos made their own pizza, had popcorn, and made and ate their own Ice Cream Sunday’s. The Sunday’s were gone very fast and I was told they were wonderful. Most of the kiddos were baffled at why they could not have any more ice cream once they were done. The best part of the evening was the Music Video we made. My new roomie, Ashley, filmed and cut the video while the kiddos were playing, making their food, and watching Charlie Brown. Go to the Northeast Poland link to view the video. Know the kiddos had a blast and we look forward to more videos soon!

Kids' Night @ the Jmen House

We had the kids over to the apartment on Saturday night for a fun filled night of random activities. In the midst of the craziness, we managed to produce the first installment of the TNEP Kids music videos...and of course it was Hannah Montana! Enjoy!

A New Year Begins...

IT’S SCHOOL TIME AGAIN!
I began my third week of school today. I currently have two girls in my classroom, both of whom are nine. I teach 3rd and 4th grades and love it. It is always said “you never stop learning” and I have to say it is true. When you teach you learn a lot more then you ever thought you would and I love every minute of learning new things. I don’t think I would be a very successful teacher if I did not love learning. I am looking forward to learning more as the year goes on.
I teach a wide range of subjects which include: Math, Reading, Language, History, Health, and Penmanship. In about 5 weeks we will be done with Health and begin working on Science. I had forgotten how much we learned in the 3rd and 4th grades. It is funny how I take for granted those things I know. In October I will gain a 6th grader and a 9th grader and then in January my other 4th grader will be back from the States. I am looking forward to having a full class and to my continued

Sunday picnic

Here are some pictures of the outreach picnic we had:

clowning around:)...... The girls and I.....

Taylor and Kiley.....

Jay pretty in Pink;).....

Donna face painting...

Polish Christian Rap

To end the week of GROM (evangelism training) in Olsztyn they brought Kola in to share the TRUTH through his awesome talent of rap. Below is a clip of Kola preforming in old town. He was able to stand on stage and promo for his concert later that night.

Comments from Volunteer Team, June 2009

This is a report from the CBCJ volunteer team that served with us in Poland, June 2009 by Jimmy D. Brown for the Poland Team.

Twelve of us joined the Lord in His work in Northeast Poland on this mission project. We flew from Memphis to Amsterdam, The Netherlands and then from there to Warsaw, Poland where we were received by missionaries Sean Stevenson and Bryan Intemann. We were transported by vans to “cabins in the woods”, which would be our base camp, about two and half hours away.

During the next seven days we were blessed to participate in a variety of activities including: prayer walking, service projects (picking up trash in a village, building and erecting a permanent road sign, building park benches), in-house evangelism, “American day” after school events (crafts, games, etc.), distributing several thousand leaflets (Gospel tracts, invitations to the church startup, block party invitations, testimonies, notices for free Bibles, etc.), block party, evangelistic dramas, on-the-street witnessing, video production, and more.

It was amazing to see how God used each member of our team to serve Him and the people of Northeast Poland in interesting and unique ways ranging from playing with the children to cheerleading to haircuts to directing skits to hugging to teaching to witnessing. Everyone on our team was able to serve whether they were the youngest (8 year old Jacob) or the oldest (no names and ages!).

One of the things that meant a lot to us was the distribution of our personal testimonies. We told His story by sharing our story in printed handouts! Each of us provided our testimony and a picture prior to the trip. The locals translated them into the Polish language and printed them on half sheets of paper. We were able to hand out 100 each during the week to those we made personal contact with.

God’s presence and activity was noted throughout the entire trip ranging from His clear sovereignty over the weather (whenever it was time for us to do something outdoors the rain “mysteriously” cleared up on queue!) to His moving on the hearts of lost people (we had over 50 people show up at the “Baptist” block party … this was a huge “God-thing”!) to the fruit being harvested even as I type this report. We’ve already had several emails from the missionaries telling of people responding to the materials we distributed. Today I received an email from one of them stating that a lady requested a Bible and has asked them to teach it to her as a Bible study as well! Praise the Lord!

While we didn’t see any conversions on this trip, we know they are forthcoming. We planted new seeds, watered existing seeds and are waiting for God to “give the increase” in His perfect time.

I think everyone left wishing the trip didn’t have to end, longing for a return visit and praying that the desire to share Jesus with the lost would continue to be strong in each of us as we interact with our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and strangers here in Jonesboro. We are on mission here too!

One other thing worth mentioning is the unity we all experienced during this trip. Not only was there an obvious connection we had with each other, but there was an immediate bond with the missionaries in Northeast Poland (The Stevensons, the Intemanns, the Smiths, Naomi, Bailey, Juanita) as well as the nationals we worked with (Marcin, Artur, Daniel). It was genuine koinonia … fellowship, a sharing in common of Christ.

It was an amazing trip that left an impression on everyone involved: the CBC team, the on-site missionary team, the nationals and the unsaved. To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

Generations of Silence

I missed the bus by two minutes. Not shocking considering it happens every time I come out of the hair salon. And it's one of those bus stops that takes forever for the next bus to come. But today was different. Not so different in the fact that my hair was now nothing like it was when I went in, or so different that Taylor had found a stone wall to climb and slide on, but different in the fact that I sat down next to a little white haired old lady.

Looking at her from the corner of my eye I noticed that she could barely sit upright on her own, and observing her cane, clothing, and face I had the unfortunate thought that she probably won't live much longer. And then I thought "I should give her a tract." I thought to myself "She may be dead soon, she could be in hell in days writhing in pain, how will she hear the Gospel by then?" I also thought on a sigh, "If I don't give her a tract I will be upset for the rest of the night, she will plague me."

So, I gave her a tract. A Billy Graham tract. I said it was about God, that I was American, and I spoke little Polish. She opened the tract, never acknowledged me talking to her, and started to read. Part of me panicked and hoped the bus would come quickly. But then I told myself to stay calm, and if she speaks, do my best to answer. She never spoke. She just continued to read. My bus came. I got up, turned to her smiled and said goodbye and she nodded her head and smiled back.
That's it.

But is it? We could ponder, was that truly effective? Will it bear fruit? Was that really the best way? I don't know the answers, but what I do know is this-Christ was glorified today on that bench, I presented the Gospel to a dying woman the best I possibly could, and in that one moment of hope that she may come to know Jesus through it all, made not only moving over 4,000 miles worth it, but missing the bus too.

Boldly Proclaim

I had this sitting in my inbox, and for some reason put off reading it. Today I woke up thinking about GROM. GROM is an evangelistic meeting for the National Believers here in NEP. I was thinking about how I can be more bold in sharing the Gospel, and the age old fears of doubt and incapabilities crept up on me. Then I read this, I just wanted to share it because it was a great encouragement.

Speak What He Teaches
"Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (Exodus 4:12).

Many a true servant of the LORD is slow of speech, and when called upon to plead for his LORD, he is in great confusion lest he should spoil a good cause by his bad advocacy. In such a case it is well to remember that the LORD made the tongue which is so slow, and we must take care that we do not blame our maker. It may be that a slow tongue is not so great an evil as a fast one, and fewness of words may be more of a blessing than floods of verbiage. It is also quite certain that real saving power does not lie in human rhetoric, with its tropes, and pretty phrases, and grand displays. Lack of fluency is not so great a lack as it looks.

If God be with our mouth, and with our mind, we shall have something better than the sounding brass of eloquence or the tinkling cymbal of persuasion. God's teaching is wisdom; His presence is power. Pharaoh had more reason to be afraid of stammering Moses than of the most fluent talker in Egypt; for what he said had power in it; he spoke plagues and deaths. If the LORD be with us in our natural weakness we shall be girt with supernatural power. Therefore, let us speak for Jesus boldly, as we ought to speak.
~Spurgeon

Where are the Stevensons today?

Well... this isn't from today but we thought we'd share a few pictures with you. We were in DC last week, this week we are in Atlanta visiting Lydia's brother and sister-in-law and thier kids!

Story time...

Thought I would share a great story with everyone:

Mark 7:31-37 (New American Standard Bible)
31Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis.
32They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him.
33Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
34and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"
35And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.
36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.
37They were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Please pray that God would open the hearts of the people of Poland.

Missing Our Fearless Leader!

And claiming no hit backs, retaliations, or other vengeful reactions :)

A sight most don't see

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." Revelations 1:9-11

* outside of the cave where Paul wrote revelations

While in Greece I had the chance to visit the spot where John wrote the book of Revelations. It was a neat experience getting to see the place where John would have walked. However, at the same time it was disheartening to hear others around me tell their children and friends the account of Paul as just another story or even fairytale. Praise God for giving us the Bible and the ONLY source of truth!

*artwork at the top of the door before you enter the cave

I was not allowed to take pictures inside the cave where Paul was sentenced and the spot where Revelations was written but I was able to get picture of outside the cave and around the island.

*view of Patmos island

The Pendulum

We look back over the last 6 months and there just may not be enough words to describe all that we went through. How we were challenged, changed, encouraged, and blessed! I keep saying this week that I know my tolerance level has increased. From the immense amount of stress of having our team car stolen and burned, to Jay being in an ER in Greece, to facing language challenges that take you from highs to lows. From feeling totally normal in my new country, to feeling totally foreign at times. From thinking I have things figured out, to realizing I know nothing. From thinking there just may be some consistency, to realizing it's all about to change again! So goes the pendulum of life on the field. I wonder if the full swing will ease a bit, and maybe we'll just slowly rock and sway.

With all this grinding of our lives, I know the Lord is refining us. I also know that through it all there are treasures that Poland has taught me. I have learned to enjoy each new day and the beauty that it brings. Whether it's Cherry blossoms, or lilacs, or new flowers in bloom. Whether it's snow falling, or old men meticulously digging their gardens, or young men walking with friends licking ice cream cones. There is a simplicity here, that has been lost or that I never experienced in the States. Time is taken to sit outside and have tea, relationships are deep and non superficial. That the hearts of man can communicate to each other, although the language is not understood, is evidence of how powerful love is. I know that through it all, if I were not here I would miss it terribly. So whether the pendulum swings and my emotions go for another ride, or it keeps time setting the pace of our lives, I praise God for the trials, the laughter, the fears, hopes, joys, and tears because I see Him through it all. And to know Him more, to share Him more, and to honor Him more, is all the more reason to endure the swing of the pendulum.

DS

I Triple Dog Dare You!!

We just returned from our Annual General Meeting. This is an important time of refreshing for us. We are able to learn, rest, heal, recharge, fellowship, and worship... all in English. That last phrase is something you don't realize the importance of until it's gone. While there, I was reminded of something. JD Greear, the speaker for our worship times together, took us to John 6 one morning. In verses 5 & 6 there is a test. His question was, what is the test?

In answering, JD said that God puts His people in certain times at certain places to show that He is the only God, the only Savior. The test? To trust that Jesus is that very person when faced with an impossibility. This brings up a second question... How do you pass the test?

He said, take a dare on God.

This is what I was reminded of. Perhaps it sounds a bit irreligious, but God always covers His bets. When faced with an impossibility, put His name on the line; bet everything you have on Him. How many times have we read Moses plead before God, that, for the sake of His own name, to rescue His people? As JD pointed out, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did this very thing, and they bet big! It was in front of every who's who in Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, in the face of death. All in, they put everything on God.

What I was convicted about was not the betting imagery I just used :-), nor that we are to recklessly abandon to God--of this I was reminded. I was convicted by how I have shifted the reason that God answers such daring and audacity away from Him over to my own worthiness. I caught myself thinking that I can ask for such things because I am a worthy and dedicated servant. How ridiculous! As it always has been, it is because of His mercy (to which He is faithful) that He does such things. His desire to move the mountain (Matt 17.12) is because He wants to. There is no power in asking from my worthiness, but only from His own faithfulness and mercy with an expectation that He will move it--even if my faith is no bigger than a mustard seed.

So, yesterday evening I took a dare.

We were talking with our neighbors and she shared with us that she is facing an impossible situation. I saw the opportunity and took it. I boasted that our God honors the truth and told her we would be asking Him to do just that. She is indeed faced with a serious problem with powerful people, but He has mercy and is far bigger than them. We also told her that though she has NO idea what to do we will ask God to make it clear what to do. We are asking that this answer will point only to His personal intervention. She needs to know Him. This is one of those impossible opportunities.

Join with us in this prayer. Then when He answers this dare, we can boast in Him again and hopefully a new child of God will boast as well...

Enjoy!

These are some pictures from today in Olsztynek and Jemiolowo

The volunteer team did a great job, Enjoy!

God's Love...

This was e-mailed to me to encourage me and I thought I would share it. Enjoy!

GOD LOVES YOU UNCONDITIONALLY
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless.

The reason....

While looking through my pictures and video I came across the video of a polish baptism I had the honor of attending a couple months back. Every time I watch this it reminds me of why I am here. To see people come and grow in the Lord. We serve an awesome God! A God that transcends language barriers and cultural differences. A God that meets us where we are.

Party Animals!

Friday all the children/pre-teens on our team come over for a massive slumber party. A chance to hang out with the children and also so the parents could enjoy come R&R time. We had a blast! We custom made pizzas, decorated cookies, played the Wii, and enjoyed popcorn and a movie. The next morning we started things off right with a pancake and bacon breakfast followed by a photo scavenger hunt and picnic lunch. It was an awesome time with lasting memories!

Do you have a dog?...

Every Thursday some of the team has the privilege to teach English in a town not far from Olsztyn (Jonkowo). On average we have anywhere from 8-10 students that come to our after school English lesson which last about 45min. to an hour long. We play games with them and other activities, using basic level English skills to help them learn and practice their English. All this is in hopes to build a relationship with the students and teachers which will hopefully lead to them hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray along with us that every English lesson and conversation will be used to further the TRUTH.

* Here we are playing a game with the students. A ball with questions written on it (Ex. Do you have a dog?) is thrown back and forth between people. The person who has the ball must read and then answer the question in English.

Team NEP June Prayer Calendar

June 2009 TNEP Prayer Calendar

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

I Love Jesus...

We have been teaching English in Olsztynek and the children have learned some colors, parts of the body and simple phrases like "my name is....", however they have not interacted with us in English conversations. Much to my surprise this week, one girl - just out of the blue - said; "you know, I love Jesus."

Hello...

Hello out there, I thought I would take a minute to introduce myself to you. I am the teacher for Team Northeast Poland. Currently I teach three wonderful girls who are about to finish the second and third grades. We actually finish on Friday (Yeah!) and we have had a wonderful semester. I have been on the field for about 4.5 months and love every moment of life in Poland. It is a wonderful learning and growing experience living overseas. I had been on a few mission trips before moving here, and they were nothing like this experience. On those occasions, I had to rely on God for help and guidance, but here it is requires even more faith and reliance. I love to watch the little things that cause smiles (like 100’s on spelling tests…YEAH!). They may be the small things that most would take for granted but these small things always seem to lift my spirits and remind me there is Someone bigger and better than me out there. I love the feeling of knowing I don’t always have to be in charge of what is going on around me. Life in Poland is very different at times and then at times not so different from living in the States. There are days I feel as though I am living on another planet then others when there are seven children in our apartment having a wonderful sleepover party. This past Friday, my roommate and I had all seven American children at out apartment for a sleepover (some said we were crazy, but we thought it was fun), we had a blast. We were able to play and just be Aunts for a night. We stayed up until around midnight and then got up early and had some more fun. Friday night/Saturday morning I felt like I was back in the states, because things like that were common there. One of the funniest moments was watching the three year old press her face up to the window to see the pigeons nesting on our balcony. She just wanted to get as close as possible and she did. Besides all that fun, life here is pretty routine, school, language, coffee shop, and ESL in the villages. Over the summer I hope to get out and meet more people and have some more fun, but for now I have a blast in the classroom and the times I am with the team and the children.

Naomi

101 New Missionaries Appointed in Denver

101 new missionaries appointed in Denver
5/22/2009
By Emilee Brandon

(Go to the bold type below to read about Chuck and Vikki Franks, new Team NEP members joining us in October!)

DENVER (BP--During a trip to Peru, Tony Llorens looked into the eyes of the people and knew without a doubt this was where he needed to be. But his preparation for missionary service at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary brought hardship to his family.

“Because of the limited job opportunities in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina, my wife and children had to remain in Florida while I earned money for lodging by cleaning toilets in the campus dorm where I stayed,” Tony recalled.

With his master’s degree requirement completed, he returned to his family in Milton, Fla., in 2008. He and his wife then began the application process for appointment as Southern Baptist missionaries.

Tony and Tammy Llorens were among 101 missionaries appointed by the International Mission Board May 20 at Riverside Baptist Church, Denver. This service was the fourth largest appointment in the organization’s history. The appointees will serve throughout the 11 IMB regions, joining more than 5,600 others already on the field.

“It is our intention, with the help of the Lord, to serve Him by taking the Gospel to those who have never heard,” Tammy said.

Chuck and Vikki Franks, of Jonesboro, Ark., have the same purpose. They knew the Lord was calling them to the mission field; however, both were content to wait until retirement. The Lord had other plans.

While serving together in Poland on a short-term mission trip in 2008, God used a father and child praying before an icon to show Vikki that the world could not wait. So well before retirement, the Franks are packing up their things and “joyfully, obediently going to Eastern Europe,” Chuck said.

Yong and Lois Wang, another couple headed to the mission field, moved from Korea to the United States in 1998 so Yong could prepare to serve overseas in a university setting. In 2006, he earned a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Eleven years after their journey began, the Wangs are finally on their way.

“I … want to live by obeying the Great Commission … wherever I go,” Lois said. “I learned that mission is not a special thing but a natural life at the place that God calls.”

And that place is Central America, where Yong will teach at a university.

JONAH AND THE WHALE

The story of Jonah and the whale is at times overshadowed by its uniqueness, IMB President Jerry Rankin told the new appointees. The story’s message is not about the whale swallowing Jonah, but rather of a “rejected call, a second chance and God’s compassion being revealed.”

The message of this Old Testament story is still relevant today, he urged. And it is a challenge to those who go in obedience to God’s call. His urgent concern for Nineveh is the same He has for the cities of the world today.

Rankin said some people who sense God’s call to overseas missions try to bargain with God, saying they’ll serve Him in America by being faithful church members and witnesses.

“The only problem is, God was calling you to Nineveh,” Rankin said. “Meanwhile multitudes of unreached people groups perished without anyone to tell them of the hope they would find in Jesus Christ.”

According to Romans 10:14-15, “But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent?”

“That is why we are appointing you and sending you out — to answer that call,” Rankin said. “Like Jonah, not to save the nations through your efforts, through anything that you can do or through your advice, but as Jonah, to proclaim the Word of the Lord.”

FUTURE APPOINTMENT SERVICES

Because of an anticipated shortfall in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and a decrease in Cooperative Program giving during the current economic downturn, the IMB will limit the number of new missionaries appointed for the rest of the year after a July appointment service in Lebanon, Ohio. (See related story, “IMB suspends short-term assignments, reduces new appointments,” at imb.org.)

Birthday Blessing

 

This is me with Ewa who is Jay & Donna Smith's landlady. I have been teaching her English this past year and she made me this wonderful cake to celebrate my birthday and our last day together before we go to the States for a few months. She is a person of peace/ goodwill( Luke 10:5-9) to our whole team especially for the Smith family. She is so helpful and kind to us. We have great spiritual discussions, she has a Catholic theology degree so our discussions are sometimes deep and done in English and Polish Tuesdays have been a bright spot in my week and I will miss her sweet smile.

The Ties That Bind

Jay was able to teach, with interpreter, a few Sundays past. He shared about the proof that the Bible is scientific. I often sit amazed about where we are in our lives. God has taken us both so far from the sin that ensnared us, and it is beautiful to watch Jay being used for God's glory.
For more info on the "Proof that the Bible is Scientific" go to this link at Jay's blog www.1jaybird.blogspot.com

DS

Our literature...

Here is an example of some of the information that we hand out to national believers as well as unbelievers. Because there are so few Baptists in Poland, many individuals here are curious as to what Baptists believe. This particular comparison helps to explain our fundamental beliefs and also compares them to their own faith.

Baptist and Catholic Comparison

Publish at Scribd or explore others: History Research bible comparison

Jay Smith

Changes

Hello all you bloggers or blog followers. This is my first blog post in over a year! I used to do one for our family but got lazy about keeping it up, but now that we are turning this blog into a Team Northeast Poland blog and since I am a member of the team I must contribute to it some. I will try to do my best. On to the actual post...

One of the biggest things I have learned about since becoming a missionary overseas is that things change! Change always happens. It can be for the good or for the bad but it is always going to happen. I am still working on always accepting it though. Sometimes I want to kick and fight the change (getting older, saying goodbyes and schedules) but then other times I rejoice in the change (new babies, new friends, and more cool stuff available here in Poland). Either way change is going to happen!

We hope that you like the changes to this blog!!! We pray that it is a good change in that you get to hear from all of the team members and everything going on in Northeast Poland all on one blog. I think most of us will keep our old blogs (mine included if I can get my act together and actually post something) but here you will be able to get it all in one we hope.

So... start checking in on the blog more often and we hope you like what you read and see.

Blessings,
Stacey

Big Changes to the Blog

Hi all,

This is to let you know about the big changes to this blog. From today, everyone on Team NEP will have an author account on this blog and will be periodically adding blogs here for you to read. This will become a true, team blog. That means 10 missionaries (soon to be 13 or 14) will be writing on this blog each month! I know I am looking forward to the posts here, I hope you will be too! When you read a new blog, make sure to see who wrote it, you will get to know all of us a little better this way and you can "one stop shop" to find out the latest news and info about Team NEP and Most International. The members of this Blog are:

Sean & Lydia Stevenson
Bryan & Stacey Intemann
Alethea Thomas
Bailey Hughes
Juanita Roe
Jay & Donna Smith
Naomi DeVault

Happy Reading!

Team Trip to Warsaw

 

Look what we found! Mmmm... coffee...

Birthday Party in Warsaw

 

Here's the Stevenson girls with some of the aunties in Warsaaw for Cara's 11th birthday.

Children's SS in Nidzica

 

Here's Bailey teaching the kids in Nidzica on a cold Sunday in February.

New Believer from Nidzica Baptized

 

This is a shot of the first new believer from our work in Nidzica being baptized. Her name is Wiesza and her baptism follows 1 1/2 years of work, visiting in homes in Nidzica! Praise the Lord with us.

New Church Start in NIdzica

 

Here is a shot of the outside looking in, it's winter and it's cold! The room seats about 25 to 30 tightly but we don't have that many people coming yet so there is room to grow.

Nidzica

Today is the first worship service in Nidzica. This past year Sean & Marcin started a home group here. We have prayeralked and held community oureach parties with CBC Jonesboro AR. Seeds have been planted and now the sowing begins. One lady has already accepted Christ and will be baptized soon. This building we are renting is quite small and we only have to pay electricity for rent. There is no running water so that won't cost( there is a toliet but we will have to use the old bucket of water method). There is no heat so we are using space heaters. It is in the 20's here today so we will definately use them. But, you know what people are excited about it. There are a few believers who have no church nearby and there are many seekers interested. We are excited to see how God works. Pray that many will come and hear the good news.