Oklahoma!

A group from Oklahoma came to work with us, so with my camera and a computer, I made this!! :) Enjoy!

Eggs & Bunnies?

As I have walked the streets of Olsztyn this week, I have been greeted by strong sense of tradition. I find this devotion to tradition somewhat beautiful, but sadly, it is almost completely saturated with an air of apathy. This nation is primarily Catholic, but I get the sense there is a growing amount of indifference toward the church and Christianity as a whole – especially among the younger generation. Among university and high school-aged students, I find it more common to encounter someone who would fall into the category of “postmodern” than it is to find someone who is devoutly Catholic.

Despite this fact, I have noticed that the holidays – namely Christmas and Easter – are drenched with traditions rooted in the Catholic church, and most people, postmodern or not, celebrate these holidays in some form or fashion. For the last few weeks, the “Easter industry” has been out in full force, and in several places in town, including the end of my street, you could conveniently pick up both your religious and commercialized Easter items with no added stress to your schedule. I liken it to the holiday aisle at Walmart.

It is distressing to see people so entrenched in their tradition and works-based salvation that they completely miss the true meaning of this wonderful celebration of the risen Savior. Similar to America, people focus on the eggs and bunnies and forget or don’t care that the implications of this holiday are tremendous.

I am convinced that the distraction from the true meaning of Easter doesn’t come solely from the commercialization of recent years, it is primarily the result of a nation lost and in darkness. It says in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” This, I believe, is the root cause for the distracting holiday traditions and the tragic devotion to a works-based salvation. These people are unable to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, and therefore, cling to rote, mechanical behaviors attempting to fill the gaping hole in their lives.

Please join me in praying for this nation and these people.

How to Get Out of the Snow

Have you ever wondered what to do when you're stuck in the snow? Me too. Here's what we suggest. :)

Self Portraits of the Kiddos

After school on Thusdays, we have art, play games, dance around, sing, ect. Two weeks ago we made self portraitsin art class.

I planed to post pictures here as well as on my personal Blog. But my computer is acting up and not wanting to load anymore pictures.

Please follow http://naomi-devault.blogspot.com to enjoy the pictures of the children on the team creating there self portraits.

I hope you enjoy!

Naomi

Stevensons Return

One word: PARTY! We brought back loads of American goodies and the team indulged until the goods were mostly consumed and tummies were very full! It was a great time and we (the Stevenson family) are very glad to be back home!

Language

I thought I would share a story with all.

I have been learning Polish Sign Language for about two months now. I love the language and learning more Polish. I have wanted to talk to some deaf for a few days, just to use what I know. Well last night I was on my way to meet with Ula, she teaches me sign language, and I got my chance! I was walking to the bus stop and there were three deaf having a very heated discussion. I thought this is not the time; I don’t want to get in the middle of something. So I continued walking. Then, the two deaf ladies got on the same bus as I did. I worked up the courage and started signing to them. They signed back to me and said that for knowing very little sign I did very well. I did not know everything they were saying, but we still had a very nice ten minute conversation. I was so thrilled and so was Ula when I told her. It was great to be able to use what I have been learning!

Meat & Cheese, Please!

After church this morning, Naomi and I decided that we needed to run to the store to get some food because we were just about out of everything that was edible - except for cat food, and we were not that desperate - yet. Well, we decided to buy some meat and cheese that we had to have sliced - perfect opportunity to practice some language, right? Almost. We were able to celebrate at our success in explaining what kind and how much cheese we wanted, but the meat proved to be a slightly different story. We wanted chicken, but they didn’t have any chicken breasts, so we decided to ask for some beef. Neither of us knew the word for beef in Polish nor did the lady helping us know what we were saying in English. Therefore, I had to resort to mooing to get my point across. She understood and laughed. Unfortunately, they didn’t have that either. All in all, it was a funny experience.

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.