http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960 Follow along as the West London Alliance Church team visits Don and Betty Orr in Poland. AdvancedMinistry On Thursday we went to Auschwitz, a former concentration camp.  We had a personal tour by Anna, a granddaughter of two camp survivors.  She showed us where the prisoners were kept, all of the luggage bags, the tonnes of hair that had been cut off before people were gassed, shoes, glasses, prayer shawls, prosthetics, etc.  There was too much. There was a photo of a girl that I will never forget.  She was 13, her hair was cut off and she looked afraid and like she had been crying. We were also shown the building where the medical experiments were conducted.  Then we moved to the gas chamber/furnace.  As I stood there in silence, I imagined all the people screaming. We then went to the large camp, 175 hectares and 300 buildings, capable of holding up to 1000 people each.  Next to a ditch there was a photo of prisoners digging the ditch.  It was at that point that I could no longer hold back my tears. After that we saw the latrine.  Prisoners were allowed to go to the bathroom twice a day, before and after work.  But they were only allowed 10 seconds! After 4 hours of the tour we were emotionally exhausted and returned to Krakow.  As I reflected on the day, I came to a greater realization of the importance of the gospel. http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960&comments=25103 25103 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:48:00 +0000   We said a long good-bye today to some very appreciative Polish Christians at their church in Bielsk Podlaski. It was a long day beginning at 7:00 am preparing a large amount of pancakes for 20 to 150 children for an 8 am pancake breakfast to start off a day long camp for children and teens until 4:30 pm.  It ended up being 40 day campers, many younger than we had planned for, and more than a few reluctant entering the “big room” with these 7 strangely dressed Canadian youth leaders.  Some not wanting to leave their mommies at all.  But they determined to tough it out and before long they had truly answered our earlier prayer to turn those frowns upside down. The day camp was a huge success due to God’s grace, the planning of our team and the enthusiastic participation of the 40 Polish children that transcended the language barrier beyond anyone’s expectations.  The people of Poland are truly the greatest resource of the country. The new pastor was not only grateful for the success of the day camp, but also for the two days of painting walls and furniture making that resulted in the complete makeover of the church’s office.  Andrew Wheatley took some good before and after pictures.  At the end of the long camp the pastor showed his gratitude with a traditional Polish ribbon cutting ceremony that Lyall Mix started and the pastor completed. The team’s accomplishments this day included a parenting of teenagers seminar after dinner that reinforced the commonality of Canadian and Polish experiences and life’s challenges.  It was almost like we spoke the same language, we certainly could relate. It was quite a day of accomplishments and heart-felt gratitude as we slowly left the church for our hotel after exchanging gifts and hugs and assurances that this would not be the last time we would see each other and will be in each others’ prayers in the ‘amazing race’ we called our Christian walk this day.  Praise be to God. Steve Hargraves http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960&comments=25024 25024 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:21:00 +0000 Today we were up by 7 am for breakfast.  Then it was off to church by 8:30 for a team devotional and planning for the day.  The office and another room were painted before lunch.  Four book shelves and a desk were put together as well.  We also sewed four panels of curtains and unpacked our supplies for the camp tomorrow. We had a wonderful lunch from 2-3 put on by the ladies of the church.  Sorel soup, cabbage rolls and potatoes.  Cake!  In the afternoon there was more sewing and Roger, the Orr's intern, put together the hockey nets.  A wood pile was organized, a guest room was painted and all the furniture and tools were moved upstairs to make room for the camp breakfast tomorrow. Karen Suderman http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960&comments=24937 24937 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:47:00 +0000 Hello everyone: Today was church in Poland!  It was very exciting as we had a Polish version with an interpreter for us and an English version with a translation for the congregation.  Both Karen and Andrew gave their testimonies - very impactful as the Polish congregation connected with their words and how God is working in their lives.  We have had so many warm welcomes from their church family today. This afternoon we spent time at a local community pool talking with parents and teens about our upcoming camp - a great experience - we will see the numbers in a couple of days! This evening our group was invited to a local family's home in the country.  We were able to share our testimonies and have a relaxing social time around a camp fire.  We ended our evening with a team devotion and spent time planning for our renovation day tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers! Tim Suderman http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960&comments=24935 24935 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:30:00 +0000 I am happy to say, we have safely arrived in Poland.  We left Toronto at 6:40 p.m. on July 7 and arrived in Warsaw, Poland at 5:45 p.m. Polish time.  It was two very long and exhausting days including a 6 hour layover in London, England where some of the team went to quickly see the sights of downtown London and some of the team went to see Windsor Castle.  Meeting us at the airport in Warsaw were Don and Betty Orr, Alliance missionaries to Poland.  Don and Betty have served in Poland for close to 20 years.   They live in Bialystok, a city approximately 200 km northeast of  Warsaw.  They have been very gracious hosts and we enjoyed an authentic perogie dinner last night at a great restaurant in Warsaw.  Don and Betty shared their ministry with us and we saw their hearts and love for these people as we shared dinner together.  I can sense that this will be a wonderful week with them as we minister alongside them.  Later that night, Don kept us going as he took us on a short walking tour of old Warsaw.   The old city with the history behind it, the beautiful architecture and the cool summer breeze was a wonderful experience.  We fell into our beds exhausted but thankful that God had given us His protection over all those miles of travel. As we embark on this week ahead of us, please continue to pray for our health, safety and ministry to those we meet.  We have a busy, challenging week ahead of us, however we are excited to be here and the opportunity God has given us.    http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960&comments=24884 24884 Sat, 9 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000 Thanks for following the Poland blog.  Check back daily to see updates. Thank you for your prayers! Sincerely,The WLA Missions Team http://www.wlamissions.org/index.cfm?i=1313&mid=25&blogid=6960&comments=24820 24820 Thu, 7 Jul 2011 08:27:00 +0000