Where to Next?

We are coming to an end of our time in Poland as we are beginning to think of our trips home. Some of our team here left about 10 minutes ago to catch their connections. Some of us leave early tomorrow and others later in the day, then the remainder of us on Sunday.

Hard to believe that our time is running out. It has been such a blessing to be here and in Turkey. God has taught us (me) so much in such little time. I have been journalling every day many thoughts and incidents and will have to summarize when I get back all the ins and outs.

Today we toured an Orthodox church / museum and it was interesting to hear some of the history here in Bialystok. We also spent the afternoon at Don and Betty's for an official Polish dinner (cabbage and kebah). Tonight we'll watch some Polish history on DVD and enjoying some company as well. It will be hard to say goodbye to my new found friends and of course our hosts (Don & Betty). I hope I will be able to come and bring others with me to share Poland the next time around.

Till later . . .

No Time

Thought I had time to blog today . . . no ease of access to a computer. We are now in Bialystok, Poland for a couple of days. I will try to get caught up in the next while.

Off and running . . .

From the Richest to the Poorest

In Krakow, our last day before hearing west towards Warsaw. I have loved this city of 850,000 and the people. They are truly wonderful, hospitable people.

Today, we completed our touring of Wawel Royal Castle where Kings have lived. Going back up to 10 centuries it is truly awesome to see the grandeur of their heritage. In Poland, like most countries you are not allowed to take pictures inside, so most of my 700+ pictures so far are of course from outside. You either have to go online or purchase books, postcards or DVD's to show the interiors. Rich and wealthy lived in these castles who either were warriors, leaders and/or statesmen who have brought Poland to where it is today.

Now to poorer, me (lol). Not really . . . it was free time to do some shopping. I received a printed list of what to buy, namely Amber Jewelry. There are endless opportunities to buy Amber; the hardest part was to narrow it down to what exactly. So what does a guy do? Keep on buying cause you're never quite sure you have it right. I'm hoping my wife will be happy and for others I bought for. She is the most important of course!

The experience here in Poland so far has been tremendous, again a God-send of what I needed. Seeing and visiting with the people is truly memorable. Understanding their background and culture has been fantastic. Sometimes in our 'own little world' we get locked in and don't realize there is a whole other world out there.

I'm very thankful to God for allowing me this opportunity and blessing. I pray that I have been a blessing to some of the Polish people as well.

Emotional Rollercoaster

From somber to exhuberant joy! Talk about an emotional rollercoaster day where our day began in Auschwitz to see the total disgust of what took place 65-70 years ago to 'new life' happening in Poland. God is preparing this land for a revival. We witnessed first hand what He is doing here. (more in a minute)

First, let me step back and explain Auschwitz. I have heard about this place most of my life but it's not until you step foot on the soil that your heart beats 1000/beats per second of what transpired here. I have never felt like this before, your gut is totally wrenched by the sights and stories of decades gone by, but it still is very much a reality today as you step foot on these concentration camps. They have held the history here and the story is told very well, no holds barred as it is very descriptive. I bought a video today that was shown on our bus trip where that was enough to convince me I wasn't ready to see this place of HELL. Wow, what an eye opener and heart-breaking compelling story. Thinking of what took place here is like comparing all of Saskatchewan's people murdered. 1.1 Million were either gassed, hanged, flogged, starved to death and countless other ways. It was not a pleasant morning for me.

We were then brought back to Krakow where we had lunch (authentic Polish food), cabbage, pork and potatoe soup. It was truly awesome!!

Our afternoon was spent quickly doing some brief shopping as I began my search for Amber jewelry. Endless choices and overwhelming styles and selections. Where do I begin? I may be broke when I get back but my wife will be very rich in jewelry. Buying begins tomorrow I think. Can anyone say 'charge it'?

After the morning downer, we all wondered how the day would end. We caught a late day bus to the other side of Krakow to 'Graceland Ministries'. Wow, this is exactly what I needed . . . an uplifting experience to know there is life! Poland is an exciting and wonderful place where God is at work. We had a visit to this cafe / english school / church / bible study / small -group . . . you name it . . . they did it. A middle-class to upper-class neighborhood where young early middle-aged people come to learn english. But it's not just english, it is english taught with the bible and it's learnings throughout various means. We met with some wonderful Polish people who are vibrant and very alive in their Christian beginnings. We know God is awesome and this just proves how incredible He is in this country. I could go on and on, but there are many stories to share when I'm back.

Tomorrow we will be visiting a castle and doing some shopping in our last full day in Krakow before heading back to Warsaw.

Thank you God for teaching me that through death, life is worth living!

Culture Change

Today brought many new things my way. First off backsteppin, Sunday was just a day to relax and recoup after a week of intense business and services (all good of course).

Then it was packing up and getting up at 4 a.m. to catch the shuttle to the airport for our 7:25 a.m. flight to Instanbul. Security is big here as we had to go through 3 security checks to our flight. Turkish Airlines does things right, very hospitable and lots of food on the flights. We arrived in Instanbul made our transfer to the International flight to Warsaw, Poland. We were greeted by our hosts Don and Betty Orr and our host country Poland. It reminds me a lot of Saskatchewan but more Spring like here. Huge culture and tradition here. Lots of history, totally amazing . . . hard to take in.

We took a bus from the airport in Warsaw to the train terminal where we grabbed some authentic Chinese food at Wook Restaurant and met some other local workers and the remaining of our group (16). We caught the 4:15 p.m train from Warsaw to Krakow (2.5 hr train-ride) in the truly European trains (stuff you see on t.v. and movies). An enjoyable ride with some new found friends on our trip.

We arrived in Krakow at 7:15 p.m. and walked from the station to our hotel - Hotel Polenia (again lots of history and class), kind of reminds me of my grandmothers place (in a sense). We quickly checked into our room and then gathered for a group briefing and then off for supper in the square. Wow, what amazing buildings!!! We walked the square, looking very touristy and we're handed our money for supper and told to walk around till we found what we wanted to eat. We are couples, except one other guy and myself and we became a couple, in a sense as we're also rooming together. Very nice guy, Jesse from Kelowna. Anyway, we found a Mexican restaurant (I know, Chinese for lunch and Mexican for supper in Poland - what can I say) and enjoyed some Mexican fajitas. After supper, around 9:30 we walked back to our hotel and on the way we were propositioned by a couple of young ladies (totally freaked me out). We were looking at jewelry and then they asked for a street. We replied we don't know, we're not from here. They then asked where we're from, where we're going, what we're doing here? Too many questions and then said they were looking for this street and a bar and would like us to join them. Yikes!!! Talk about culture shock. We quickly said no, we're not interested and got out of there. We jokingly said next time if that happens, we're going to hold hands!!! Ya right!!

Learning lots here already and it's only day 1. Tomorrow we have a trip planned to Auschwitch. That in itself will be totally amazing and interesting in so many ways and feelings.

God is good and faithful. Looking forward to what He has planned for us this week in this needy culture of Europe.

Final Thoughts on Turkey

Well, the week has come and gone . . . in 12 hours I will be jetting off to Poland for the 2nd of my two week adventure in a different land. The week here in Turkey has gone fast in some ways but then others not so much. I do miss my wife and wish she could be here with me experiencing this as well. I can't believe how much I have soaked up in a week (not just sunshine either), but a lot of God's words to me in my life. I think it has been well worth the trip just for hearing from God. Thanks to the peace He brings just when you need it.

Today, I spent a couple hours just gently walking along the Mediterranean beach and having the sand slip through my toes as I walked. No ipod, just me and God . . . sometimes I need to do that more than not.

I will be packing up tonight and getting up @4a.m. to start my day for my departure @7:25 to arrive in Poland by noonish. I have no idea what next week will bring, but I'm looking forward to hearing more from God in my life.

Not sure what internet connections and availability I'll have next week in Poland, but I'll try to update when and if I can.

When you want life to give you it's best just remember Jesus is ALL you need!

The Sound of Music

Today was another tour day as we headed off to Aspendos Theatre. Wow and wow again! Truly amazing experience to hear about the history and then to see it. It was very picturesque on the side of a hill where once again Paul had preached. While we were there, one of the tourist began singing 'I lift you up' and then a song of praise and everyone became very quiet to hear him sing. He sang very well and it was amazing to hear the acoustics in the 18,000 seat theatre. I was sitting in the very middle of the theatre at the very top when he began his songs, truly a great experience.

Today, Cam and Court leave Belek mid-afternoon for Istanbul. I will miss them as I have appreciated to hang with them and enjoy their company. It's going to seem much more lonely for me when their gone. They are excited to off on their road-trip! As well, I head off on mine in less than two days.

All in all, the experience has been very well rewarding mentally and spiritually.

Walking on the Wild Side

I understand my wife is taking on the wild-side of life while I'm away, that is in not making the bed. She is a rebel when I'm away, but that's o.k.

Here in this country, there is not of wild things other than the cats. Oh yes, these cats are apparently sacred and much like Herod in his days, cats are loved by this culture. They can roam free and that is very apparent at our resort. I just don't like them by my feet when I eat meals. One of our waiters notices we don't like them so he makes a hissing sound to shu them away in a nice way.

I'm finding that I'm in the beginning stages of a 'head-cold', thanks to Cam but I'm trying to fend it off with cold-medication.

Tomorrow we are off on another tour to Aspendos, looking forward to seeing more great biblical history. Hard to believe this portion of the trip is nearly half done but also looking forward to experiencing the Polish culture next week.

God has been teaching me a lot while here, which I'm thankful for. A lot of the stuff is already 'head-knowledge', but it's time to apply it to my life. Thanks for some great teachings this week. A person is never too old to learn - guess I have a lot to learn.

History meets Modern Day

It is interesting how cultures blend together the old with the new. Today was our trip to Perge (the lost, hidden city after earthquakes, erosion, etc. now being undercovered over the last number of decades and still only a third is done). I was not sure what to expect other than this is History being unveiled before my eyes.

Our morning adventure was quite the deal with not only the tour but with our tour guide, his name was like 'email'. Once we arrived at Perge my eyes were as wide-open as a child, intrigued by the amount to see and do. Wow and wow! I was in the same spot as Paul in his preaching days, now Perge walking the rocky roads and entering the shops he may have stepped into. To see all the large pillars, stone and reconstruction was totally amazing - simply in awe. I could have spent the entire day there just sitting and looking around, taking in all the sights, smells and visualizations. Sometimes you feel totally blown away you need to just reflect. It was very difficult to comprehend, almost surreal. I wanted to know what people were thinking back then and what types of encounters they had. It was simply - unbelievable but then very believable!

Once we had left the site after some brief shopping from the locals and our newly learned bartering techniques we headed back to what was suppose to be our resort, but our tour guide (apparently this is what they do) took us to a leather factory where we were engaged in a 'fashion show' (not us but them) and then we were invited to shop in this huge factory for new leathers, some as high as $7,000, of course with a 40% discount (good deal hey?). Needless to say, my pocketbook did not open for this cause, plus how would I get that home?

So between a setting of 4000 years ago in Perge to a factory leather shop, we encountered History and the Modern Day. Not quite what I had in mind - blew me away.

Sometimes things in life make you go "hmmmm interesting".

Cats and Turkish Coffee

What's with all the cats in Turkey? At our resort, they're like a rodent, annoying. I'm not sure what the significance is but a person would like to boot them. Really, why are they here? Research to follow. In the middle of the night you can you hear them fighting or mating. Whatever the case, I don't enjoy 3 or 4 cats sitting at my supper table asking for dish-outs.

Had my first Turkish coffee yesterday - high powered espresso with sludge at the bottom of the mini cup. I'm sure this awoke me at 3 a.m. and I couldn't go back to sleep for an hour. Interesting 'Red-Eye'! (just for Randy)

This morning is St. Patty's day and no one seems to notice, which is fine with me. But top of the morning to those reading this back in Canada.

We had our opening service last night - very well done and received. This morning we already had the opening of the conference, particularly liked the 'concert of prayer'! Wow, the power of prayer is . . . powerful!

We have a full day of sessions and in between eating (4 hours of it). Lots to see and do with tours beginning tomorrow of Perge.

Special Thanks to Cam and Courtney for the use of their computer to update my blog. It really is nice to have them here, not just for that, but to be with them too.

It's Turkey Time!

After 24+ hours of traveling, I have arrived at my destination! Words cannot really describe the location, knowing this is where Paul did a lot of his ministry and mission work. Wow, beautiful location and very friendly people. My conference begins later today and so the business portion gets under way. So today is getting accustomed to the area and taking it all in.

Special Thanks to Cam and Court for the use of their computer to do this update.

Leaving on a Jet Plane or 2 or 3 or 4

Well, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go (sounds like a song) . . . but it's time to head out the door and head East for the next two weeks. Wow, it's actually happening . . . heading to the Mission fields and seeing it first hand. Lord, praying for a time that is immersed in you, to show me your desire for my life, to be effective and serving you.

God Bless All!

Final Packing

Well, less than 24 hours till I'm at the airport and it feels like I have a million things to do. It has been an interesting couple of weeks leading up to this and it really is hard to get my mind around leaving, but now it's more of a reality. God is amazing and the things he brings us to and through. I'm not sure what He has in mind for me with this trip but I want to be used by Him and be a blessing to those I'm in contact with. This is a huge new experience for me and it's scary but exciting at the same time.

God use me as your vessel of love, kindness and humility. Make me a blessing I pray!