realna akcja

FRIDAY - PROJECTS COMPLETED

2011-07-22T23:03:00.001+02:00

Much has been accomplished this week, which is exciting to report! God is so faithful and has kept us encouraged and supplied with the energy needed to complete what we have set out to do. Here are a last few highlights...

CHILDRENS DAY CAMP

We had 60 children come on Monday, and by the end of the week, we were up to 86. It was so special to have all these kids here with us this week, and they loved it, too. By Wednesday, they were blowing kisses to the volunteers as they left on the bus. By Thursday, they were jumping off the bus when they arrived at the camp, and sprinting toward their favorite helpers for a hug. This was a very meaningful time for all involved, and it was a priviledge to work with and love these children.

APARTMENT

This apartment lies just outside Ostroda in a neighboring village. A 2 year old boy lives here with his grandparents who are in the process of adopting him. His parents just left him there, unwanted. It is obvious that this elderly couple has so very little, but as the team of painters and cleaners got done with the work today, they fixed a table of food for the group. From the report of this overwhelming generosity, the amount of food shared would probably have fed this family for weeks. They willingly gave what they could out of their great need to honor those who had served them, which is indeed incredibly humbling.

PAINTING the CEMETERY FENCE

There were about 19 people working on this project to paint the fence that runs along the front of the cemetery. This good sized cemetery is taken care of by one older man who helped us prepare the fence so we could work to re-paint it. He was so nice and very helpful, and if we were missing something needed for the job, or were in need of more paint, he would go right out and get it for us. The thought crossed one painter's mind that if the caretaker had tried to paint this fence himself, it would have taken him a very, very long time. As it was, this group completely painted the fence in 2 days, and the caretaker was thankful and rather happy.

MURAL IN the PARK

Just an update from the earlier story about the mural, and Caroline, the lady from Germany who wanted to come and help with the painting. She ended up coming for not just one, but two days to paint. She was so excited to be involved in this project, and touched by the way that this mural team welcomed her into the group. Good conversations were had throughout these days, and we are thankful for the opportunity to get to know her and have her help with this beautiful work.

What a wonderful gift it is that there are so many different ways to serve, and how humbling it is that God uses our gifts and willingness to serve Him and others in so many abundant ways. We are thankful for this opportunity to be a part of what He is doing here in Ostroda.

ZYGMUND

2011-07-22T22:36:00.001+02:00

He just sat there on the edge of his bed much of this week watching the four men working to paint his small room which takes its position under the eaves of a very old and worn out house. Even the steps up to the second floor where his room is to be found were nothing to be sure of. At the beginning of the week, the cramped space he lives in was filthy and dirty, with little more than a bed, shelf, sink, and bucket for a toilet. Until a few years ago, he was an alcoholic, but now no longer drinks. His name is Zygmund.

A half hour before our team arrived just a few days ago, some young men from the neighborhood had knocked on his door and asked him to go drinking with them. When he refused, they punched him in the face and left. Moments later, they hurled a brick through his window. He sat alone and hurt. Little did he know that God was setting something up for him that would begin within just a few short minutes, and he was overjoyed when the team walked in to begin to interact with and serve him.

After five days of painting and cleaning the transformation is incredible. A lovely soft blue now covers the walls with fresh clean white surrounding the windows. The thick dust and dirt is now gone from the floors. Money was given to buy him new bed sheets and blankets, and he was also given a haircut.

The apartment is totally different now, and Zygmund shared excitedly about what he had experienced this week. It was not only a room that was changed, but a person was changed as well.

One of the team members who worked there this week and got to know Zygmund said it like this: “God loves us all so much and we can see that in the story of Zygmund. God sent us to his apartment to lift him up. It is awesome to be a part of that.” Indeed, many lives have been deeply impacted by these gifts of service.

THURSDAY - A DAY IN THE LIFE

2011-07-21T23:55:00.002+02:00

While each day at Realna Akcja is uniquely individual, there is a general plan that is followed which keeps us all headed in the same direction during the week. With the exception of a few necessary adjustments as we go along, the daily schedule looks something like this.

7:30 or so … Breakfast time, which usually consists of bread, cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers, and cereal, along with tea and lots and lots of coffee, of course.

9:00 sharp … Morning devotions together in the auditorium. A few songs, some words from the Bible, and encouragement for the day.

9:30 -ish … Teams are selected for the day’s work, and usually within half an hour or so, everyone has gotten to their project location.

10:00 - 12:30 more or less … Apartments are cleaned and painted, children are played with and loved, fences get a sprucing, a city wall is dressed with a beautiful picture, gardens are tidied, people are served, the Hope of Jesus is shared. 12:30 give or take … Lunch time. Yum!

13:00 - 16:00 on the nose … Back to work! (see list above)

16:30 at least … Everyone is back to the camp where we are staying this week. Time for a rest!

18:30 precisely … The dinner bell rings. Many good Polish dishes have been prepared for the evening meals, and we have been thankful for those cooking and serving us in this way.

20:00 gmt … Most days end with a formal gathering of some sort - prayer meetings, times of sharing, and concerts....

...then, there are the informal gatherings of all sorts – conversations, games, playing around (and in) the lake, walks, music, various additional foods, and so forth.

22:00 - 02:0030 and everything in between … Bedtime and rest that is much needed after the work, service, and fun of the day. One can all too easily fall asleep counting the many blessings God has given this week.

As you might imagine, each day and project brings its own surprises, challenges, variations, and blessings. The best part of it all is to see how God work all these things together for His purposes.

Tomorrow is another day…

PASSING THE WORD

2011-07-20T23:55:00.000+02:00

Two of us went shopping this afternoon for some more crafts and goodies needed for the last few days of the children’s camp. We had run out of face paint, beads, balloons, and other “necessary” items that seem to be in high demand. While we were in one shop full of all manner of fun and creative things kids love, we were asking the lady behind the counter for a bit of help to narrow our search down. Face paint, it seems, is not in abundance here in Ostroda.

As we were talking with her, another employee came over to join in the conversation, hoping to help. Talk turned to the fact that we were a part of “that Realna Akcja project” that is going on all over town. The first lady gestured toward our t-shirts with the Realna Akcja logo boldly obvious, and started to tell her colleague about what was happening with this action this week. She said it in such a way as to imply that her friend should have known all about the events of the week, of course. Then, she started telling her fellow worker about the concerts planned for the following night, and Friday and Saturday evenings as well. She really knew her stuff, which was quite exciting to hear!!

We didn’t really have to say much in the way of explanation or invitation - this clerk was doing a great job herself. We really hope to see her - both of these ladies, actually - at the concerts over the next few days. How neat would that be!?

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

2011-07-20T20:48:00.002+02:00

There is a mural one team is painting on the back wall of the post office, which can be openly viewed from the main city park by the lake. This is a great location for many to see this visual reminder of our outreach here in town long after we are gone. After much preparation, planning, and buying supplies, the new blue background coat of paint gradually covered the old wall. After being a bit unsure if there would be enough paint for the whole length of the wall, the team found that there was amazingly…just enough.

As this group of 6 worked together on the first layer of creativity that will within just a few days become a beautiful sunrise full of Hope, a lady from Germany was drawn to stop by for a chat. One of the team members could converse with her in German, and the conversation developed to the point that she asked if she could come and help with the painting tomorrow. Indeed she can! “Overwhelming” was the word that John, the mural designer, used to describe the incredible ways that God “just happens” to bring people into contact with us. Even better in this case, to have that contact continue for another day at least.

This is certainly not a coincidence; rather it is indeed a real blessing to have someone with family connections in the community come to help spread visual Hope around, which in this case means spreading paint on a wall. Perhaps while she is working with us she, too, will become colored by the Gospel of Hope.

STORIES SHARED

2011-07-19T23:57:00.000+02:00

After work is done each day, time to gather and tell stories of experiences is gifted to us all. We talked tonight as a group about things that have touched us, surprised us, and things we have learned these past days in coming to Ostroda. We would like to share some of those stories with you.

As the children leave the camp each day, they are given little goodie bags with candies and sweets to take with them. I gave one boy his bag which included a small container of mints. (he is in gray at the right of the bus door) He very gratefully said "thank you," and went to get on the bus to go back home. However, he stopped along the way to share his mints with the other children. Then, before he left, he came back and offered the last one to me. The children who are coming to the camp this week - including this boy - are very poor, victims of violence, and no doubt truly need much more than they have. Yet he shared all he had been given with others and with me.

~ Renee

I have been with a team painting in the apartment of an older man. When we left the first day, he said "thank you." He waits outside on the stairs while we paint during the day. Every time one of us goes to ask him a question, he continues to say "thank you" with a glowing face. He is always smiling even though he has experienced a great deal in his life. It is really nice to see someone so excited about what we are doing.

~Andre

In the continuing process of planning that takes place with an outreach like this, I found out last week that the children from the city would indeed be coming to the day camp every day this week. That would be around 80-100 kids or so for 3-4 hours each day. I was a bit nervous to see how this camp would be pulled off since the details of planning were ending up in my lap rather last minute. Once everyone arrived here on Sunday to work, we had people gladly volunteer to join in the "kid confusion." No one batted an eye at what there was still to do and organize, but jumped enthusiastcally in. We had 60 children come on Monday, and 80 today (Tuesday), and are hoping for more tomorrow.

~ Marisa

Next door to the small garden (yard) that we were cleaning out today for a family, there was an old man also out working in his garden. There were several trees/bushes that he was struggling to remove, so we decided to help him with that project. Even though it was such a small effort on our part, this man was so very happy that we had helped him. And we were happy to have been there to help.

~ John

There are many more stories being experienced every day. They happen for all of us wherever we are. Don't waste the time God is giving you with the people you come in contact with - whether it's for just 5 minutes, or 5 days, months or years, or even for a lifetime.

MONDAY - WORK BEGINS

2011-07-18T23:08:00.003+02:00

Today we began our first day of work here in Ostróda. Teams scattered all over the city and were busy laying a good foundation for the rest of the week.

Among the projects that teams are working on this week are several apartments in desperate need of repair and cleaning. The families that call these rooms home are quite obviously needy, and one place held a most difficult and shocking reality of poverty. What used to be white walls, were now yellow from years of abuse, neglect and filth. The single mom and four children that live here in this small space (which is not much larger than a semi trailer) greeted our team with an excitement that could not be contained. The enthusiasm this mom displayed upon seeing the group of American, Irish and Polish workers who had come to serve her and her family was contageous. The team worked in her house the entire day - moving furniture, cleaning walls, and scraping off wallpaper that was literally held on by grease. Things are improving.

In another location, a team worked to repaint hand railings and caution stripes along a staircase in the city.

Yet another team worked for hours beautifying the beach front at the lake, and also spent time scraping off the safety rails so a new and fresh coat can be applied later in the week. In the process, their efforts were observed by the local media. The film crew shot some scenes of their progress, and also interviewed team members as to the purpose of our projects and why we are here this week. This kind of media coverage is great for sharing the message of Hope, which we are excited to share not only through our actions, but also through the conversations that our actions inspire.

Along with various other work projects, today also saw the start of the children's day camp we are hosting this whole week. We have been able to coordinate with Social Services here in the city, and they brought over 60 children (age 6-12 or so) this morning from homes of domestic violence. Some of these children were accompanied by parents and grandparents. We played games, created fun crafts, painted faces, and did other exciting things with the kids. It has been an incredible opportunity to reach out not only to the children, but to the parents as well.
Each day brings new opportunities to serve and be involved in the lives of the people here in Ostroda. We look forward to tomorrow...

SUNDAY - PEOPLE OF HOPE

2011-07-17T23:53:00.000+02:00

Ostróda. This city, nestled on one of Poland's many beautiful lakes, is filled with activity. From boating, to Jazz music, it has become one of Poland's greatest destinations for tourists and visitors. It is also a city that is filled with incredible need - both physical and spiritual. For this reason, 140 passionate volunteers from around the world have flooded the streets of this town these 6 days to share the Real Hope of Jesus Christ through our words, actions and love.

This week we are working alongside People of Hope who have come from Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Belarus, France, the United States, Canada, and Poland. Every country group adds new dynamics that create this force of Hope - from carpenters to bank managers, teenagers to senior citizens, each bringing a diversity of spiritual backgrounds as much as cultural heritage. All of us, however, are bonded together by the Holy Spirit and joined together in unity to serve the needs found in this part of Poland.

As we came together this first evening to worship God through our singing and to hear a spiritual challenge from God's word, it was impossible to not be moved by the gathering of so many nations to serve the broken here in Ostróda. It has been said that out of great dispair raises great hope, and as we looked around at tonights worship gathering, we were looking into the many faces of the People of Hope.

Day 3: things are underway

2010-08-09T05:56:00.009+02:00

The time we spend together as a group each morning before we head out to work is a great encouragement, and it always gets the day off to a good start. Today, Rafał spoke to us about our uniqueness (Matthew 13: 44-52), having us think about our own stories - - what has influenced my perspective of God's Kingdom? What kind of people has God been putting in my way? How do I see them? Rafał spoke about how God has influenced who we are today. Sometimes we think that we are too damaged to be used by God and that our past is too bad and that we are not worthy. Or sometimes we feel like our past is boring and uneventful. The bottom line is that God wants to use each and everyone of us and using our uniqueness both past and present! We may not know how God is going to use us in every situation, but we need to trust that God is going to use us no matter what, we just have to be open and willing!

INDIAN VILLAGE started today! Over 70 kids (age 4-7) came! Most stayed until lunchtime, playing games, making crafts, and participating in fun competitions…all the while being taught about God.

WE MADE IT - onto the National News!!! A Polish national news station reported on Hope in Action here in Łódź! This is the first time we have gotten such coverage! Having a report like this on the national news is an excellent gift.

PROJECTS continued! Lots of hard work was put in again with painting, scraping, cleaning, weeding, etc. Each project is going well, and everyone was so encouraged…and encouraging!

SOME OF THE apartments we are renovating belong to people who are desperately poor, ill, and have disabilities. Their apartments are in extremely rundown and unsafe neighborhoods. Most apartments are filthy, with tons of water damage and mold. Each day our teams go to these apartments, clean them, scrape them, and paint them, taking this unique opportunity to do something exceptional for the people who live here.

While the volunteers work in the apartments, the residents are actually there as well. Each team has at least one Polish person who can also speak English, and the great thing about this is that each member of the team can communicate with owner of the apartment and encourage them, love them, pray for them, and get to know them. God is using every one of these volunteers to reach out to the people they are helping.

Łódź is the second largest city in Poland, but it is very poor. The city streets, apartments, buildings and parks are quite rundown, dirty, covered with graffiti. Unfortunately, most areas are unsafe after dark.

As people arrive back at the dormitory, all of them look tired from such a hard day of work, but you can see the joy and fulfillment on their faces because they know that they stepped out of their comfort zone and let God use them!

We had amazing worship this evening lead by the Ukrainian volunteers. They sang worship songs that we each knew and could sing in our own language. The beautiful and unique sound of multiple languages blending together in one voice filled the room, and God’s presence wrapped warmly around us all. He is always with us.

DAY 2: first work day

2010-08-04T20:01:00.007+02:00

Monday began with an excellent morning session where we heard about God's Perspective on His Kingdom (Matthew 13:31-35). God wants us to plants seeds in people's hearts, no matter how small, and he will take care of the rest. Even though we may leave Łódź without knowing the effect we have on the people here, God is in control of growing the seeds we planted into big and beautiful results! We need to trust in God's plan for each one of us.

The organization process of getting over 200 volunteers into teams, getting them on buses, and transporting them to 23 different worksites was quite the feat! With only slight hints of commotion or confusion, we were off to work! Every team seemed to set off in a different direction – everyone ready to serve here on the first day of projects!

The Indian Village (kids camp) was under construction today and will welcome the kids coming in tomorrow! We have been getting calls about when it will start, and the children in the neighborhood are super excited about coming!! Please pray for the children that will be attending these programs this week.

Here are a few pictures from some of the projects today…

We all made it back to the dormitories by 5pm and although we were exhausted, everyone was smiling! Servant hearts were on bold display today, and everyone knew they were beginning to make an impact on the people they were serving.

With all that energy spent on the projects, there was a need for a good Polish dinner - chicken, potatoes, red cabbage, yogurt and cold compote - which we ate with gusto!

The evening session included testimonies of the day from 3 different people. Very inspiring! What a great ending to the first workday!!

PROJECTS 2010

2010-08-04T19:32:00.001+02:00

Just to give you an small idea of what we are be up to during this week,

here is a list of the projects...

SHELTER for Victims of Family Violence

*full renovation of all apartments where women and children find

shelter from violence at home

*children’s program for the children on-site

*gifts-in-kind for victims

*design of a webpage for the shelter to help with its ongoing

fundraising strategy.

12 APARTMENT Renovations

*renovate 12 apartments whose residents are either extremely poor

families, disabled, or elderly, under the care of welfare/social

services in Łódź.

CHILDREN’S HOMES (Domy Dziecka)

*paint children’s rooms and playgrounds in 4 city-run facilities

NEW HOPE Center

*renovation and painting of rooms in this Christian facility for people

struggling with addictions

NURSING HOME

*cleaning, painting, and outreach program in a large city-run facility

HOSPITAL

*fixing/painting hospital beds and other small furniture

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

*painting the eating hall and classrooms. The school is located in a poor

neighborhood, where a local church is already doing outreach.

NATIVE AMERICAN Village (Wioska indiańska) Outreach Project

*6-day outreach designed for up to 100 children ages 4-7. We will build

a Native American village with replicas of tipi tents and other themed

equipment to provide a fun setting for children to play games, compete

in teams, and learn basic truths about God.

We are very excited about these projects and how God will use them as we obediently serve.

REALNA AKCJA 2010 OPENING NIGHT

2010-08-04T05:07:00.000+02:00

WHAT A GREAT and exciting opening today for the Realna Akcja week here in Łodz! After registering over 200 people who have come to take part in this awesome outreach, and enjoying a delicious dinner hosted by the Baptist Church, the official opening session began!

We had blessed worship time that was led by a combined group of Poles and Americans, who sang in both Polish and English. With people from the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, America, England, Ukraine, and Switzerland, it was really a fun and international experience! Luke Bajenski spoke and shared thoughts about how we are all like a beautiful mosaic that God is putting together. Each of us is a piece and we each have a specific purpose. We may not know what the purpose is, but God does.

There are 3 pastors here in Łodz - from 3 different denominations - who have worked together for Realna Akcja to be here in their city, and they were introduced tonight as well. Their attitude is inspiring – that we are all coming together for one purpose! To share hope.

The amazing community that happens among those of us volunteering for the week has also begun! Many of us are hanging around outside this evening just enjoying each other, visiting with old friends and making new ones before starting in with the work tomorrow. Being here to share Real Hope with the people of Łodz is priceless.

youth group from Ohio singing on the front steps

SANDRA

2009-08-01T18:14:00.001+02:00

To meet her is to fall in love with her. Her eyes are bright, and she is eager to learn. She loves to sing, and really likes all kinds of animals ~ especially mice. Pink and red are her favorite colors. At 7 years old, she will be going into 1st grade this fall. There are many needy children here in Sandomierz, but we met her. We met Sandra.

She lives with her parents in a one room shack (about 12 ft x 12 ft) just outside of town. There is a lean-to on the back that services as a kitchen, with walls that are simply tattered blankets nailed to old wood. Dirty dishes sit in a bucket nearby. Inside the small room of the shack, there is no bathroom. The walls and floor are very dirty. An odd assortment of old, broken and soiled furniture sits in the space. Weeds overtake the cramped yard which is littered with even more broken things, and is thinly shaded by the single clothesline stretching from roof to fence. The need is obvious.

Sandra’s parents are unable to properly care for all her needs. They are slow of mind, but in spite of that, one can tell that they love their daughter very much.

It has been quite a big week for this very polite little girl and her mom and dad. Starting on Monday, renovations to the dwelling began. The walls and ceiling were cleaned and given a fresh layer of light yellow paint, windows were installed, new flooring was put in over the old concrete, and a bathroom has been built in one corner of the little space. Many hours of very hard work and great effort have been put in to have this task completed by the end of the week.

This project has become very special to all who have worked on it, and it has also touched the hearts of those of us who have heard Sandra’s story firsthand.

Sandra is not in a house where she can learn about God. Perhaps we are the only people she is encountering that are sharing love by doing something selfless for someone else – for her, for her family. The church here in Sandomierz will continue to work with her family so that the hope that has been shared by these actions will be nurtured.

In addition to the much needed practical work that has been done to their room, the group of volunteers here has contributed money to help buy a few needed, and special things for Sandra – including her school books, which her family could not afford otherwise. Over 2,000 polish zloty was given (around $600). Not only is this enough to buy the needed school supplies, but she is also going to be getting a new desk, chair, and bed. It was with shy excitement that she told about the gifts that will soon be hers. There was even enough money left for a ‘new’ outside door for the house as well. It was being painted white this afternoon, but Sandra confided that she would have painted it blue.
She will always remember that people came from other lands to do this work for her and her family. Did God put her in our path? Most definitely. And as she remembers us, may she come to know the good loving Father who cares for her so very much.

DAY 6

2009-08-01T17:31:00.000+02:00

It is hard to believe we are coming to the end of this week already! Seems like we have just arrived! More stories are starting to circulate about seeds planted, and the lives that have been touched these past 6 days. We will of course never know of the full effect that we have had here in Sandomierz, but the stories we have heard – and those we will learn about ongoing – have blessed those of us working here immensely, and we hope that they will bless and inspire you as well as you read though them here, and hear accounts from us as we all return home.

One of the biggest projects we have been working on this week – the playground at preschool #3 – has reached completion!! This was the large culminating project that everyone came to help finish up as the other projects got done throughout the day. Great lengths of fencing, gates, and over 20 pieces of playground equipment were sanded and newly painted with brilliant colors. What a transformation from the dull and rusted beginnings just a week ago!

As promised, here are a few pictures from the mural done in preschool #1…

As the week has progressed, hours of video were shot and are being put together in a reel that will share just a taste of the impact around this town ~ of the different projects and stories, testimonies of the workers, and reasons why we have come here to share Real Hope through our actions. That film will be posted here, or the link shared, as soon as it has reached completion.

DAY 5

2009-07-31T10:41:00.001+02:00

Even though there is one whole work day left this week, projects were being completed right and left today!! Paintbrushes flew around the play room of preschool #3 as the finishing touches were put on the mural (picture on tomorrow’s blog). What a great atmosphere to inspire little imaginations!

The fence/lamppost project was completed as well ~ with time to spare! Umpteen meters of iron railing were treated to a lovely glossy black restoration, and they glistened proudly in the afternoon sun.

Preschool #6 has a vivid new blanket of colorful paint on the playground equipment. Sure to please the heartiest of climbers, swingers, and twirlers!

Indian Village count: 63 (woohoo!!)

One really shouldn’t come to Poland without having the tasty experience of polish sausages…cooked over an open fire…with 100 friends gathered around. So, that’s what we did for the evening. Songs were sung, prayers were said, and conversations were shared. The question was asked ~ ‘What has inspired you this week?’ ‘In what ways are you experiencing God moving in your life because of this time?’
The fellowship has been intense and meaningful as we have all been focused on the same goal of serving Jesus by serving others these past days. We are thankful for so much, and the learning continues…

KINDERGARTEN #2

2009-07-31T09:49:00.000+02:00

The children from kindergarten #2 here in town got to enjoy and take part in the fun of the Indian village yesterday. There is also a team working on their playground, and the fence that surrounds it. When the little ones left for the park in the morning, the fence was all dirty and rusty – just not in good shape at all.

When they returned a few hours later, the fence boasted a shiny new coat of brightly colored paint! As the children filed in to the playground, they were staring open-mouthed at the transformation. The little girl at the end of the line just stopped and shook her head. “It’s just so beautiful,” she sighed. Who would have though that such a small effort would produce such a gigantic impact in the eyes of a 4 year old!

IN THE NEWS

2009-07-31T09:41:00.000+02:00

Realna Akcja is in the news!! One of the main TV stations here in Poland has picked up the story, and came out to Sandomierz on Tuesday to get some footage and accounts! It aired on Wednesday evening, and here is a link so you can watch it, too! (Of course, it is in Polish, but…you’ll get the picture…) http://ww6.tvp.pl/6745,20090729922118.strona (the story is about half way through the program) We are all excited about the national interest in what is going on here.

There was also an article published in the newspaper yesterday!! A great spread, and really good coverage of what we have been doing this week! The newspaper man who called for the interview could hardly believe the reasoning behind what we are doing, and said that he never thought he would live to see the day when people would do something like this for others without a ‘hook’ – with no strings attached. The testimony of the week is having far reaching effects in places one might not think about.

DAY 4

2009-07-30T08:53:00.001+02:00

Wednesday. The halfway point has been reached. For some, despite tiredness that threatens at this point in the week, there is the wish that times like this ~ times of full-on service for God and for others ~ would not end. The challenge, of course, is for this humble attitude to be carried over into the lives we live at home, which is the hope of every heart here.

The preschool mural is just about finished!! The fun jungle atmosphere is coming along as the animals continue to take shape and come to life!

One of the fun projects here in Sandomierz has been the revitalization of a pair of entrance ornaments for a war cemetery. Two Russian tanks flank the entry to a WWII burial ground for 1200 Russian soldiers. During the war, the Russian army helped push back the Nazis, and save this town from destruction.

The fire department came out last night to help clean off the tanks with their high powered hoses, and it was neat to have the involvement of the city in this way!

Update on the Indian Village ~ there were around 70 young ones there today!!

The evening was spent with a bit of relaxation, and a night in town ~ with some good ice cream to enjoy, of course! Good fellowship was had, and relationships among this large and diverse family were strengthened.

APARTMENT #2

2009-07-29T09:48:00.000+02:00

This is a story that was shared last night (Tuesday) by a team working in one of the apartments this week…

On Monday morning, a team of 3 guys went over to the apartment they were supposed to be renovating this week. The plan was that they would be cleaning, repairing cracks in the walls, painting, and other needed things on the inside of the apartment/shack.

When they arrived, the man who lived there wasn’t opening the door to let them in, so these men decided to make good use of their time, and began cleaning the yard – trimming the trees and bushes, pulling weeds, and picking up trash. After this work was done, and they still couldn’t get into the house, they called the social service office to see what to do next. So a lady from the office gave a call to the man who lived there and then she came over to see what she could do, as the man who lived there was indeed at home during all this time, but just not letting the guys in.

When he finally opened the door, he was amazed at what the guys had done outside and, still somewhat reluctantly, let the team inside the house. What greeted these 3 when they walked in was far worse than what they had imagined or been prepared for. In addition to the maintenance that needed to be done, the place was filthy and dirty, and lots of cleaning and clearing out would need to be done before they could even begin to start the projects that they had initially intended to do. So they dug in and got started.

When they left that house on Monday evening, they were a bit discouraged about the amount still left to be done, but they prayed that God would help them to get the project done by the end of the week. They knew that the 3 of them would have at least 3 hours of work the next morning to finish clearing things out before they could start on the repairing and painting.

Because of the nature of the small, and sometimes one-way streets here in Sandomierz, this team got a bit lost on the way to the apartment on Tuesday morning, and thus pulled up to the place later than was planned. When they finally got there, the man they were helping was hanging over the fence with excited anticipation of their arrival.

On taking just one step inside the place, the guys stopped short when they saw what had taken place after their departure the night before, and their arrival that morning. The man had totally cleaned out the place himself, and the extra work that the team was prepared to do was no longer necessary.

This one man had been so impressed with the help and love that had been given to him after only one day, that he had spent most of the night completing the task of readying the rooms for the improvements.

Not only that, but he also picked up tools and helped the team work throughout that second day. As they were around each other all day, good conversations were had, and stories shared among these men.

Instead of cleaning during the morning, and just starting the repairs in the afternoon, because of what this man had been inspired to do, they were able to patch all the walls, sand, and get the first coat of paint on the walls.

Four lives have been vastly impacted and changed in just these 2 days – on just this one project. Can you imagine some of the other stories that are taking place this week around this city?

DAY 3

2009-07-29T08:42:00.000+02:00

Work continued on the variety of projects today, as some neared completion!! Vibrant colors were painted on playgrounds to revitalize these community areas.
One team (working at the #8 preschool), had a little helper join them for the work day! Kamil lives with his grandmother in an apartment next to the preschool, and had seen the work the team was doing, and asked if he could help. He was so excited that he could practice his English, and asked for everyone’s address so he could write postcards to them when he gets back in school. His energy and enthusiasm to help was quite contagious to the rest of the team, and he was a joy and encouragement to have around.

In one of the preschools, a jungle mural is being crafted on the walls…giraffes, parrots, elephants, lions, bears, oh my!
This evening, the large group was broken into small groups of 3-5 for a time of sharing about what we have experienced so far this week. What/who has impacted us so far – out in the city, and here amongst ourselves. We also spent time praying for each other, and for Sandomierz.

THE INDIAN VILLAGE

2009-07-28T19:27:00.000+02:00

How! The Indian village begins its second day!

There were 47 little ‘Indians’ waiting patiently for the Chiefs (leaders) to arrive this morning so they could cross over the caution tape boundary into the Indian village set up at the park. The 3 life-size teepees awaited the fun flurry of flying feathers, exuberant war cries, and the anticipation of the day’s adventure!

The happy campers rotated through the day’s fun activities, which today included authentic, colorful beading/jewelry making,

pheasant hunting on the archery field,

roping wild steer, moose, and buffalo (uh, huh),
devouring humongous cheesy pizzas,

and absorbing the lesson of the day – about WISDOM.
The week began with 30 kids, day 2 has brought 47. The latest news indicates that there is a full kindergarten class planning to join the festivities tomorrow in addition to the now usual suspects that are excited to return. The growth seen here everyday is exponentially more than the day before. How incredibly exciting to see such an enthusiastic response from the children of Sandomierz.

DAY 2

2009-07-28T10:17:00.000+02:00

The bright summer sun shone early through the windows this morning to waken us for the first official work day of Realna Akcja 2009!! You could almost taste the excitement and energy that filled the air as we all gathered for morning devotions and worship. The story shared this morning was about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), and how it is necessary to choose to spend time with people this week, and not to pass by – not to just get caught up in the ‘action’ part of the time here. We pray for opportunities to be able to stop and simply sit and share with people as we spread out through the city.

The vice-mayor joined us for our gathering this morning to share a few words of welcome, and convey the thanks of the city for our efforts this week! Then followed the normal opening day chaos of getting the smaller teams divided up, set, and off to the correct locations for work. Several teams headed off to paint in pre-schools, some to paint fences and lampposts, 4 teams to work on renovating apartments for some needy families, and still more folks were off to set up and lead a children’s camp – teepee Indian style! The tally for the day on kids that came to the camp grew to 30 by the end of the day, with many kids asking if they could bring friends tomorrow…

We ended the day together with more worship, and a time of prayer and group sharing about what brought us here to Sandomierz, and some of our experiences so far in Poland. God is doing great things!!

From scraping old paint off fences with butter knives, to shooting bow-and-arrows with kids, to installing new windows in an old apartment, to beginning a mural on a pre-school wall, to painting an iron handrail by steps in a park…God is using our experiences to change our hearts and grow us closer to him…and, we pray, to change the hearts of Sandomierz.

We invite you to join with us as we continue in prayer for the people here in Sandomierz, and also for the strength, endurance, and joy of those working this week as we share the love of God through actions.

DAY 1

2009-07-28T10:05:00.000+02:00

It was a dark and stormy afternoon. A shout rang out. A car door slammed. People were arriving in Sandomierz for Hope in Action!!
Over 100 volunteers have now arrived from Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, America, and from all over Poland, and after exploring to find their dorm style rooms in this vast school building, they all gathered for a light supper and community fellowship.
At the group meeting this (Sunday) evening, uplifting worship music was led by Exodus 15, a Polish Christian band. An encouraging devotion was shared on Luke 5… reminding those participating this week that God leads us to where he wants his work to be done, and he has led us all here to Sandomierz this week.

There was also a recap of last year’s Hope in Action project in Tomaszow, which included a video interview with that city’s mayor, who expressed his appreciation for the deeper blessing that came from the work done there. He described that it was not only the actual work that was done that made such an impact, but since then there is a change of attitude that he has seen in the people of his city, and they are now caring for the improvements done last year and making sure that they remain in good condition!
There is an excitement among the team here for what will be done this week. Please join us in praying for the city of Sandomierz this week, and the impact we will have through the projects and interactions with the people of this town.

REALNA AKCJA ~ SANDOMIERZ 2009

2009-07-28T10:02:00.000+02:00

REALNA AKCJA 2009 starts on Sunday (July 26) in Sandomierz, Poland!!

THE TEAM of around 100 people will be involved in a variety of projects throughout the week all over the city. The types of projects we will do this year include apartment renovations, painting (walls, fences, public spaces, preschool playgrounds), cleaning, planting trees, and installing a volleyball field.

IN ADDITION to blessing the people of Sandonierz, one of the highlights for the partipants will be working together with believers from over 5 countries around the world to share Real Hope through useful and helpful projects while interacting with the local people.

THROUGHOUT THE week, we will be running an exciting energy-packed children/youth summer-in-the-city program filled with fun and joyful experiences.

ON SATURDAY (Aug 1), there will be a festival that will include all sorts of fun activities for the city, and ending with a gospel concert for the evening celebration.

WE WILL be posting updates and pictures daily of the work, and what God is doing in Sandomierz!!