People Often Ask

People often ask me what a “normal” day is like for me as a mission church plant pastor in a small town in central Europe. Their motivations vary; some are just curious, others are looking for some way to relate to my world, still others desire to understand what life is like in another country. Whatever their reason sometimes I struggle to know how to answer. My days are always different. My office is where ever the people I serve are. In some ways it is similar to general practitioners of days long gone by; whose offices were where ever they had their bag and the people that needed their help.

Recently I have found my territory being stretched to lands far from Nowy Targ to the people who have traveled to other countries in search of work and opportunities. As I visited these individuals I discovered that though they now have work and resources they are lonely, isolated, and struggling to find hope. So what do I do? I visit those in need of the hope and encouragement of Jesus. A couple weeks ago I was in Ireland with K & D in Galway: pray that they would see Jesus in their daily lives as they embrace the blessings they have received. A & T: Pray that Agnieszka would grow in her confidence to speak English. Pray that T would be encouraged and strengthen in abilities to build bridges between Polish & Irish workers. Also that he would have the freedom to lead his Charismatic prayer group to the place Jesus is calling them to. In Killarney…A & N: Pray for the health and safe delivery of their 1st child the beginning of the New Year. Also pray that they would find fulfillment and satisfaction in their relationships in Jesus. Wednesday I had the pleasure of a wild adventure. I traveled my car, train and ran walked through Vancouver, BC’s Chinatown to meet with Arie. He showed me his world…the life of an engineer on a cruise ship. Though the visit was short (3 hours) and the travel was 6 hours I’m sure that my friend has been encouraged and strengthened.