Jet lag, packing, and after glow

We arrived back in Monticello at 2 a.m. on Wednesday from our trip to Poland. Fortunately, I drooled on the plane from Charlotte to Little Rock, so I was semi well-rested. Our car was packed with my family, Tracy, Becca Sustaire and Lindsey Randall. Needless to say, it was cozy.

Wednesday a.m. played a cruel trick on us. We were up waaay too early. Carolyn had a head full of steam, and we immediately began boxing and packing. The movers arrive next Wednesday to take our belongings to Blacksburg.

Our last day in Poland was so fast, surreal, serious and joyful. We saw the awful horrors of Auschwitz and Berkenauer. The evil that was unleased upon the world in the malevolent intentions of the Third Reich is beyond comprehension. One part of you wants to stop, sit, and dwell painfully on man’s ability to ignore His Creator. The surreal part is that after several hours of immersion in mind-numbing history, well, we were hungry.

That’s where the surreal part came in. We drove across the street and ate kabobs at a tourist trap. On one side is genocide; on the other side is hamburgers.

When we returned to Krakow, we made a quick stop by the Jewish Quarter of town to see the Krakow Ghetto Memorial and Schindler’s Factory. And from there, the mall. Again, a sharp contrast.

Monday evening, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Massengales, our hosts for the week. We started in their living room with our first meal, and we ended there as well. As Shae shared with us about the impact we’d had over the week, we were so honored and humbled. We were there because we love Christ and because His love for all peoples compels all Christians to serve Him in all places.

It was awesome to hear the softball team share all that the Poland experience had meant to them. We cried, prayed, and rejoiced in the goodness of God. To a person, we all were hesitant in our hearts to leave Poland the new friends we’d made.

As I’ve packed boxes and worked this morning in our oven/attic, my thoughts keep drifting back to Krakow. Carolyn and I were so privileged to have gone on the the trip. Thank you all who gave, prayed, and helped in other ways to make our trip possible.

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Krakow Live: Tracy’s Tuck and Roll

One of the most entertaining parts of the trip – at least for me and Tracy – was our daily video updates. We called them Krakow Live, and it didn’t take long for them to become an evening entertainment staple for the team. One of the more popular featurettes was Tracy’s infamous Tuck and Roll video. 

He still claims it was carefully orchestrated. The girls claim he tripped. You decide.

Krakow Live Special Report: Tracy Reed’s Tuck and Roll from Jeff Noble on Vimeo.

You can view the rest of the Krakow Live updates at my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/jeffnoble.

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Sunday in Krakow

 

 

Sunday night in many ways was a fulfilling completion to our trip to Krakow, Poland. As we were preparing to worship at Compass International Christian Fellowship with our hosts and their families, it delighted us to see several members of the girls basketball and guys baseball teams in attendance. This was their first time in a non-Catholic worship service as far as we know.

As the service began, it was in English, and so we were able to sing with full and grateful hearts contemporary songs of worship to our King. Kayla was asked to share her faith story, and though she did so with an interpreter for those present who needed Polish, it was a dynamic and powerful account of how Christ has worked in her life.

I had the opportunity to preach. It was my second time to do so – my first being last October in Poland. I preached from Luke 18 about Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus. 

• It doesn’t matter what you’ve done.
• It doesn’t matter where you are.
• It doesn’t matter what you have.
• It doesn’t matter who you are.
• What matters is seeing Christ clearly.

The opposite of those first four is also true. (It doesn’t matter what you haven’t done.) The Lord enabled me to preach as simply as I could about the love of God in Christ, and I urged those present to get above the crowd in their life and get a clear view of Jesus. The wonderful thing about Zacchaeus’ attempt to see Jesus is that Jesus saw Him. Just like He does all of us when we turn our eyes upon Him.

That morning we were blessed to attend the First Baptist Church here in Krakow. Though it was a Polish service, two young girls in the church came to sit next to us to interpret and give us the gist of what was being said. As the preacher taught about the family of God, it was appropriate and encouraging for us to realize that these people – thousands of miles away from our Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana homes – were also our family in Christ.

After a great meal at Pizza Hut, we went back to Wawel Castle where the team had the opportunity on this occasion to take the self-guided tour inside the ancient cathedral there. 

Sunday night after church, we headed to Rynek to eat – and eating is much more of a relaxed event than simply a feeding. You’re expected to lounge and visit for extended times during meals here. Sebastian and Erin Vazquez joined us for the first time, and it was refreshing to catch up with them. They had been in Greece this past week and only returned to Krakow on Saturday night.

The gals hung out with members of the basketball and baseball teams, and then beat Tracy, Lou and me back to the hostel. Carolyn had gone back to the castle with the Massengales to take their family photos. She also was at the hostel.

When we got there, the girls immaturely decided to dump water on us from the top floor balcony. It was only my amazing reflexes that prevented me from getting a dousing since I went first. I don’t know what I heard first – water hitting the sidewalk all around me or cackling from on high.

We spent the rest of the evening as we have almost every night since our arrival – visiting, laughing and enjoying our God-given and blessed time here in Poland. Again, thank you sincerely to all those who made this trip possible with your generosity. Our Lord really is doing big things through the talents and witness of our team.

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Friday and Saturday

Friday

“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” So goes the saying. The reality is that God often throws in cake as well. We awoke Friday to a steady rain. Our plans had been to go to the park for our last day with outreach and softball with kids. His plans were better.

During our week, our presence in the park drew the attention of the director of the YMCA here in Krakow. He brought dozens of their kids over to participate in our program. As a result, he urged the missionaries here to please contact them if we needed to because of inclement weather.

That’s exactly what Shae did on Friday a.m. 

The team was able to spend the entire morning with 50+ kids, working on softball basics and playing games with them. The real fruit however, is a valuable and blessed connection with the YMCA that the missionaries now have. The personnel there invited them back once or twice a month to do more work with the kids.

Also on Friday, we toured (quickly) Wawel Castle. You may recall my visit to it back in October. It’s no less majestic on the second go-round.

After a looong walk, we met the guys baseball team for a scrimmage that evening. It was a great way to allow them to see what a game would feel like. It was their first opportunity to put into place what they’d been learning and practicing over the past weeks.

In a matchup of girls vs. guys, the UAM Cotton Blossoms won 6-5. They had a little help from McKenna Massengale, who belted several beyond reach of the guys, and yours truly… who was asked to play catcher.

From there, we went to Friday night coffee house. It’s a weekly event that the missionaries host. This Friday was line dancing. We weren’t quite sure how it would go over, but we discovered quickly when the place packed out just how excited the Polish people are about opportunities to fellowship and build relationships.

We had a great time… watching the team line dance. 

Saturday

We were thrilled to have the morning off on Saturday. After three consecutive days of nonstop action, walking, relationship-building and softball, it felt good to sleep in. Unfortunately for me and Tracy, we’ve had problems sleeping since the sun comes up at 4:30 a.m. So we find ourselves cruising the streets of Krakow on trams, waiting for coffee shops to open. (They do not open until 7 a.m.!) If you follow me on Facebook, you can catch some of our daily video updates that we’ve been making. Saturday’s was our favorite so far.

After lunch, we went to Jordana Park for a cookout with all the new friends and contacts that we’ve met this week. The park itself is incredible. The equipment for kids, basketball and tennis courts, rock climbing wall, skateboard park, and pond and trails are really very impressive. I haven’t seen anything like it in the States. And it’s well-used by the folks here in Krakow. It’s always full.

At the cookout, we played wiffle ball and treated everyone who came to grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. It was a big hit. The main thrust, however, was to allow the team to share a little about the “why’s” of their visit to Poland. In interview style, one of the missionaries facilitated a Q&A time. The girls were able to share about their love and with relationship with Jesus Christ clearly and passionately in front of the group as they reclined on blankets in the grass. It was a beautiful scene.

Afterwards, we trammed it to the mall where we ate and did some shopping. We retired back to the hostel for a devotional time and an exhausted lights out, or so we thought. After devotionals, it just seemed that it renews our strength and perspective. The laughter and general goofiness lasted well into the wee hours of the a.m. 

We were quite sobered by the fact that we only have two more days in Krakow. Time has flown. God has been good.

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Thursday in Krakow

Thursday was another amazingly full day. The members of the UAM Cotton Blossoms who are on the trip with us – Becca Tipton, Kayla Temple, Savannah Morin, Lindsay Randall, Amy Mardis and Becca Sustaire – have been simply incredible. We all knew their team was fantastic, but what we were unprepared for was just how good these girls really are – not just at their sport, but in their love and work ethic.

They have burned the candle at both ends and served long, hard hours in kids camps and practicing with a newly-formed baseball team here in Krakow. All at their own expense and from the donations and love of others. The end goal is to honor and bring praise to Jesus Christ here in this beautiful city.

They’ve built relationships and opened several doors for the missionaries to continue their work and ministry. I’m also grateful for the parents and families of these girls who have trusted us and Journey Church. They helped contribute and encouraged us as we pressed forward with this trip – even with scant details.

Carolyn and I have been grateful and so blessed to see how the Lord has used every member of our mission team so far on the trip. Lou has been simply incredible with the kids that she has taken under her wing. She’s been a constant strength and source of help at every phase. Tracy has continued to battle with me for title of funny man of the week. Too bad he’s losing so far. Seriously, I am so grateful for his presence and his witness and leadership. As a campus minister, trips like these not only help him connect with the students with us but capture a vision for ministry on the campuses of the world.

After another jam-packed day of ministry and softball, we cleaned up and ate at a Chili’s-style restaurant called Yummies on the Rynek, and it was delicious. Two of the baseball players joined us and then took the gals around after dinner while us old folks searched for an ice cream stand before heading back to the hostel for a rousing game of Phase 10.

Truly, there is nothing more surreal than walking around the Rynek at night with the gorgeous lights on the St. Mary’s Cathedral and seeing the carriage rides lined up along the cobble stone roads. Thanks to those of you who gave so generously to make this trip possible. We are supremely grateful at every moment for the sacrifice and generosity that you displayed.

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Wednesday in Krakow

We had a blast.

We were amazed.

God is good.

When you bring a mission team overseas, you always emphasize the “F” word. That’s flexibility. You just never know what will happen or how your plans will actually turn out. 

Our hope all along for this trip was for the UAM softball gals to be able to conduct a sports camp for kids here in Krakow, to teach and demonstrate the sport of softball to a European town that cherishes soccer above all else and doesn’t even have a baseball field. That was our hope, and it was high.

We actually didn’t know if anyone would show up. The missionary team who are in Krakow had worked hard the last few days, passing out fliers and creating a buzz, but they too, had no idea if anyone would show up. That was until 11:00 a.m. yesterday. It was then that more than 50 kids showed up, full of excitement and enthusiasm.

We were so proud of the girls. They were more than champs. Not only did they conduct this impromptu, unstructured camp in a setting that was challenging, but they did so with joy and deep character. They showed the kids softball. But larger than that, they showed them their hearts.

And while they were swinging bats and throwing balls, the Lord was behind the scenes hitting homeruns. One of the leaders of the Krakow YMCA “just happened” to be in the park, and he offered the use of their building this week should it rain. He also wanted to coordinate future things with the missionaries here. A great contact!

After a wonderful afternoon in the Rynek Square, we went to another location, and the girls worked with a newly formed guys baseball team. Baseball was new to them. So were girls who could outplay, outhit and outthrow them. I think it was a little difficult on them in this culture getting trained (and schooled) by girls. 

One of my favorite moments of the day was when Becca and Amy suited up and threw pitches. The loud pop of Becca’s glove hitting her leg after her pitch, followed instantly by the louder pop of the ball in Amy’s glove was pretty awe-inspiring. The kids and later the guys watched in awe. So did we. 

All the girls found key roles to play, and when we had our devotional time last night in the hostel (the Techno Twins weren’t around), we celebrated and unpacked a full day of ministry after Tracy shared about Elijah from 1 Kings 18. 

We are all grateful for your prayers and your generosity that got us here. God is at work. Will you please continue to join us in this great work with intercession? More later!

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Wednesday at the crack of dawn

I woke up in Krakow. At 4:50 a.m. local time. Wiiiiide awake. So off to the shower and then to find Coffee Heaven – my favorite coffee hangout here in Poland (that I know of so far). I was looking forward to seeing if I remembered how to navigate the tram ride.

Imagine my surprise to discover that Tracy was up and showered as well. I didn’t think campus ministers knew that the sun actually comes up after it goes down… ;)

So off we went. First stop was an ATM machine. Next stop. Buying a tram ticket. It all came back. It was a flawless ride to the Rynek Square. Imagine our disappointment to discover that coffee shops in Poland don’t open until 7:00 a.m. It was 5:30 a.m. 

We wasted time by exploring some side streets and discovering free WIFI zones with my iPhone and Tracy’s iPod Touch.

Finally… 7:00 a.m. and hot coffee and muffins. We both took some time to look at the team’s scripture reading for the day: John 6.26-51. The questions: Why did Jesus say He was bread? How does manna relate to Jesus? What is your own hunger level for this bread of life?

Finally.. back to the hostel to discover all the girls, including Carolyn, still in bed. This should be fun… More later.

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Arrival in Poland

We are here! After many months of fundraising, prayer, communication and planning, our Poland sports mission team arrived in Krakow this afternoon. We had a looooong, fun, exhausting, movie-filled plane ride of a trip. 

The main development of the trip has been the official declaration of a jokes war between me and Tracy Reed. So far, I’m winning. 

I’ll be posting regularly all week about the trip, so stay tuned!

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Almost there…

In a few short weeks, I’ll be going to Poland for the second time in less than a year. I was blessed to go last October on a Discovery Trip sponsored by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. I got to hang out with Ed Stetzer, Rick White, and some amazing missionaries that serve in Poland.

One of the goals of the trip was for the pastors who went to be mobilizers for Central and Eastern Europe. It’s one of the most difficult areas of our world to evangelize.

At the end of this month, I’ll be traveling back to that wonderful region of the world with members of the UAM softball team, the Cotton Blossoms. From Journey Church, Tracy Reed, the UAM Baptist Collegiate Minister will be going along with me and my wife and Lou Arnold. The goal of our trip is to assist the ministry of our missionaries overseas by conducting sports clinics and building new relationships through our work there.

When we asked the softball gals to go, we committed to helping them raise their money for the trip (in addition to our own). With a cost upwards of $1500 per person for plane fare, room and board, that was a sizable faith step. Little were we to know that Lou would raise all of her money within the first two weeks via Facebook!

During the time we announced our trip, we have been able to also send over three guys from our church to help the missionaries over spring break. They were able to work with the Krakow Tigers, Poland’s professional football team.

The purpose of my writing today is to ask you to help us raise the remaining money for our trip. We only need $3000 to reach our goal! Could you spare a few bucks – the cost of a Coke, or a Happy Meal, a movie, etc. to send our team to Poland? We would sincerely appreciate whatever you are able to do!

We are at the point of needing to purchase our plane tickets before the cost gets away from us! Help us finish this goal this week! And thank you so much in advance for your kindness, prayers and generosity!

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Sending Blossoms to Poland

If it was real flowers I were talking about, I think they’d wilt before they got there.

However, I’m talking about the University of Arkansas at Monticello girls softball team. They’re the Cotton Blossoms! They’re pretty darn good this year (currently in first place of the GSC West Division (32-7, 11-5).

One of our church members is a pitcher on the team, and when I first approached her about taking the Blossoms to Poland this summer, she was a little hesitant. The main issue it seems, was money. Most of the girls are on scholarship and like other college students just don’t have $1500 to pack up and go to Central and Eastern Europe.

However, after several interest meetings and constant encouragement, there are now seven girls who are committed to going with us. I’ve told them time and again that we could raise the money for them all to go. Lou Arnold, another member of our church, has raised 105% of her goal through her Facebook ChipIn page, so I figured that between creative internet fundraising and old-fashioned bake-sale-car-wash-type fundraisers, we could send these girls to Poland.

Here’s what they’ll be doing:

• Sports clinics (softball, baseball, etc.)
• Conversational English classes
• Coffee houses
• Cultural tours
• Attending Polish church worship service
• Trip to Auschwitz

The overall purpose of the trip is to help the missionaries in Poland build lasting relationships with more people with the hope of leading them into a love relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I’m confident that this trip will also be a life-changer for many of those going as well.

Here’s what I’m asking you to do:

• If you’re on Facebook, join the Blossoms to Poland page and leave the team an encouraging note.
• Donate the cost of a tall coffee at Starbucks to the trip ($3). If you’re feeling extra generous, donate the cost of a large pizza at Pizza Hut ($12). You can use the ChipIn widget below (we have to manually post the donations, so don’t worry if your donation doesn’t show up in the totals immediately).
• Pray for the girls and the others going on this trip.
• If you’d like to receive an autographed softball by members of the girls softball team, please leave a $25 donation, and email me your mailing address using the contact page above.

I’ll keep you posted here as to the status of our fundraising.

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March Mission

This month, our church has three members heading to Poland to work with the Krakow Tigers in sports ministry. We’re excited for Jeremy, Clark and Michael. If you are able to help support their trip, please do so by using the ChipIn widget below. If just 2o0 folks gave $3, their goal would be met! Your gifts are tax deductible, and the guys will be extremely grateful for your generosity. Please pray about whether you might be used by the Lord to help send them to Poland!

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Reflections and redirections

I’m fighting off sleep even as I write this. I feel like I’ve had plenty of time to catch up – and even a little mustard – since I’ve been back, but the backs of my eyelids beg to be seen more often than they deserve. My trip to Poland was a gigantic refresher for me – personally, spiritually, and vision-wise. I’ve had the privilege and joy of being a part of global mission through collegiate ministry for many years, but this was my first international trip as a pastor.

Now begins the joyful and intimidating challenge of seeking to be a catalyst and mobilizer of my church and other spheres that I may happen to influence to take seriously the Great Commission. It is truly a wondrous and surreal gift that our God has given us – to be invited into the purposes and movements of the Trinity as God works in the hearts of men, women and children around the world. It’s not a chore but a cherished honor.

I spoke Sunday about “famous faith.” The podcast didn’t come out too well, but it was centered in 1 Thessalonians 1.8:

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 

I yearn for that kind of faith in our church and from the believers in Poland greater than ever before. Imagine the supreme compliment of being known globally for contagious faith. It’s rather obvious from reading of the situation in Thessalonica in Acts 17 that their church didn’t exactly start ideally. It was birthed amid conflict. Paul and his team were essentially run out of town.

As the beleaguered apostle wrote back to this church, he couldn’t say enough about their stamina and their vociferous faith. I’m tired of playing the quiet game. I don’t know about you and your church or denominational tribe, but for too many of us, we’ve settled with just being present without being presenters.

I ask for your prayers as I continue to internalize and develop some conclusions about how I can gently and graciously lead God’s people in our region to embrace God’s heart for the nations. That missional theme has been a part of our church’s DNA since its inception, but I’m afraid it’s become more of a mantra than a meaningful way of life for us. 

I like how Paul began his second letter to the Thessalonians and would covet this same prayer over the church of Jesus Christ everywhere – in Arkansas, Poland and beyond:

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored… 

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Last day in Krakow

I will be flying home from Krakow, Poland tomorrow after a week spent in discovery mode. I traveled here with Ed Stetzer and other pastors to explore ways that innovative churches can plug directly into the work of the Gospel in Central and Eastern Europe.

With majestic-ancient churches dotting every corner of this city which has everything from a 1000 year-old castle to a neon-resplendent Coffee Heaven, it has been a humbling experience to walk where 99% of the residents claim “Christianity” but know no personal relationship with its Messiah.

Especially after walking the sorrow-filled paths of Auschwitz and Berkenauer today, it’s difficult to stomach apathy in the church. I’m eager to embrace, encourage and equip people for the journey of a lifetime into the harvest fields of the nations. One of areas that I sense my church is uniquely equipped to relate with well is Central and Eastern Europe. 

Coffee House

Rick White and Sebastian Vasquez did a brief interview tonight before the coffee house that we had helped invite folks to all week. Seba shared ways that ordinary folks from churches like mine and Rick’s could discover quickly that there is a great need for them and their skills and experience and love for Christ in Central and Eastern Europe. For instance…

• The Krakow Tigers (a professional football team coached by one two of the IMB workers) needs players, incuding a quarterback. (I thought I wanted to apply until Mark related that one guy had his shoulder knocked out of joint just scrimmaging with the team.)
• Photographers, web designers and folks who know how to start a business could lecture, host seminars and built relationships that long-term workers here could cultivate.
• Anyone who can speak English or even Arkansaw can share in university settings about their town, culture, and American life experiences for conversational purposes.
• Businessmen and women can relate skills and know-how.
• Students can take classes for a semester or longer at some of Europe’s oldest universities and work to help start and encourage new campus ministries.
• Baseball coaches and sports lovers can hold clinics and play with Polish youth.
• Teachers can share principles of teaching from the American classroom and even speak in classes here.
• State troopers can speak about the dangers of drunk driving, alchohol and drug use and even relate with Polish security firms and law enforcement agencies on policing tactics in America.
• A team of young couples could host a parenting conference or even a game night to teach different American games.
• A videographer and Photoshop expert could host seminars and teach skills to Polish business people and collegians.

And the list goes on… In short, there is a way to build relationships in Central and Eastern Europe that will enable those who have given their lives to the harvest here to follow up, cultivate, and see many profess faith in the beautiful and all-sufficient name of Jesus Christ if we will but lay down our lives to do so.

I spoke with some upperclassmen tonight during the coffee house about an ancient legend that Krakow was founded by a knight after defeating a dragon by trickery. You can find knight and dragon figurines in most gift shops.

While young adults and Polish in general are easily able to discern legend from fact, they unfortunately relate religion to the status of legend as well. I drew the connection and asked two sisters, “Do Polish young people view religion as a real part of life or legend?” One young lady waved her hand dismissively and said, “No one cares about religion here.”

She went on to relate that while there are beautifully stunning churches everywhere, they have no relevance for her life. I wonder if that is the same for my community and nation? Religion is everywhere, but is it a real part of life? Or have we relegated it to the status of a good, old story with colorful characters but with useless import?

Observations

I’ll be back late Saturday night and will be teaching Sunday. I’ve seen cathedrals and concentration camps. I’ve heard Polish people assign religion to a category of irrelevance. But I’ve also spent time with an incredible team of God-saturated missionaries and strategic workers – in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

I’m hopeful, and I’m heartened. There is great work to do here in this war for the souls of Central and Eastern Europeans. And I believe that Christ-followers in Monticello and Arkansas will have a significant role to play in the near future.

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Krakow Day 6

I had fun today, but it’s late, and I’m pooped. A quick summary:

• A Coffee Heaven run in the early a.m.
• Team Krakow meeting all morning
• Pizza (again) for lunch – because the place Joe and Becca wanted to take us was “out of food” due to a big order.
• Looking at potential properties for Compass International Christian Church with members of Team Krakow
• A quick shopping trip
• A long, hurried walk from Krakow Square back to hostel (tram was late) so I could meet with Shea about the ISC program.
• Bible study at Seba and Erin’s place with Polish friends
• Video uploads all night for Ed Stetzer’s blog and fixing video audio on my uploads
• ZZZZZ

Tomorrow, we’re off to Auschwitz in the a.m. and then have a major event – a Coffee House in the evening. Last day!

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Krakow Day 5 – Free time

Wednesday in Krakow was a misty morning. Workers from the Czech Republic, Krakow, and Hungary all converged on the hostel at 10 a.m. to make some more informational and vision videos for help in connecting churches with the great need in Central and Eastern Europe. As we’ve all gotten to know each other over the past few days, it’s become quite the humor contest at times. It’s hard to stay with these guys and gals over here – they’re extremely fun, sharp, and connected. Not your father’s missionaries.

In addition, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my team that came from the U.S. – Ed Stetzer, Rick White and Jeremy Dane. Ed flew out today for another mission-vision meeting in Italy, but the crew from City View Church are still here, and we spent the rest of the day enjoying some relaxing downtime.

Steve Brown, Ron Brown (both in the Czech Republic) and Trey Shaw (Hungary) joined us for our first real coffee experience at a java center aptly named “Coffee Heaven.” Goodbye instant coffee. Hello steaming hot joe. Whew. Rick was down to one Starbucks 6 oz double shot, and he’s trying to save that for the last day. We sat around and laughed, visited and people watched before heading to the Krakow Square (Rynek). 

We watched the beer guy walk around and dreamed about picture opps with him some more. It’s a mascot-like beer costume that walks all over downtown Krakow with a “free beer” sign, handing out free beer coupons. This was intriguing to us, for different reasons. I mused about how it might draw crowds to a church event, especially in a dry county. Rick, I think, was interested in knowing if the coupon limit was one per person. Steve, Ron, and Trey related the different cultural attitudes toward “alkahole” (as translated in Polish) in Europe, and it became a cultural study and discussion. All because of the beer guy.

While eating lunch in an outdoor cafe that sat on the edge of the square, the contrast between modern and ancient blurs into the mind’s background. I had to keep reminding myself that 10-acre Rynek Square dates as far back as the 13th century. It’s the largest of all of Europe’s medieval cities, and its austere beauty and worn cobblestones lead one to embrace the slower, relational life of Europe.

We simply were …at lunch. No agenda other than each other. The conversation traveled between subjects with intermittent laughter faster than a shuttlecock at the Olympics. The elections in the States. Mission strategy. Family. An insanely absurd but appropriate comment from Jeremy (who has a gift for insight and humor at the same time). It was a relational buffet.

After a long lunch, we began walking down one of the many side streets, dodging horse-drawn carriages and trams – again a contrast in modern and ancient. We grabbed some ice cream from a vendor off the square and wound up in front of St. Paul’s Church in the shadow of the 12 stone apostles. It was there we sighted our golf cart tour guide from yesterday – Artur. He greeted us cheerfully, and so began the next hour or so of simply being. The joy of it all was that as Rick, Jeremy and Ron engaged Artur, they were also planting seeds and leading, coaxing, and cultivating the soil of spiritual curiosity in his life. Jeremy had planted seed yesterday as we careened through the Jewish section of Krakow. That seed was watered today as they invited Artur to the coffee house that Team Krakow is hosting Friday night.

Before all was said and done, Artur had invited us to watch football (soccer) in a pub with him tonight. As tempting as that was (after all, wouldn’t that be the ultimate European male experience – watching soccer in a pub together?), we had to rendez-vous back at the hostel (or so we thought). Steve and Trey were taking a train back to the Czech Republic tonight, and it was dinner time, after all that.

We’ve somewhat mastered the tram now, and as we rolled through the streets of old Krakow, Steve and Trey and I shared about our families, our joys, hurts and struggles. It was humbling to hear of the depth of pain – physical and emotional – their families have faced. I shared about Carolyn’s three-time bout with cancer, and we exchanged heartbeats, knowing that suffering and uncertainty are oftentimes what God uses as soul fertilizer for His people.

As we mounted the stairs to the hostel, we were continuing the conversation when Trey shared some warnings about spiritual warfare as it relates to the families of those who serve God in ministry. It left us speechless. We mounted the stairs in silence, and each was left to his own recollections and current prayers for his family. It was blatantly obvious that both of these servants of the living God had faced the painful reality of helplessness as fathers and husbands through difficult moments of illness and hurt. And this, far from family. And this, because they and others here have laid down their lives for the King and His Gospel.

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10.29-30)

Upon looking at our schedule, we found we were free for the night too – until the Czech team left. So we freshened up – which for guys is basically using the bathroom – and headed back out for supper. Destination: Chinese food. Another meal. Another long visit. We learned that the waitress doesn’t bring you your bill until you signal for it, because they are perfectly fine (and expect you to) with long, lingering meal times. It’s the European way; it’s not just the meal. It’s each other.

We made a quick visit to a local grocery store – almost like a 7-11 – and meandered back to the hostel. The topic of discussion was thoroughly masculine and most unmissionary-like – how to throw a fart. Now that’s my kind of missionary… Steve and Trey’s ride to the train station arrived soon after, and we bid them farewell. We have two more full days here in Krakow, but with their departure, I really sensed that our journey with them – and our churches’ – had just begun.

I know this has been an unusually long entry, but especially after the transparency of the day, and in an attempt to encourage new-found friends and Christ-centered workers the world over, I offer these thoughts from a sermon by George Whitfield on “Satan’s Schemes” and how to identify them:

• Satan’s Scheme #1 – Drive us to despair.
• Satan’s Scheme #2 – Tempt us to be proud, or to think more highly of ourselves then we should.
• Satan’s Scheme #3 – Tempt us to feel perplexed, and to begin to doubt God when our prayers seem to go unanswered.
• Satan’s Scheme #4 – Troubling the believer with blasphemous, impure, unbelieving thoughts.
• Satan’s Scheme #5 – Tempting us by our carnal friends and relatives.
• Satan’s Scheme #6 – Not tempting us at all, in order to “surprise” us when we least expect it.

Whitfield said in his conclusion:

“In the meanwhile, let me exhort my young fellow-soldiers, who, like myself, are just entering the field, and for whose sake this was written, not to be discouraged at the fiery trials that are to sure come their way, if they seek to be found faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

You see, my dearly beloved brethren, by what has been revealed to us, we know that our way through the wilderness of this world to heaven, is beset with thorns, and that there are enemies of the cross to be grappled with, on your way to the promised land. But do not let these, like so many false spies, discourage you from going up to fight the Lord’s battles, but say with Caleb and Joshua, “No, we will go up and fight, for we are able to conquer them.”

Jesus Christ, that great captain of our salvation, has in our place, and as our representative, confused the grand enemy of mankind, and we have nothing to do, but to fight under the banner of the Lord, and to go on from conquering to conquer. Our glory does not consist in being exempted from, but in enduring temptations.

“Blessed is the man, (says the apostle) who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him;” and again, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” And in that perfect example of a prayer that our blessed Lord has prescribed to us, we are taught to pray, not so much to be delivered from all temptation, as “from the evil one.”

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Interview with Rick White

Ed Stetzer interviewed Rick White yesterday about how churches can engage in ministry in Poland. Part of our mission on this discovery trip is to seek to connect new churches with international mission opportunities.

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Krakow-Day 4, the meeting, Czech Republic

Steve Brown stepped up to the plate (or leaned forward on the couch) and shared his heart and vision. He and his family have been living in the Czech Republic for the past four years. As he shared, he commented that what they need from churches in the U.S. is a long-term commitment. He said that those coming should not expect to see people led to Christ during their visit. Rather, they need to understand that they are supporting and undergirding the long-term ministry of the missionaries and workers already living there.

The biggest help is for those who will see themselves as contributing to the harvest process. He described numerous ways for people to be involved and underlined that the Czech people are hard to relate with for those who simply come for a one-hit wonder or for a “mission story” to tell in their church on a Sunday night.

Steve reiterated the great need for church’s who are willing to think outside the box. Strategist leaders need resources, workers and supporters who are willing to sink deep and commit long-term. 

Steve related that his team’s website gomoravia.org will be up soon.

Observations:

Listening today in this sharing of hearts and meetings of minds, I just kept sensing there’s a great disconnect between willingness in newer, missional churches and the workers on the mission field. At the same time, churches like mine and City View and a host of other missional fellowships need help and direction and resources to connect more directly with missionaries overseas. For a church of limited financial resources to go and be bodily present to assist – both short-term and long-term, there is currently no way to get Joe Willing or Suzy Able to Poland because of flight costs and financial limitations. The spirit is willing, but the wallet is weak.

I’d like to see a renewed vision and effort by the IMB and other mission agencies to set aside mission funds for short-term teams that will directly meet some of the requests that its own workers are submitting and needing.

From a country in which John Huss lived, preached and died for the Gospel to today where his church is simply a museum rather than a vibrant center of Christ-centered faith and practice. He was burned at the stake in 1415. The darkness needs to be lit up again by the light of the Gospel. While we hope earnestly it will not be the light of a martyr’s flame, it is urgently necessary for those to understand that Christ calls us to lay down our lives.

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Krakow – Day 4, the meeting, Hungary part 2

Ron Brown and his family have lived in Hungary for 14 years. He studied and learned Hungarian history and culture during the first five years. He initially began doing student work but discovered that Campus Crusade was already doing great stuff in Segud. He then relocated to western Hungary – as close as you can get to Austria without hearing the Von Tropp family.

He began teaching an English class in the university, and at times he was able to share a Christian worldview that caught the attention of collegians. He said that his family kept looking for “glorious failures” so that once they’d had one, they would know what NOT to do the next time. 

He is now the Cluster Strategist for Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Part of the difficulty that he observes in ministering here is that even talking about religious matters brings a disconnect. Europeans have such a historic connection and have heard so much, yet there is no personal element, no identification with faith itself. Religion is seen as this “thing.” It’s as if they’ve received a vaccination against Christianity. When they encounter authentic Christianity, they genuinely have no filter for what is being presented and modeled for them.

“The best thing you can do is simply get a real conversation started,” Brown said. He said that you must get past the walls that are still up. However, once you get to a level of conversational intimacy, you’ll be on fertile ground to present the love of Christ and your own beliefs. Hungarians are very resistant to discussing personal matters until they know that they can trust you. They assume that if you’re telling them something important, you want something from them.

The distrust is so high in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland as a result of being considered the stepchildren of Europe and years of abuse and warfare. They describe themselves as contortionists in a circus. Even when trying to join the EU, they had to jump through all kinds of hoops to be considered. Even then, the EU calls them “Eastern” Europe, not Western Europe. So ministry and relationship-building must be intensively incarnational.

Trey Shaw chimed in and said, “In these countries, man, microphone and pedestal equals manipulation.” They want to see presence, someone who will be “around” – not someone who wants to preach at them. The greatest gift to Europeans is a consistent partnership. Don’t go one place one year and another the next. Keep coming and investing in one spot. They perpetuates the relationships.

In addition, many relationships have been kindled by visiting mission teams only to be squandered when American pastors or college students either don’t respond to emails or eventually quit responding. Europeans take relationships very seriously and view Americans as shallow in their relationships. 

One issue is that once an incarnational relationship is established, they have a tendency to “suck the life out of you.” They’re not used to getting healthy attention or relationships, and so once they begin to get that, it’s fuel for a fire that has almost gone out. Missionaries and short-term workers must be sensitive to the fact that once the masks come off, you’ll find a starving person underneath that can’t get enough of real love and joy and hope that they find in you and your family. Boundaries and open communication must be established in order to help them understand that you love them deeply – and you are still hoping to reach other people for Christ as well.

As others chimed in to help us understand the depth of religiosity in Hungary and Europe, Trey mentioned that the Hungarian translation of the Bible is older than the King James, and that is something they pride themselves on. Yet, less than 1% have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 60% would say that they are Christian – Catholic, Lutheran, or Reformed. But for many, this “Christianity” is as loose as a family connection (my grandmother is a Catholic).

There was a time when the Holy Spirit was working in this area heavily. There were six mission sending agencies in Budapest in the 1800s. So there is a deep history of God working in this area, but over the years, the churches have lost the effectiveness, vibrancy and place in their communities and hearts of the people. Now what passes for Christianity is not about a relationship with Jesus Christ through faith and love but about religion, power, control and status. Forty years of Communism in Hungary “decimated” Christianity here. During the oppressive reign, believers were pressured into “walking the line.” It was fine for them to continue meeting as long as evangelism and proselyting didn’t take place. Those leaders and pastors that did evangelize were arrested and removed from leadership.

Observation:

The condition of the church in Hungary is eerily similar to that of the U.S. I commented in the meeting that in the U.S., there is enormous pressure by society for Christians to keep what they believe to themselves. And many in our churches live that way without understanding how they have been forced into ghost living. For believers who know the Messiah, the Hope of all Nations to keep that to themselves is not a life of vitality but a shadow of reality – a ghost living.

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Krakow Day 3

It’s a visual paradox to step off an electric tram onto a cobblestone street in the shadow of a 1000 year-old castle. It’s even a great historic transport to speak with college students in one of the oldest universities in Europe who carry cell phones and ask about the U.S. bank bailout. Across the street is St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s churches – the former was begun in 1597.

The day in Krakow registered a cool 41 degrees when Scott Wood and I woke. He’s on the media team from the IMB here in Krakow to put together video to help encourage other churches and pastors to get involved in the mission of God in Poland. We were under the impression – falsely – that the other members of our team were going to rise early and go visit the Jewish section of Krakow, including Schindler’s factory. Didn’t happen.

We ate a breakfast of corn flakes (very small and flakey) and had milk out of a box, and into my second cup of instant coffee, I remarked, “I don’t think they’re getting up.” Sure enough, the Stetzers and the guys from City View slept in. Dangit. But that gave us a restful morning – our first moments of non-scheduled activity since we arrived. 

Just before lunch, we took the tram to Jagiellonski University – the second oldest university in Europe. It was established in 1364. Krakow was the capital of Poland then. The four of us – Rick, Jeremy, Ed, and myself were crammed into a smallish room with the media team (Scott and Natalie) and a member of the Krakow team – Sarah. 

For the next four hours, we engaged first year college English students (most had 8 years of English) in conversational English about cultural topics. They were initially bashful but warmed up quickly. It was a powerful example of how someone who is willing can be used by the Lord to build relationships that will be able to followed up by Team Krakow.

Several asked me about the current election in the U.S. Every student I talked to said they wanted John McCain to win. One referred to Barack Obama as a “popstar” and referenced an election in Poland in which a younger politician promised much but delivered little. 

Upon exiting, the media team set up cameras to do a quick interview in the street outside the university. Ed led the interview and asked about how a church formerly “disconnected” has been able to discover ways of embracing international mission strategy. 

We stepped inside both churches across from the university. They were majestic, ornate, shrouded in mystery. Like many European churches, it had a crypt below the nave that was open to view. The mausoleums of former bishops with simple framed papers – in English and Polish – listed their impact on the community.

With Poland being 90% Catholic, it doesn’t mean that only 10% of the population needs to be reached. Far from it. The deadness of Catholicism can be compared to the deadness of religion in the American South. Imagine a people who embrace religion and its trappings, programs and attendance at religious events. It has nothing to do with an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ that seeks the purposes of the Father in the world.

The evening culminated in a feast of roast, potatoes, green beans, coffee and pound cake at Mark and Suzie Edworthy’s apartment. They were gracious hosts, and we laughed and carried on for several hours as Ed and I sought to create Twitter converts. Of course, most of the more talented and good looking ministers and missionaries in the room were also Mac users.

One of the most humbling moments of the day was the blessing and privilege of welcoming a new family to Poland. Their plane had just arrived this evening, and they will be spending the next two years here in Krakow learning the language before they’re assigned to another city in Poland. Team Krakow was all there to welcome them to their new apartment.

Bleary-eyed and looking a little stunned, they were prayed over by the missions team and proudly welcomed to the beginning of a new faith journey. It was a high and holy moment for me to witness those who have laid down their lives to leave home, family and country welcome others into a fellowship of disciplemakers. As we bowed to pray, I wondered how many families and friends in my life would be experiencing similar moments in the years to come.

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Krakow Day 2

Another beautiful day in Krakow! I preached at Second Baptist Church – a contemporary body – this a.m. about the joy of knowing Christ from Matthew 13.44 and the magnificence of being a kingdom citizen. At least, I tried to. It’s a little difficult and distracting at times to preach with an interpreter, especially one that is a literalist. I’m pretty animated when I preach, so I had to tone it down a lot and watch my idioms. Another of the church planters on the trip with me – Rick White from City View Church in Keller- preached at First Baptist.

However, it was a incredible day worshiping with Polish believers. Several of the choruses we sang this morning were ones that we sing at Journey (Mighty to Save, Open the Eyes of My Heart), so it was a powerful experience to sing them in English while the rest of the church sang them in Polish. 

We ate lunch with members from the Krakow team and had a great visit learning about strategy and mission. I am really excited about the opportunities for short term mission encounters with them in the future. There are two couples here in the ISC program which is a 2-year commitment. The media team that is here filming and taking pictures has a 25 year-old who is finishing up her second year in the Journeyman program, and the rest of career missionaries.

A great lunch of Polish cuisine – one plate was said to have tasted just like a “sloppy Joe” without the bun. I had a kind of chicken fried steak with rich red sauce all over it. Very good. 

After lunch, we visited the Wawel Castle (pronounced Vavel) which is almost 1000 years old. That’s right! 1000. There are several good reference sites, but we were completely stunned by its stately beauty and magnificence. One of the missionary couple’s parents visited it with us, and they are on a month-long tour of Europe. Having just come from St. Petersburg, the father said that Wawel couldn’t compare to some of the architecture he’d seen there. I was a little shocked by that, considering how open-mouthed I was over Wawel. It ain’t like nothing back home, ya’ll. More info about Wawel here, here, and here.

Tonight, we attended Compass International Christian Fellowship – an English-speaking service designed to reach out to internationals located here in Krakow. Ed Stetzer preached on the kingdom of God being expressed in the creation of the church in Matthew 16. They had several first-time guests this evening, including several college students with Asian backgrounds. It was exciting to hear their vision for this church plant and ministry. One couple who came this evening are from Texas and are nominal Roman Catholics, but they wanted desperately to find an English-speaking fellowship in the city. They have been coming faithfully after discovering Compass and are growing quickly in their interest in a personal relationship with Christ.

Observations:

• It’s been more than six years since I was on an international mission experience. I cannot help but offer myself and my family anew to whatever the Lord has in store – whether going overseas or helping mobilize others to go.
• The quality, devotion and humility of the strategic workers here in Poland is deeply encouraging. They have welcomed us with open arms and are earnestly seeking to help communicate practical ways for churches in the states that are creative and missional to be involved.
• Short-term teams and missionaries are an extremely practical way to help them build new relationships with Poles. This past year, a team of 20 students from Louisiana Tech’s BCM stayed for three weeks, and the amount of people they met and helped discover has enabled Team Krakow to have many long-lasting relationships that will produce spiritual fruit.
• Anyone can be a part of the harvest process. From photographers to writers to athletes to coaches to students to couples with many kids to couples with no kids to… well, you get the picture. In a city of a million, the evangelical witness is astonishingly low. 250,000 of those (by some estimates) are college students. It is a huge encouragement to realize that God can and will use anyone who surrenders their life to making Him known around the world.

Afew of us are talking about going to see the Schindler’s factory tomorrow. If you’ve seen Schindler’s List, it was filmed here in Krakow, and the factory that he owned is still here. 90 years ago, Krakow was the first city in Poland to regain its independence. Because it was used by the Germans as a base, it was largely preserved from the massive destruction that similar sized cities (Warsaw was 90% destroyed) faced. However, its citizens paid a heavy toll.

It’s humbling to be walking streets and viewing scenes that have played such a major role in world history of the past 100 – no, 1000! – years.

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