“Poland’s history is an immense tale.  Forever sandwiched between two powerful and aggressive neighbours, it has over the past millennium defended its freedom and sovereignty on innumerable occasions, only to be overrun and subjugated to occupation by foreign powers time and time again. It has gone from being the largest country in Europe to completely disappearing off the world map, and seen its population devastated in two world wars. Yet it is testament to the astounding resilience of the Polish people that Poland has not only bounced back from every crushing blow but also had the energy to hold strong to its own culture.” (from the Lonely Planet Poland travel book)

This is the Poland that I have enjoyed visiting.  I’m amazed at the resilience of this country.  To think that over 40 years ago they started their journey of Solidarity, a nationwide independence and self-governing trade union. Waves started happening, but after its formation after the Gdansk agreement on 31st of August, it was suspended in 1981 after a martial law was declared. Strikes and demonstrations were abolished, and life was back to the former regime before the Solidarity independence. This did not stop them, they came back in in a sweeping force by gaining the majority of its elected supporters of the Senat in June of 1989, while the Communist 65% of the seats. Communism was now on a downward spiral of collapse! The first time of a power-sharing deal, a Communist President and a first time noncommunist prime minister. The result was Poland being the first to break free of Communism! The following decade was a struggle, but by 1999 Poland becomes a member of NATO, now it is in alliance with powers of the West. 1997 a new constitution was passed to replace the former Soviet-style document of 1952. On May 1st of 2004 Poland makes its biggest move, joining the EU.

Poland is still working towards it political reforms, and it has been so interesting to study its journey towards reform.

What has been so astounding to me has been the history of WWII that permeates this country, especially the city of Gdansk.  It has celebrated 70 years since the attack in Gdansk, when the German Battle ship Schleswig-Holstein fired onto the Polish military post in Westerplatte. This invasion started WWII. Gdansk has painstakefully rebuilt its city, from the rubble of WWII, to the beautiful town centre of today.

“Though it’s an old city with a tumultuous past, and the historic scars to prove it, 21st century Gdansk is a vibrant destination packed with diverse sights and entertainment options, and also makes a great base for journeys into the surrounding countryside.” (quote taken from the Lonely Planet travel book)

Our trip starts here in Gdansk, the Pomeranian region.  We walked all around this picturesque town centre, and even visited the pier at the Baltic Sea. What a fantastic view.

Sunday we drove to Slupsk, pronounced swoopsk, a lovely country town, with beautiful forests.  We hiked the trails in the forest, and hunted for edible mushrooms (which is almost a national pastime in the hills and forest of Poland in autumn).  I devoured the fresh wild blueberries, the Polish call them blackberries. Yummy, the bigger the better.

The boys fished, helped collect wood for our huge bonfire, roasted real Polish sausages, and our host, Br. Rudolph and his lovely wife made us feel so at home in their home that was right by the forest, tucked right by a ravine that turned into a river. It was serene and beautiful. Br. Rudolph’s wife, Marguerite, fixed us Polish dishes, that were so full of flavour and local spices. My boys had so many different vegetables, cooked and prepared in so many ways, that I was so happy they ate them, and enjoyed them. I have determined to be sure that I do the same, so thank you Marguerite for the inspiration to prepare dishes as you did, especially the soups, DELISH!! It is so boring to fix the same meals as I do, and to have this culture exposure from travelling has been a great adventure for trying different foods that are indigenous of the area visited. So “cheers” for a more European touch in the kitchen.

We pray as the Lord opens the door into Europe from the West to the East, we will follow. Our heart’s desire is to see God’s people gather together and worship Him, in “spirit and truth”. Knit us together, in your love…."rooted and built up in Him, and stablish in the faith, as ye have been taught..” Col. 2:7

We may have this desire, but it will only grow and abound IF the Lord provides and opens the door for us. Pray for us, that the Lord will lead us to His flock, the sheep of His pasture.

As I say goodbye to Harrods, and look ahead to the future, I can’t help  but to reflect about the learning experiences I have encountered working in central London for the past 11 months.  Lessons grasped, some struggled with, others aced, and several still so new.

Commuting was a HUGE challenge. Expensive and time consuming. We live only 16 miles away from Knightsbridge, and yet you just cannot travel there in a straight line, on the highway.  Options, driving, no way, where would I park? Pay & display, if there would be a spot, limited hours, and the congestion charge just for driving in the zone. What about the traffic that time of day, everyone rushing to work too? No direct motorway, with the exit clearly stating your destination, and it within a mile. Not possible, we are talking roads that wind and curve, in the middle of it all, like driving downtown in a big American city, endlessly. So an hour journey became my routine.  Hop on the train at Hatfield, go to Finsbury Park, this is where you felt like a sardine, waddling through the crowd shoulder to shoulder, making your stand for your little spot traipsing down the stairs to the underground, gently walking down the spiraling staircase, careful not to lose your footing, because that would be tragic, because you would take everyone with you in the tumble. I have to say I did not defer to anyone on this part of my journey,(or really any of it), because you could miss your connection, then I would be late.  You just hope and wish that you can have a seat, as you scan the cars as the underground train approaches, then you make the uggh, sound when you see that it is jam packed, and you will be happy just to make the squeeze into the crowd of other commuters. So if this happens you do the push and shove, and hold on. Headphones on, escaping to your music, and closing your eyes, hoping that you make each designation as scheduled and no delays.  The dreaded fear is being delayed this close to people, touching you, breathing on you, and pushing you, all the while you are just hoping for someone to get up so you can sit.  I learned when you get on the train, you move down the car, and you stand there waiting, watching for someone to get up, so you can have a sit.

The journey home the same, people everywhere, all the while you just want to get home, to peace and quiet, and no bad smells. You become a detective of smells on these rides of close human proximity. I shudder to think of those discoveries. And if someone sneezes, you coil back in disgust!

I could of taken the bus but it would of been a longer journey, probably very scenic, but the train and tube was much more simple.  The other day I actually arrived home in less than an hour.  I was able to make my connections, running up the escalator, and up the stairs, and staying focused.  That is the main thing is paying attention, I don’t know how many times I got lost in the beginning. LOL! Lesson learned, I can now navigate my journey on my own all over London, rarely getting lost now. Major feat!

Top pin is Hatfield Train Station, bottom pin is Harrods in Knightsbridge.

My biggest struggle was not being free to do the Lord’s work. I was either too tired from being on my feet all day, (I still never found comfortable shoes, because you have to wear heels, and I never knew your toes could hurt), or your rota conflicted with additional functions you wanted to schedule for church events.  Because of everyone's grueling schedule, you need time to calculate the best time, hoping all can attend as we rearranged our time.  Many times I would just head to the scheduled event right after work.  This is why I moved here, to help my husband in his ministry. This time of working was just for a moment to help financially, so we just carried on, encouraged that the Lord was making a way for us, supplying our needs, financially and spiritually. The work experience was good for me, it helped me relate to our peoples work schedule, commuting, and surviving in London. I’m very thankful the Lord gave me this opportunity.

Selling, the Lord helped me with this one.  It was such a joyous occasion to ace a sale.  I love sharing my passion of music and of course the Roland product is the best on the market in regards to digital. Inspite of the recession, music is still a fantastic escape and it touches all ages and all levels of playing.  So purchasing an instrument is the still the best investment even during this credit crunch.

I learned so much more about guitars, and the inner mechanics of acoustic pianos.  I fell in love with the C. BECHSTEIN, grand piano, for only a mere 70,000GPB. It had a dark, lovely sound, the keys just beckon you to “keep playing me.”

Learning more about guitars was a fun experience.  I'm still working on this.  In fact the Lord gave me an acoustic guitar! Seeing all the guitars and touching them I started to flirt with the idea of owning one. I knew that it was not quite the right time for my budget I would have to wait.  Well, they had a competion at work, and the prize was an acoustic guitar with case and strap, I won! I was so excited and elated, the Lord saw my desire and granted my wish. This really meant alot to me.  The Lord is so aware of my thoughts. How can I ever forget His greatness. Later on, the Lord put it on my heart to start teaching guitar to some of our young boys at church.  They bring their guitars for youth functions and just play so zealously, as if they were playing the right notes.  My heart smote me, and it was as if the Lord spoke to me, “I gave you a guitar, now teach them.” So that is what I’m doing, I’m learning right along with them.  I’m writing our curriculum as we go, and we are having a blast. With God’s help, we will play together in church by the end of the year.

As iI look ahead to the next chapter of my life, being with my boys and teaching more, I know the Lord will be there, He will guide us and provide. I vow to give Him and His work more of my time. I just want to be His servant, and love God’s people, and be a better Mum and wife.  This is my joy, working side by side with my husband, as we work in HIS service.

Thank you Lord for supplying ALL my needs.