“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.

At home today in a winterwonderland.  It is still snowing.  It is the most snowfall London has had in 18 years!! We all depend on public transit, and it is literally at a halt in some places.  So I'm working from home today, thankful I'm not stranded at the tube or rail station.  The gritters (our word for snowplows) have been taking care of the main roads, it is the side roads that are very slippery and snow is deep.  Right now it is coming down, thick beautiful white flakes.

I recently just visited Scotland with my hubby and brother-in-law, Glenn, and sister-in-law Pam.  We had a lovely time, definitely want to go go back in the Summer.  Alvin and his sweet wife, Anna, gave us a fabulous tour of Edinburgh. it is so old and full of castles.  No tube transportation, you really don't miss it, it just keeps you walking the old brick walkways, exploring every corner. A tram system is in the works and it will be completed in a few years.  The city was clean and the people very friendly, and the shopping bargains fab!

From the moment that I heard the Band playing. "O for a Thousand tongues to sing," I was moved by this Body of Christ church located in Romanville, France, overseen by Rev. Dumond. 

There is just something special about God's people, and I felt the spirit of God that is the trade mark of the Body of Christ.  The worship, the same music, the love. 

My eyes just welled up with tears of thankfulness, and appreciation.  We really miss the Body churches,  and visiting them whenever we could when we lived in America. You planned your vacations around the times of meetings and conventions, anticipating something special from God's spirit and holy word.  Sometimes you stayed in each others homes and if not you made sure you went for a bite to eat at some restaurant after church just so you could be together and catch up since the last time you were together.

We get so lonely in England.  We can't just go get in the car and drive to the several hundreds of churches that are in our fellowship, we are the church, and the closest one we know of now is Manchester (more on this trip to Manchester next blog).  So when I felt this body spirit in France my heart rejoiced, we have another church we can fellowship with.  We could hop in the car and cross the Channel, or fly, or ride the EuroStar, they are only hour and half away!

This is why we long for the Body of Christ to be built in Europe!  Churches scattered all over, so the saints can travel to and fro from church to church and become closer to the Lord, and his people.

We are reaching out in our own small and weak way, clinging to God for His guidance.  It is not easy, it is new territory.  Please pray for us, God only can open the door.

We thank Br. & Sr. Dumond for their hospitality and for Christine and Wesson interpreting for us!  We could communicate better if we could speak French.  Br. Clarke is so right about learning another language! So French is on our list of "must do"!

We can't wait to share with Sr. Hoblet our visit to France.  Because of her zeal for the Lord and His people, she really left us with a desire to build and support the Body of Christ.

Here are some highlights from the service on Sunday, 30th of November...."Today begins the start of fellowship of Paris & London".  "Body of Christ is special."  "Body of Christ must come together."  "Build the Body of Christ in Europe, divided we fall, united we stand!"  "Tonight is the beginning of a beautiful fellowship." "Build, stay, progress."  "God's people are His anywhere."

We did some sight seeing on Monday and Tuesday, it was so cold, but that did not stop us from enjoying our time together as a family.

We are packing for PARIS, FRANCE....we leave in the morning.

This one is for you Sis. Hoblet!  We so love you and your zeal for God's work that you have left us inspired, and encouraged to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."  Mk. 16:15

Sis. Hoblet visited this work, in Paris, this past Summer, and we made a promise that we would go visit them. We are going to have church with them Sunday the 30th of November , and we are looking forward to it!  We hope to spend as much time with them as possible.  We will head home Tues. evening.

Please pray for us! The fellowship of the Body of Christ is so special and unique, and we feel privileged to be apart of it.

We love the Body of Christ and we miss being in the meetings in America and we long to have the work in Europe grow, so we may have that same, sweet fellowship that we have experienced in the States.

Thank you for you love and prayers.......

Isn't it comforting to know that we serve the same God of yesterday?  He never changes.  He is forever faithful, just and true, never sleeps nor becomes too distracted or too busy to hear our plea's?  All knowing, all powerful! HALLELUJAH! And to think this is my Heavenly Father....

When Jesus calmed the storms in Mark 4:36-41, He rebuked the wind, and told the sea..."Peace be still." He spoke to the disciples, "Why are ye so fearful?  how is it that ye have no faith?" This sounds like something the Lord would say to me.  I'm so fearful.  I can't point a finger at the disciples and criticize, Jesus was with you. How could you be afraid?  The Bible says, they feared exceedingly, this is so me, too.  They just didn't fear, it was extreme.  Jesus was of course grooming His men, training them as a Rabbi would, helping them to understand faith through parables and life related stories, and miracles.  Jesus was constantly testing their faith.  Even now I think, I need to have faith, Jesus promised He would never leave me, nor forsake me.  He would send the Comforter, and praise God I received this precious gift when I was just 6 years old.  It has become to mean so much to me through the years, and I thank God for it.  When I'm on the tube down in the depths of the earth, He is with me.  When I'm on the bus, He is with me.  When I'm on the train, and there are drunks fighting and swearing, He is with me.  How can I still be so fearful? 

The winds are still at His command, and so are the winds and storms of my life.  I just need to remember, "Keep your eyes on me."  I heard the Lord say this to me several years ago. It was so profound and special to me.  Forgive me Lord for not keeping my eyes on you, because you are in the center of my storm, and you can calm it, and if not, you are with me to ride it out.

We had a wonderful two day meeting, the 18th and 19th of October.  The house was packed, a wonderful sight to us, filled with friends and family from the States and Europe and England, but most of all the Lord was present and God met with us, leaving us enriched with His blessings and we are so thankful for His presence.

Our people worked hard, but all for the glory of the Lord.  We had brown bag lunches filled with sandwiches and goodies for the first day, lots of fresh fruit from the local market, which was so yummy, my favorite was the big seedless grapes.  The second day was soup and fresh bread and light cheddar cheese (the cheese is absolutely the best here!), with fruit and cheesecake.  God bless your labor of love, London assembly! Your time and money will not be forgotten. 

Now on to the spiritual blessings.....

Jonathan talked about the Philadelphia church in Rev. 3:8, "I know thy works, behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:  for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."  The two key words...."little strength".  This church of Philadelphia was not a mega-church, it could of been a "house-meeting".  We don't know, but we do know that no matter what they kept God's word, and did not deny his name.  They protected God's word, and God protected them. We too, must preserve what we have, and keep it!  We may be a little assembly here in England, but if we keep the Word of God, obey it and follow it, and live for Jesus and NEVER deny His name, He will keep us if we keep Him.  This is our prayer.

He also talked about Mary Magdalene.  This woman's life was so changed by Jesus, and she never stopped seeking him.  After Jesus was put into the tomb and the Passover was past she and several other sisters, went very early in the morning to anoint Jesus, but the tomb was empty! She was so distraught, she just wanted to know what they did with his body so she could take care of it.  She did not give up hope, the disciples did.  She stood without the tomb, weeping, what happened to her Master's body?  She looked into the tomb and two angels where present there where the body of Jesus had lain.  After she had spoken to the angels, she turned and she saw Jesus, but she thought it was the gardener!  She thought he might have taken the body of Jesus and placed it somewhere. Then Jesus spoke her name, "Mary", WOW!!! She turned and she knew it was her Master, the way he said her name.  She responded, "Rabboni, which is to say, Master." She went looking for the dead, and she found life, her Master, JESUS.  How many times have we given up?  Mary was forgiven much, and she loved much.  Just think of how much we have been forgiven.  How much do we love the Master?  Would we still seek him when it seems that all hope was dead?  What an inspiration this woman, Mary of Magdalene was.  May we forever, seek our Master, and never give up hope, no matter what we face in life, or who gives up around us because HE LIVES!

Bro. Glenn Goodwin from Des Moines, spoke Sunday. He said," We can't stop reading at John 19, finish it, Jesus rose from the dead!"  From here he reviewed the whole book of Romans, this was beautiful. Chapter by chapter.  We were then encouraged to be a missionary in this land.  In a dark London, we must let our light shine.  This nation once sent out missionaries from its borders, now it needs to be ministered too.

We were so blessed by our friends, Neal, Cherie, Jayda, Wil, Julie, and Todd, Sue, and Ashley from Cross Plains, TN.  They brought some of their friends in the Lord from Germany, and Norway, Holland.  Todd spoke Saturday afternoon and Neal spoke and sang with Julie Saturday night.  Julie played in our band.  Ruben (whom my boys just loved, and barely gave him room in the pew to sit!) was here from Holland.  We enjoyed his company, the boys could not believe how tall he was (he is 6'8").  We enjoyed his company and we were sad to see him go Sunday night.  We got stuck in traffic, which is not a new thing, and he was the LAST to board the plane!  Andre from Germany spoke Sunday afternoon, and we enjoyed his testimony.   We have made so many new European friends that love the Lord.  We pray that we can continue to fellowship together and encourage each other in the Lord.  Thanks, Neal and Cherie!

We also were blessed with Br. Ndumiso words from Manchester, England.  He and his family and many of his saints were here. We are looking forward to his meeting in December.

Thank you friends and family for coming to worship God with us.  Thank you local assembly for all your hard work. Thank you God almighty for being with us every step of the way.

Please pray for us.  Our two year Visa will expire December the first, so we have renewed our Visa and   we have been granted a three-year limited leave to remain, which is a residence permit.  PRAISE GOD!! We are willing and ready to keep working for the Lord here in England.  After three years we then can apply for a permanent leave to remain.

I'm so excited.....company is coming!  We are preparing for our Meeting next weekend, and you know what that means, family and friends are coming to worship God with us. 

We are going to have four services next weekend, Sat. & Sun.  Please pray for us, and those that will be traveling. 

We long to be closer to the Lord, and pray that God almighty will be present from the first praise on Saturday until the last prayer on Sunday evening.  Pray for me that I can be spirit led with the music, I do not want to get it in the way, I just want to be a vessel fit for the Master's use, and if He chooses to come in without music, that is fine with me too!! THERE is nothing like the sweet Holy Ghost to be present, and that is my desire, an environment that exalts God and worships Jesus in Spirit and truth.

We been making plans and finalizing them today, it was exciting for us to prepare for the arrival of God's people next week, and how we can accommodate them in our small way. The last photo in the album of "Our people", shows us gathering in the concert hall of All Saints church, talking and planning for next weekend. 

We are meeting still in Barnet at All Saints church, and Lord willing we will continue to do so.  With just a small cafe, we will not be able to serve a nice, dining room style meal, but we are making the best of the situation and hope the meals that we have planned will be alright.  We are on a tight budget and all the food has been prepared and paid for by our people! Everyone is rolling up their sleeves per say to work and take care of God's people.

As I was praying for this meeting this last week, I kept thinking of the scripture....

"If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. " II Chron. 7:14

We are "his people". "Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?  As he saith also in Osee (Hosea), I will call them my people, which were not my people, and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God." Romans 9:24-26 That is us!!! Hallelujah! We have been grafted into the living vine, we are now children of the King, because of Jesus. 

Since we are "his people", we must humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face, and turn.  We can't just pray we must change.  Turning from our wicked ways....THEN HE WILL HEAR, FORGIVE, AND HEAL! 

That is how I'm praying, seeking his face, praying for God to heal us, our land, our people, our jobs, our families, our church. 

II Chronicles 7:14 was spoken to Solomon by night after he had finished the house of the Lord, and had been praying to the Lord. This whole chapter is beautiful, read it. 

We are so privileged to be called "his people"!