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| I have been working on a web site to help identify some of the identity markers of Polish students -and how they are similar/different from US students or students from other countries. One of my heroes put up some pics on flicker that I thought you might find interesting as well.
What looks similar to your student groups?
What looks different?
If there were no Polish words in the pictures, what country would you think these pictures were taken in?
If you are interested in this kind of study, you could participate by taking the first of 5 phases on the web survey.
My motto for the Polish language seems to apply to the study of its students as well, "The only way to fail is to quit."
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| This morning I had a message in my inbox that one of my "favorite" photographers had posted again. I am often intrigued by his subjects and the views he's finds. Today's topic was mushroom picking. It was a new word to me and I knew it had to do with fungi because the other day when I was at the pharmacy, I asked the pharmacist for something for eczema and she asked me what kind it was. I understood her to ask, if it was a mushroom or an allergy. I am still learning Polish...
Yesterday I was having pizza with a couple of student leaders. We did not have mushrooms on either the Hawaiian with chicken or the kebab (onions, seasoned chicken from a rotisserie). But I remember two separate occasions when I was riding with some Polish pastors and we either stopped to inspect the collections on the road side stands or to find our own collections.
Maybe I should go eat.
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| Zdobywcow means conquerors. This past week I was in the northern lake region of Poland for the National Youth Leader's training conference called Zdobywcow. The have three leadership levels (beginners, intermediate and leaders of leaders). There were also three tracks (middle school, high school and student) of which I showed my bias -students. Click HERE to listen to some songs these Polish youngg people are writing to inspire service to our God. (Ogien -Fire, Armi Krzyk -Shout of the Army, Juz Czas -It's time).
The leaders are Arek and Julita Rachwalski and their assistant Zbyszek Zarozny (pictured below center, seated).
Arek is so TALL, but he is also big in his
leadership, passion and heart:
Julita is a patriotic preacher who believes God has a plan for the youth of this nation and that they can change the  world -maybe that is why I like her preaching!
We spent our free time eating, kayaking on the lake, playing futbol (soccer) and volleyball. Though some were wiser and rested....
The reason I go is to make and develop relationships with students and student leaders. I am convinced the future of Poland is held in these youg people. They have vision for new, innovative and better things. They are not limited by very many things -not the least of which would be passion and vision. Here I am with some of the "Jewels" from Opole and Gliwice student groups and a youth leader from Krosno.
Ola, Wojtech and Iza (back left to right) are in the Opole group while Asia (back right) and Sara (front left) are the leaders in Gliwice.
Judging from the response to this leadership training and conversations for plans for this academic year, I believe God has some significant plans for these leaders and their groups that will change the world of many students.
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| We have recently returned from Brussels, Belgium where we participated in our annual student training conference for Students for Christ Europe. This year was as exciting as ever with not only a new name, but also an additional format of coaching pods. These were mostly language or country based groups where we talked about goals and planning a year. As always, it is the relationships that really make Connect. This year it was refreshing (though we are tired) to spend time with so many friends and colleagues from around Europe and beyond.
The Poles were very noticeable and influential with their joy and laughter -especially Roman and beautiful baby Ida. It was really something to have so many nations, languages and cultures represented. We missed several friends who were not able to be with us for various reasons. Many had problems with health beyond anything we have ever experienced before.
I do not know all of the African nations represented, but from Europe the nations included: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Scotland Spain, and Switzerland. Malaysia and USA also had representatives.
Here is our group photo:
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| It is summer in the northern hemisphere. Here in Poland, the fruit and vegetables are really tasty about now. The blossoms have turned to fruit (or vegetable) and are ready for harvest. But growth does not just happen. The soil has to be tilled up, watered and in many cases fertilized and then planted with seed. It is after this stage, that the plant begins to grow, sprout, bud blossoms, then grow the fruit that will be harvested later.
A couple of weeks ago we were part of the National Youth Camp (Zlot) in the northern part of Poland. The days were full of various activities (worship, teachings, outreaches, and concerts). Stories of people putting their faith for salvation in Jesus and healings have been recounted in the days since. Much of the pre-work for the harvesting that occurred during Zlot was unseen during the harvest. I call it the sound of the ants.
Ants are not noisy creatures. But they are diligent workers. They work in good and bad situations. They work no matter who gets the credit. They work hard in the summer to lay up for the hard winter months. Like ants, many people daily, quietly, persistently live out Jesus before family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. The result of their labor is not known by all until later, and many rejoice in it. Like ants everyone works for the good of all.
In our case, we want people to know Jesus as Saviour, but all of those on our "team" are not visible. Yet without them, we would not be in Poland. We are not all invovled in the actual "harvest", but the harvests that happen are a part of the whole team's efforts and then the rejoicing.
We got to rejoice with some student leaders recently too. They got married. It was our first reception experience. It was really an amazing honor and priviledge to be a part of this. We have been to a few weddings, but this was our first reception. There was a 4 course meal - light snacks, then soup, followed by the main course, then various kinds of cakes and deserts. We were stuffed. Then they started singing and dancing. It supposedly went to 1 or 2 in the morning. We did not stay that long... party poopers or something. We were blessed!
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