We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. We were thinking of you and praying for you. We had a wonderful meal with TEAM KRAKOW. Team Krakow includes 19 adults, 6 youth and 11 children so you can imagine our gathering was very exciting! Each family brought food to share and we certainly had a feast. We enjoyed cornbread dressing and sweet potato casserole thanks to friends at Forest Hills Baptist who sent needed food items that are not available in Poland. Beverly had the joy of preparing THE TURKEY. We were able to get a turkey for around $50. Everyone enjoyed the meal and visiting with each other. We thank God for providing us with a missionary family, Team Krakow.
While many of you were hitting the mall for shopping, we headed to a quiet village in the mountains of Poland – Wisla. Last week, someone prayed a special prayer for our family; they prayed that God would delight us this week with something unexpected that we would know is just from Him, something to thrill our hearts. God answered that prayer during our trip to Wisla. The scenery in the mountains was beautiful. We enjoyed seeing snow laden trees and cottages with smoke rising from chimneys. We enjoyed traditional Polish food in a warm, cozy, mountain restaurant. We took a stroll through one of the oldest cites in Poland and on a short climb to the top of the city we saw remains of a 14th century church and castle. The beautiful scenery reminded us that God is creator and He is in control. The first snow white and clean reminds us that each day God makes all things new. Being surrounded by buildings that are centuries old, reminds us that God has been at work since the beginning of time and His work continues today as we are obedient to Him. We ended our trip by enjoying coffee and cake in a small café in Wisla. When our cafe latte’s were delivered to our table, we were surprised to see the design of a heart, stenciled with cocoa, on top of the creamy foam. The heart was another reminder that our Heavenly Father loves us and He has a plan for us and for all His creation. This weekend, God spoke to our heart in an unexpected way, just for us. Thank you faithful prayer partners for praying for us.
If all this was not enough, God provided wise counsel from a good friend. We were challenged to celebrate and use what Polish we already know (don’t worry how much you don’t know), to allow God is use us in small ways to love people with our actions and to spend time with and trust in our Heavenly Father.One more blessing...we awoke to a beautiful breakfast served in a cozy breakfast nook, overlooking a snow laden rooftop with Christmas carols softly playing in the background. We enjoyed fresh scrambled eggs (from the chicken next door), cheese, bread, jam, (real) butter, yogurt, juice, tea and coffee. Amazing.
What a wonderful weekend God gave to the Holmes Family. All of these blessing came our way, because one of God’s servants took the time and energy to invite, plan and prepare a wonderful time of refreshment for our family. I am thankful that he was willing to be used of God in such a quiet and humble manner. His service is an example for us to follow. We are praying for you this Holiday Season, that God will bless you in a fresh and unexpected ways and that you will have opportunity to bless others.
Continue to pray for
Language learning and opportunities to use phrases
The Baptist Union in Poland. We had the privilege attending a meeting, celebrating 150 years of Baptist work in Poland and a meeting to constitute a new church in Krakow. Pray for wisdom as we seek to join the work that God is about in Poland.
Megan as she attends the International School of Krakow. Pray for open doors for our family to be a light for Jesus in the school community.
Fun Facts: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Poland. On December 6, Santa Clause delivers gifts to children. A highlight of the Christmas Celebration is a spectacular meal of 12 dishes and a midnight church service on Christmas Eve. On December 25, family gifts are exchanged. December 26 is reserved for visiting friends. The Holmes already have a nativity scene up in their apartment and a tree will soon be decorated. Looking forward to celebrating Christmas in Poland.
Thanks again for your prayers,
Ted, Beverly and Megan
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