Update - Holmes Family in Krakow

“Za wszystko dziekujcie, gdyz taka jest wola Boza w Chrystusie jesusie wzgledem was.” 1 Tesaloniczan 5,18
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We thank Him because......

• We see God at work in our lives.
• We know the assurance of our Salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord
• We have completed the paper work towards receiving our residency permits in the country of Poland
• We celebrated Megan’s 13th birthday in Krakow Poland with so many cards and gifts from friends in the USA
• Beverly drove to the school and back and did not get lost
• God is teaching us to rely on Him, even when we don’t understand His plan
• We know 278 words and 29 phrases in the polish language
• Ted has successfully communicated in Polish on several occasions
• We can navigate the city on trams and buses
• We received three boxes of goodies from special friends (candy and muffin mix) Yeah!
• We are living in an ancient beautiful European city
• We found a really cool place to eat Pizza
• We observe Polish people being kind to each other on the tram
• God is showing us who to pray for
• God has given us an awesome team to work with in Krakow
• God has given us opportunities to worship Him in Polish and English
• God has introduced us to the wonderful Roma people through their music and dancing
• We found an orthodontist for Megan
• Friends have provided needed supplies for a wonderful American Thanksgiving Dinner...Yeah for pumpkin!
• We had a SKYPE conversation with the FHBC Middle School youth at 2:00 a.m.
• Beverly talks to Jennifer, Lindsay and her parents several times a week via SKYPE
• We have internet to keep in touch
• God has provided Megan a mission field at her school. (look up Baha’i religion, several families practice this religion)
• Ted and Bev gave their testimony at the International Church, Megan read scripture during the worship time
• The Holmes have childcare at the International church this Sunday evening (yeah, we get to love on babies)
• We have enjoyed bright sunny weather
• Gustaw Cieslar, President of the Baptist Union is a great friend
• Our prayer network has expanded to Mississippi and South Carolina
• We have two WMU circles praying for us
  

We want to thank you for your prayers for Poland as we celebrated All Saints Day. Our family visited two cemeteries to observe and to pray. The cemeteries were actually beautiful. Most people visited the graves as families, standing in somber silence to remember the dead. We could hear the chanting of the priest in the background as people made their way into the chapel to offer money in return for a special prayer offered on behalf of their loved one. There was a large crucifix at one end of the cemetery, we stood and had a family prayer time for the people all around us. We prayed they would come to know the assurance of their salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We prayed that God would use us to share this good news with people of Poland. Thanks for praying for us as we observed this Polish custom.

All Saints Day - Cemetery Decorations

This week we also celebrated the Polish Independence Day. We attended a parade and ceremony in the Rynek. It was unlike parades in the US. The mood was very somber and reflective. The ceremony was attended by thousands of people but the crowd was almost silent as they remembered the ones who gave their life for the country of Poland. Young men in Poland are required to serve two years in the army unless they are students at the university.

Tram Life—We use the tram system and bus system every day, several times a day. We have been observing tram behavior. People squeeze into the autobus or tram until the sides seem to be bulging. In this mass of people, there is utter silence. The only noise you may hear is the word Prosze (please) or Przepraszam (Excuse me). Younger people are eager to give their seats to anyone who looks older. On the slightest bump or touch, the other person is quick to say Przepraszam (Excuse me). Sometimes my American self wants to jump up and yell out, “Hey Everybody! Let’s sing Row Row Row Your Boat or how about The Wheels On The Bus.” So far, I have yielded to temptation and sat quietly in my seat. God has given me a ministry of TRAM PRAYER. I have started noticing the same people coming and going. I have started praying for them....the young adult with cerebral palsy, the two women who are always together, the babcia and the dziadek (grandmother and grandfather).

Please continue to pray for:

Language learning. Pray that we can remember vocabulary, pronounce the words and that God would give us opportunity to use our new language

Megan’s adjustment to school. Pray for good friends and opportunity to share Christ with classmates and teachers

The Krakow Team has they share Christ through athletics, coffee house, bible study, International Compass Fellowship, cooking classes and personal evangelism

The people of Poland. Pray that they will hear God’s word and seek a personal relationship with their Father through His Son, Jesus Christ

Jennifer, Lindsay and our parents Ted and Helen Holmes and Jack and Peggie Bond as we celebrate holidays apart from each other.

We are also praying for each of you. We are praying that God will use you to share His story with your friends and neighbors. We are praying for a little boy named Collin who was born early at 30 weeks.

Sorry for the long update. We just wanted you to know we serve an AWESOME GOD.

Happy Early Thanksgiving,
The Holmes
Ted, Beverly and Megan