Sunday morning we worshiped with the church in Tomaszow. Very simple but powerful service. At the end they had an open time of prayer where anyone could just pray out loud. We felt the Spirit of God moving strongly during this time. We had no idea what they were praying but it didn’t even matter. We could feel the Spirits voice. It was just such an amazing opportunity to be able to worship with a group of believers half way around the world who love Jesus just as much as we do. The language barrier has not been an issue at all thus far.
After the service, we traveled to Lodz to get settled in for Kontakt Lodz, the primary purpose of this trip. Once we were settled we were able to get something to eat then spent some time as a team going over the last few days events and also digging into what it means to seek God daily and also some practical ways to go about seeking him.
This led into a time of worship outside in a field near where we are staying. This was a truly amazing experience. There were believers here for Kontakt from many places in the U.S., Ukraine, Poland and Belarus. We all sang our hearts out to Jesus as the Church and prepared our hearts and minds for the coming week of serving the people of Lodz.
We learned that in Poland, it is not a normal thing to do service projects like we will be doing. When Proem was speaking with the city council of Lodz about this experience, the council naturally wanted to know who would be coming in to do the projects. Proem told that they would be bringing in people from many countries including the U.S. The council was a bit shocked that we would travel all the way from the U.S. to serve people in Poland. They just couldn’t wrap their minds around it. But that isn’t the best part. They then wanted to know how Proem would pay to bring in so many workers to do this. When they found out that we pay our own way to and from Poland so that we can serve their needs of their poor they were speechless.
Who, in their right mind, would pay thousands of dollars to travel to a foreign country to serve people that they do not know and likely will never meet again? People who love and follow Jesus.
What does a believer in Christ have to gain by sending or going to serve the poor and the needy in a foreign country? Nothing. Everything.
Wow! This is so powerful for me to read! Everything and nothing!
This is such a powerful reading for me personally at home. As we pack up for our move into our new home, I’m ashamed at all the excess we have. Our backs are in pain because of our excess. There is not enough room in the garage to store everything because of our excess. The carpet people came this morning to clean the carpet and their eyes were big as they walked in to all the mounds of stuff. It has hit me like a bomb! If I give up all my stuff then I have nothing? “Everything Nothing” As long as I hold on to mounds of materials Christ can do nothing with me, my focus cannot be on Him, it’s on the stuff. If I am obedient, realize my addiction & repent I have Everything. My focus can return to Christ. . I am broken, tired, in tears and in a state of revelation. I’ve realized an addiction that has taken my focus off my Savior. I would love to share my story of addiction when you all return. Christ pulled me from the pit of alcoholism 17 years ago. I have been blessed. It is an amazing story of Gods miracle working power. For now, He has revealed this stronghold to me through your team 5000 miles away, through one statement. Everything Nothing! I am grateful for your willingness to serve in Poland! I now see why I never received confirmation from Christ about going on this trip, He had a much bigger plan. I am going purge. i have asked for forgiveness and a refocus. We were scheduled to have a yard sale sat, august 3, it will be a sale for missions. One last amazing note, we were supposed to close on our new house July 25th. We have had more delays and hiccups than you can imagine. We r still not in our house, nor do we have a solid closing date. I now know why! I have been praying for you guys at 10-2-10 everyday. Little did I realize the very impact it would have on me. It brought me closer to Him, to a state of stillness, a state of listening. The Poland team has been the facilitator!
In awe, In Him, Marlene Thornton
Amazing Marlene! God is definitely working on the hearts of the entire team here as well as the team back home. We are all in this together. Thank you so much for your consistent prayer over this. Our God is truly an awesome God, meeting us where we are at and always seeking to draw us closer to him. See you soon!
Great blog Jordan. Thank you for sharing the love of Christ with brothers sisters you will spend eternity with. Very inspiring. Love you
-meg
Love you Meg! See you in a week!
Hey Jordon and team,
I am thinking of you all tonight!!! Prayer time tonight for you all was especially moving.
I pray a continued movement of Christ and pray that He brings special ones to you that need to hear of our Lords love and promises. I pray you are all well and the group continues to bond closer. God is at work here and I know there as well. My “Purge for the Word”, yard sale is tomorrow. I cannot wait! it has been life changing to let go of so much and regain a sense of focus and purpose. A spiritual and tangible purge.
My prayer for you all tonight is that God is continuing to use you all in a way that has blessed others and has also renewed your relationship with Him.
Be safe! Lots of love to all ,
Marlene