Latest and Greatest....

Here's an update on the latest and greatest in our family and ministry !!!  The kids are plugging along in Polish school along with their additional classes of swimming, soccer, and American football (Daddy's teaching this one!).  Al and Kirstin use this time while both kids are in school to meet with contacts and invest in Polish lives.  God has really blessed our Polish relationships this semester.......adding more of them and deepening the previous ones.  We are thankful!

Our Polish church had a baptism service this past month!  We baptized 6 at the local YMCA pool -- 2 adults and 4 teens. 

 I really appreciate how the Polish believers wait for baptism until an older age where these kids can give a testimony of the impact Christ has had on their life.   Making a profession of faith apart from the Catholic teaching is a huge decision in this culture.........and these 6 have weighed those costs and boldly proclaim Jesus as their Savior !  It was a rich celebration for us all !!

(the 2 men baptizing are our Pastor and a fellow IMB M, Ken Brownd)



We decided the surprise our kids with a spontaneous family evening at a local amusement park.  It was one of those seasonal set-ups that was way over priced and probably not very safe, but we made some great memories !!!



Arin is not so sure about this one......

But she came around and LOVED it !! 

Arin and Kaleb attended a few birthday parties this month.  For Poles, it is important to celebrate birthdays when friends are available, so most of the summer birthdays get celebrated after school starts and everyone returns from vacation.

The following pics are from Zuzia's party.  They had the party at the local aquarium.



Arin and Zuzia



another friend from her old school!



 



They got to pet diferent animals.  Arin agreed to have a snake wrapped around her neck!!!

One Saturday afternoon, we had an invitation to go hiking with Kuba's family!  Kuba is in Kaleb's class.....(he was our first Polish sleepover buddy from a few posts back.)  We really enjoy spending time with their family, and they always show us sights we would NEVER find on our own!  Jacek (the dad) is a believer, but speaks very little English which is good for our Polish. Agnieszka (the mom) is a new believer as of this summer..........and she speaks beautiful English, so we have some great discipling discussions when we get together.  Our kids always have fun together...............and Kaleb and Arin communicate fully and comfortably in Polish with both of their sons.  (have I mentioned that they still amaze me?)



We got to explore a cave with bats in it !!!