Sept. 15, 16 blogs

September 15 & 16

Final comments from those on the Mission Trip to Poland – Sept. 15.

OK! So you know the old saying: “…the best laid plans…” That was today. Doug and Liz departed for another assignment. We departed Krakow for Warsaw…16 people (our 14 and 2 drivers) in a 13-passenger van, in the rain. What joy! What adventure! What excitement! Arrived about midnight – 6 hours in driving rain…wow!

Michal Jablonski, pastor in Warsaw, was at the Church to meet us. What a warm welcome on an ugly, chilly night. We all slept so soundly. Pastor Jablonski was unexpectedly called away this morning and Assistant Pastor, Lucas ably introduced to us the church building, the life and ministry of the congregation, and then he took us on a tour of “Old Town” Warsaw.

Old Town Warsaw Rebuilt

The Protestant Reformed Church actually literally sat on the Jewish Ghetto wall and we learned stories of how the congregation was involved in the Resistance by smuggling into the Jewish Ghetto food, water, Aryan baptismal certificates, forged German papers and other material required for survival.

Original Protestant Reformed Church

Some of us had opportunity to be with Rev. Michal and heard the story he was told by his father, Mr. Jablonski, who tells of an experience he had when he was nine years old. It was a beautiful summer night, August 1, 1944, and Mr. Jablonski and his father were enjoying a night at an amusement carnival in the park. This night just happened to also be the first night of the Warsaw uprising. The father and son were riding the Ferris Wheel… Wheee…up and around and down…joyful celebrative music. Round and round. When they were down, the music was so soft and relaxing. At the top of the circle they looked out over a burning city. Round and round. Down, the music was celebrating a great life. At the top the young lad saw persons whose bodies were aflame jumping to their deaths from burning buildings. Round and round. Down Heaven! Up hell! Down…up…round and round.

 How can we ever again even listen to a Pollock joke? How can we ever again even listen to a joke about Jews? Because of this trip, we will never again be the same as we were before. THANKS BE TO GOD!

 Tomorrow morning (Sept. 16) we part after 16 days of living VERY closely. Some go for a week with family in Germany, others to a fishing trip with brothers in Minnesota, others a wedding for their son, others back to work.

 By the time you read this, most of us will be home. Thank you for taking this trip with us. We have truly appreciated your thoughtful prayers. May God bless you richly as God has so richly blessed us on this pilgrimage. ###

Thank you for being with us on this trip.

Sept. 16 – while flying to Chicago – more comments

 How true it is – we must never forget. We must never forget what hatred, ignorance, prejudice, superiority of thought and focus led to, for if we do we are on the road to Auschwitz indeed!

The restoration of cities from Warsaw to Wroclaw, once freedom from terror and from Communism was achieved, show a richness of reserve of the human spirit. With God’s help, anything is possible. ###

 As we are flying over the Atlantic, returning home, how will this experience be used? How do we begin to share with others, relatives and friends, our congregation, what this mission has meant to us personally? How will we use the treasures we’ve stored inside to respond to Christ’s calling to love your neighbor, whether the disenfranchised close at hand, or those far away? We must not let prejudice, hate, ignorance, disengagement or “sticking our heads into the sand” be the “comfortable” home. We are called to be servants of Christ and servant-leaders for fairness, justice, and attention to the cries of humanity around us. We cannot close comfortably within the shell of our own little corner. We are called to reach out in love and mercy, encouraging one another always to greater compassion, to intense humility, and most of all to be the hands and feet of Christ – every day. God bless the faithful servants who reach out beyond the complacency of the “status quo” whether in Poland or the USA, or in every other corner of God’s great world. ###

Today as we shared, each one of us, a prayer from a prayer partner in our home congregations, how very fulfilling each was to the conclusion of this short-term mission outreach. What a special way it has been to include those at home—an important link in the encouragement here and now, and always. ###

The world lives by a principle called the “golden rule.” The world  means by this principle: “Those who have the gold, ‘Rule’!” Christians live by this principal also. However, what Christians mean is, “Those who have the gold, share!” Those of us who are Christian, the ultimate goal in life is not ruling but “sharing!” Each day in Poland as followers in Christ we shared in many ways: in prayer, in a simple smile, in a cup of tea across a table, or in song in worship, as we learned and taught it was all about sharing with the people of Poland we met and our travel mates. We end this trip and sharing in God’s hands and the Peace that only Christ can give, being called by the Holy Spirit in all we do. Thanks be to God. Blessings. Amen. ###

On this day we return to Iowa like cultural exchange students, having shared part of our culture with Poland. But more importantly our worldview has been widened, deepened, and enriched by the culture of Poland. As Disciples of Christ we have been what disciples are – “students” of Christ’s work and presence. We have prayed, praised and broken bread with sisters and brothers in Christ. We have seen first-hand their love of Christ. We have also found much that we have in common – seeking to be Church in contexts where nationalism, racism, sexism, and individualism present many of the same struggles for the faithful that we face right here in America. Everywhere we went we heard words of appreciation for Doug and Liz Searles – Gratitude for the manner in which they serve alongside the Polish Church Leadership, respect for the way they fulfill their DOC, UCC, and Presbyterian call, and thankfulness for the Searles’ ability to acculturate themselves to the ethos of Poland. Though happy to be headed home after an intense two weeks of immersion in the life and ministry of the Church there, we also leave the imprint of fellow journeyers in Christ. From work projects to worship experiences to relationship building, seeds have been planted and are beginning to take root now in them and in us. May God be glorified in the fruits that these seeds bear. ###

As we fly home, we are eager to again hear words of English spoken by people on the street. But we will also be sensitive to the sounds of other languages being spoken in our midst, and be reminded of our feelings of being in a strange land. But we also know that during this trip we have been held warmly in God’s arms, and strengthened to deal with the unusual and unexpected. May we be reminded always of this as we encounter those who are strangers among us. We ask God also to keep us bound with each other in ties that enclose us closely in God’s love. At best, when we hear a few Polish words we’ll always be reminded of this once in a lifetime trip.  ###

We thank all of you, our friends, families, and fellow followers of Christ, for being with us on this mission trip. Thanks be to God. Amen

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010 – Wroclaw to Warsaw

It was a long day, starting at 6:00 a.m. We left the Wroclaw (pronounced Vrot-swahff) Seminary dorm at 6:30. We were to have a bus for 14 passengers. We did have a 14-passenger bus, but that was to include 2 drivers. Thus, one had to sit in front with the drivers and one had to sit on the ice chest, but we made it. We got to Auschwitz about 9:30. There we toured the Concetration Camp. This was very disturbing, but gave us a good glimpse of history in this country.

Auschwitz

We had planned to tour Birkenau, but just ran out of time. We left Auschwitz about noon and continued on to Krakow. There we saw the Castle and toured the Royal Cathedral, then walked down to the very busy City Centre where we found lively market stalls and many outdoor cafes.

The group met Doug and Liz again at 6 p.m. and headed to Warsaw. This was about a 6-hour drive, so it was close to midnight when we arrived. We  were met by Reverend Michal Jablonski and stayed again at a Parish House at the KER Church in Warsaw. We rested well.

Today, Sept. 15, we were to tour the Church, but the young assistant, Lucas, could not get the back door of the Church open and they are replacing the front steps so couldn’t go in that way. I am sure we will receive a tour of the Church before the end of the day. Lucas proceeded to give us a tour of the old city of Warsaw. During the war every building was destroyed except for the Church, and now most all of the buildings have been restored as they were before the war. Lunch was a typical Jewish meal in a Jewish restaurant. Hopefully, more on this day will be shared, but it may not be until we return home.

We will be leaving Warsaw for Dusseldorf tomorrow, the 16th, at 9:15 a.m. It has been a very interesting journey and an awareness of another part of our world where we find God everywhere we go and in everything  we do.

Monday, Sept. 13, 2010

Our day in Wroclaw began with a lecture at the Evangelical Seminary where we spent the night. Dr. Joel Burnell lectured us on Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was a modern-day Theologian and native of Wroclaw. Following the lecture, Dr. Burnell gave us a tour of the area, where we visited two Cathedrals – both very interesting histories starting out as Catholic Cathedrals then becoming Protestant for a period of time before returning to Catholicism.

During the tour we spent time at Salt Square. It was surrounded by fascinating architecture and outdoor restaurants and coffee shops. We enjoyed delicious snacks and took in some of the sculptures on the square, including the monument to Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Before supper (a typical Iowa meal of pork loin and sweet corn) prepared by our group’s special Chef, Earlin), we took a boat ride around the island on which the Seminary resides. The view from the water provided us with beautiful and varied skylines with a mixture of old and new architecture.

Early tomorrow morning we will be leaving for Auschwitz and Krokow before heading to Warsaw. Please keep us in your prayers.

Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010

We had two delightful worship services with a mixture of Polish and English. They were each very meaningful. The first service was at the KER Church in Lodz with an excellent sermon presented by Reverend Angela Doty.

Next was a 4 1/2 hour bus ride through the countryside into the delightful city of Wroclaw to a Lutheran Church where the new KER Church is presently meeting. The sermon there was presented by Reverend Richard Guentert. It was very moving to have communion service with The Lord’s Prayer simultaneously in English and Polish. We are experiencing new dimentions of unity in these services.

The evening ended with a beautiful walk through some of the city. We laughed with two young men trying to help us with directions to a specific group of statues. On one corner are statues of Polish people driven underground because of communism. On the corner across the street are statues of Polish people emerging from the underground after the communist regime. (Picture across the street did not come out good.)

Dinner in town, and then taxi rides to the seminary dormitory where we are spending the night. It was a long, but delightful day.

Sat. Sept. 11, 2010 – Lodz, Poland

It was a lovely day to have an opportunity to observe ordinary people as individuals, couples, or families in the largest shopping centre of Europe – Manufaktura. 

MANUFACTURA

 A few blocks away the Saturday open market was also in full swing. At the same time, corner vendors were selling vegetables galore. As a “people watching” experience, this was great. It was also interesting to note that at least one or two clerks asked an American why s/he was here–giving opportunity to explain that we are here visiting churches – KER churches – which led to more questions and sharing, supporting our Polish brothers and sisters in Christ.

We started the morning at Radegast Station–a monument to remember the Ghetto in Lodz and to show the train station that received Jews and Gypsies and others from Central Europe and that carried these and the 230,000 Jews living in Lodz to various concentration camps. Included in those being taken was the minister of the Lodz KER Church for refusing to preach in German. The monument chronicled the events in Lodz from 1939-1945 including the 43,500 Jews who died in the ghetto. (Pictures on Friday’s Blog.)

We then traveled to the largest textile factory in Europe which was closed following WWII, and was converted in 2004 to a modern shopping centre with many stores, two museums, restaurants, and movie theaters. We had free time before our meal and time together hosted by Doug and Liz Searles in their home.

We are tired tonight, but will be refreshed with evening devotions and will be ready in the morning for a day of sharing two church services with church members, the first service in Lodz and the second one in Wroclaw.

Friday, Sept. 10, 2010

Name of railroad station in Auschwitz

Radegast is the name of the old railroad station where many Jews were taken to Auschwitz to be killed. We saw the station, the old locomotive engine, and two of the cars used to transport them. There is a tall memorial that looks like an old smokestack where bodies were burned. It was not a pleasant place to visit.

This evening we were visited in the church basement in Lodz where we met for dinner by several ladies of the church who came to have tea with us. It was a blessing to visit with them.

We have broken two washing machines, one lock on a shower door, and have only been here ten days. Who knows what the next 6 days will bring. Even all this has not stopped the sharing and the deep relationships that are being formed. Nothing–it is true–can get in the way or destroy or separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (We just need a good mechanic!)

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010

This morning we ate the traditional Polish breakfast of ham, cheese, bread and coffee (with some salads and cake). The Zelow Church provided this breakfast for us. We then were able to tour the Zelow Church which is historically a Czech Brethren settlement. Pastor Roman Lipinski shared with us the history which was facinating, not only of the church but reviewing Polish history as we viewed monuments through town on our walk to lunch. We also had a stop at a congregant’s glass workshop and heard about her artistry and work.

After lunch we headed back on the bus and were greeted in Lodz by Reverend Semko Koroza. We are making plans for the coming days which were to include some work projects. But there are some unexpected changes including rain and the death of Reverend Koroza’s father-in-law. The group is in good spirits, lots of laughing, and an awareness of God’s constant presence–but also we are tired.