Karlowice, Poland

After a one day stopover in my home town Berlin, I packed my bag again, went to work on Friday and headed off to Poland right after school was finished.

Lisa, Ecki, Reiner and me went there to do worship at a youth evangelism on Saturday night. So, after meeting our contacts Chad and Kyle who we had got to know in Berlin a while ago while they had been on a longer mission trip through Europe, we met some of the youth and went out to pass out flyers and invite the teenagers for the event the next day.

At the actual worship concert there were only about twenty young people because at the same time we started playing, the Polish soccer team did, too. And because it was pouring (I really hope the rain doesn't follow me...).

Nevertheless, it was a really powerful time; we interrupted the actual worship concert often to explain things or give testimonies. I had to keep myself from laughing when I said something like, "And I do believe", and the Polish translator would go forever like, "Dzcertbz kniszbit oprtrcz sczglutzd plkrcsp utrfgbdsh olkpgtzc gtlmjorz."
Lisa had a prophetic word for one boy who was about 10 years old, which really touched him. If it wasn't for anyone but for him, the trip was worth the time and effort.

We also got to know Eddi who used to be a member of the Polish Mafia. He is a really neat guy with a childlike faith and a totally sweet manner. When he told us that he hated people before he got to know Jesus, we couldn't believe it!
He told us some amazing stories about his conversion and how he lives his faith. He's the manager of the hotel we stayed in, and they also have a couple of horses, of who he told us some incredible healing stories.
Also, his wife was sick on Saturday while Eddi was with us. So we prayed for her healing. While praying Lisa felt she should lay her hands on Eddi, because he and his wife are one flesh. She did so, and as a matter of fact, Eddi's wife got healed that very moment.

Summing up, I can say that this was a very encouraging trip for me. To see what this church is doing and achieving in faith, to hear stories about divine miracles (and to experience them), but also because God opened my eyes again for my calling to work with youth.
In Karlowice (or Gryfow, where the church is), the kids don't have anything to do in their leisure time than to hang out on the streets, to chat and especially smoke together (I saw several ten-year olds smoking; it seems that if you want to be a part of the group you have to smoke.) It reminded me very much of the area in which I live in Berlin.

We'll see where God is leading me.