Renewing the Face of Poland

I've been reading a series of fictional books based on historical truth by Bodie and Brock Thoene over the past year. One of their book series in particular is based on Europe during the 2nd war. The extensive research done particularly by Brock Thoene, weaves fact and fiction together, giving a blanket history during the era of World War II... a history lesson of sorts that provides context for the different countries we visit.

I live and walk in places where only my imagination can filter through the enormities of war and persecution, of what it was like to be imprisoned by Communism for 40+ years.  A few weeks ago I flew into Warsaw, Poland where Dennis I met on connecting flights to Krakow. He was coming from the Czech Republic, and I was arriving from Budapest.

Emotions rose within as I overlooked the city of Warsaw from my plane window. I remember reading how this city was literally bombed and shattered to smithereens. Poland, in the middle of a tug-of-war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, was raped, ravaged, and sacked to the point of utter devastation. Poland was violated and defaced beyond recognition. Forty years after the German invasion, Pope John Paul II visited his native country, giving a call in Warsaw's Victory Square to "renew the face" of Poland. "Let thy Spirit descend, and renew the face of this land!" he prayed.

As the plane descended for landing, it dawned on me that most of the buildings I could see were no less than 75 years old - eight out of every ten buildings were destroyed by the end of World War II. Grief welled up within as I considered the injustices done to innocent life, and the ugliness of war.

A few hours later, Dennis and I arrived in Krakow, the only remaining city relatively undamaged by the war. It is a beautiful city with the Old Town Main Market Square dating back to the 13^th century; also known as the largest medieval town square in Europe. But perhaps Krakow is remembered mostly for the concentration camp, Auschwitz, where millions of men, women, and children died horrific deaths between 1940 - 45 during German occupation. In more recent years, it may have been the 1993 movie, Schindler’s List, that portrayed the effects of the war and tugged at our hearts to learn of a business man who one by one saved Polish Jews from entering concentration camps by employing them in his factory.

It was in this city that Pastor Piotr greeted us at the Krakow airport. Though this was Dennis' third time to Poland, it was my first time to meet Piotr and his wife, Joanna. Piotr and Joanna have their own stories, as do the people that make up the church in which they serve. Life-changing stories. I love to hear the background of their stories, their search for meaning in life, and how they found Jesus to be the answer.  We enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of Piotr and Joanna's home, along with great conversation about life, family, the church, leadership, among other things. We had the pleasure of meeting many of the people that attend the church that Pastor Piotr shepherds. It was a joy to worship with them, where Dennis had the opportunity to preach.

Sharing the transforming message of Jesus Christ is what Pastor Piotr and the church is all about... renewing the face of Poland, one life at a time. In a city where the repercussion of war can still be felt, good things are happening because of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. These are the faces of life change in Krakow, Poland.

Pastor Piotr and Joanna

Edward, former member of the Communist Party, transformed by the love of Jesus. 

Once a part of promoting communist revolutions throughout the world, 

he now passes out the scriptures to people.

Sharing a Polish meal with the church people

The smiling faces of life change.

May God's Spirit continue to descend on this land,
renewing it's face one life at a time by the transforming power of Jesus Christ!

Pray for Pastor Piotr and Joanna, their family, and the continued growth of the church.