Our day began at Pastor Gienek’s church in Rybnik where we joined with the fellowship in worship. Gaila sang with Jake accompanying her on his guitar. We also took part in Communion together. Afterwards a lunch was served outside on a beautiful, sunny day.
After lunch, Jack gave a photo presentation to the men on light and how it is captured in photography. He paralleled that with being light as Christians in a dark world. At the same time, Julie gave a presentation to the women on depression, which is a common problem in Poland, as it is in the US.
Then we were off to Zywiec, a two hour ride from Rybnik. There Bruce and Julie spoke again about Biblical Counseling.
During the break, an elderly gentleman (85 years) introduced himself and shared a fascinating testimony of a part of his life. Tadeusz Matlak was a master bricklayer and during the time the Germans were in the area, during World War II, he was captured and put to work helping to build the buildings at Auschwitz. He told of some of his experiences there and how he was treated. At times he was whipped by the guards and at another time he was shot three times in his legs, just for pleasure. Eventually he escaped the camp. All of us in our group stood mesmerized as Pastor Gienek translated this man’s testimony. We all were moved by his experiences and his survival of a dark part of human history.
After the seminar, we spent time in fellowship with the church folks there. Everyone in our group had something to share about someone they had met, as we were riding back to Rybnik. We had a wonderful time there with the brethren!
Bruce told us of talking with a couple of young pastors who expressed great appreciation in what he said about counseling from the Bible. He was told that what he spoke about affirmed to them the truth of the sufficiency of God’s Word in dealing with the problems that sin presents. They said that now they knew what they had to do in order to help others who come to them for help.
This is what missions is all about! The opportunities that God puts before us to get to know others in the fellowship of believers around this world cannot be adequately explained. You have to be here to experience it for yourselves to understand and feel that sweet fellowship of believers.
Tomorrow we have the day off before we leave for the Czech Republic. Thank you all for your prayers! Everyone is well and having a blessed time.
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