July 19, 2015 "It's all getting really real"

A beautiful cooling thunderstorm.  Warm spaces and high altitude. Finding out the truth about the morning walk (3.3 miles at an obscene incline! :)  New foods, new language, new people.  A church service in Polish with the help of our Polish counselor colleagues.  A chance to go in and see an ancient Lutheran church circa 1838 in the town of Wisla.   Hard core card playing.  A whole lot of jet lag...and plenty of unexpected surprises. 

Today is our last before the campers arrive, and our world changes yet again, and so yes, it's getting real here in Jawornik, Poland.  We have felt the prayers of many who have brought us this far and also the hand of God in a very real way.  How amazing that during a church service in another language you can feel the rhythm of a familiar liturgy...or the Lord's Prayer...or a song from the traditional Lutheran baptismal service  recalled from my youth.  Why is it that in this completely unfamiliar place I can see some beautiful hand-tatted lacework and be moved to tears at a memory of my grandmother?  God is present as he shows his power, the beauty of his creation, and moves us to

   support each other when the situation is challenging. 

Pastor preached today about the Feeding of the 5,000 and how we are called to care for and give to others in His name.  We will add caring for the campers and their needs tomorrow, and by His grace, we will all be taken care of as well.  No matter how real it gets.

Feeling His presence,
Barb Leymaster