Home Sweet Home

When my friend Dana came up with the name ‘Home is Where Your Heart Is’ for this blog, I knew it was special.  But I never imagined how much it would come to mean to me.  Twenty years ago, God put a very special love for Poland in my heart.  This year, He made it my second home.  I do a lot of walking in my neighborhood now; reminiscing, praying, and knowing how much I’ll miss it.  This is Załęże – my neighborhood.  And I love it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back over the last year, I’m both amazed and thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had here.  I’ve grown to love all my English students and I’ve loved teaching them.  But I’ve had a lot of unexpected opportunities as well.  I’ve taken part in street evangelism, ministry at the city jail, worked with troubled youth, helped with our English speaking home group, and before I leave I’ll be teaching at Women’s Night at church.  I’ve been able to travel to the Czech Republic and Germany.  Within Poland, I’ve been to Krakow, Gdansk, and the beach on the Baltic Sea.

In five short weeks, I’ll leave here and my heart is torn.  For now, I know I belong in Texas; with one son who is struggling, and one son and daughter-in-law expecting a brand new daughter.  But I’m leaving a lot behind.  A country that I love and feel called to pray for, a church family that I have looked forward to worshipping in every Sunday, and friends who I’ve grown very close to.  Maybe most of all, I’ll miss the family God has blessed me with here.



Joel, Norbert, Ania, Marian, Rachel, Lila, me, Irena, Pastor Karel







I live on the basement floor of Pastor Karel and Irena’s house.  Pastor Karel always says, ‘This is your home.’  I cook in their kitchen and do laundry upstairs.  I’ve spent many mornings in their kitchen sharing coffee, cake, and conversation and I love them so much.  The basement floor is joined to Marian and Lila’s house.  Lila always tells people that I’m her family.  Christmas will always remind me of sitting in her kitchen making pierogi and uszka.  This is where I feel at home.  Where I’m expected at Sunday dinner.  Where I don’t have to knock (though I usually do).  Where someone brings me food and medicine if I’m sick.  This is my family.

 

Norbert and Ania’s apartment is right down Gliwicka St., although they stay at Marian and Lila’s just as often as at their own place.  They really are my best friends here.  Rachel and Joel have become my Polish grandchildren.  There are no words to say thank you to this family for all they’ve done for me this past year and how much they mean to me.  But I think they know.

 

Along the way, I’ve made a list of things that I’ll miss the most when I go home.  The sights, smells, and sounds that make up the most precious memories of Poland in my heart:

 

The hugs (They’re big huggers here)

Walks through the woods on cold nights when I can see my breath in the air

The sound of Rachel practicing the piano

Walks around the lake

The smell of Sunday dinner

The pastors and elders blessing us at the end of every service

The sound of Pastor Karel, Irena, and their friends playing the guitar and   singing upstairs

The Karel/Dwulat/Pawlak family singing the blessing before meals

The beauty of the clear path through the woods made by Antonio raking the

  leaves

Joel picking me flowers

The sound of the trams passing behind our house

Ryszard’s laugh

The Polish men lining the banks of the lake with their fishing poles, chairs, and

  beer

 

Thank you to each of you who has supported me with prayer, money, care packages, and words of encouragement.  I’m so thankful for all of you - you've really kept me going.  This year has changed my life!  As I prepare to say goodbye to Poland, I have a few prayer requests:

 

Safe travel home

Job and living arrangements to be worked out

Finances for all of the above

 

 

Żegnaj Polsko; Witaj Teksasie! (Goodbye Poland; Hello Texas!)