Good News!

We recently have had good news in a physical form from the far country of the United States. Two sets of volunteers have connected with partner congregations in Poland. This is good.

“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Proverbs 25:25

Greetings from Poland!

We recently have had good news in a physical form from the far country of the United States. Two sets of volunteers have connected with partner congregations in Poland.  This is good.

The first contacted Polish soil in August—quite literally. Volunteers from Iowa sanded, painted, taught ESL, brought gifts, built a smoker for the community, and planted trees—many trees—in the Zychlin Bible arboretum.

Martin Luther himself, the 16th-century reformer, is reported to have said: “Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would plant an apple tree today.”

Thank you, Iowa work group, for planting seeds of relationship and trees of blessing.

On another “note,” two volunteers spent the month of October in Zelow to train new leadership of Zelowskie Dzwonki, the only hand bell choir in Poland. Two others arrived for a short but very productive time to clean and repair the bells.

The Zelow bells are an important outreach of our partner, Kosciol Ewangelico-Reformowany—the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Poland.  Nurturing local leadership and building outreach are key aspects of partnership work in Poland.

So the good news we’re sending back to you “from a far country” is this: mission volunteers continue to make a positive difference where they serve. Such visits communicate caring and love, and help build strong partner relationships in places of deep need.

Christina Baldwin has said:

“To work in the world lovingly means that we are defining what we will be for, rather than reacting to what we are against.”

In our prayers, we give thanks for all who volunteer and “work for” in whatever countries are “far” for them. Theirs—yours—is loving work indeed.

May God richly bless all of your ministries!
Liz and Doug Searles in Lodz, Poland

Doug and Elizabeth Searles serve with the Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland.  They serve as mission workers for church growth and outreach.