A Special Thank You

For the first time since we can remember, our family is separated this Thanksgiving. Yet despite missing each other, we have much to be thankful for.

(Joel) Being on the road for 6 months while on Home Assignment, and especially the final 3½ months without Renata, and the rest of our family who are back in Poland, has led me to reflect on our life journey with Christ in this world. I have been reading in the Gospel of Matthew, with a general focus on the theme of “journey”. If you have Facebook, you can read some of my “road poems” there. Here is one of them to wet your interest: 

PASSING THOUGHTS
 
Time, grasped tightly in my fist
Slips so easily through my fingers
Dreaming of sweet reunions
Enjoying life’s pleasant illusions
 
Time, gently cradled in my hands
Is free to come and go as she will
A welcome companion on my journey
As I pass through time to eternity
 
Joel Burnell
October 5, 2017 

 

We are thankful for our new Daughter-in-Law Haley! Erik and Haley are living in Poland for two years while Erik completes his Master’s degree in Computer Science. Haley will be teaching English at the Wroclaw Language School (a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Wroclaw).
 

We are thankful for Daniel and Erik, who now in graduate school in Wroclaw. Daniel is studying International and European Law (with a focus on human rights), and Erik is continuing his studies in computer science.
 

We are thankful for Amelia (14). She is now in 8^th grade, and enjoys life, reading and her youth group at church.

(Renata) I was recently asked to give a talk on “Depression in the Age of the Internet”, for students in a local college ministry. I had only two weeks to prepare in the midst of other activities, but God gave me the motivation, ideas and strength to prepare and present this lecture. My presentation went well. I was able to boldly share about God's love and acceptance, and how He can lift us up, and give us hope and strength to endure our low moments, when depressed thoughts threaten to overwhelm us. There were over 30 students present, and 4 left contacts for the leaders of the ONE WAY Christian College Ministry who organized the event. Several students came up to me afterword with questions, and one asked for possible counseling.


 

(Renata): Here is a picture from my new ministry called WOW (Women of the Word) for the Women of the International Church of Wroclaw. We meet every other week to study the Bible, and the theme for the next 10 meetings is Jesus in the Old Testament. It is a great time of fellowship, encouragement and prayer. All of the women are expats. I love the fact that my new daughter-in-law is a part of the group. 
 

(Joel): My class at Western has been great. As a result of the class, one couple who is taking the class together decided to study Bonhoeffer’s Life Together in their home group at church. Over the next few weeks I have the privilege to read their term papers, which all relate Bonhoeffer’s thought to concrete aspects of following Christ in today’s world. Here's a picture of some of my students at Western Seminary.

We are thankful for our WorldVenture colleagues in Poland. Here the team shares an early Thanksgiving dinner at the annual field retreat last week.

 

We are grateful to all those who welcomed us into their homes, provided vehicles to drive, and share coffee and meals with us during our time in the States.
 

We’re thankful for all those who give generously on a regular basis so that we can serve the Polish church. If you would like to be a part of that group, please go to worldventure.com and click on “donate.”  We need people to commit about $450 more a month so we can continue to serve in Poland with full support.

Colossians 4:2-3 ^“ Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ …”. (ESV)