Alice In Poland

And the Wall Came Down

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall and the beginning of my journey into Eastern Europe. I remember sitting in our TV room at John Brown University in shock as I watched this historical even which I NEVER thought would happen. Little did I know that this event would later chart my life in Poland.

Polish Union leader Lech Walesa, lead union strikers in Gdansk, Poland to rebel against the might of Russia. Their passion and their courage to stand up against the USSR and sparked the start of the freeing of Eastern Europe. Tonight he got to start the domino wall that was set up along the line of the Berlin wall. It was amazing to see his face as he pushed that wall down.

There is still captivity in the hearts of the Polish people, though. Today the European Union shows that there is 6 million young Poles (15-29 years old) who do not know Jesus. They might be religious, but as I have found, most are religious in identity only. Each camp I have been to, I am finding more and more religious agnostics. Their country is free, but their hearts are not!

My prayer and my dream is in the next twenty years, the walls in the hearts of the Polish people will fall just as they did in 1989.

And So The Darkness Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:42:00 +0000

We had the end of Day Light Savings on Sunday. I was thrilled to have an extra hour of sleep, but now, the sun sets a whole hour earlier. That is around 4:40pm now. This time every year I am reminded how much a really dislike Polish winters. This is the time when I am stretched and pulled and I see God strengthen me in ways that I do not see when the sun is shining.

I have a meeting with one of my favorite people tonight! At the mall and with COFFEE!!!! Life is good even when it is dark! :)

Faces of Poland 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:00 +0000

This summer I had a wonderful time meeting and working with Polish and American youth. It was an amazing time. I learned so much about this generation, storytelling, and God. I was sidelined for a time with my fractured shoulder, but I also got a front row seat at watching both Polish and American youth learn more about each other, God and themselves. Thank you for praying!

Here are the faces of Poland 2.0!

Wonderful Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:41:00 +0000

I noticed that it has been a little bit since I wrote. I have been more than blessed by getting to watch the Broncos play. I am right now typing and watching the 3rd quarter of MNF. Someone here told me that the Broncos are now 6-0, so I know we won, but I don't know the score! WHAT A GAME!!!!

Anyway, I have had two weeks of meetings with young women and our youth group. It is exciting to see Majka become our youth group leader and to walk along side her as she is leading and loving our youth group. Last night we talked about clothing and why do we wear what we wear. At first glance, it may sound stupid, but then we went into our identity in Jesus and the heart that is more important than the clothes we wear. It was a great discussion!
For the past few weeks I have been meeting with Ania. This young woman has come from a really rough background, and yet her heart is bright with the love and strength of Jesus. Tears filled my eyes this Sunday as she completed her declaration of following Jesus, by being baptized. Our time is filled with drinking coffee, talking about life, learning how to study the Bible and prayer. I love this young lady! What is great too, is it is mostly done in broken POLISH! She understand enough English so when we need it, we break into it.
I must confess that I am still struggling with Polish, but little by little am getting it. I just wish I could wake up tomorrow and speak fluent Polish!!

A Little Bit of Home

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

I miss football! It has been a part of my life in America! Poland has no idea how wonderful the game is! Slowly but surly I am trying to introduce my neighbors to this American past time!

Yesterday the Broncos played the Cowboys and won! What was even more wonderful was that I got to watch the game LIVE with my family! They were in Denver and I was sitting in my flat in Poland! We were able to watch the game together (except for my bro, Bill. He got to go to the game, the bum :) ) as if we were in the same room. There was a two second delay in their game feed so I saw everything before them. It was fun to just sit there and talk about the game with my dad. Something I miss. How did we do it? Well, it turns out that ESPN has an international cable station and the games are live on Sundays and Mondays. That means though I had to stay up until 1:30am but the game was well worth it!! Thank you Broncos for making the game so exciting! I hope to see more games, but the Broncos are not on the "gotta see" list. The only reason why their game was on was because of the "Almighty" Dallas Cowboys. Broncos 4-0 and still NO RESPECT!

Language Blunder From the Other Side!

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:32:00 +0000

As many of you know, my neighbor is a doctor and teaches at the English speaking medical school here in Katowice. Her English is not the best outside of medical terms and her "American" students are from Asia, but they have US citizenship. Their English is not very good either. :) You can imagine the class.

Well, the other day she told me about how she made a very funny English blunder. She had a few American students with her and got busy with a patient, so she wanted the students to go and study. So she told them, "Please to the restroom and wait for me." The students looked at each other and then walked away. She could not find them in the break room because they went to the bathroom! "Rest room" in Polish just what it is, a room to take a rest, our break room. The bathroom here is called the "toilet". We laughed and laughed at the blunder and she will never send her students to the "restroom" again! :)

Language Progress Report

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:56:00 +0000

I have had many conversations in both Polish and English lately. . . I cannot remember which ones where in which language, but can remember what I talked about. . . I think I am progressing!!! Yippee!!! I had my first FULL spiritual conversation in Polish the other day. I made grammatical mistakes, but I DID it! In Polish! What a great encouragement it was to my heart and the girl I was talking to, understood and helped me when I got stuck. . . I am even more pumped to beef up on "church" vocab!! Thank you, Lord!

Poland's Leaders, TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Wow! What a week! We took 13 leaders to our fall conference. This year it is on discipleship. This group has a heart to reach their peers and share the love of Jesus with them.

It has been amazing to see their eyes light up as they have received information, challenge, encouragement and love this week!

This time last year I wondered how we would reach Poland's youth if we had none who expressed a desire to lead. Honestly, I left conference frustrated and discouraged as I saw the other countries have movement in their youth.

What happen in a year?
God happened! He was moving and changing hearts.

We leave conference tomorrow morning full of ideas, wonder, challenge and blessing. This group is ready to take their next steps in reaching their peers for Jesus!

Yet Another Day of PT

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Well, today was more relaxing and my shoulder is feeling better. The PT doctor is concerned about the the amount of calcium that has been "infused" into my bone. So, until I get that done, my physical therapy is to a minimum.

My English speaking helper was not there to give me the magnetic and laser treatments, so I got to practice my Polish. I must say, that they were impressed with the amount of Polish I can speak! I then met with my therapist in the "gym" and he showed me some exercises that I can do while I am at our JV fall conference next week in the Czech Republic.

I can report that the shoulder has more muscles than I ever thought was possible. BOTH shoulders now hurt, but it is a good hurt. :) Monday, we hope to do the calcium infusion. . . I will report what that looks like!

Physical Therapy: Day Two

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:32:00 +0000

WARNING! Before you read this, you need to know that, what I am telling you has not injured me in any way, it just may sound like it may.

Well, today I was prepared! When the nice handsome young man asked me to take my shirt off so he could administer the laser therapy on my arm, I had a lace strapped t-shirt on! Yes! No more showing off my beautiful bra to the Polish medical world! Tomorrow I wear my brown one!

So, I get put on these sci-fi looking blue tinted glasses (I love anything sci-fi) so that the laser does not kill my eyesight even though the laser is going into my shoulder. . . hummmm. The then laid on a plastic "bed" that had magnets in it so that my bone would be stronger. . . hummmm. After my PT I then had Physical Training with my therapist. My shoulder was really hurting after yesterday's workout, so today was a "relaxing" day so that my muscles could recover from yesterday. (We both were pushing my shoulder too hard.) I go tomorrow for a "calcification" session where they "push" calcium through my skin and into my bone. . . hummmmmmm. I have NO idea what that is going to look like, but I will keep you up to date. . . . Oh, I also now have three little wholes in my skin due to the electric current therapy I had yesterday too! Ah, culture. . . you've gotta love it!!! :)

Physical Therapy

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:43:00 +0000

So, I got started with my Polish physical therapy yesterday. My insurance woes are all taken care of and I am good to go. Now all I have to do is get a Polish driver's license (new law) and I am fully part of Poland!

Therapy was very interesting. I sometimes think that this culture wants to get everyone used to being seen in their underwear! Ha! Ha! In order for the therapist to move my arm, my shirt had to be off. Weird. While this was happening. No fewer than 6 medical people came in to consult with my therapist. The interesting thing about it, is that no one looked at me. They were all very discrete in what I was not wearing! :) Part of this culture. They don't care what you are wearing or what you look like.

I have therapy every day this week. I have already gained 15º more range of motion from just one session. The therapist, Tomek, is nice and speaks English. We had a great conversation about his life in America a few years ago and his view of the US medical system. I look forward to more conversations with him along with more good pain. Today I get to have magnetic therapy. I'll let you know how that one goes.

What is God Up To?

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Sunday night I experienced something I have not seen in a very long time. For the past few weeks God's Spirit has been moving in the hearts of people in Katowice. One of the churches in our town experienced a revival in their service two weeks ago. It is a church that has been all but completely dead. The pastor is dumbfounded at what is happening in his flock. I spoke with him Sunday night and he asked me to continue to pray that the Spirit will continue to touch people's hearts. I have never seen him look so young. God is moving in wonderful ways.

The same night a Christian businessman from our church hosted out city wide evangelistic play called "Heaven's Gate, Hell's Fire". It is a hour long play consisting of several scenarios about what salvation is and what it is not. At the end, people are asked to come forward to talk more or to pray to follow Jesus. It was amazing to see so many come forward. As they were walking forward. A "competing" activity in the same park was having a fireworks display. It was as if the fireworks were going off just at the same time that people were stepping forward. My spirit was moved.

Along with that, I met many students in the park that day and was able to encourage and challenge many of them in their new school year. It was a GREAT weekend!

Something is happening here in Katowice. . . I am not sure what it is. The Spirit is moving and the evil one is attacking too! There is a war going on and I ask for our American family to join us but fighting on their knees

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:40:00 +0000

This weekend my teammate, Susan and I went to Wrocław to visit our other teammates, the Eiflings. We celebrated my brace coming off by going to Starbucks! What a great treat! We only have 2 Starbucks in the whole country!

The Eiflings have two little ones, David (2) and Natalie (1). It was great to be Auntie Alice this weekend! David insisted that I watch "Cars" with him. His mom got this shot of us watching Lightning McQueen win the big race. David gets so excited watching this movie, even though he watches it almost everyday. It was fun to be a kid even for a few hours. :)

God knew that I needed this blessed time. He has provided me a family here in Poland to help ease the pain of being so far away from my Denver family.

He has provided for me this whole summer as I have been one handed. I now have my brace off and am trying to rehab. I almost wish I still had the brace because the pain is much greater now due to the muscles and tendons being immobile for 6+ weeks. It is a good pain, though. I know I am healing! I am still taking mega doses of calcium! I take it is these effervescent tablets that taste great. They remind me of the "fizzy root beer" tablets I used to love when I was 5 years old! I wish we had those again! :)

Celebration of this Summer!

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:27:00 +0000

I made it!!! I am celebrating with dear freinds at one of the first Starbucks in Poland!!!

I also am celebrating getting my brace off this morning! Starbucks and freedom!!! Whahoo!!

I am so grateful for the way that God has met my every need this summer, including a great Starbucks' Caramel Macchiato!
MmmmMmmm Good!

I could get used to this. . . .can we say new office if it comes to Katowice? :)

Looking Back At All God Did This Summer!

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:02:00 +0000

God moved in wonderful ways this summer! I wanted you to see some the faces of the young people you prayed for. There are a lot of faces! Each one is a life who has heard the whole story of God this summer.

At the last camp I did something I did not think I ever would do. I told the last story of God entitled "The Church". It was a joy and I truly felt the responsibility of sharing God's story with so many people at one time.

Shoulder update:
My shoulder is feeling better. I will find out on Friday if I can FINALLY get this brace off. I have been able to partially take it off to keep my arm moving and can tell that I will ave to continue to be careful with my wounded wing. :)

Two More Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:56:00 +0000

I went to the doctor this week. My shoulder is healing very nicely, but I have to wear this thing for two more weeks! That means two more weeks of typing with just one hand, two more weeks of cooking very simple stuff because I can't cut anything, two more weeks of not having a real shower and having my hair washed for me, two more weeks of no being able to go anywhere or sleep soundly.

I am not complaining, or do not mean to. I guess right now as everyone around me is going on vacation and I was to leave for London on Wednesday, I am feeling a bit sorry for myself. Traveling with my arm this way is a "no go."

I do know though that God is good and He has taken good care of me so far.

The Last Camp of the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:42:00 +0000

As soon as I get use of my other hand, I will be blogging like crazy. It is hard to blog with only one hand. Our camp has been great. it is different in that most are from church and everyone is participating! We don't have a group who is uninterested and stands off to the corner to try to get out of things. It is also a real challenge to track with everyone, but is is good to see how some of the leaders are watching the interns and seeing how leadership should look like.

I am real tired tonight, so will sign off right now. My shoulder s doing better. It hurts more, but I think it is because it is really healing. Next week I find out if I get to get rid if the brace or if I need it for two more weeks.

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:42:00 +0000

So Far, So Good

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:27:00 +0000

Just want to let you all know that I am healing and learning how to live like my dear friend in Denver, Bekah. I have no idea how she has learned how to cook and cleaned with only one hand, but I am getting a taste of it! I admire you on a different level, Bekah!

Please pray thayt I will be feeling well enough to go to camp next week!

:)

A Bad Picture, But You Get The Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:12:00 +0000

So this is what my neighbor and I call "the blue blob". He is my buddy for the next 3-5 weeks. I have to wear it while sleeping too which has made me move to my couch for extra support. It has been hard to do everything with only one hand.

Shoulder Update

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:43:00 +0000

Well, I am now one handed when it comes to anything including typing. I cannot take a photo of myself right now, but I found a picture of the sling that is now part of my body for the next 4-6 weeks.

Note: I don't know of ANYONE who would be smiling that much if they had to wear this thing. I cannot talk it off except to wash up and change my shirt. My arm must be held up at all times with the kind if fracture I have.

My neighbors have been a godsend to me. Mira is a doctor at the University hospital here and got me into the best doctors they have. Anna comes and helps me through the Polish socialized medicine red tape, helps me wash and washes my hair for me. Romic is here helping with anything I need in my home. Eva will be coming home this week from her camp, but has promised me to take care of my back yard for me. I have been praying for a way to get closer to my neighbors and God is using this experience to use my weakness to bring us closer together.

Good news: NO OPERATION!!! Bad news: 3-4 month recovery after the brace comes off.

The Cost of Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:24:00 +0000

I am now typing with one hand due to a little accident I had at camp. We were at our kielbasa grill and there was a short black bench. it was dark and I tripped and fell on my shoulder. I knew I did something bad to it, but did not want my leadership team to worry, so I made a joke. For the last two days I have been popping the Advil and called my neighbor who is a doctor. She got me in when I got back from camp and I found out that I fractured my shoulder. So I am now in a sling and will find out in five days what the next step will be.

Amazing what alittle sun will do!

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:29:00 +0000

It is amazing how The sunshine changeds The attitde of a whole camp. Our first fee days here was filled with rain, frustration, strasznie and honestly, it was The first time I felt like chucking it all and gong home. I had a shirts crisis and cried out to God. He answered and have me hope and strength.

The Next brought sunshine. The stress is still here, but the peace that only our Father can bring is here too!

Yesterday, we had a day away from Camp. We played paintball, did a topes course and Team building games. I had The priveledge of sitting out and spending that time with one of our Young leaders (she sprained her anckle) and was able to connectnwith here on a deeper level.

It has been a tough Camp. The enemy does not wsnt us to claim anymore for The Kingdom and he is fighting hard!!

Round One!

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:08:00 +0000

I leave in just a few hours to welcome 5 teams, one of which is my home church. I am excited to see old and new faces and invest a bit in each one! We will spend the next 1 1/2 days in Krakow and Auschwitz and then each team will disperse and go to their own camp. Next week we have 5 camps going at the same time. Wow! Lots of activity for the Kingdom! Please be in prayer for the hearts and minds of the Polish youth! I will update as much as I can!

Thanks!!!!

Camp Time

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Robbins) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:02:00 +0000

The weekend before is always stressful for me. I am anticipating each camp and the problems that can come with them. I also have to get everything done in my home to make it "summer proof". I will only be at home for a day or two after each camp so I like to leave it so that if I have any surprise guests it will not be a problem.

It is also a time when God reminds me in a very intimate way of the spiritual need of the Polish youth. As I am surrounded by them in a more intimate way, I find my heart grow heavier with the reality of the fact that out of 6 million Polish youth less than 1% have a personal relationship with Jesus. It Is always here, but when you have such a concentrated group in a "cloistered" situation, it becomes more real and you feel and hear the emptiness of each heart in a clearer way.

I love camp time time, yet it takes it's toll on my spirit. Please pray that I will fully engage and love this group of precious souls!