Merry Christmas!

Wesolych Swiat from the Winans family in Poland!

Late Pics

Random pictures from the past month!

I did a mini unit on Christmas symbols... any guess which symbol these boys are illustrating?!

The school's Christmas tree!  Ornaments are consistent with Polish tradition:  dried fruit and ornaments made out of straw, lace and bark!

Beautiful stairwell going down the school's basement (gym and lockers).

Kaylor's class after their Christmas gift exchange on St. Mikolaj Day.

The youngest two grades during their gift exchange.

Last year the school participated in a "gift drive" (there's a Polish organization that runs it... just don't remember the name) where each class had a family to buy gifts for... everything from kitchen and bath supplies to clothing and gifts.  On St. Mikolaj Day, the entire school participated in organizing, sorting, boxing, and wrapping up the gifts.  It was way cool to see the kids so excited to give in this way.

Kaylor's class posing with their Christmas cards they created for her class back in the states at Nashua Christian Academy.  Needless to say, we just got them sent out this week... guess they'll be New Year cards!! 

Exodus 15, Proem's band, was asked by the big mall (Manufaktura) in Lodz to put on a Christmas concert.  It was fun going over on a Friday night (although traffic caused us to get there late!) and see people walking through the mall and then stopping to hear them sing and play! 

The church's iCafe... open to the public during the day and widely used! 

Kaylor's half of the room. :)

Lauren's half of the room (with the cool skylight!)

Dzien Swietego Mikolaja!

Happy St. Mikolaj!  Today, December 6th, St. Nicholas is celebrated... children awake to a small present, typically candy or food of some sort, and I'm told usually under their pillow.  Yes, St. Nicholas (aka Santa) visited the girls!!  Then, the kids eagerly await Christmas Eve and see if St. Nick brought the presents they requested in their letters to him.  Traditionally, in Poland, they celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with a dinner once they've seen the "star" in the sky.  Then, after dinner, they get to open presents.  So far, this is what I've learned, so I shall see what else I learn or what I've gotten wrong!!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Well, now that we are 4 days into December, it seems only fitting to extend our Thanksgiving greetings and reflect on all that I am thankful for as we've now been here 4 months.

First, I am thankful for those who have partnered with us financially month to month.   Your monthly commitment allows us to be here in Poland serving with ProEm. It pays for our heat (and we need it now!), our water and keeps food in our bellies.   It seems so one sided... as we are the ones who get to meet some incredible Polish people.   Our only wish is that you could meet them too!

Second, I am thankful for our prayer warriors!  Obviously, we've had lots of challenges, but we've seen over and over how God alone sustains us... how He takes fear and sadness and refines it to a deeper faith.

Third, I am thankful for being able to witness His handiwork here in Poland.  I've heard countless stories, and even have had the privilege to be a part of some of His work through circumstances in our own lives.

Fourth, I am thankful to be serving with Proem (this goes with point 1 and 3!)... there's alot of excitement in the air!   From Journey to Bethlehem (expecting 1500 people!!!!) to the new office space in Lodz (called P109)... to growth at the Tomy church.  I'm very mindful, that us being here has nothing to do with the excellence of the ministry itself.  The Polish people that make up Proem are incredible and have such a deep desire to share His love and message to their fellow countrymen.

There is a distinct awareness that I am very limited; simply because I don't have enough Polish to communicate.  So- I just strive to be excellent in my teaching, working diligently in the teacher's room and laugh with the other Polish teachers at my inability to learn Polish when they try and teach me something, and continue to take advantage of those little moments when I meet parents and "try" to share how their son/daughter is doing.  I just try my best to pour Jesus' love out on the students and the other teachers.  I really LOVE teaching at the Tomek school!

Fifth,  I am thankful for the relationship Josh has built through his help with the PE teacher at the Tomek school.  Pray for Bartek and his family.... we want to invite them over sometime, but have had to postpone it until the coming new year!  He had lived in England for three years, so he was excited to have the girls in class and practice his English again.  It's been convenient for Josh as they can easily communicate with one another.  I am eager to meet his wife and their children.  Josh is in the same boat as me with having to focus on our energies in leading by example and just being open to the fact that we are here to serve alongside, not through leading with words or being in charge of something.  It truly helps sooo much in knowing the heart language of the people your are serving, so it's frustrating when we are hindered in doing so with only knowing the basic survival phrases and words!

Sixth, I am thankful for God's care and concern for the girls.  Overall, the adjustments have been good. We continue to focus on the fact that God has given us such an incredible gift in having this opportunity to live in another country, instead of focusing on how much we may miss "home" (friends, school, family, etc).  They recognize that they've met wonderful new friends and people, get to have Mommy walk and work in their same school all day, and experience so many "new" things.  I am confident that they'll reflect on this time in their lives with fond memories.  The best thing about it is that we are only four months into it!

Honestly, there is just so much that I could write about in regards to my thankfulness.  I am thankful for your patience when I don't post nearly enough with what I should!

I will close this post up for now....post a picture of the girls in London's airport when we were coming back a couple weeks ago from Wisconsin.   God bless!!

Back in Poland

Thank you for the prayers on behalf of my family.  Hours after we arrived back in Wisconsin, my uncle passed away.  My mother, his wife, and all his children were with him.  I went and spent the day with all of them.  It was an incredible blessing for me to spend that time with my family.  I got to see other family members and cousins I haven't seen for awhile.  I'm so glad we made the decision to all return.  Having the girls there helped my mother out a lot as well.  It's still so hard to imagine that within 6 short months of receiving such tragic news that he had a brain tumor, that he is now gone.  Please continue to lift up my cousins, Greg, Carol, Kristie, Jason and my aunt, Jane.  We had our Thanksgiving meal together the night before we came back to Poland and it was just a sad reminder that Uncle Bill is really gone.  So, again, thank you for your continued prayers and it is nice to be back here in Poland and looking forward to finishing this next month strong!  We are looking at being creative in how to decorate our apartment for Christmas!!  Any suggestions or ideas are welcome!

Heavy Hearts

Tomorrow we are leaving to head back to WI for a couple weeks.  Ann's uncle who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late April is not doing well.  We are anxious to be with our family and provide additional support for Ann's mother.  We'd appreciate your prayers and thoughts...

First snowfall!!!!

First snow fall of the year in Poland and I have to admit... we accumulated quite a bit when I initially thought it would just be snow flurries!  After attending the hilarious marriage seminar at Tomy Church, we went on a double date with our friend the Braden's.  We headed over in the snow to Lodz to go see the new James Bond movie.  When we came out that evening, the snow had picked up and swirling all around us... as you can see in the picture!!!

This was taken first thing in the morning... the girls couldn't wait to play in the snow on the balcony!

video!

Go to the following website and see the latest promo video for Journey to Bethlehem!  Josh is in it... I won't say where... but it's in the beginning... can you tell what he's doing?!!! He had a hilarious time doing it!  It's a silly, funny promo video... it captures the "wittiness" of those we work with here!
www.proem.pl

pics!

 The first basketball league game held at the community center type of gym in Tomaszow... can you find Josh?!

 A beautiful Autumn Sunday morning on our way to church- we have this beautiful tree-lined sidewalk down the middle of the streets (divides traffic on both sides).

 Kidstuf!  The first Sunday of every month they have a special service at the church for kids (see the cool stage set up!?).  Larger crowds on those weekends I hear!

 P109- the new office space for Proem on Pietrowski street (totally butchered the spelling) in Lodz- this was the grand opening!

 The girls and I on that really pretty street that P109 sits off of...

Can we say... rain coming?!!!

Kaylor's PE fieldtrip

Each week Kaylor gets to take a fieldtrip for PE class out to the camp.  Typically they ride bicycles.  Here's a picture of her classmates taking a break and they found huge mushrooms!  No, she didn't bring one home... she thought they were gross!

Pictures...

 View out our balcony looking west.

View out our balcony looking north.

Our living room (on the second floor)... before our "stuff" moved in!  Loving the black leather couch!  Majority of the furniture was furnished.  We had to buy new mattresses for our bed (due to my back) and gave the old ones to the girls since they didn't have beds!  LOVE Ikea, and am thankful Josh and my brother weren't opposed to shopping there a few times to get the things we needed (i.e. basic bed frames for the girls! they appreciate not having to sleep on the floor!)

Celebrating my brother's birthday... he came to help out for 2 weeks and we really miss having him here!!  Yes, it's bought "bundt" cake... no, I didn't bake it. :(  

This day was Monday, August 20... I had gone out to the courts to see Josh teaching baseball skills with a group of campers (this was the last week of summer camp: children's multisport camp) and brought my camera.  Because the group was so large, I decided to "help out" despite my back pain and tried to roll "grounders" to some girls.  I had much difficulty, but I was determined to help!  It was only a few hours later when I believe the disc pieces broke off and sent me into excruciating pain.  I always wonder whether my "helping" was the worse thing I could've done.  I'll never know, really, and it honestly doesn't matter anymore!!!  It was such a wonderful summer day....

 One of my most precious memories of being laid up and waiting until surgery.  People came to our room to worship... I was constantly aware of God's presence taking care of all my needs... I cherish that time being able to worship.  The girl to my right, Grace, had arrived the day everything went "south". She's been the one filling in for me at school.  She's Puerto Rican, came from Savanah, Georgia and came to intern with Proem for the year and offer Spanish classes in the evening.  Little did she know she'd be teaching English full-time!!!  She's a blessing!  The gal on my left, Karen, is from Kenya and is a university student studying economics here in Poland.  She came a few times to the hospital in Lodz as she was still living there (she's since moved to Warsaw to start her studies, she had been in Lodz at a language school for 9 months to learn Polish).  The night before I left the hospital, she ended up translating between the 3 other ladies in my room and myself... because of Karen's visit, she was instrumental in helping make my connection with the other women real!  The next day I left the hospital with tears of sadness for saying goodbye to those ladies... even despite our language barriers the majority of my time in the room with them.   Karen was a blessing!!  The others in the room are a group of Americans that came from Ohio... so much story with them... but they were God's gift sent to minister to me.

 This picture was taken by Josh on the girls' first day of school at Tomek.  Traditionally, children wear white shirts the first day of school in Poland.  

 Kaylor had taken this picture some time during the summer... I loved it because it reflected their enjoyment of walking/riding bikes with their friends (children of proem staffers).  These friends are precious to them!

The hospital had a beautiful courtyard that I was able to go down to and walk around in.  This was on Monday afternoon- after having a successful morning (no fainting!) of walking in the ward.  It did my body and soul good as I was pretty sad in the morning when I was missing being with the girls on their first day of school... my first day of school, too!   There was this nurse that had been with me for 3 days... and I appreciated God's humor in having him be my nurse, because he kept scolding me for walking like an old lady and he would give me a hard time about not doing things "right", but he knew his humor and words were motivating me!!  There were three nurses that really spoke English well during my stay there... I have some good "lost in translation" stories, however!!

 Our German friends, Arvid and Ingrid with their two boys... they had worked with proem for 1.5 years before the boys... and they spent their 3 weeks of summer vacation at camp- we hadn't seen them since 4 years ago!  It was great reconnecting.  We just a little "goody" package from them... German chocolate! 

Lauren's class... and my soon to be students!

Reminder...

I feel led to share this verse with you... and yes, it's the same as the one we put on our blog heading when we made it this Spring.... little did I know how much this verse would mean to us this year!  But after reading verses 16-18 this morning, I felt compelled to share it on the blog... the verses that come before what we used in the heading.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

I love it... just love it.

Surprises...

There is so much to update you on, that I don't know how to even start.  Most of you are probably aware of the "surprise" that we have encountered, but nonetheless, we wanted to use this blog as our main way of keeping our family, friends and partners connected with our life and ministry here in Poland.  Since my last post was August 13, I am so very sorry that I have not been able to update for almost a month!  Oh, how quickly things can change....

On Monday, August 20, everything changed.  After 2 months of trying to manage my lower back pain, things got much worse.  In a moment, I started experiencing a debilitating and excruciating pain down my left leg.  It was like my muscles wanted to explode.  After a phone call to a local doctor, I was able to get pain medicine the next day, but I endured a long night of having to sleep (try to sleep!) in only one position.  Once I was finally able to get a MRI done, we knew that we were dealing with a herniated disc in L5/S1 that had broken off into two pieces.  My only option was surgery.  As you can imagine, we were taken aback by the severity of the situation and the heaviness of knowing the decisions we had to make; decisions that could alter our year here in Poland.  We consulted with an excellent neurosurgeon here and had another in the states review my images and provide consultation.  It was best advised to stay and have the surgery done in Poland.  From a physical angle, we knew we were making the best decision as I could have surgery very soon, excellent surgeon to do the surgery, and traveling was dangerous and risky to even get back to the states.  From a God angle, we felt there was so much more going on... and my situation was a catalyst.

So- I had a successful surgery on Friday, August 31. Because I had been laid up for 2 weeks, suped up on pain medicine for that long prior to surgery, I had a couple tough days initially trying to get up and walking after the surgery.  I also have low blood pressure and not being able to sit at all (now for the next four weeks), made it difficult to go from a prone position to an upright one immediately.  BUT, I did... and after 6 full days in the hospital, I was able to leave on the 7th.

Much occurred for the girls and Josh during this "surprise" as well.  While in the hospital, Josh had to oversee and get all our bags from camp packed up and moved into our apartment in Tomaszow (day after surgery).  While in the hospital, the girls stayed with three different sets of friends.  My third day after surgery, the girls had to start their first day of school.  So Josh was able to be back with them to take them to school and then come back to Lodz where I was.  I don't think I have to go into detail the emotional struggles I had not being able to be there for this important milestone for the girls!

Indeed, this has been an extreme surprise, but much has been learned and experienced that I wouldn't trade.  We would make the same decision and do it all over again here.    I feel like I could write a book now!

So that in a nutshell is what's transpired in the last month for the Winans family in Poland.  We are trying to navigate these uncharted waters under extreme circumstances... but feel and know God's unfailing promises and presence.  We are surrounded by an incredible group of people who have been helping us and taking care of us every step of the way.  We are already aware of how God has been using this situation for His glory.  For that, I'm simply humbled and honored.

I will close up this "update" with a heartfelt appreciation for all of you who have been sustaining us with prayers and an apology for any of you who are hearing this for the first time, but know that there's still a long road ahead of us and will need continued and sustaining prayers!  Love to all.... Ann

Feels a bit like Fall!

Waking up this morning to cold air made it feel like Fall is just around the corner.  I think it's time to pull the winter clothes bag out of storage!  I thought I would have more time last week to keep the blog updated, however, there was just so little time to do so because I was much busier.  In addition, I was fighting a cold virus that I'm still recovering from.  It was not easy to teach and it was a struggle for me every day.  And yes, I am still struggling with sciatica.  It's slowly healing.

  I should've posted a note for all "prayer warriors" to pray, but sometimes we falter to just struggling through it all on our own.  That was me.  By Sunday, the flood of tears fell after it all came to a head for me.  Thankfully, God provided a good Polish friend at church who lent me her shoulder to cry on, her listening ear, and supportive hugs.  She also spoke words of reason and rationality, for I've been having difficulty with the girls and their obedience.  She's right.  They are trying to make sense of all they are experiencing... and trying to be "campers" was alot for them to take in.  Kaylor started off strong and ended up struggling by the end.  Lauren ended up strong by the end.  The key is a friend they can connect with, so I ask that you would be praying for them to find another friend this week that they would connect with.  They aren't campers this week, and we've given more leniency in how much they participate in.  Additionally, we are all living/sleeping together in a small room.  Quiet/break times are not necessarily providing what we need to refuel.  There is a lot of togetherness and pray that we would find a good balance in making it all work!

My friend, Magda, then took the girls and I to Spala (said Spawa) after church where there's a flea market every Sunday. We walked around and tasted some foods.  We then bought waffles that was covered in whip cream and fresh fruit or other toppings of choice.  It was a lot of fun.  Josh had taken our friend, Ryan who had joined us for the first two weeks, to the airport in Warsaw.  He managed to get there and back... and get gas... all on his own!

This week it's Fishart, which instead of offering English classes, they offer different clubs two times a day.  I'm doing a newspaper club and Josh is doing different American sports.  Other clubs are dance, photography, art, guitar, singing, etc.  It's a more "creative arts" focus for the week.  There are more kids this week compared to last week... 160!

By the way, it simply wouldn't be right to only touch on my cultural adjustments and not mention that out of the 154 campers last week, 110 had stayed to talk about decisions they wanted to make in their lives.  Remember the girls in the girls' cabin last week that I asked you to pray for?  Well, they all made decisions for Christ! I couldn't wait to share that!

 My English class.... yes, they gave me a run for my money.  I was in a loud location, which made it even harder for me to teach because I had no voice!!!

 Instead of English classes, the girls had Polish class.  This was their tutor, Marysia, who also lives in the same city we'll be living!  They had a great time and are practicing the Polish they are learning!

 This was the the girls' assistant counselor, Ala, who slept in the same room as Lauren.

 A group of girls Lauren hung around with.  She grew particular close to the girl on her left.

We discovered that Kaylor has a natural gift for rock climbing!  She loves it!

 This picture captures the one time rain actually hindered our activity!  We were just about to begin the "Olympics" and we were all getting to our stations on the court when the clouds let loose.  This shows how we all tried to find any form of shelter!

 Kaylor at the top of the rock wall.

 Lauren on stage for one of the worship songs.... in Polish!

 This is the sanctuary of Tomy Church.  Sometime we'll have to show a picture of their Internet Cafe that is open throughout the day as an outreach to the community.

 Kaylor's date to the banquet... our friend Tomek Penchek.

Lauren chose to go with a group of girls to the banquet.  We love banquet night... pizza!

Language Camp- Day 1

I will NOT let this post be about my ailments... but it's so CLASSiC that I would be starting language camp with a cold virus that is now causing me to lose my voice. yep- so classic!  I don't feel well, but still have to be on my "A" game.  I do thank God that I have HIS unlimited source to tap into, because there's no way I can manage without it!  Pray the cold will lift soon... my sciatica is letting up and I'm feeling so much better with that, so thank you to all who have been praying!  I'm just curious as to how I've been giving the "lot" of all these physical ailments?!!!!

We ended the international basketball camp week with around 31 campers who made decisions about Christ!  Some incredible life-changing things happened, which is great to be a part of.  Over 154 campers (ages 7-13) are here for language camp now.... all arriving today!  We had yesterday to do laundry and get into Tomaszow to get some items.  BUT,  guess who are going to be campers?!! Yep- the girls!  They are in cabin 8 with 4 other Polish girls.  Their English level is from little to alot (more in the medium to little range), which made for some funny moments.  Pray for Lauren... she had a hard time this late afternoon and evening with her decision to be "camper".  She was sad because she didn't have any "friends" (Kaylor is in the same cabin, but she didn't count!) and she was going through the whole language barrier thing.  I wasn't surprised she was having some doubts.  BUT, after our evening meeting and worship time (and my sitting with her with her group), I went with her and Kaylor to the cabin because Lauren was ready to meet the girls.  So, I "broke the ice" and got all the girls laughing at my trying to learn Polish from the girls and just trying to make Lauren comfortable.  It must've worked because when I said I should probably go and get to bed, she said she was fine and gave me a hug goodbye!  This is a big step for me as well, if I'm willing to admit so!  Pray for the girls... K & L and the others.... Ola, Olga, Ania, Suza... may God bless their week together and bless one another!

Heading to bed now! Night!

Wednesday

Drills and skills training... a guy named Patrick from a church in California is leading this portion.  He knows his stuff since he trains athletes for his profession!

I don't know what to even call this... but it looked killer!

 Ok, this is a little bird the girls and their friend Natalia tried to "save" and take care of.  It was the cutest thing and they were WAY serious about it.  They named the bird Kendle.  Sad thing... she somehow was "lost" yesterday.  The roof of their fortress (see below) was left off and they don't know what happened to it. :(  Needless to say, they were heartbroken and we prayed for her safety and return.  We shall see.....

Yes, they camoflouged rocks with moss and leaves and grass.  This was a huge undertaking by the kids and they dug up worms and everything!

International Basketball Camp

Today started their 2nd week of International Basketball Camp.  There are teams from the Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland and America.  Here are some pictures I took today.  We all slept very soundly, but jetlag did catch up to us mid-morning... naps were a must (well, at least for Josh and I!).

The Lodge... we are staying on the last room on the right.  The first level is the dining hall.  It has a beautiful deck to eat and hang out on.

Josh and Ryan (a friend of ours who finishing up his last year of college in sports management and who is joining us for two weeks here!) scouting out the talent for the younger group of guys.  Ryan looks like he wants to jump in the game!!  Then in a few hours, the "draft" will be announced.  It looks like I might be scorekeeper for some games this week!