Poland

The first weekend in April was Spring Break. Woo hoo!!

In February I mentioned to my friends, Glenn and Cile Borders that I was interested in helping some missionaries out during my spring break if they knew of anyone that could use an extra set of hands. The Borders are missionaries with the IMB and are apart of the Member Care team. The next day they sent an email to their supervisors, the Atkins. They are missionaries now serving in Slovakia that I had the pleasure of getting to know my senior year at Ouachita while they served as missionaries in residence and spent time together in Budapest when I first arrived here in August. (It is a rather small world we live in.) So the Atkins sent out an email telling their fellow team members who I am and the dates I was available within 30 minutes the Roberts responded. So off to Gdynsk, Poland I go.

The week was absolutely wonderful and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Here are a few pictures here and there of the week.

One night I got to spend the evening with these too lovely ladies, Ella and Macie while Mom and Dad went on a date night.

Bible Studies are hosted in their home twice a week. It was a very humbling experience to be apart of  Bible study in Polish and English and know that we serve the same God. The leader Luke talked about being thankful and continually giving thanks. We learn a lot about ourselves when we say what we are thankful for.

Angela, Ella and I went rock climbing with some of Ella's friends from school. 

The Roberts took me on a little tour through old town Gdynsk. We stopped in the pottery store, where I made a little purchase. All the pottery is handmade and hand painted. Serving dishes can be used in the oven as well. This picture doesn't quite do its justice. 

 We stopped in a candy shop and watched them make it. They were so kind to give us a little sampling. It was a hard candy that tasted similar to a Jolly Rancher but it had an image on the inside of it.

I cooked dinner one night. Their friend, Tracy from Karkow came to join us for the long weekend.

On Friday night the girls ministry had a sleepover. Angela taught a wonderful lesson on God's love for us.

Random things from the week:

I found a 7-Eleven in the airport in Malmo, Sweeden where I had a layover. Sadly they didn't have any Slurpee's but they did have Ben and Jerry's. 

Who needs bacon when you can just buy bacon fat?

TkMaxx the polish version of TjMaxx. 

The name of this grocery store translates to Lady bug and set up like an Aldi. I learned my lesson that they only accept cash in these stores. 

Macie's giggles were contagious. 

On the friday night sleepover, we also celebrated a birthday. I learned birthday celebrations are a little different. When it is your birthday it is your responsibility to host and you provide the party and food. Especially for the older generations, it is considered rude if you bring dessert or something to someone's birthday dinner. 

A trail by their home. It was so peaceful. 

This was ironic to me - snow on the beach. The body of water in the picture is the Baltic Sea.

It was absolutely a wonderful week and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I am so thankful for the Roberts family! I hope that I was able to be a blessing as much as they were to me.