Beat that, Santa!

As the preparations for Poland continue to take way, there are many things that continue to intrigue me as well as baffle me. Over the past few weeks I have been constantly surrounded by the concept of suffering and enduring (Philippians). Along with this concept of suffering and enduring comes the act of stretching and growing yourself. As I have been reading and hearing sermons about these topics I often find myself wondering if Poland is one of the ways that God is trying to stretch me. Is He trying to show me suffering and enduring? Will He open my eyes to something new? One thing for sure is that He has taught me complete trust and faith in Him. The ease of which everything has happened just continues to show me how much in control God really is, and how much I am NOT. I see the foolish things that I do in attempts to make sense of my life or to make my life work the way I want it to, and then I look at how God can take my foolish ideas and attempts and turn them in a complete 180 degree turn. Very baffling at how it happens!

It's hard to believe that in 3 weeks, ONLY 3 WEEKS, Dane and I will be in Poland. How crazy is that? So many things to do in such a little time. I keep thinking about the list that is constantly going on through my head...it's almost like Santa Clause's list of all the children wants. Think of how many children are on the earth, and how many of those children have wish lists of multiple toys and gadgets. That is how long my list is...if not bigger. I've got you beat Santa! Ok so maybe that is an exaggeration but it feels like my list is HUGE!

As I end this, I have one prayer request: Pray for the spiritual and mental preparation for the next 3 months. There is so much that is going to be done and we definitely do not want to be caught off guard.

Erich is out...

Green Roofs & Bananas for Monkeys

As we sit here in Panera Bread discussing ways to better our economy by adding green roofs to the zoo and growing banana trees for monkeys to operate machinery, we realize how ready we are to get out of the country and head on our way to Poland.

It's hard to believe we are leaving Louisville in 26 days. Less than a month. Less than 4 weeks. Are we prepared? The better question is "Is Poland prepared?" We don't think so...

Here is a quick update from each of our situations:

DANE - Funds are coming along, and prayers definitely are existent. I've still got a way to go, but it's a process and I trust it will take shape. Julie is teaching me basic Polish, and I am terrible at it. I will have it mastered by the 23rd though. Mark my words. Two last days of school and then I am done for good. Anyway we're pumped about being with the staff and seeing what God is doing through the youth of Poland.

ERICH - As the days continue to dwindle down, I realize that there is so much that needs to get done and work is not a priority.  Prayers are consistently being answered, Praise God!  Being in Poland for 3 months with the amazing staff is exciting.  But as I continue to hang out with Dane, I get even more excited about spending 3 months getting to know him and just enjoy what God is going to do through the both of us.  Will we be able to speak Polish by the time we get there?  I think we will ... as long as our prayers for knowledge and understanding are answered.

We're finalizing our packing lists now, and in order to consolidate space we're considering sharing 1 toothbrush, 1 stick of deoderant and Erich is planning on shaving his head to cut back on shampoo. We're not sure about the deoderant though. A man can't compromise when it comes to his High Endurance.

Until next time...Keep praying for the youth! Dzienki!

2009 Mi2 Interns Selected

Congratulations to the 2009 Mi2 Interns for being selected into the program! The 2009 Mi2 Poland interns are Dane Delozier and Erich Braden. This blog will serve as their main source of communication with their family, friends and supporters during their internship. Please check back often to see what they are up to and to see how you can pray for them more specifically!