Merry Christmas!

Roma Bible Study: Wednesday Evenings At The Home of A Roma Believer.

McKenna and Kari at Chocolada-Chocolate Smiles!

Eva and Sue at Chocolada

The 'Chocolada ladies'

Another Picture of the 'Chocolada Ladies'

And It came To Pass In Those Days, There Went Out A Decree From Caesar Augustus That All The World Should Be Taxed....and Joseph, Also, Went Up From Galilee..... Luke Ch. 2

I have known and loved this story from my earliest childhood memories. I can't even remember when it happened, but I read this story from the book of Luke, so many times, that somewhere along the way, I learned it by heart. When I am around someone who opens the book of Luke to chapter 2, I immediately begin to recite it from verse 1 through verse 14.

When I was about 12 years old, I remember being Mary in our church's Christmas program. As we all sang Silent Night, when the program was over, I recall feeling ecstatic at the visions formed in my mind, of the Baby Lord Jesus, The Stars shining serenely over Bethlehem, and the beautiful little lambs in the stable. I could 'see' the shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, the Angel of the Lord, surrounding the night sky, the shepherds, and the sheep, with a light so wonderful and bright, as it glittered on the snow covered ground-sparkling like a zillion tiny diamonds. I could hear their sweet melodious voices ringing out all over the land; "Fear Not, For BEHOLD! I bring You Good Tidings of Great Joy, Which Shall Be To All People! For Unto You a Savior Is Born...and This Shall Be a Sign Unto You: Ye Shall Find The Babe Wrapped In Swaddling Clothes, and Lying In a Manger!"

I Could 'see' the heavenly multitude praising God and Saying: "Glory To God In The Highest, Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men!"

In my young child's mind, this was all very simple and clear. There was nothing to fear or doubt. How we all should become like little children and 'see' the Glory of God!

Day before yesterday, Allan and I were talking about a message that Pastor Jim (Johnson) had preached one time, about the un-seen battles going on around us. We compared it to the great dynamics (un-seen) that go on inside of our bodies. Although we can't see these things, we know they exist. We know our heart is pumping our blood, we know that our cells are processing our food and oxygen and waste, we know that we are storing knowledge in our brain, however, we can see none of it.

It made us think about these un-seen battles for our walk with God, for our faith, our witness, our very souls (for those who are lost), battles that we know nothing about are being fought all around us.

We know that Satan is alive and well, and that he is going about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). We must be vigilant, yet we also must be like little children, having a pure and un-shakeable faith in our Lord Jesus.

As we come upon this holiday season, I think of many things from my childhood. There is just something about Christmas to me, that even the modern day commercialism can't take away!

It's the becoming a child again, the belief and knowledge that HE IS our Savior! He did come to save and redeem the world! My faith in God has been my salvation all my life. He knew me when He formed me in the womb, He watched over me and protected me, and loved me while I was yet a sinner, He kept me while I was rebellious, He never stopped pursuing me, even when I refused to listen to Him! He is faithful and will complete what He began in me! He is still working, daily in me, to make me more like Him, and that is my desire; Oh, to be more like Him!!!

I still have so much little girl in me, and I really never want to lose it. I want to be a child...HIS child. I want to obey and walk with my loving Father.

I am including in this very unusual blog, some pictures of an evening some of the girls here (with our organization), for our evening out...just being fun-loving, silly, and child-like.

We walked to town, to the square we call the Rynek, here in Krakow. We sang along the way, we talked with a "British" accent, we took different names for ourselves, we had a lot of fun, just being 'children' yes, me, too! (I'm actually the instigator!)

We went to a place called "chocolada" (chocolate in Polish), and we had the most delectable chocolate drinks,,,decadent in richness, and we laughed, joked with the waiter, took silly pictures, shopped, and just had fun, altogether.

I looked up at the night sky, very dark and mysterious, no stars seen, pitch black-was the sky, but I saw the twinkling Christmas tree lights, the bustling shoppers, the wares being sold in the little shops, the smell of foods being grilled for the shoppers to buy as they hurried about, I looked around me at this busy city, so far from my home and family and I silently thanked my God for His coming to save us. I thanked Him for the beauty of His universe, for His creation, for all the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon us, I thanked Him for my church, my family, my friends, I thanked Him for loving us all so much, and I thanked Him that He gave us the most precious gift of all- the gift of His salvation, His grace, His mercy and love, He gave HIMSELF for us, that we might live, by our own choice...to serve Him-as King Solomon says: I have considered the matter and have concluded that we have one purpose: To serve God, to know Him and to make Him known (paraphrased by myself)....Ecclesiastes 12:13

This season, as I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, I have a wish, that we all make Him known to even one person that does not know Him...that we proclaim Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men-For Unto YOU, a Savior Is Born Which is Christ The LORD!

May The God of Peace Be With You All!

In Christ Alone Our Hope Is Found!

Sue

The Fishermens Line

Krakow, Poland

Call Unto Me!

Jewish Synagogue in Prague

MK: Team Member!

Philip....How adorable!!

Another View of Prague's Jewish Synagogue-October,2008

Allan at an AMERICAN-Style Restaurant: Buffalo Bill's! Prague Conference Oct. 2008

Sue and Karen Prayer-Walking at Berkinau: We walked around the entire complex on Saturday

Miss Clare on the train to Prague! Isn't she a cutie!! She's one of our MK teammates!

Hotel in Prague. One of the thousands of beautiful buildings. Oct. 2008

Allan having a relaxed moment on the train to Prague. October, 2008

One of my MANY blessings!

Prague:

Sue on the bridge near the castle. October, 2008

The Fishermensline written from Krakow, Poland

October, 2008

Greetings from Krakow!

My dearest brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ,

I must apologize once again for my delay in updating the events that have taken place here in Poland (and elsewhere!).

After we returned from our medical trip to Budapest, we were back for one week and headed to Prague for about four days of conference (Ebenezer).

We had a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, and sharing what has happened and how we have been feeling about our time thus far, in our fields...for some were from Krakow, and many others from different parts of Central and Eastern Europe. We were able to make new friends and meet with old friends.

We were blessed with one day of sightseeing. After our arrival in Prague, Mark Edworthy took us on a 'whirlwind tour' so that we would know what to look for when we had time to explore a bit on our own.

One of my blessings while there, was hearing Karen Pearce speak. She also gave us a copy of the book she has written called "Being An Aroma of Christ". It is an excellent and encouraging book. If interested you may find it at your local Christian book store...I think you'd find it enlightening, regarding Harvest field- life and expectations! It's so true to how we have felt so many times.....I feel as if she's been 'inside my head!'

God bless you Karen and Preston! Now you have another prayer warrior in your court of PRAY-ers!

Well, I suppose one of the things on my mind is the recent Presidential election. Therefore, my title from Jeremiah 33:3. This is one of my favorite verses, because I have found His Word to be so absolutely true...God IS faithful! I am well aware of the millions of people who have prayed for this election in the hopes that the 'one who seems so against what God has taught us in His Word to do and not do' would not be elected. However, in His infinite wisdom and according to His perfect plan; God has chosen (through His Sovereignty), to allow the events that took place to be so. Nothing is a surprise to Him!

We know that God is sovereign! He builds up nations and kingdoms and He tears down nations and kingdoms. What we need to consider now, is to be in equally fervent prayer that our new president-elect will have his eyes opened to the truth of Gods sovereignty, and that he will change his mind about many of the plans he has for this country. It is my prayer that he will come to know that he got this position because of the Most High God of the universe, the creator, because of the plan God has for us, as a nation.

We all should be in prayer, continuously, about what we, the people need to do as well. Nothing is too big for our God! We still have the strongest voice on earth...the voices who call on our God to intervene on behalf of the nations. Our nation is in a terrible state of sin, abominable sin, and very grievous to God, our Father. Our country needs to see this truth and repent of the rampant sin in America. My prayer is that we will do so, and very soon!

Out Reach:

Allan and I are trying to venture out of the city more to do EV in some of the nearby towns and villages. We found that there are Roma in some of them, but have not been able to contact them yet. Please pray that we will be able to do so and that their hearts will be prepared to receive Gods Word!We visited a city near the Czech border a couple week-ends ago. There are Roma there. We had gone to attend a Jewish festival/Conference. Through a friend, we met a couple of British Christians, who showed us around the city and told us about Roma there. He didn't know exactly where, but he had seen them around town.

We've also been prayer-walking in Oswiecim (near Auschwitz and Berkinau) several times. We have added that city to the three regions we already have. It's less time that we can go to our regular areas, but this little town needs a lot of prayer. This is where people all over the world come to visit, dine,go sightseeing, hold conferences on the Holocaust, etc. There's a lot of dispute in the village right now, concerning the future of the area in connection to Auschwitz/Berkinau. It seems many people are attempting to make them more of a "Theme Park" style of museum! That, of course, will make it 'appear' less real and lessen the shock of the entire Holocaust! The shock of the TRUTH is what people need -always to remember, lest it happen again.

Today there is a funeral for the little baby I mentioned to you in previous letters. His name is Zacharias. He is the third baby this couple has lost to a respiratory disease. He has struggled to breathe the entire year that we have been here, and in fact, his entire little life. His mother and daddy have suctioned him since he was born. My heart goes out to this sweet Roma couple. Jerry said there will be three days of mourning together with friends and family. The day today will be long and sad, but one consolation is that they are believers. They have the certainty that they will see their children in heaven someday.

Family:

Michael seems to be doing fine. He's in language study and is very busy. We haven't talked on Skype for quite awhile and we aren't sure why. We have had several letters (e-mail) from him, though....Thank God for that! Please continue to pray for him as he does the work he loves so much! Oh, yes, we also met more of Michaels (From Va.) associates in Prague, and that was very nice!! They are all such a precious group.

Lora, Jim, Ryan, Ian, and Zane are well. The boys are in public school for the first time since maybe kindergarten/first grade. They all three enjoy it. Lora is doing things she hasn't been able to do for a long time....like more errands (Ha-Ha!). I don't think for a wife and mother, you can ever have really 'free' time! At least I never could (but then I was an obsessive-compulsive worker). Ryan wants to try out for basketball (of course we all think swimming would be best since he has an injured knee from football, and has always been an excellent swimmer!!) Pray for him that he will choose wisely!! Ian ran for student council and lost by only one vote! (and this is his first year in public school-I think that in itself is a great feat!) Zane is in Top Dog and he'senjoying school much more than when he was first "drafted by Mom!" Jim is very busy with family, job, and week-end GI Joe 'fun'!

He is still planning on leaving next summer. Please pray for all of my family as all these changes come about. Pray for strength, for wisdom, leaning on He Who is able to do all things! We need a lot of prayer about this, too. Knowing that Lora will be alone and have the boys to try to raise, once again, on her own. We think of the many needs of a young mom with three little (well, to me 12 and 14 are little!) boys, the long and hard Michigan winters, trouble with power outages, cars that won't start......well, you know as their mom and grandma (and dad/grandpa), that we'll have many concerns for them!!!

Changes in The Wind!

There are many changes coming within the "Company" this summer, also. The way people groups are divided is changing, new leaderships, moving to new locations, schools, and making new friends, contacts, etc. are some of the coming changes. Please pray for the leadership, other staff, and for all the "Laborers" everywhere. We are not sure how this will all work, as any change is usually challenging and a learning process for everyone. Pray for patience as the process unfolds.

I'm not sure how Poland and Krakow will be affected, but will try to keep you posted as we learn new information. Just know that your "LOTTIE " donations continue to be hard at work to best reach the UPG's of the nations! Pray for those who make decisions on behalf of the "Company Laborers" The ultimate goal is to "Know Jesus and make Him known!"

Thanskgiving!

We are so thankful for all of you who faithfully pray for us.

We are thankful for LOTTIE!

We are thankful for your sacrificial giving!

We are thankful for Pumpkin Pie!

We are Thankful for:

Lora, Jim, Michael, Ryan, Ian, and Zane!

I am Thankful for my precious, and most patient husband, Allan!

We are Thankful for God (through Dagmara) sending a translator for the Wednesday night Bible study! He is excellent, and his name is Tomasz. Pray for him, as he is also seeking the truth! This study will be helpful all around!!! God Knows what He is doing in all events, no matter how small they may seem to us!!! (nothing too great or too small for HIM)

We're Thankful for Gods Mercy, Love, Grace, Forgiveness, Longsuffering,

Wisdom, which He gives freely when we ask, for His Holy Spirit, for salvation through Christ Jesus, for all things that are from Him, for His gifts are good and from above. We Thank Him for WHO HE is, and that He loves us, unconditionally; even while we were yet sinners! We thank Him for allowing us to be His instruments of His Word-please pray that we do this faithfully, out of a loving and obedient heart! Pray that we will walk worthy of Him because HE DIED for us! We are Thankful for THAT!

Closing:

Well, I'll close for today. As Thanksgiving nears, I have so many things for which be thankful! I thank my God at every remembrance of YOU!

Please write to us and let us know HOW we can best pray for you!

We love each one of you! '" and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Ph.4:7)

I Th. 5:16-17

Matt.4:19

Eph. 4:30

The Fishermensline

Ul. Modrzewskiego 8/5

Krakow, Poland

31-216

Video Clip: Berkinau, near Auschwitz

Allan taping video during Prayer-Walk around the Berkinau Concentration Camp. October, 2008

Trip to Budapest!

Budapest, Hungary
Sept. 2008
Modern Building Downtown
The "Walking Street"
Very European!
See the difference where renovation is being done!
This along a side street...no matter where you go in Budapest, you'll find this wonderful archtecture!

Budapest, Hungary

Sept. 2008
One of the many beautiful buildings!
Along the Danube!
The River Danube

Sept. 2008
Parliament Building, Budapest

This is only a very small portion of the building!The other side, and each of the four sides are just as exquisitely beautiful!!

Greetings from Krakow,

May the Lord Bless you as you praise Him in all things! The past few weeks have been very hectic, to say the least. We have been in a virtual whirlwind of activity. Expecting things to slow a bit, we made our long put-off trip to Budapest for some medical work-up. Little did we know that our one week trip would turn into three weeks! Had we known, we would have made sure the potato and onion bin was emptied out!!!

You know though, that even the little things turn out ok. When we arrived back at the apartment-the veggies were still alive and well....no rotten veggies to be found!

Ok, now for the trip itself and to update you on the medical tests, etc. We left Krakow on August the 31st, on the night train to Budapest. The trip was un-eventful, and we were even able to sleep a little on the way down. We arrived at Kelety Station at about 0830 and were met by Glen Borders.

Glen took us to the Eden House, where we were met by his wife, Cile. As we were settled into our room, Cele took us to buy a few groceries for our 'weeks' stay.

This was on Sunday morning. On Sunday evening we attended the church service at Eden House. The music (led by Robert Rierson) was beautiful. The message given by Alvin Doyle was also a wonderful message from the Gospel of John.

Monday morning was our 41st anniversary. 41 years...wow! 41 years...wow!

It seems only yesterday, that Allan and I met, and just days ago since we held our precious Lora and Michael for the first time. Time truly does have a way of slipping away. God has so richly blessed us, that words fail me in trying to thank Him enough.

We had so many tests and labs drawn, that all I can tell you is that most things were good, some unchanged, and some new things going on.I know that most of you want to know about our health, so here's the brief summary:

Allan is now on blood pressure medication.Our doctor told us that he can only have kielbasa once a month for dessert! He must watch his salt (he's been told that by R.N. Weaver for years!!), yet she says that I may have his salt, because I need sodium.

He had to be fit for orthotics for his heel pain-we are calling this "transfer technique" it transfers his pain from his heels to his arches!!

He also needs to use lotion for severely dry skin...can you believe she recommended MY favorite-if he can get it (Hmmmmmm, maybe I can sell him some of mine-ha-ha!)- Jergens!!! A couple of his labs were abnormal, but then he is 61 now. Anyway, he seems to be in pretty good health for a kielbasa, salt, fat, buttery pop corn, ice cream,Frito-loving guy!

As for myself: my colonoscopy showed the (known ) collagenous and lymphocytic colitis with inflammation. There is a new thing, though-an ulcer in my stomach, which will be treated with antibiotics and prevacid for a couple of months, then re-evaluated in four months (H. Pylori +).

After avoiding anti-cholesterol meds for all my years.....I now must take meds for high cholesterol! Now, isn't this just life; I am long term vegetarian, no meat/dairy (but an occasional egg or cheese-rarely), and he eats every fat-laden thing he can find..and I have genetically high cholesterol, and now have to take meds for it. My doctor said, "you have done everything humanly possible and you have done all the right things, and I'm so sorry, but you must do this now." Ok. I am.

My Ophthalmology exam for Glaucoma (since 1999) was also not as good as I had hoped- pressure high in both eyes. He was amazed at my good vision though. He did write an Rx for reading glasses (he doesn't seem to think Wal Mart glasses are as good, for some reason!). Anyway, I will need an additional eye med added to my current med.

My stress test was abnormal-and still not determined as to why this is so. They did a Coronary PET scan, in which the results were good. PTL for that, as we have a strong cardiac history in my family.

Now for that beautiful city; Budapest! We were able to see a lot of the city between appointments, labs, etc.

Budapest is divided by the Blue Danube River. What an enchanting city! The architecture is awesome. The detailed beauty of each building seems more delightful than the one we saw before it. The old Parliament building was one of the most beautiful man-made creations I've seen anywhere. God has certainly blessed man with an incredible gift for design, detail, and craftsmanship! We took a lot of pictures during our time there, and I hope some of them will give you an idea of how lovely this city really is.

One of my most memorable times in Budapest was at the Budapest International Fellowship Church. The pastor spoke one day of the praise and worship of our God. As I had just begun reading a book by Tommy Tenney called "Finding Favor With the King" (highly recommend it, too!!)I was very interested in this particular message. As I listened to this parallel to the book I was reading, I began to think about what he was saying.

The pastor was talking about God inhabiting our praise and worship. Just as the book was talking about how much God loves our worship, and how He responds to our worship far more than anything else we can do. This message made an impact on my thinking. Many times we hear pastors preach about our sort of making God out to be our "demands of needs and wants" supplier. To be honest, it's so good to know that our Father really does care about every small and great detail of our daily life. Yet as parents, we know how special it is to be appreciated and loved, and obeyed.

How often we'd love to have our children (at any age) tell us how much they love and appreciate us, and to not only speak the words, but to show us through their actions! Just as we feel taken for granted and not appreciated at times, so does our Father!

Can you imagine that He would just love for us to come before Him just to worship and adore, praise, thank, and glorify Him without a long list of do's and dont's! How often do we do that? I have decided to make it a point to NOT ask for things every time I come before Him. I have usually used the ACTS form of prayer in the past (A for Adoration, C for confession, T for thanksgiving, S for supplication), but I am re-thinking my prayer life!

Adoration, Adoration, Adoration!

I will always continue my supplication and intercessory prayer, of course! I am a committed prayer-walking warrior. I am a committed down on my knees and flat on my face prayer warrior. I awaken in the early morning hours, and I am and have been for years, and worship God with adoration and praise-before I even get out of bed warrior......but I want a new level of closeness with my Lord. I want Him to inhabit my praise and worship! I want Him to whisper things to me and tell me things that are "great and mighty" (Jer. 33:3).I want to dwell in his secret place (Ps.91:1).

I am telling you all of this because I desire that you will pray for me, as I have such a desire that God will hear me when I call, that He will tell me what He wants me to do/know/see/understand and learn from Him and His Word!

There is a desire that God has placed in my heart, for America, for Poland, and for China, as well as many other places....a desire to see these countries united in a common goal- God first in their governments and people and churches...to know WHO Jesus is! I also have come to love and have a very deep burden for the Hungarians during our three week visit there. They, too, have been victims of WWII and the dictatorship of Communism. They too, need to know God and His free gift of mercy and grace, His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ!

I am praying about some things that I feel certain that God is wanting me to do. I have been asked by a Great Commission Church here to speak one Sunday, and share my testimony. I am thinking that God is leading me to also share Prayer-Walking for this city, with this church. Please be praying for me about this!

Another prayer request is that (last year I did the children's Christmas play), this year I am hoping to do a drama with the teens...please pray about this.

Back home, Jim is away again, so Lora an the boys are working toward getting homework, chores, etc. all taken care of. Jim is working very hard and is tired. Michael is happy in his new apartment in his city. He's in language school, and staying very busy. Ryan is hoping to come to see us and now he has yet another delay: he has injured his knee and is having physical therapy-so please pray for him, for healing...14 is too young for bad knees! Ian is getting good grades and very proud of that! (so are we!!). Zane is in "Top Dog" at school and hopes to win a trip to Traverse City this year. Ryan is in swimming, soccer, and Civil Air Patrol...so he really needs his knees! Lora is doing some ladies book studies and one of them is with my niece, Betty Sue (online). Pray for these precious souls, along with us! Thank you so much for these prayers for our family!!

In summary, we have had teams here all summer. The Clear Vision Drama Team, Hilton Head S.C. Team, IWC, Summer missionaries (Kate and Stacy), a team of football coaches, Hixon Church from Tn., Women of Hope with Paula Hemphill, Harvest Baptist Church, Sally Klein O'Connor, and numerous others. God has richly blessed the International Fellowship with wonderful, spirit-filled messages and music, testimonies, those who came to faith in Christ (and planning baptisms), services for the children, new people coming (so that we'll need a new building!), and just so many blessings altogether!

He has blessed the prayer -walking trips, the day camps, the over night camps, sports, English classes, Bible studies in homes, coffee house ministry, and we have all grown in our personal walk through the willingness to obey Him. Pray that we all keep the team spirit, through coming changes with the company, over the next few months. God is working and we need to be listening to where, when and how, so that we are in His will and not our own!

Please write to us and let us know how we can pray for you! Thank you all once again for your faithful prayers!! May God bless you, so that you may bless others, so that HIS name may be glorified in all the earth!

The Fishermensline

Matt. 4:19

I Th. 5:16-17

Eph. 4:30

Sue and Allan in Krakow

Rest and Renewal in the Polish Countryside

Isaiah 40:31 says, "They that wait upon the LORD, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." I remember a wonderful sermon once that told about not only waiting FOR the LORD, but waiting ON Him, as one who loves and serves Him out of that overwhelming love for Him. "Delight thyself in the LORD, and He will give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD, trust also, in HIM, and HE shall bring it to pass"

I'm sure I quote this quite often, but it's because I find such power in His truths! The verse above (paraphrased) says to trust in the LORD and do good, and you will feed (be fed by) HIS faithfulness! Psalm 37:3-5.

Father, I thank YOU for Your Faithfulness, for Your rest, for all that you do, and for WHO YOU ARE! I thank You, that You fill my heart with desires to serve, wait, and please You, as one who loves You with an overwhelming love. I thank You for giving such good gifts, as only You know how, when, and what to give according to what is best. I trust in You and Your Omniscience! I thank You for salvation in Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, The Savior of the world (John 14:6)

Below are pictures taken on my two day trip to have some badly needed rest. Dagmara invited me to visit, and it was such a blessing to be able to go there for a brief time. The air was pure and the weather perfect. As I looked out over the hills and valley's, I felt so rested and so close to God, I could almost see Him, painting the sky, setting the sun for the evening, and sprinkling the stars across a vast, beautiful night. I could almost feel His arms reaching toward me, and pulling me close to Himself. I could almost hear Him saying, "I Love You!" LISTEN, Can You Hear HIM? (Psalm 46:10
"be still, and know that I AM GOD.")


Dagny and Julia:
A Wonderful day for a walk into the nearby village!



Dagny, taken at the restaurant where the "best pierogi in all of Poland", is served, with a warm smile. Taken August, 2008

Beautiful Old Church Near Dagny's Country Home.
A View from The Hillside, Looking Toward The Village. This was the most peaceful time, and the most beautiful country that I've seen, since arriving in Poland! Isn't God Truly The Master of Landscapes?
One of the Oldest and Best Preserved Gothic Style Churches in all of Poland! The First Church was constructed in 1141, in the same location where a Slavonic Pagan Temple once stood. The inside walls are elegantly and artistically, painted with scenes of the Stations of The Cross and various other angelic and saintly scenes. It's quite beautiful and serene.
One ancient 'pole' from the pagan temple has been preserved unto this time, and the building is now part of UNESCO'S World Heritage List of The World's Most Precious Historic Sights. Certainly worth seeing, when you come to Krakow!


Singing In The Rain by Julia and Dagmara. Filmed on location at Dagmara's Country Home. August, 2008

Pictures From The Fishermensline in Krakow, Poland

Trees at Dagmara's Country Home.
Anna and I at Dagny's Country Home.
A Beautiful Castle near Dagny's Country Home, about one and half hour from Krakow, Poland
Some of the team from IWC, working in Nowa Huta in Krakow, Poland.


Joe and Elizabeth. Joe is with IWC and works with Life Way. Elizabeth is a team member, who came here with IWC for Ministry in the Park at Nowa Huta, in Krakow. July, 2008

On The Lake in Finland: Allan and Sue at AGM-June, 2008
The Jewish Synagogue in Krakow: One of Many, but the Only One Still In Operation! Notice The Ten Commandments at the Top Center of the Building!! It is so Beautiful Inside and Out.

Allan at the local Thai/VietNamese/Chinese Restaurant in our neighborhood. Taken the Day Avi left for Germany. The Great Hail Storm Day!!
Avi Snyder at the Same Restaurant. We had a nice, but short dinner, before Avi had to catch his flight back to his home, in Germany.....after The Great Hail Storm! Below:
Dagmara's Mother at Dagny's Country Home. It was a beautiful day and a great place away from the city heat and pollution. Dagny's home has dozens of beautiful fruit and nut trees, berries and beautiful roses, trees, and is quite a lovely retreat!

Rejoice Evermore!

Greetings From Krakow, Poland!

This evening, as I sit here in the apartment, trying to recall the many wonderful events of the past several weeks, I am overwhelmed with memories of so many faces, so many smiles, hugs, prayers, and of course, good-byes!

As I mentioned in the last blog, we had a wonderful time with the team from Hilton Head, S.C. We had camps, prayer-walking time, and of course, the wonderful music filling the air at the Compass Coffee House.

We had just had the pleasure of hosting a team from Clear Vision Drama. The team did the Resurrection Drama, and as many of you may recall, this was the drama we did in 2003 in Ecuador with IWC. Of course this particular drama brings back many memories of FBI church and my awesome mission trip. Many memories of this trip involve Michael, my son, who is far apart from us now, physically (as are all of our precious children), yet we are all together as one in spirit!

The Clear Vision team did several different skits while they were here, and we, along with many nationals, were so blessed to have them, as they witnessed and gave glory to God, through their talent.

Shortly after the Clear Vision Team left, International World Changers arrived! The week was an awesome display of how God can work through us all, as we ministered to the neighborhood children! (II Timothy 3:15 and that from a child, thou hast known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through Faith, which is IN Christ Jesus). We shared His love and His word with so many children, their parents, grandparents, and friends, that we could not number them. Yet we know that God knows each one of them! We were able to share the gospel with a young couple, many young adults, both men and women, and at least some grandparents! Please pray for these, whom God has placed within the sound of His Word. His Word will not return void, but will accomplish that for which it was sent and it will prosper. (Is. 55:11) paraphrased by me...Sue

IWC teams played basketball, soccer, frisbee, we did rope jumping, face painting, story telling, hop-scotch, ping pong, sang songs, and played games.

The big surprise came on the team's last day at the park, soft gentle rain, then down pouring, then soft again, gave us the desire to brave what ever came, go back to the park with umbrellas in hand, and say good-byes once again to the children, or whoever would brave the rain as well. As we arrived near the fence surrounding the park, we saw balloons! They were painted with cute little smiles and said "bye" in English. As we gathered around a little table, where we had been directed by the children (nationals), we were overjoyed to see the little party (in the rain), that they had worked to prepare for our last day! They served US this time; cookies and juice, hugs and smiles, tears, and last minute prayers for them to know Jesus more and more. We all sang Jesus Loves Me and held hands, and hesitated to leave the park.

We met many new family members once again, God has "enlarged our territories" Thank You, LORD! Your Love endures forever and You give good gifts to Your children!

The same day IWC left, we had a new team arrive! This team is from Tennessee (Hixon Baptist Church) and are here helping out to support us as well as a family here from their church (our team members Shea and Rachel) It's so good to see our local churches in America, sharing their heart for God with the people of Poland. This team is amazing! Lisa is a very energetic, kid-oriented, talented, and 'not too shy' young lady, who has worked along with all of her team to bring a fun and exciting time to the Roma children in Day Camp last week. The children (and all the adults!) love her wonderful antics, and her way of sharing Jesus through her ship the 'S.S. Krakow', the many songs she taught them and her desire to know their songs of Jesus' love, also. They all have a true heart for serving God through their children's ministry, and we all appreciate them! By the way; this was a very rainy week also! PTL!! the earth needed a good bath, we suppose!

This week, the Hixon team are busy once again, sharing here in the city of Krakow, right here in our neighborhood park. Yesterday, it seems that most of the neighborhood was there having fun, singing, making stencil pictures and doing the hokey pokey, singing songs, and just having fun.

My friend, Dagmara, had an opportunity to share with many of the neighborhood ladies, in their own language! She was thrilled to be able to do this for HIM! She's a university teacher, so teaching is her thing, and when she does it for the glory of God, she is thrilled. You can just see the love of Christ in her face and shining in her eyes.

Allan is at a Bible study at this time. He really enjoys this time, every week. The Roma children are at another camp with the local Baptist Church. They are in the mountains nearby, well, about an hour from the city. They were so excited to go, jumping up and down and carrying their little backpacks...they all jumped into the cars and van as soon as they could to make sure they got a seat! We didn't even leave for about an hour, but they wanted those seats!

Please pray for the teams as they minister in the many ways God has led them, and gifted them to do. Pray for us, as we host the many teams, that we will all be a strong witness and light, and that God will be glorified in all that we do!

Kate, one of our summer team members, just left this morning; bright and early! Stacy, our other summer team member, will leave us this Friday. We are all so sorry to see them go, yet we understand their family misses them terribly and are anxious for them to come back home!

We had a surprise going away party for them on Sunday after church. They were here for the entire summer, so we all got to love and appreciate them so much! We will truly miss them!!

Ryan is presently on his mission trip to New York, so please be praying this week for him! Pray for safety, fun, sharing Jesus with as many as God calls to them, and for God to use him, and for God's will in his life, always!

Lora, Ian, and Zane, are enjoying some time together this week (missing Ryan and Jim-since Jim is in Boston this week), but I'm sure they are having a good time being 'just the three' together.

I want to personally thank everyone who helped Ryan with his funding for the trip! Thank you so much, and may God bless you, and continue to bless you, SO THAT you may bless others, so that HIS name will be glorified!

Allan and I will be going to Budapest for physicals, the end of August.We will also have another Roma camp the week prior to that.

One very important thing; please pray for a lady named Sally, who will be coming to Krakow in August. She does an evangelical outreach through concerts. Pray for many to attend so that she can reach all that God is calling. The really wonderful thing about this is that Avi Snyder, whom you've heard us mention in many letters/blogs, has been putting this together. Avi is the European Director for Jews for Jesus. He and his wife, Ruth, live in Germany. Sally will be doing a concert in Germany, after leaving Krakow and Warsaw. Please ask God to help us with helping Sally with all the logistics, flyers, promotion, coffee house concert, or wherever God leads us to have the concert. We are very excited about this and want to make her visit here just as exciting for her as it is for us!! Most importantly we want God to be glorified and to see lost souls come to know Him!

Thank you so much for your prayers. Thank you for your faithfulness! Please let us know how we may pray for you! We love each one of you and thank our God for you!

I simply must add that may the Lord Jesus Christ be with the churches at Portland, Michigan, the First Baptist Church of Indialantic, Florida, and The RiverTown Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I also pray the Lord be with all of those who are praying for us in the many other churches throughout America and the many across the globe who are faithfully seeking His will for all Fishers of Men, for the Kingdom!

May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all and may you walk by Faith and not by sight!

I Thessalonians 5:16-17 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.

Matthew 4:19 Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!"

The Fishermens Line

Krakow, Poland

Allan and Sue Weaver

Ul. Modrzewskiego 8/5

Krakow, Poland

31-216

How Long Has It Been?

Sue: Finland Lupine!

Brenda Goss: Mmmm Good!

Allan: Finland AGM-2008

Sue and Allan:

Beautiful Lake!

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus!

Why have I titled this "How Long Has It Been"? (tell you later!!)

We just returned from our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Finland. This was an awesome time of fellowship, worship, and relaxation.

We had all been looking forward to this time of rest and renewal, and a time of learning from our fellow laborers in Christ.

We met new friends and talked with ones we had met shortly after our arrival in Poland. There have been many changes, developments, and plans for the coming months. Some have gone back to the states and some will be going shortly for trips stateside for short assignments there.

The location where AGM was held, was about three plus hours north of Helsinki (reindeer land!). The land of the "Midnight Sun" was very beautiful, to be sure! However, for those of us used to sleeping when it gets dark, it seemed 'bedtime' never arrived the entire week we were there!

Going to bed with full light was very difficult! Many times I awakened through the night and wondered, "is it morning yet?" Thankfully, we had Allan's cell phone for our alarm clock. We actually forgot our 'world traveler clock' I felt so lost without it..that darling little clock has been all over the world with us! I almost wanted to turn around and go back for it. (I doubt that the bus driver and the sixty-some others would have allowed that)

God blessed us during the trip, as usual. He is so amazing, and I fall more and more in love with Him every day. I delight to do Thy will, oh, Lord!

Arriving back in Krakow (about 3 a.m.) we were all so exhausted, we said our sleepy good byes and headed to our apartments, to fall into bed, hopefully to get some rest and prepare for the upcoming days with the new team in Krakow, that had arrived during our absence.

To me, just thinking about having enough energy to do anything made me tired! When I met them the next morning for a Prayer Walking tour, God blessed us all over again! These folks from Hilton Head, South Carolina, are nothing short of fabulous! As we walked, talked, and prayed, it seems once again, that God had enlarged our 'territories...our family'!!

I thought of the book, The Prayer of Jabez! "Oh, that You would bless me, and enlarge my territory, and that Your Hand will be with me..."

I read that little book a few years ago, and just happened to pick it up again in Finland, and it dawned on me during my Prayer Walk that God was forever 'enlarging our territory'!! Think about it! Since 2003, God has taken us to:

Ecuador, Taiwan, East Asia !!!, Thailand, East Asia!!! (again), Hong Kong, America, (Michigan, Florida, and all the states in between, Virginia (several times), Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Finland, and back to Poland. In October, we will be going to the Czech Republic and to Budapest, Hungary for a good physical, etc. Along the way, God has blessed us with many opportunities to meet some of the most wonderful family of HIS church, family members yet to be!, and many opportunities to share His love and His plan of salvation!

We both pray for more boldness! God has given us both the very strong desire to sow broadly. We hope to get a stamp made with the local church addresses, coffee house, International Fellowship address, etc., so that we can broadly sow seeds for His Kingdom!

Pray for us in this matter, because honestly, I believe God has called us to do this along with the Prayer Walking ministry, and He will see it through! We still have the Roma ministry, and I am still working to develop a Jewish ministry...speaking of which, Avi Snyder (Jews for Jesus, European Director) came to visit here in Krakow. It was wonderful visiting with him, as he shared his testimony with the International Fellowship, and attended meetings to begin preparing for an outreach here for next summer!!! Please be praying for this campaign (Behold Your God!), to reach Jews, FOR Jesus!!! This will be held during the Jewish Festival, so if any of you want to help in passing out tracts, flyers, prayer walk, etc., PLEASE join us!

My dear friend, Dagmara, has invited me to visit at her summer country home. I have seen this little village and it's devastatingly beautiful! There is a beautiful old castle nearby. Her land has all my favorite things in nature, such as; plum trees, apples, cherries, grapes, roses, lilacs, raspberries, and walnuts! She has an incredible view...and as you all know I NEED this fresh country air for at least a week-end! With the pollution and smog in Krakow, and having had laryngitis four times since our arrival in October, I believe this visit would be in order! I shall accept (I have, actually!).

Michael is on his vacation, and though I may not be able to talk about the location for reasons you may know, Please pray for him and for the two co-laborers who have gone along on a surfing vacation. Pray that they will have a relaxed time, enjoy the trip and be safe and that God will surround them with His protection. It's very difficult for us, not being able to even e-mail or Skype for over two weeks (and he's only been gone for two days!!)

These guys work very hard and long hours, and as you know, you are 'on mission' 24/7/365! You are always in the sharing HIM as you walk and talk along the way. If someone wants to meet with you at midnight, and this is the only chance you may have, you must be ready to share and give account for the hope that is in you!

Lora, Jim, Ryan, Ian, and Zane, are in transit right now, from a trip to Alabama. They left on Friday to visit Jim's mom and dad and some of his family who gathered in Huntsville. I'm sure they enjoyed the chance to see many of Jim's family, and for my grandsons to see their Alabama grandparents (Jim and Karen). They are all a great family, and I think we've had the pleasure of meeting most of them. I'm sure they got just a bit more spoiled by grandma Brannon. Please pray for all of them ,the older and the younger Brannons, and all those who will see their son, daddy, brother, and uncle go off to Iraq (we are still praying Kuwait!). We know that God is in control and HE has it all in His Hands!

The team from Hilton Head...well, one reason they are so amazing is that they sing Southern Gospel!! Growing up in Kentucky and Ohio (well Ohio isn't southern, but we had so many 'hillbillies' there that you would think you were in Kentucky!), anyway, growing up in both Ohio and Kentucky; that was my mother's music and so MY music! I grew up on Christian Southern Gospel and I love it! The team played at the coffee house on Friday night, and I was so tired (it starts at 8 p.m. until after 11 p.m.), but I am so glad we went to hear them...every song they sang took me back to the 1950-1980 (my mom died in 1980) era, and oh, what memories flooded my soul..."Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul!" and the title of the blog..."How Long Has It Been since you talked with the Lord, and knew that He cares for you, How Long since you stayed, on your knees and prayed....."

They sang, "Put Your Hand In the Hand of the Man from Galilee" and many more wonderful songs. I am so thankful that I went there that evening. They also played for us at the International Fellowship on Sunday night, which again, I'm thankful, because Dagmara was able to hear them and she, too, loves Southern Gospel and 'everything southern!!'

Dagmara teaches at one of the large universities here in Krakow. She teaches English, American History, and Literature. She's a very special lady with a beautiful little girl, Julia. I met her mother, Anna, today, who is also quite good in her English and used to teach English as well (at the university).

Allan is busy with the Roma, and I've been helping him as I am able to go with him. I enjoy working with them, and especially working with Allan, of course! Jerry hopes to move more to the north (Krakow is located in southern Poland), so that he can find more Roma in other areas, while Allan and I will work here.

International World Changers has a team arriving here on Friday. We will do some work near here, in the Nova Huta area of town. Then toward the end of July, another church (from Tennessee) will come to do a Roma camp for the young children.

Well, I must end this blog for this time. Please let us know how we can pray for you! We truly will pray and we truly do want you to make your requests known to us so that we can take them before the Throne of God in Jesus Name.

Please let us know about the blog and what you think about it!

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing! I Th. 5:16-17

Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" Matt. 4:19

May the Creator of the universe, your God, and my God, Bless you and be with you! 'May He enlarge your territories!'

In Christ Alone!

Sue and Allan

Fishermensline

Krakow, Poland

July 7, 2008

Music to HIS Ears!

Some of the Krakow Team at the Krakow Compass International Fellowship. (left to right are: Shea, Susie, Mark, Jacqui and Kari.

Krakow, Poland

Pictures During Prayer-Walking. Praying for Poland!

Allan on a Prayer Walking trip. We pray wherever we go and cover the people with intercessory prayer.

Dawn over The Space center. Is not our GOD so AWESOME in HIS Beauty!
Gee, I have not Prayer-walked here lately!!!

Visiting surrounding Churches in Poland...how wonderful that you can meet people from all over the world! God's Family is Faithful, because HE is faithful. He gives us GRACE and JOY Unspeakable!

Allan sitting in a service in a village about two hours away from where we live. Notice all the International Flags!

Allan is never without "witness" by the clothes he wears! He truly lives what he wears!

Inside the Temple Synagogue in Kazimierz. This is the Jewish section of Krakow. Not many Jewish people left here since WW II. Pray that they come to know the PRINCE of PEACE, Jeshua, the MESSIAH of the World!

This is the outside of the Temple Synagogue. If you are able to zoom in closely, you will see the "Ten Commandments" near the top of the building.

"Bind them on your foreheads and as fontlets between your eyes, and on your doorposts...

Sue (me) in front of the Temple Synagogue. This is the only synagogue still in operation here in Krakow. There are several others being used as museums, book stores, etc., however.

We hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures. IF you decide you want to come visit this historic city to PRAY for POLAND, Please let me know, and we will do everything we can to make it happen. Just ask the Lord to show you His will and be willing to listen and obey. Psalm 37:4-5!

May God richly BLESS you, so that you may BLESS others, so that HIS NAME may be GLORIFIED!

In Christ Alone!

The Fishermensline in Krakow

Fishers of Men:Matt.4:19

(Lives Are on the Line!)