Review: 2009!

Okaaaaaay!

Well, It's now Christmas Eve., 2009! Wow!! Time has flown this past year and so much has happened that I truly don't know where to begin!!

I suppose I could try to re-cap 2009 from January until today.



Greetings to our beloved friends, family, and prayer warriors!

As you may know we returned in January from a trip to the Far East to visit Michael, and what a wonderful two weeks we had with him, his friends, family, and laborers for our Kingdom!!

I did a blog about the trip if you want to re-visit that site.

The summer in Poland was absolutely filled with so many exciting times, summer day trips to visit my friend, Dagmara and her daughter, Julia in her new summer home in Misclinice, Poland. We toured castles, the country side, beautiful restaurants, the Krakow Zoo, parks, and took long walks, drove up mountain sides, went to Zakopane, and just had so many special times together, I can't even begin to tell about all of the great times we shared together!

We had Roma camps with IWC (International World Changers...with whom I did my very first mission trip .....to Ecuador), we had a team for Roma camp from the Goss family's home church in Va., we did games, had singing, preaching, teaching, prize give-aways, testimonies, special music, dancing, bon-fires, souls coming to Jesus, new commitments, re-commitments, baptisms, and just about every wonderful event you could imagine......we were blessed to be a part of!

We prayer-walked all over Krakow, Misclinice, Oswiencem, Kazimierz, Zakopane, Nowa Huta, Skawina, Charznow, Budapest, Wieliczka...all over Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic..wherever the soul of our feet touched (Joshua 1),we prayed for the souls of Poland and it's surrounding areas!

In June we attended AGM in Eretria, Greece. What a very special treat! In addition to the most wonderful Greek foods, we enjoyed music, worship, preaching, special singing, games, fun, swimming, sunning by the pool, walking on the beach, moonlight walks around the retreat areas, shopping in the nearby village, the absolute BEST Baklava on earth, water aerobics (taught by yours truly, for about one and half hours), relaxing, the Lottie Moon auction...what great fun!, meeting with old friends from MLC (ILC now), sharing memories, talking about future plans, and again, just about everything one would want to do, to make their life enjoyable and content.

We made new friends, met old friends, and had the fantastic opportunity to worship the God of the Universe every moment of every day...to see more of His awesome creation, to spend time with Him, rest and recuperate and feel restored in body and spirit.

In May we had our vacation back to America to see our precious grandsons; Ryan, Ian, and Zane and our daughter, Lora, and our son-in-law, Jim, all of whom we'd not seen in way too long!

We enjoyed our time in the states, visiting our church in Portland, Michigan, spending time with "our boys", and just hanging out with friends and family. What a glorious blessing that was!! Thank You, Lord!

The summer was very busy with Roma camps, prayer-walking, International Fellowship Meetings, Street EV in Krakow and surrounding towns and villages, and various activities with the Roma and Krakow Teams. Time just seemed to speed by.

In July we made the decision to return home to America to be with our daughter, Lora, and our three Grandsons. Jim, our son-in-law, would be leaving for Iraq, so we had discussed and prayed about this since we heard that he would be leaving. We felt that God was leading us home, and we would continue His work there.

We left Poland in September this year (2009). We arrived in Michigan on Sept.6th. We moved into our new home on October 1st (this is the home Allan built before we moved to Poland and right after we returned from East Asia).

We were ecstatic to move into our brand new home! It was still in mint condition...thanks to God that we'd had excellent renters during our time in Poland!

We have been buying furniture, an auto, appliances, linens, dishes, and all that we would need to 'start over". ( we gave away/sold EVERYTHING we owned before we left for Asia!!) God has been so very gracious in supplying our needs! He IS so amazing, isn't He!?

Michael is still in Asia. We still MISS him terribly much! We still have the same heart for sharing Him all over the world. We still long to be in the 'field'. We miss our friends in Poland, Asia, and those who are scattered to the four corners of the earth, yet we know that we'll see them all again someday!!!!

Michael is still loving his work, Lora is home-schooling our three Grandsons. Jim is still in Iraq,

Allan and I are still seeking to do His work, and to please Him, above all things.

Today is Christmas. America is rapidly changing. We're in shock at some of the political happenings in our beloved country. We're in shock at things that have happened since we left in 2007. We still love and believe in America. We still have absolute faith that we will turn back to God, as a nation and a people. We pray for Obama, that his eyes and heart will be opened and turn to God and be led to do right for our country.

We are on our knees daily for the future of our country, for the lost, for our family, for our friends' families, for our church body, for the nations, for all the missionaries, for the saints of God, for our pastors, leaders, and for YOU!

We love you. We want to PRAY for YOU! Please let us know HOW we can pray and intercede before the throne of God on your behalf!!!

There are so many things and so many people to remember in prayer...no wonder Paul told the church at Thessaloniki to PRAY without CEASING! (I Th. 5:16-17).

I hope that you have had a tremendously wonderful year, and that your coming year of 2010 will be the most glorious, joy-filled, blessed, and peaceful year ever!

Thank you for your prayers, for the gifts, for all that you have done, who you are, and that you are joint heirs with Jesus...that makes us relatives IN HIM!

God bless you and keep you in His care!

Is. 30:21

Ep. 4:30

I Th. 5:16-18

Sue and Allan

The Fishermensline (Matt.4:19)

AGM R & R: A Little Time to Rest and Worship!!

Old Olive Tree

Another Olive Tree

Eretria, Greece

June 2009

Look carefully...you can see the little olives on the tree!

Allan and Seba

Train into Munich

June21,2009

Lunch in Athens

June 27, 2009

Leaving my beautiful, beautiful,

Greece! Thank You, Father, for this wonderful blessed time of worship and fellowship!

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus!

I Love Baptism Services! What a blessing it is to see our wonderful Polish friends immersed in the deep and loving personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! (has nothing to do with today's blog....just looking at pictures of the Baptisms!!)

We recently returned from our AGM (Annual General Meeting), in Eretria, Greece. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and worship!!

I've been thinking a lot about Greece since we left on Saturday the 27th of this month (June 2009). I've thought about the lovely island, the excellent food (especially the olives and baklava)...I've thought of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the Olive Trees, that I find so beautifully twisted and gnarled...tiny, green olives, shimmering in the sunlight among the pale green leaves, I've thought a lot about our friends...some of whom we had not seen since our days at MLC, and thought we'd never see again in this earthly life, I've pondered the excitement of the LMCO Auction and the wild abandoned way everyone throws caution to the wind, in favor of 'winning' the bid for an American or National product...usually difficult or impossible to find anywhere within reach...and so the bidding reaches fever pitch, until someone gives way (the plan is to donate to LMCO, anyway...so why not make it fun!!?) I have thought about the long hours of waiting at airports, and so you see, many things have taken up my wandering mind these past few days.

I have even thought about the exorbitant costs of such an undertaking...and I have asked myself a hundred times..... is it worth it (outside the awesomeness of the time on a luxury island), and I have asked God...is the money wisely spent?

Then I think about those in Russia, the Ukraine, Romania, East Asia, Africa, the desert of the middle east, the expanse of the Mongolian regions, the cold winters, the smog and air pollution, the struggles with trying to share the gospel in the deepest throes of Satan's clutches, the long periods of time without seeing friends, family, or loved ones, the tossing of highly valued words of Christ, on a tract, -into the nearest trash can, the frustration at trying to organize meetings and house church to ones who may or may not show, the long hours of prayer for someone-anyone to respond to Jesus' call in their life, The many times we work and pray and don't see any fruit (although we KNOW HE will faithfully bring the harvest in His timing), driving or getting around in a country village with no roads or road signs, being lost in a city and having no way to communicate, struggling on a day-to-day basis just to survive. I think about the people wanting to believe and being so confused; they synchronize all of their favorite parts of each 'faith' into their own special blend of 'religion' They come out with a 'melting pot' of religions, and need discipleship desperately...I think about the time, energy, and disappointments of trying to help them sort it all out, and they think they really 'have it, now'

I began to think about the loneliness and often times, depression, some go through...about to give up, wondering if people will ever see and know the truth, and worse yet, do they even want to know it? In my own mind, I can see Jesus, daily, going for His R&R...His walks and talks with His Father....I can see Him on that Greek island, sitting under the big, old, silvery-green leafed Olive Tree. (OK, not Greek Island!!!)

I can hear Him praying for His disciples and for the lost of the nations. I can see His footprints along the beach, His arms raised to heaven, smiling, talking to Abba Father. I can see Him also, under the many Olive Trees in Gethsemane.....crying out to God, "if it is possible, take this cup from me, yet not My will, but Thine be done!" The cup was not the cup of pain, or the cup of death, neither was it the cup of sorrows, nor fear, or mockery...it was the cup of all the sin of the world placed on Him in Atonement for every person that would EVER live and die, and all OUR sin forever....He agreed to do this- He CAME for this purpose....His brokenness was for the separation from His Father! He was broken beyond any human understanding.....He did it SO THAT we would NOT have to ever be separated from the Father, ourselves...not for a second!

Why, then, do we allow anything to grieve Him? Anything? What does this have to do with Greece, or any other AGM? It has to do with worship, praise, thankfulness, love, fellowship, and really taking time to appreciate our labor for the kingdom of God, and we do that effectively, when we rest in Him. It has to do with the gift of rest that God requires of us.

God has given us the ability and the finances to accomplish great and mighty things.....He has also given us a command to rest one day a week...many can not/will not do that while in their city, village, desert, tundra, or workplace of any kind (for various reasons).

********Prayer is not the prelude to our work- prayer IS our work! ********

The Board has, for years, given the missionaries and their families, the chance to have rest and recuperation, and with that comes opportunities for education, fellowship, music, training, activities with friends long-ago seen, a chance for our youth to share their field experiences, their 'ups and downs' with friends, to share talents (old and young alike), to hear the Word of God in our own language (equally as important as the nationals hearing it in theirs!).

The company, through the very generous LMCO and other offerings, has been able to make life in the field an enjoyable one....along with each pain and sorrow, hurt and disappointment, joys, and rejoicing, praise and testimony, we have security, safety, and a strong sense of stability and support. The many ways the LMCO supports the teams are too numerous to mention. The gratitude of the many families across the globe is beyond words! To say thank you sounds so weak, but we thank you from the very depth of our ability to communicate.....how can we say it- just THANK YOU!!! I thank my God at every remembrance of you!

Allan and I will be going home to Michigan in September, as many of you know. We will continue our faithful prayers, our blog, and will continue all personal e-mail (anyone who writes to us, we will answer a soon as possible!)

We have had the most blessed time in this walk with our Lord...and our walk is taking another turn, we don't know what is around the corner, or the next bend, we don't know what tomorrow holds-BUT we know WHO holds tomorrow!

We want to thank each one of you for your faithful prayers! We both thank you for your Christmas gifts and cards, for all the letters, and for reading the blog! We appreciate your prayers on behalf of our family, both in Michigan and East Asia. We thank you for your LMCO that makes it possible to do this work for our Lord, without too many distractions....the way the SBC does their missions is absolutely the best way among all the different organizations I've seen and been in contact with.....I pray that we will keep digging deep for the Storehouse of God's work for His laborers to reach the nations-Quickly!!

I awaken about five a.m. every morning with songs of praise and worship in my heart, I am so thankful for that. God has blessed us in so many ways...I love the song: He knows my name, He sees each tear that falls.....He knows my name, and hears me when I call! Isn't it the greatest blessing on earth, to know the God of all creation, hears us when we call, and really cares about our every concern! To be able to serve the Living God and have a close- friend relationship with Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior of the world! How truly awesome that is!

Think about this: we really do see dimly through a glass, and He will reveal Himself in His entirety one day...and we WILL know Him as fully as He NOW knows us! I'm looking forward to that day, when I see Him face-to-face, and I will know all....no questions needed!

Thank you for 'listening' to my heart today! let me know how I can pray for you, Please

In Christ Alone Our Hope Is Found!

Matt. 4:19

"I'll never know how much it cost, to see MY sin upon that cross!..." (thank You, Lord for taking MY place there!)

Sue and Allan Weaver

The Fishermensline

Krakow, Poland

June 30, 2009

Another Poem for Passover/Easter

Passover Week-End!
By-Sue Weaver
Friday April 10, 2009 (copyright)


I heard the shouting and the crying,
As I walked along the way-
I saw a mob had gathered…..
I’ll never forget that day!

I saw a man had been beaten,
His bones were showing through-
The bleeding flesh that hung so loosely,
His body was bent and broken, too.

Upon his head was a crown of thorns,
That pierced the skin upon his brow-
He stumbled through the streets that day,
He continued, but I don’t know how!

His eyes were swollen masses,
Of blood and bruises, and pain-
But as he stumbled along the street
He fell; then got up again!!!

The crowd was jeering as He walked,
The guards struck him in the face-
“Tell us who struck you, King!”
“Save Thyself, Thy Royal Grace!”

He looked into the crowd that day,
His eyes could barely see-
I caught the sadness in those eyes,
He was looking directly into me!

He saw the brokenness in my heart,
He saw my loneliness, and yes, my sin-
He pierced my soul with his depth of love,
He saw me deep within!

I shouted to the guards nearby,
“You must not do that to this man!”
They laughed at me and pushed me away,
“Who are you to tell us, stop us if you can!!”

The man was becoming weaker,
His steps were very slow-
The crowd was getting wilder,
“Crucify Him, Crucify Him, Hurry on, let us go!”

There was a woman in the crowd;
Whose eyes were filled with pain and fear-
“Oh, God, my God, He is my son, too,
Why have You brought Him here?”

“ I thought He would redeem the world,
I thought He would be King!
Have I understood so little?
Why have you done this thing?”

The man looked into her eyes,
And knew what she had felt-
He didn’t falter as he spoke to her,
As before him, his mother knelt.

He said, “This is the reason I came here,
For this moment, I Am sent to earth-
To redeem man’s soul for my Father,
To offer a second birth!

Now, I go unto my Father,
Where I have prepared a place-
For those who are willing to believe in me,
Find salvation, through my Father’s grace!

If I were not to suffer so,
If the cross I did not bear-
I would not be their redeemer,
And their sins would still be there!

But Because I have obeyed my Father,
And the work I have is nearly done-
I must continue in this way;
Until the victory, has been won!”

He looked up toward the sky;
And stumbled up toward that hill-
He had determined in Himself,
He must obey His Father’s will.

I watched in terror, as they placed the spikes,
Into his wrists that fateful day-
He willingly submitted to His death,
There was no other way!!

The crowd began to weep and wail,
As thunder and lightning filled the sky-
The darkness covered all the land,
As they watched their savior die!

The crowd began to change their mind,
About Whom they crucified-
“Surely, this is the Son of God!”
The crowd, who mocked; then cried.

“Father, please forgive them,
For they know not, what they do!”
Could this be the Son of God-
Who has done this thing for me and you!?

I fell down upon my face,
My heart completely broken-
I was absolutely certain,
To me, the man had spoken!

“If you had known the Father,
You would have known me, too!
You are forgiven, you sins are gone,
Yes, I AM, doing this for you!”

He cried out one last time’
His voice strong and not diminished-
“Into Thy hands, I commit my spirit-
And now, it is finished!”

This is not the end,
Of the story of my Lord-
On the third day He had risen,
And kept His promised Word!

He is coming back someday,
To take His children, his church, His bride-
To live eternally with the Father,
Forever at His side!

He’s Coming Soon!!!
Be Ready!

Pictures of Michael, etc!

Michael @ Airport: Dec.19, 2008

Michael's City.

Dec. 2008

Michael, Mom, and Dad

Christmas Season

2008

See, Isn't that the CUTEST smile!!!???

OOOOPS! I got this one twice!

Dec. 2008

Christmas with Michael!

Photos By-Sue and Allan

Fishermensline

Krakow, Poland

Link:
God of This City! By-Chris Tomlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk

Dagmara's Baptism: April 5, 2009 Krakow, Poland

A New Year Has Begun!

Michael,Mom and Dad
in EA

Michael

Julia (Dagmara's Daughter)

Dagmara at her Baptism!

April 5,2009

Krakow, Poland

Julia, Dagny, and Sue @ Dagmara's Baptism

Today is January 19, 2009, and as I sit here thinking about all the things that have taken place since I last did my Blog, I am wondering where to begin!

The year in review would be good, but first I would need to give you a bit of the story of our visit to East Asia, to see Michael.

On December 18, we took the express train to Warsaw to catch our flight to Asia. The train was about three hours . We quickly caught a taxi to the airport. The sky was cloudy and it was very cold...but we were so excited

to arrive in Asia and sunshine!!!

As we arrived in Michael's city, we went through the gate, straining our necks; camera in hand, to see Michael as soon as possible. Allan, of course, being a foot taller than I, saw him first. We got the camera ready and got the cutest picture of his handsome smiling face...the biggest and cutest smile I had seen for months!

Michael totally impressed us with his conversation in the national language with the taxi driver! This he did hundreds of times while we were there! We are very proud of his new language abilities!!!

We stayed awake until after two a.m. to talk and I could not stop staring at him....it had been over a year since I had seen him, and this was my first time away from him for that long!! Ever!!

Michael took us to many wonderful places to do sightseeing, eating, shopping, visiting with his friends, and other co-workers.

Our time there went by so quickly! It seemed just moments until time to leave! We thank God for this time with our son!

We, of course, took hundreds of pictures and videos. He took us to the southern-most part of the island. We stayed two nights in the south, and enjoyed every moment of our time together!

Our return to Poland was on January second. Our New Year's Eve with Michael was absolutely wonderful...a night of waiting for the New Year with many of his friends......our special time of fellowship, singing and in adoration of our Father, was overwhelmingly precious!

I wish I could say more about that, but some things must be left for personal visit time with you.

January, here in Poland, was also a very busy time of loving labor, joys, and disappointments. As we plan for summer teams, things seem to speed along, yet seem to go very slowly in other ways.

In February we went to Budapest for a 'quick medical follow up' which should have only been about one week. It turned into three weeks again. I was informed that I will need a cardiac catheterization due to family genes, and some other circumstances. It was scheduled for me at that time, but due to other considerations (again a time for personal discussion!), I decided to wait until we go home to America in May.

Please pray for me about the cath...not that I am concerned about the results...my lifestyle is totally opposite of my family members who have had seriously negative results ( we have an extremely strong heart history in my family)....I just want to get it over! Our time in Budapest was simply wonderful, again. Even with all the medical aspects, time there in worship and fellowship with others who are there for medical reasons, (among other reasons), those who live and work there, and meeting new people, spare time going about the city (while waiting for tests/results, etc.), is a nice time altogether.

Roma:

Mihelena, the Roma lady with the serious heart condition we have been praying for, finally got her by-pass surgery and is doing very well! She looked more energetic, and did have more energy. She was not looking as tired as before...PTL for that!

Allan's Bible study with the Roma is going well. He has a wonderful Polish translator (Tom), who is also a catholic (who does not attend mass), and is very eager to hear the gospel as he translates and has many questions! God is certainly using this Bible study time with the Roma to bring about other good things. Tom is also learning more about a people group that is much persecuted and hated by the most of society in Europe. He is enjoying this lesson in the Roma culture and seeing the believers heart! PTL for this also!

March has been very exciting so far. We have attended so many wonderful services! Saturday night (April 4) we attended a Shabbat Passover Seder at the Franciscan church...now here we have Polish Catholics, Messianic Jewish Believers, American Baptists, Polish Baptists, British Believers, and many others of different denominations....all having a fantastic time learning about the Passover and how the Old Testament Passover depicts the New Testament Passover and how it ALL points to Jesus the Messiah.

There was singing, dancing, instrumentals, teaching of the Seder Meal, and what each food represents, and all around joyful fun, worship, and fellowship. The guest speaker was a Messianic Rabi from America and Israel.

Sunday April 5th, my very close Polish friend, (whom I have mentioned to you several times) was Baptised!!! We had three Poles from our International Fellowship, who confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior, and obeyed His command to be baptised! PTL for this also!! HE is MIGHTY!

This coming Easter Sunday, we will have a Polish Traditional Gathering with Dagmara, Julia (her Daughter) and Anna (her mother). We're looking forward to this time of traditional fellowship with her family. Easter Monday, we are invited to Dagmara's new little home in a village nearby, called Mys'linice. (she sold her beautiful little country home; it was too much up keep for her). She's very excited about this new flat and its view of the mountains. She wants us to go there and have a picnic in the beautiful weather...our first of the spring!!

Also coming up in April: We are scheduled for the Auschwitz/Berkinau "March for the Living" on the 21st. The 20th will be a day of prayer for this annual-world event. People come from Israel, Poland, America, England, Germany, Italy, Austria...all over the world for this event. It's so great an even that all who attend must first get security clearance! Please pray for the event and for opportunities to share the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST!!!

So many of the Jewish people were told by the Nazis that Jesus hated them for killing Him! Please pray that this LIE can be revealed in their hearts, and that The WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE will be shown to them! Please pray for the PRINCE of PEACE to be made known to them...and only then will there be any real peace.

May upcoming: May 18th- HOME for three weeks!

Cardiac Cath; pray for a wonderful cardiologist and a successful outcome!

(In Michigan, I know none of the cardiologists...I know them in Florida, but that may not be an option!

June Upcoming: leave Michigan around the 8th (depending on medical, of course). June 21st, AGM for one week.

We have teams coming in July and August...please pray for them as God lays them on your heart. Please pray for the IWC team coming to work with the Roma again this summer.

Pray about the FBI (First Baptist Indialantic) team in August; that God will direct and we can get the details all worked out on both the Poland/USA ends.

Pray for our son, Michael in EA...language, relationships, sharing, energy, perseverance, rest, quiet time with HIM, discernment, health, traveling, co-laborers, and all that HE may place in your heart to pray about!

Pray for: Lora, Jim, Ryan, Ian, and Zane. Jim leaving for Afghanistan in June, for Lora and the boys left back home, school, growth in Him, the boys helping their mom while dad's away, health, homework, rest, enjoying good times together, summer church camp at Lake Ann, alone time with God! Please pray for Jim to grow in Christ and while he is away, that he can share Christ with his fellow servicemen/women, and be a witness and light for them to see Jesus in him. Please pray for his safety and health! Please pray for his safe and speedy return home to his family!!

Pray for us: that we will have many opportunities to share Gods Love and Faithfulness; Growth in our daily walk with Him, our Bible study with the Roma, our Roma team, the team here in Krakow (growing wondrously), pray for our trip home! Please pray for a young lady we met at the American Embassy. I invited her to the International Fellowship and Compass Coffee House (another of Krakow Team's ministries). She says that she will come, and she seems to be in need of support and fellowship of believers. Her name is Michelle. Also, Allan and I have both been sick for over a week...most people are saying this colf/flu/bug/whatever it is, lasts about a month! Pray that it will be over soon and we can get back to 'normal'! Ha-Ha: whatever 'normal' is!

Please let us know how we can pray for you! Remember to me, praying is my walk, my life, my love, my honor, my joy...if you don't' let me know how I can best pray for you-well, would you deny me my joy?? Please, let me know, so that I can pray for you specifically!

OK, I think this is quite long now....I will say bye for today. May the God of all peace and understanding, the Father of us all in Him, be with you, encourage you, bless you, and give abundantly to you, so that HIS name may be glorified in all the earth! I love you just as Jesus loves you and me!

The Fishermensline,

Sue and Allan

Krakow, Poland

Matt.4:19

Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you Fishers of Men"

P.S. I am so sorry, but this blog, began on January 19, was completed on April 7, 2009!