It's amazing what can happen in a day and how much things change even in a week.
This week I was able to celebrate my birthday at school and with friends throughout the week. The kids were so sweet giving my hugs and wishes. The teachers bought me flowers and another friend got me a bouquet of flowers too and brought her kids over to sing happy birthday to me. I then spent the day eating popcorn and enjoying a quiet evening at home. This was nice because the rest of my week proved to be a whirlwind.
We have had a group from America here visiting and it's been nice to have them here and to use them at school. Our english team has had a bit of a rough week as one of our girls needed to move back home. I know that i leave in June but for some reason this really impacted me more than I expected it too. I spent Thursday and Friday pretty sad just spending a lot of time praying even though I didn't get a lot of time to myself or at home. I think for me it's easier to be able to leave things and to say good-bye to people than for people to say good-bye to me.
On Friday I went for lunch to the family of one of my students. I've been to their house several times and this time was no different...lots of fun. But I didn't pay attention at first to the fact that it was Good Friday until she told me to sit down and eat the chicken she made for me. She then began to tell me I was the only one eating the chicken. And she wanted to explain to me that it's tradition in poland for them to not eat meat on Good Friday and I said I knew that but I didn't need to eat meat either. I am at their house! She wouldn't have it! So she piled the chicken on my plate and made me eat it while they waited for the fish to finish cooking. They said they knew how much I loved chicken and that not eating meat isn't a tradition for me so they wanted to cook chicken for me, and after the chicken I would eat the fish apart of their traditions. I was in tears. I mean it was totally against all cultural training I've had! I never would have expected extra food or thought anything of it if they cooked the fish and that's all we ate. But the fact that she made food just for me I feel so bad! At the same time so humbled and honored for her to want to make me feel comfortable.
Saturday I spent the day at my directors house with several people visiting. We had a delightful time together but of course busy and exciting. :) Today I went to my friend Maddie's parents house. Except Maddie wasn't there. I consider them to be one of my polish families so I was very comfortable with them. After we had breakfast I went to church (almost used the british way..."popped off" what is the world coming to?? At least i think it was british) and then came back for coffee and cake before lunch. This year the food was even better! I think it was better because I knew what I was going to be eating and was prepared and excited for it. But Maddie's parents don't speak fluent english and her grandparents were there (who speak NO english). We sat around and had a wonderful time speaking in polish. I was impressed with how much more this year we were able to talk! I think they enjoyed it too. They remind me of my mom's parents and so it was even more special. When Maddie's sister arrived she of course helped when I was beginning to get worn out from speaking so much polish. But it was a delightful time to be able to connect even more with this family. They truly mean a lot to me. Each person in this family has impacted me and I've been able to have phenomenal conversations with them. Praise God! While I'm thankful for Christ's sacrifice on the cross I am so thankful we gather to celebrate his resurrection each year.
I am ending tonight on a sadder note. My friend from college whose family I've asked many of you to pray for. She has a father who is very sick and the past few days have been extremely difficult for him. On Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ's raising from the dead and in the next few days this family also celebrates their father's eternal life with Christ. I ask that you keep this family in your prayers as they are an amazing witness to everyone they meet! And even in this heartbreaking time they still are praising God and witnessing to others!
I hope that you have had an amazing time with friends and family and you are all able to take some time to remember that Christ is Risen, for you!
This week I was able to celebrate my birthday at school and with friends throughout the week. The kids were so sweet giving my hugs and wishes. The teachers bought me flowers and another friend got me a bouquet of flowers too and brought her kids over to sing happy birthday to me. I then spent the day eating popcorn and enjoying a quiet evening at home. This was nice because the rest of my week proved to be a whirlwind.
We have had a group from America here visiting and it's been nice to have them here and to use them at school. Our english team has had a bit of a rough week as one of our girls needed to move back home. I know that i leave in June but for some reason this really impacted me more than I expected it too. I spent Thursday and Friday pretty sad just spending a lot of time praying even though I didn't get a lot of time to myself or at home. I think for me it's easier to be able to leave things and to say good-bye to people than for people to say good-bye to me.
On Friday I went for lunch to the family of one of my students. I've been to their house several times and this time was no different...lots of fun. But I didn't pay attention at first to the fact that it was Good Friday until she told me to sit down and eat the chicken she made for me. She then began to tell me I was the only one eating the chicken. And she wanted to explain to me that it's tradition in poland for them to not eat meat on Good Friday and I said I knew that but I didn't need to eat meat either. I am at their house! She wouldn't have it! So she piled the chicken on my plate and made me eat it while they waited for the fish to finish cooking. They said they knew how much I loved chicken and that not eating meat isn't a tradition for me so they wanted to cook chicken for me, and after the chicken I would eat the fish apart of their traditions. I was in tears. I mean it was totally against all cultural training I've had! I never would have expected extra food or thought anything of it if they cooked the fish and that's all we ate. But the fact that she made food just for me I feel so bad! At the same time so humbled and honored for her to want to make me feel comfortable.
Saturday I spent the day at my directors house with several people visiting. We had a delightful time together but of course busy and exciting. :) Today I went to my friend Maddie's parents house. Except Maddie wasn't there. I consider them to be one of my polish families so I was very comfortable with them. After we had breakfast I went to church (almost used the british way..."popped off" what is the world coming to?? At least i think it was british) and then came back for coffee and cake before lunch. This year the food was even better! I think it was better because I knew what I was going to be eating and was prepared and excited for it. But Maddie's parents don't speak fluent english and her grandparents were there (who speak NO english). We sat around and had a wonderful time speaking in polish. I was impressed with how much more this year we were able to talk! I think they enjoyed it too. They remind me of my mom's parents and so it was even more special. When Maddie's sister arrived she of course helped when I was beginning to get worn out from speaking so much polish. But it was a delightful time to be able to connect even more with this family. They truly mean a lot to me. Each person in this family has impacted me and I've been able to have phenomenal conversations with them. Praise God! While I'm thankful for Christ's sacrifice on the cross I am so thankful we gather to celebrate his resurrection each year.
I am ending tonight on a sadder note. My friend from college whose family I've asked many of you to pray for. She has a father who is very sick and the past few days have been extremely difficult for him. On Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ's raising from the dead and in the next few days this family also celebrates their father's eternal life with Christ. I ask that you keep this family in your prayers as they are an amazing witness to everyone they meet! And even in this heartbreaking time they still are praising God and witnessing to others!
I hope that you have had an amazing time with friends and family and you are all able to take some time to remember that Christ is Risen, for you!
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