Anabaptist International Ministries

Here’s what happened since our last update:

• School has a record attendance of 123 students. This keeps all the teachers busy with both groups and individual students. We planned a special evening for all the students and their families. We had a workshop to demonstrate and make sushi, and another to demonstrate artful doodling and decorate a long school banner. It was a great success, judging by all the smiles and how long people stayed to socialize!
• The youth in the church wanted to start holding activities together, so Sarah Sommers started a choir with them. They enjoy this very much and are planning something special for Christmas.
• The team packed and sent out 4,000 copies each of November and December Seed of Truth. We do this every other month and are glad to provide worthwhile reading material for believers all over Poland.
• November 1 is a church holiday where Polish people visit the graves of their departed family members and friends. They clean the graves, decorate them with flowers, and light candles and pray. These days we can see people carry armloads of flowers from the market to the cemetery. Many people tell us it’s a sad time for them, focusing on death.

We are seeking a single woman to join the volunteer teaching staff at Gateway to English, starting in September 2015. To volunteer or to recommend someone for this position, please contact Shannon Lehman at 814-789-2812 or sklmail124@gmail.com.

Our prayer and praise requests are updated at www.aimpoland.org/pray/.

Here’s what happened since our last update:

• We are encouraged to see young people with soft hearts. Viktoria is 18 and “happened” to find our church and enjoys coming. She also joined an English class in our school.
• Jonathan had a most unpleasant morning when his van tire was slashed. While he was changing it, his backpack was stolen from the back seat. In it was a new Macbook Air, camera, keys, passport, and considerable cash, since he’d just come from the bank. This is a fairly average small town, so it’s rather disconcerting to all of us to be so close to organized crime like this.
• We generally feel safe as we walk back and forth from school and home. The streets are fairly well lit after dark. The greatest threat is probably the drunks that we see at all hours outside our apartment block.
• Jura, 16, and Ola, 18, were baptized recently. Their testimony of searching for God’s will and wanting to be obedient to Him is beautiful to us, and it’s encouraging to see that God’s Spirit is still actively changing hearts.
• A Ukrainian family with 9 children and a grandmother has been coming about every other Sunday. They are currently being housed in a refugee camp near the Ukrainian border while they apply for legal residence in Poland. They are part of an Amish Mennonite church in Ukraine and wanted to leave before their sons were drafted into the army.
• Dervin Martin and Sarah Sommers arrived to join the team of teachers who already here—Marlin Hostetter, Jewel Gingerich, and Anita Yoder. The ladies moved to the apartment across from the market, vacating the “book apartment,” which is where the men live now.
• School started at Gateway to English, as well as school for Lavern and Jonathan’s families, which Sarah is teaching. The English school has a busy schedule of groups and individual lessons, and each week is settling into a more predictable routine. We are quickly coming to enjoy our students and the life they bring to the classroom.

Fees charged for English lessons cover much of the cost of operating the English school (Gateway to English), but some subsidy is required from donations. Contact us if you would like more information.

Financial support for the families working in Poland makes up a significant portion of the budget. To contribute to their support, simply earmark contributions accordingly. If you wish to pledge ongoing support, please contact Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394.

Our prayer and praise requests are updated at www.aimpoland.org/pray/.

Here’s what has happened since our last update.

• The main event of August was Hope Singers. The choir of 37, conducted by Lloyd Kauffman, toured to the northern, western, and eastern borders of Poland. There was exceptional openness and warmth from the audiences and many responded with invitations to come again in two years. We are grateful for this avenue of fellowship and mutual encouragement of believers in Poland.
• A Christian Ukranian family with nine children plus a grandmother came to Poland to escape the draft of their sons. They are currently in a refugee camp on the western border and are looking for fellowship with us and are looking for a house near here. In the refugee camp, they are the only believers and most of the others are Muslims. They very much miss their church and Christian school in Ukraine.
• Ria Wadel, who has taught English here for 4 years, returned to her family in Chambersburg, PA. Regina Yoder, who taught Lavern’s children for 2 years, returned to her family in Ireland.

In a few weeks, Gateway to English will open for a new school year. Fees charged for English lessons cover much of the cost of operating the English school, but some subsidy is required from donations. Contact us if you would like more information.

Financial support for the families working in Poland makes up a significant portion of the budget. If you wish to contribute to their support, simply earmark contributions accordingly. If you are led to pledge ongoing support, please contact Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394.

Please join us in prayer about these needs. We are seeking the Lord’s direction, and we invite you to join us in prayer for His provision. These personnel fill crucial roles in the work of AIM, and it is our prayer that God will provide people to do His work.

Our prayer and praise requests are updated at www.aimpoland.org/pray/.

Here’s what has happened since our last update.

• July was super intense with a record amount of comings, goings, and activities. Thank God things went well despite the hectic schedule.
• On the first day of July Regina, Anita, and Jewel returned to Poland from their short trips home.
• Several days later, the 10-member VBS team arrived to stay for two weeks. They were: Nate and Maria Waldron, Shannon Lehman, Atlee Graybill, Kendall and Amanda Glenn, Victoria Zehr, Priscilla Beiler, Martha Petrusevich, and Renae Mast. They were the main teachers, and worked beside local people who registered, translated, and facilitated each activity.
• In the first week, there were 100 children who came. The second week was held in a village school where 23-30 children enrolled. This was the first time the AIM team attempted anything on this scale, and it was a very positive time. We keenly felt God’s blessing and protection in many details.
• Martha and Renae were here as WATER girls, sent by Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute. They were here just over 3 weeks and were a welcome help to church women and preparations for Hope Singers.
• Lloyd and Mary Kauffman arrived several days ahead of Hope Singers, and spent an evening with the team.

As we enter the new fiscal year (starting July 1), we are deeply grateful for the provision God has made through His people in the past year. The budget for the coming year projects a need of over $11,000 in contributions per month to support two families and four volunteers, operate the English school, and to translate and distribute the Seed of Truth in Polish. We are grateful for your ongoing support.

Financial support for the families working in Poland makes up a significant portion of the budget. If you wish to contribute to their support, simply earmark contributions accordingly. If you are led to pledge ongoing support, please contact Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394.

Our prayer and praise requests are updated at www.aimpoland.org/pray/.

Here’s what has happened since our last update.

• Melvin and Sheila Lehman, AIM board member, visited for a week. They spent time with the team and old acquaintances. Laverns went with them to Gdansk for two days. Unfortunately, Lavern’s faithful van was stolen there, and hasn’t been recovered.
• Laverns hosted the end of the year barbecue for the English school. About 20 students and their families joined us for food and games. It was a beautiful evening of socializing outside the context of the classroom. Many students are already talking about coming back next year for lessons!
• Marlin Hostetter from PA has arrived to be one of the new teachers. He’s living in the summer cabin where John Smuckers used to live, and is taking daily Polish lessons. He also spends time at school in English classes, getting oriented in teaching. We are so grateful for him coming!
• Jewel went to the US for 3 weeks over the time of her sister’s wedding. Anita went to be with her family in Ireland for 10 days.
• Two Amish young men came to help with the remodeling in Lavern’s house. They are living with Marlin in the cabin and plan to stay as long as it takes to do the job.

As mentioned above, Lavern & Lolita’s van was recently stolen. If you would like to contribute toward a replacement, please contact Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394 for more information.

In addition, there is still a need for additional funds for the remodeling project on Lavern & Lolita’s house. For more information or to make a contribution, visit their gofundme project.

We are still seeking additional financial support for Jonathan & Heather. To date, we have received pledges or donations for $23,000 of the $33,500 needed for the first year of Jonathan & Heather’s time in Poland. To discuss the possibility of pledging ongoing support, please contact Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394.

Our prayer and praise requests are updated at www.aimpoland.org/pray/.

Here’s what has happened since our last update. Read More

Here’s what happened since our last update. Read More