Anabaptist International MinistriesDecember Update
In the English school, we have been amazed at the continued motivation of students. Last week several new prospective students came to the office to ask for lessons.
Coming up to the Christmas season, the church planned a special carol service. Lolita organized a program by the children’s choir, and there were other special singing groups. Even though the turnout was smaller than we’d been prepared for, we were happy to see the friends and students who came.
Haddasah, Ria, and Jewel are part of the Minsk choir. After intense rehearsing (all in Polish!) they enjoyed taking part in the choir’s Christmas concert at the old white church.
Financial and Personnel Needs
We are seeking a single man to teach English at Gateway to English, starting in September 2014. To volunteer or to recommend someone, please contact Matthew Mast at 814-789-4394 or homeoffice@aimpoland.org.
- As we continue to prepare for Jonathan and Heather Miller and their family to move to Poland, we are seeking for partners who will commit to regular, monthly financial support on their behalf. Pledges of support will enable the board to plan more effectively. The average monthly cost for a second family is at least $2,500. If the Lord leads you to partner with AIM in this way, please communicate your pledge to the board by email at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or phone at 814-789-4394.
- $3,000 is needed immediately for general operating expenses.
- On average over the past six months our expenses have exceeded income by $1,000 per month. This means that funds previously held in reserve have all been used. We are trusting the Lord to provide the needed funds for general operations.
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.
November Update
November Happenings
- The four teachers – Ria, Jewel, Regina and Anita, spent the first weekend of November in a small town two hours away. They came back feeling refreshed and relaxed.
- School is going well, both with groups and private students. There are the normal children and teen attitude issues, but everyone – students and teachers – are learning how to communicate effectively. Academic English is not the students’ greatest need and teachers are constantly needing to remember that communication is more than vocabulary and grammar.
- The school hosted a Thanksgiving evening for students and their families. Europeans are usually curious about the food and activities connected to this day that Americans value so much. We sang some songs for them, played games together, and served pumpkin pie, apple pie, cranberry salad, and warm spiced cider. It was a fun, sociable evening!
Personnel Update
- The board is grateful to announce that Jonathan and Heather Miller have agreed to serve in Poland. Jonathan and Heather are members at the Lighthouse congregation in Abbeville, South Carolina. They have three children, Damaris, Johann, and Patrick. Our plans are tentatively for them to move to Poland in early spring 2014. We thank God for providing this answer to our prayers!
- One young man has committed himself to teaching English in Poland and is willing go in February. However, we need a second volunteer in order for the logistics to work. If you are interested or have someone to suggest, please communicate with Matthew Mast at homeoffice@aimpoland.org or 814-789-4394.
Financial & Personnel Needs
- The Lord has provided our current needs. On average over the past five months expenses have exceeded income by $1,000 per month. Funds previously held in reserve have all been used. We are trusting the Lord to provide the needed funds for general operations.
- One of the major elements of preparation and planning for a second family is the need for additional financial support. For the past number of months the mission has squeaked by. The board desires to move forward in faith, but at the same time we feel the importance of counting the cost. We are seeking additional partners who will commit to regular, monthly financial support. Pledges of support will enable the board to plan more effectively. The average monthly cost for a second family is at least $2,500.
October Update
In October we had several special visitors who came for church services. Kalina was a former English student of Alison’s from several years ago, another was Leszyk, one of Lavern’s current students. Another was a local friend whose wife and children frequently attend our services, but he himself is a rather firm Catholic.
One Sunday a brother came to preach and share his story of how he was a priest, became born again, and eventually left the Catholics. We loved meeting his wife and two daughters with him. It was refreshing to hear about the simplicity of the Good News, and that no one is too bad or too good to accept it.
For one quick weekend, we had visitors from a fellowship in the west of Poland near the German border. There were three families and about six young men who came for a night and a day. These families are involved in foster care and adoption and most of them had six or more children. We enjoyed their fellowship and their deep care and concern for children and families. Our initial contact with them was through Seed of Truth magazines. Some of them were also here for our conference in the spring.
We are thankful for additional funds that helped us send Seed of Truth to all who ask for them. For several years, the supply couldn’t reach the demand. Now we can send out 4,000 copies to churches and individuals every month. The packaging day is always full of the activity of children and adults working together to label, count, fill, and tape envelopes and boxes.
Maria Wadel, who worked here 3 years and was home for the last year, has returned. We are so happy to have her back! Our short supply of teachers has required Lavern to teach, but now she can take on his classes. Lolita and the children are grateful to have Lavern at home in the evenings.
This is the season where Polish people clean and decorate the graves of their family members and light candles in their memory. It seems to be a very important tradition, and many people travel quite a distance to other towns to visit friends’ and relatives’ graves. It is sad to see this focus on death and the past instead of knowing the Light and Life of the world.
Financial and Personnel Needs
- $2,000 is needed immediately for the general budget.
- We are seeking a single man to teach English in Poland, starting in January or February 2014. This is a volunteer position. Housing and travel are provided by AIM, as well as a small monthly stipend. A two-year commitment is desired.
August Financial & Personnel Needs
Our financial and personnel needs for August include these items:
- $2000 for staff travel (needed mid-September)
- A family or couple to serve as business administrator.
August Happenings
- John and Laura Smucker, along with their two daughters Allison and Amanda, visited Poland to work through some legal tangles that came along with the sale of their house. They had a special time connecting with many of their friends here. Read More
July Happenings
- We are thanking God that there is a Christian family interested in buying John’s house. Jan and Asia Apanasewicz have nine children and have been living in a small apartment for years. They are sincere Christians and are planning to attend Agape Mennonite Fellowship. We are looking forward to their contribution here. They are hoping to move before school starts on September 1.
- A number of staff have terminated their service in Poland in July. Gideon and Esther Yutzy, with daughter Olivia, and Nate and Maria Waldron returned to the states while Carolyn Kauffman returned to her home in Australia. We miss them all, greatly appreciate their faithful and dedicated service for God in Poland, and wish them well as they continue to serve.
- Lavern and Lolita’s family are the only U.S. staff in Poland for the summer. It has been difficult adjusting to being here without the rest of the staff. We have had some good connection with church people, friends and neighbors.
- Lavern’s family traveled five hours west to a place near Gorzow Wlkp, near the German border, to visit a small conservative church. Some of the families had been at the conference in May, and had invited us to visit them. We really appreciated their commitment to living and worshiping simply and biblically. A number of these families are involved in foster care.
- Piotr Lawrynowicz traveled to the U.S. to join his wife, Jola, and children Zuzia, Zosia, and David, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The Dan Wadel family is hosting them until they return to Poland in a few weeks.
Summer 2013 Newletter
We’ve posted our summer 2013 newsletter. Read More
Hope Singers 2014
Registration is open for Hope Singers 2014! Would you or someone you know be interested in singing quality choral music all across Poland? Read More
