Eager May 2009 Prayer Update

Prayer Update

1. April 18th – 19th, we had the third annual Gospel Workshop where people learn songs through teachers (from England and Cracow) and give a concert Sunday evening. We really prayed that the Spirit would move and touch people's hearts. We believe He did and our prayer request now is that the Lord to continue working as we think of follow-up and for the salvation of several of the musicians who played in the band that are not saved. Pray for their salvation.

2. We still have a little more than a month of our English classes at the Coffee House. Spring fever has hit and many of the students would rather be outside than in the classroom! Pray as we finish the year (until June 10), that we would be faithful to prepare lessons and have good opportunities to talk about the Lord. Pray for spiritual fruit.

3. The King's Bible Study - (Our Great King’s Word is greater than the “Queen’s English” which by the way British English is taught here.J) This study is done Friday evenings in English geared for our English students. This is what we have prayed and longed for. We have been studying the parables and prayer. Our English students haven't come necessarily but others have been faithful and excited to come. There are contacts through English students and church people. Pray again for Spiritual fruit.

4. Our kids have school trips coming up. Andrew goes with his class from May 20-22 and Aaron goes with his class May 25-June 5. Pray for safety and fun and for them to be good witnesses.

5. Our church is doing well although it's still very small and it's still like a desert out there as far as Poles understanding their need for a personal Savior. People in church are growing in their walk and we have wonderful fellowship times. Please pray for a pastor in the right time. It's exciting because an elder/council group was just voted in. Pray for growth and Poles to come to Him. Pray for our contacts and friends to understand their need for Christ.

6. Pray for Jerry Skifstad (SEND Missionary) and Bruce and Linda Thomas (World Venture) as they raise support. They would all love to be here by the end of the summer. Jerry will be working with the youth and the Thomas’ will be teaching in the Language Center. We are looking forward to them joining us.

This field (Lubin is in the background) our children are sitting in will be physically harvested in several months – Please continue to pray for a great SPIRITUAL harvest in Poland!

May 2009 Eagers' Expressions

“GIANTS DO DIE, THE BIGGER THEY ARE, THE HARDER THEY FALL”
“Now we come in Your name and we stand on Your Word, what is loosed in the heavens, will be loosed on earth. Your praise will bring down strongholds. When you pray, you will see miracles. Just pray when things seem impossible and the King of Glory will show His glory; let God arise, giant, die.” (Donald Lawrence)

One song sung during the 3rd Lubin Gospel benefit concert.

Some Responses:

“I almost didn't come to the concert, but I'm so glad I did My being in the hospital for the last two weeks with surgeries on my heart with complications including a destroyed lung has led me to many doubts but I know that this giant will die and I have peace now.” (A young lady who came up to me after the concert)

“I didn't want anything to do with Christians but now I have seen things in a new way.” - Base guitarist

“I need to do some thinking” Was given a Bible. - Saxophonist

“I have started to read the Bible again after many years. It is amazing how it is possible to feel the closeness of God during this kind of concert. This was a personal experience of a miracle of God that I could come for the third time, once again see Wayne and Lea and to start reading the Bible again and praying and thanking God for every day.” - From a survey on our website

God is at work in the lives of people! (Visit our website for pictures www.logoslubin.pl)

Lubin Church Plant: God continues to teach the Lubin church plant many things such as: what it means to serve each other and not just “attend” and what it means to have a consistent passion for Christ and His Word. The church plant just recently saw the need to have a church council (elders) and voted in four people to take on this responsibility. Please pray that God would continue to help the church plant grow not only in numbers but also spiritually.

“Logos” Language Center: An English / Polish Bible study was started on February 20th with one of the desires being that some of the students from the Language Center would join. Every Friday some students as well as some others from the outside have joined the study. Please pray that God's Word would penetrate deeply into students' hearts.

Summer: On June 5-15 a group of 6 will be arriving from Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the things that they will be involved in are English conversations, business workshops, community social project, block party / family day, Sunday service involvement and work at a ladies shelter. Please pray that God would be preparing hearts to see their need for a Savior.

Family News: Spring fever has hit but kids, teachers and parents still have to persevere until the last day of school June 19th. Andrew and Aaron have school trips this month - one to the mountains and one to the sea. Alaina is enjoying reading. Carlene is continuing to enjoy teaching Polish kids English while at the same time making sure the Eager kids are developing their English skills. And, with the warmer weather Paul has been able to increase his R&R riding and running!

We are always, but especially during this tough economic time, so grateful for your continued prayers and support. We pray over and over for God to bless you as He knows how best to.

Blessings,
Paul, Carlene, Andrew, Aaron, Alaina

SEND International * PO Box 513 * Farmington, MI * 48332 * (248) 477-4210 * Info@send.org
ul. Malinowa 2 * 59-300 * Lubin * Poland* +(48+ 76) 844 1351* pceager@orange.pl * eagercarlene@yahoo.com
www.eagerlyblogging.blogspot.com / www.coffeehouselogos.blogspot.com / www.logoslubin.pl
Vonage Phone number: 574-830-1260

Wigilia

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia! That is the way to say "Merry Christmas" in Polish. Among Poles, wherever they are, the most beloved and beautiful of all traditional festivities is that of Christmas Eve. It is then that the Wigilia, or Christmas Eve Dinner is served. It is a solemnly celebrated occasion and arouses deep feelings of kinship among family members.
For days in advance, Poles prepare the traditional foods and everyone anxiously awaits the moment when the first star, known as the Gwiazdka, appears in the eastern sky. For that is when the feast to commemorate the birth of the Christ Child begins.
There is always a thin layer of hay under the white tablecloth in memory of the Godchild in the manger. Before sitting down at the table, everyone breaks the traditional wafer, or Oplatek and exchanges good wishes for health, wealth and happiness in the New Year. This is such a deeply moving moment that often tears of love and joy are evoked from the family members who are breaking this symbolic bread. The Oplatek is a thin, unleavened wafer similar to the altar bread in the Roman Catholic Church. It is stamped with the figures of the Godchild, the blessed Mary, and the holy angels. The wafer is known as the bread of love and is often sent by mail to the absent members of the family.
The dinner itself differs from other evening meals in that the number of courses is fixed at seven, nine or eleven. According to myth, in no case must there be an odd number of people at the table, otherwise it is said that some of the feasters would not live to see another Christmas. A lighted candle in the windows symbolizes the hope that the Godchild, in the form of a stranger, may come to share the Wigilia and an extra place is set at the table for the unexpected guest. This belief stems from the ancient Polish adage, "A guest in the home is God in the home."
The Wigilia is a meatless meal, no doubt the result of a long-time Church mandate that a strict fast and abstinence be observed on this day before Christmas. Although the Church laws have been revised and permit meat to be eaten on this day, the traditional meal remains meatless. Items that would normally be included in a traditional Wigilia menu include mushroom soup, boiled potatoes (kartofle), pickled herring (sledzie), fried fish, pierogi, beans and sauerkraut (groch i kapusta), a dried fruit compote, babka, platek, assorted pastries, nuts and candies.
After the meal the members of the family sing Polish Christmas Carols called the koledy while the children wait impatiently around the Christmas tree or choinka for the gifts to be exchanged.
Aside from the beautiful Wigilia, the Polish people have a number of other traditions that they practice throughout the Christmas season. Polish Christmas Carols or koledy are numerous and beautiful, especially when sung in Polish parishes at the Christmas Eve Mass. This Mass is called the Pasterka, which means the Shepherds Watch, and there is popular belief in Poland that while the congregation is praying, peace descends on the snow-clad, sleeping earth and that during that holy night, the humble companions of men - the domestic animals - assume voices. But only the innocent of heart may hear them.
Christmas Day itself is spent in rest, prayer, and visits to various members of the family. In Poland, from Christmas Day until the twelfth night, boys trudge from village to village withan illuminated star and a ranting King Herod among them to sing carols. Sometimes, they penetrate the towns in expectation of more generous gifts. In some districts, the boys carry on puppet shows called shopky. These are built like a little house with two towers, open in the front where a small crib is set.
During the Christmas season, the theaters give special performances. On the feast of the Epiphany, the priest and the organist visit the homes, bless them and write over their doors the initials of the three wise men - KMB (Kasper, Melchior and Balthazar) - in the belief that this will spare the homes from misfortune.
The Christmas season closes on February 2, known as Candlemas Day. On that day, people carry candles to church and have them blessed for use in their homes during storms, sickness and death.

Wesolych Swiat, Bozego Narodzenia i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku!

http://www.polishamericancenter.org/Wigilia.htm

"Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!"

Dec. 2008
“ Wesołych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!”
Merry Christmas!

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving season with having
three different times with English parties, one time with
missionary friends and another time with our church body
eating all the leftovers from the meal the day before and there
was enough for all (about 20 or so) to have very full plates!

We had a lot of time to reflect on the many good things we
do have and the blessings that God has given us. And now,
December 7th, our minds have begun to change thinking and
gear towards Christmas. Today, we started focusing on
Christmas, too, by making an advent chain using activities “to
do” for each day until Christmas Eve (the main day here - not
Christmas Day) to prepare our hearts for the season. Also,
today is the first time I listened to Christmas music while making
the dough for Christmas cut-out cookies we'll need for our
English Christmas party. So, for us, the season has “officially”
begun! Instead of us writing all the information down, the
enclosed paper gives you an idea of what a traditional Polish
Christmas looks like. We have had the privilege to be a part of
many of these traditions with our Polish friends. We’re looking
forward this year to celebrate together with our church family
and friends.

We wish you a very blessed holiday season. May God give
us opportunities to tell people we know about Christ and His
love this season!

Merry Christmas!,

Paul, Carlene, Andrew, Aaron and Alaina

SEND International * PO Box 513 * Farmington, MI * 48332 * (248) 477-4210 * Info@send.org
ul. Malinowa 2 * 59-300 * Lubin * Poland* +(48+ 76) 844 1351* pceager@orange.pl * eagercarlene@yahoo.com
Vonage: 574-830-1260

December 2008 Prayer Update

December 7-13

Praise: Ben Rowe (short-termer for one year with SEND) has arrived and is getting settled and adjusted and well on his way learning Polish and getting involved in music ministry in the church which is an area we really, really have needed help. Also, we have felt the Lord leading us to begin a seeker type/discussion group for our English students. Ben would like to reach out by teaching the Bible so we’ll see what happens!
Prayer: Pray that indeed English students will want to be a part of this discussion group and that God would give Ben and Paul and others involved wisdom to know how to plan for this.
Pray also for our English Christmas parties we’ll be having this Friday, the 12th—4:00 for the children’s groups and 6:00 for the adults. We’ll be talking about Christmas and singing carols and decorating Christmas cookies. Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak and move!
We will also be starting the Scouts club again, this Saturday being the first meeting. This is geared to teach youth life skills, character building and Bible lessons. For now, it will be once a month. Pray for God’s leading and wisdom and for changed lives in the youths!

December 14-20

Praise: We’re so thankful for our Mother Church who encourages us and helps us. They let us “be on our own” but the Pastor and others are willing to help. Tomek, from the church, will be giving the message this Sunday.
Prayer: We’ve given parents and students from our English classes and others we know, a questionnaire asking them their interests for their child (Bible stories, crafts, music workshops, etc…) and for the parents themselves (cooking classes, ladies meetings, various workshops, etc..) and we are waiting now until they have been returned. We are praying that from these, we will know better what the needs and interests are and plan activities accordingly. Please pray for parents and kids to turn these sheets in and then for wisdom in how God wants us to use them.

December 21-27

Praise: For a school break for the kids and for English classes for two weeks. It’s nice to have a breather once in a while. J
Prayer: Pray for special times this year for each member of our church this Christmas. Our church body has grown so much closer these past several months and we have a burden for all to know Christ (for some who don’t know Him yet) and for all to know Him deeper.

December 28-January 3

Praise: God has given Paul wonderful opportunities these past weeks to share with his English conversation students what it means to be a Christian. We’re thankful they’re open and pray that they’ll continue to be.
Prayer: Daniel Trusiewicz, leader for the Baptist missions movement here in Poland, will be visiting us this Sunday, the 28th, and giving the sermon. Pray for the Lord to speak through Him and that we can mutually encourage each other. Pray for God to raise up many Polish leaders and missionaries. There are so few Polish pastors and missionaries.

SEND International * PO Box 513 * Farmington, MI * 48332 * (248) 477-4210 * Info@send.org
ul. Malinowa 2 * 59-300 * Lubin * Poland* +(48+ 76) 844 1351* pceager@orange.pl * eagercarlene@yahoo.com
Vonage: 574-830-1260

“Continually Learning to Live Out the Fruit of the Spirit”

You've probably wondered why it's taken us so long to write since we've been back in Poland! We're wondering the same thing because we should've written sooner! After almost two months, we're still trying to get things settled and organized and back in place! What we do know and want you to know is that we surely haven't forgotten you! We think about you pretty often and the wonderful time we could have in the States this past summer! We have not forgotten either how the Lord brought us back on our desired return date. We will always be thankful and keep that experience as a remembrance of God's faithfulness and a growing time in our lives.

Since returning to Poland, we've plunged into our regular activities almost as if we hadn't been gone! Two days after we got back , the kids got off to a great start in school. They were excited to see their friends again and Alaina especially to begin 1st grade!

It was so good for us to see our church family and teammates and worship together again! It was fun catching up with friends and contacts in the community, many wondering why we would want to come back! “It's our home here, we help and work here, God wants us here,” we say. What a deep-down joy to be back and continue on building relationships with our friends, saved and unsaved.

Our expression this time about living out the Fruits of the Spirit is something we are learning yet again! Always! It has not been easy since our return in some areas. There have been cultural and personality issues that have been a source of struggle, unlike it's ever been before. I went to a teacher store before we left to get some things for English and saw a colorful poster with the verses of the Fruits of the Spirit listed. Though it doesn't exactly match the “decor” of the house, I put it up right in our entryway anyway in a place where we often look. It's good to be reminded often!

There have been times in the last couple of months that I have literally bitten my tongue. What I have wanted to say actually does need to be said but not in the way I wanted to say it at that time. Ohhh, to constantly see things through God's eyes and act and react as He would! Living out the Fruits of the Spirit puts things in perspective- looking and acting as God would- so that our “humanness” in us does not take over. “And they'll know we are Christians by our love”. That's how we want those around us to see us. That's how we'll make a difference here. Please pray for us, for daily wisdom and Fruit-filled lives so others can see the Spirit in us!

We are so thankful to be involved in people's lives here. Thank you for being a part of the work here!

Blessings,
Paul, Carlene, Andrew, Aaron and Alaina

November 2008

November, 2008

We have seen a change in our church the past two months. It’s not because there a lot more people (it’s about the same 20-25), or have these really great sermons or because we have outstanding music or super-organized services. Actually, looking at our church through human eyes, believe us, we need a big improvement in all these areas! But, what we have seen is a desire for believers in the church to want to come, bringing unsaved friends, staying afterwards for an hour or two and fellowshipping, meetings that have confirmed unity and that we’re “on the same page” (even though we might have different preferences or ideas about some things), an excitedness and a desire to be together. It’s so exciting! There is all of this GOOD and yet we NEED the LORD to pour out His SPIRIT, giving us wisdom and direction and His LOVE!
Because we’re so late in getting prayer requests to you, we thought we’d just do one month this time.

November 2-8:

Praise: We praise God for YOU! Praise Him for allowing us to come before the kids started school. Praise Him for His church here in Lubin!
Prayer: For our church to continue to grow, for us to have wisdom and direction in how God would have our church grow, for unsaved contacts to want to come, for the land the city has allotted for “bettering the community” to become a reality soon, for the restructuring that is taking place regarding church activities, English school and Coffee House hours.

November 9-15:

Praise: We have over 100 students in our Language Center “Logos”, ages 5-50+. For many, it’s their 2nd or 3rd year. Many are new students. Praise for opportunities to speak about Christ.
Prayer: Pray for Paul who has about 9 people he meets with for conversational English, for Carlene who teaches 3 groups twice a week and an individual, for Bogusia who leads the school. Continue to pray for spiritual interest, good conversations, and an English discussion club we’d like to start.

November 16-22:

Praise: The kids have adjusted well to school. We have good relationships with their teachers and the kids’ friends. We have many students at the Language school from the kids’ school so we see many regularly.
Prayer: We need wisdom in when to start having Logosiaki, our weekly Kid’s Club. Many kids have been asking about it. We’d like to take a new direction and focus, trying to include their parents more. Pray for wisdom in thinking through this. It’s such a neat, critical ministry!

November 23-29:

Praise: For religious freedom here in Poland and that we are free to meet together whenever we want!
Prayer: We’ll be having two days of Thanksgiving celebrations with our English classes, the 27th and 28th. This is because we have about 60 kids and with their parents who are invited to come, we won’t fit everybody all at once! The adults will also have a Thanksgiving celebration. Pray for preparations this week as well as the Holy Spirit to work during these afternoons/evenings. Pray for good conversations and for things to run smoothly. This is one of our favorite times.

We’ll also be hosting our SEND missionary Thanksgiving celebration this Saturday (Thursday isn’t a holiday here! ). J Pray for a refreshing time and planning details to go smoothly and that I’ll find a turkey big enough for close to 30 people!

SEND International * PO Box 513 * Farmington, MI * 48332 * (248) 477-4210 * Info@send.org
ul. Malinowa 2 * 59-300 * Lubin * Poland* +(48+ 76) 844 1351* pceager@orange.pl * eagercarlene@yahoo.com
Vonage: 574-830-1260