Here's a run down of what's been happening lately... The first week of international basketball camp is going on right now with 5 countries represented- Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, and America. A group from Sacramento, CA is helping out this week with coaching, refereeing, and a variety of things. Usually in the morning we have speed & agility drills along with basketball drills, then in the afternoon the games begin and last till about dinner time.
I'm coaching one of the teams (Go Liberty!), playing in the international division with USA, and cleaning on MOP crew. Btw MOP doesn’t stand for anything cool. It just mean’s I clean and people think it’s funny to tell me that I “missed a spot”, which they think is soooo funny and I think it's so dumb... lol. I've just started holding out the broom and telling them they can get all the spots that I miss ;). This week really has been the best week of the summer, because we're super busy, tired, and outside all the time, so it finally feels like camp. We're all sweaty, smelly, and we're all dressed in workout clothes. Although there are a few girls in dress until they have to go play ball. Then there's me, I wake up, wash my face, brush my teeth, and fix my hair as I walk out the door. lol...
Anyway my team was doing great 2-0, but now I think we're 2-1 because they had to switch up the teams. My team killed the teams we played the first day by about 20 points, apparently that isn't fair or fun for the other teams in the league.. lol... Idk... The team is still doing good it's just a little bit more of a challenge, espescially when the coach doesn't completely know what's going on. It's good learning experience though, as is playing in the international division. Some of the girls that come to the camp aren't girls, they're women. Women who have played on the national leagues in their countries, so they're pretty hard core. For not playing together ever, USA is doing fairly well. We're 1-1, but were probably going to get killed in the couple games, especially when we play Belarus. FYI, Belorussians don't mess around when it comes to basketball.
That's about all that's been going on so far this week... Oh! And I went to my first Polish Protestant wedding... for those of you who know Robert, he got married to a Polish women, who is his age ;). It wasn't really any different from an American wedding, except it was all in Polish, the bride and groom sat during the vows, and the bride didn't throw her flowers for the girls to catch. Ok, for real this time, I don't have anything else.
I love you all! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
Asia
P.S. It's again late so my apologies :).
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Rain Rain Go Away...
Before I came to Poland I was under the impression that it rained a lot here, so I packed an umbrella, rain boots, and two raincoats, because who doesn't wear 2 raincoats at one time. I think I was on something when I packed, because one of anything was rarely ever good enough. Three must be my lucky number though, because I packed 3 pairs of tennis shoes, jeans, jean shorts, running shorts, and I'm sure there's more. Anyway, we're done with random Joanna facts, back to the rain. When I say rain, I mean torrential down pour, flash flood warnings, tornadoes... just kidding, minus the torrential down pour, that part is true. Last Sunday started out as a beautiful sun shiny day, which is exactly what I dressed for. No jacket, no rain boots, and no umbrella. On our way to church the rain starts to pour, we drive through a few large "puddles" and Marysia says something about how life is always an adventure when Molly and I are around. :) Little did she know what was coming... lol..A few minutes later water started seeping through the car floor. Then, I don't know exactly how it happend, but the car died in the middle of the intersection. So there we were- 5 girls dressed for church, in the pouring rain, with no other option but to push the car out of the intersection, which is exactly what we did. lol... It was one of those priceless moments. We did end up making it to church safely and looking slightly like drowned rats. ;) Awh... good times...
This week is the first ever International Fish Art camp with people from 4 different countries- Poland (obviously, but I had to say it), USA, Ukraine, and Belarus. It's been a pretty simple week with part of the Southeast Christian Worship team is here leading workshops, worship and the morning challenge. During the meetings the music has been in Polish and English with a little Bella-Russian thrown in the mix. Side note- Bella-Russian is crzy! They have numbers and a stars for letters. It's just a little strange, but it's all good... Anyway, it's been really awesome to have people from multiple different countries all worshiping together; and also being able to worship again in English. It's another one of those little things that I didn't realize I would miss so much. Last night instead of having a normal meeting we had a worship service, which was very refreshing. Then they had something like America's Got Talent and Just Dance combined. Oh, and for those of you who know Brian Sites, you should invite him over to play Just Dance... lol... He's got some awesome moves ;). If only I had remembered my video camera to share it with everyone... Not that I really have any room to speak. I can keep a beat, other than that I'm a straight up white girl :).
I think thats about it for this week. I'll leave you with a few random/interesting facts:
Joanna "Power-ta-the-House"
This week is the first ever International Fish Art camp with people from 4 different countries- Poland (obviously, but I had to say it), USA, Ukraine, and Belarus. It's been a pretty simple week with part of the Southeast Christian Worship team is here leading workshops, worship and the morning challenge. During the meetings the music has been in Polish and English with a little Bella-Russian thrown in the mix. Side note- Bella-Russian is crzy! They have numbers and a stars for letters. It's just a little strange, but it's all good... Anyway, it's been really awesome to have people from multiple different countries all worshiping together; and also being able to worship again in English. It's another one of those little things that I didn't realize I would miss so much. Last night instead of having a normal meeting we had a worship service, which was very refreshing. Then they had something like America's Got Talent and Just Dance combined. Oh, and for those of you who know Brian Sites, you should invite him over to play Just Dance... lol... He's got some awesome moves ;). If only I had remembered my video camera to share it with everyone... Not that I really have any room to speak. I can keep a beat, other than that I'm a straight up white girl :).
I think thats about it for this week. I'll leave you with a few random/interesting facts:
- To be baptized in Poland the person must be at least 18, otherwise they must get permission from their parents, which is very difficult most times.
- No one really knows what hand-sanitizer is.
- According to Molly K. the toilet paper here is whole wheat... lol
- Poland has a "what's yours is mine" policy about food. If you don't want to share you're food you must find a secret place and eat quickly j/k.
Joanna "Power-ta-the-House"
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Invitation
Wednesday is always a very important day during the camp week, because it is when the kids are taught about what Christ did for them on the cross and they are invited to accept Christ as their personal Savior to pursue a life of hope and true joy. Many of the kids have a lot of questions, especially since they have grown up in the Catholic church and have been taught salvation by works.
Prayer Requests:
Before coming to Poland I prayed that God would allow me to build lasting relationships with some of the women that work with Proem Ministry, to be part of Polish people and culture, and to learn the language- All of which He has allowed. Although coming a month before camp started was a struggle at times, God allowed me to build a relationship with Stephcia, a missionary from Southeast who started out as a year intern, but has now been here for 7 years. Since she has been through much of the same things she has been a great help in processing the culture and a great friend.
I also really wanted to be part of the culture and people in Poland. It's never fun being "the foreign kid" or the person out of the loop, which is exactly how it is when everyone is speaking in a language you don't understand. It's pretty bad when you're learning words from pre-schoolers... lol ;). Even though I still don't understand a lot and I can't speak much Polish, I'm learning; and God has provided patient people, who have been willing to teach me.
One of my favorite memories will definitely be when Hannah and I were sitting on the front steps of the Hotel waiting with everyone for lunch and we both realized we were chillin' with the Polish group of counselors and not the American ones.
I've really apprecaited the friendships that God has allowed me to build with the Polish and American interns. Despite the language and culturial differences, God has brought all of use togehter with the same passion and desire to serve Him and tell others about Him. It has been awesome to hear the stories of how coming to camp changed many of the interns lives for Christ. Many times camp is like a haven for the campers and counselors, because this where they grow and be Christians. Since Poland isn't a very envagelized country, there aren't a lot of Christians to encourage each other like in the U.S. Rarely are we the only Christian. We get to pick out our Christian friends, and we get to choose which Christian guy we get to marry. There aren't as many options here and many times that makes things difficult. When people in Poland choose to become Christians, it's truly a life changing decision. They are choosing to walk away from everything they have ever been taught and from what most of their families and friends believe. Thankfully though they aren't walking alone when they make that choice. Although the road will be rough, choosing Christ is worth it all.
Much Love,
Asia
Prayer Requests:
- For God to open the eyes and hearts of the kids so they will truly know and understand who He is and what He has done for them.
- For the Counselors as they are answering questions from their campers.
- Everyone's health at camp- Many people are getting sick because of the crzy hot/cold weather we have been having.
- The staff to stay energized and focused- Because we still have kids over the weekend, many times the staff doesn't really get a day off.
Before coming to Poland I prayed that God would allow me to build lasting relationships with some of the women that work with Proem Ministry, to be part of Polish people and culture, and to learn the language- All of which He has allowed. Although coming a month before camp started was a struggle at times, God allowed me to build a relationship with Stephcia, a missionary from Southeast who started out as a year intern, but has now been here for 7 years. Since she has been through much of the same things she has been a great help in processing the culture and a great friend.
I also really wanted to be part of the culture and people in Poland. It's never fun being "the foreign kid" or the person out of the loop, which is exactly how it is when everyone is speaking in a language you don't understand. It's pretty bad when you're learning words from pre-schoolers... lol ;). Even though I still don't understand a lot and I can't speak much Polish, I'm learning; and God has provided patient people, who have been willing to teach me.
One of my favorite memories will definitely be when Hannah and I were sitting on the front steps of the Hotel waiting with everyone for lunch and we both realized we were chillin' with the Polish group of counselors and not the American ones.
I've really apprecaited the friendships that God has allowed me to build with the Polish and American interns. Despite the language and culturial differences, God has brought all of use togehter with the same passion and desire to serve Him and tell others about Him. It has been awesome to hear the stories of how coming to camp changed many of the interns lives for Christ. Many times camp is like a haven for the campers and counselors, because this where they grow and be Christians. Since Poland isn't a very envagelized country, there aren't a lot of Christians to encourage each other like in the U.S. Rarely are we the only Christian. We get to pick out our Christian friends, and we get to choose which Christian guy we get to marry. There aren't as many options here and many times that makes things difficult. When people in Poland choose to become Christians, it's truly a life changing decision. They are choosing to walk away from everything they have ever been taught and from what most of their families and friends believe. Thankfully though they aren't walking alone when they make that choice. Although the road will be rough, choosing Christ is worth it all.
Much Love,
Asia
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Summa Time Is Here!
Happy Belated 4th of July to you all! We didn't do much here to celebrate, except for wearing red, white, and blue and we taught the kiddos Yankee Doodle. Woohoo! I know you all a jealous, since all you were doing was sitting by a pool, drinking lemonade, and eating hamburgers. Maybe next year you will have the opportunity to teach Yankee Doodle to someone :).
This week Southeast Christian Church is here to help with jr. English camp! Woohooo! Not only are they helping with the camp the also brought me Peanut Butter ;) and the week before that another group from Louisville brought be Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Pop Tarts. People were jealous and I almost lost a limb because they thought I had been holding out on them all summer. Just kidding... but seriously :) No worries though, I think they will move on to Molly since her family just sent her a huge box of candy, Reeses in particular, which is really special because Poland doesn't have Reeses. Crzy I know, but such is life. )I'm writing late at night sooooo my apologies again).
Highlights From the Week:
Asia
This week Southeast Christian Church is here to help with jr. English camp! Woohooo! Not only are they helping with the camp the also brought me Peanut Butter ;) and the week before that another group from Louisville brought be Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Pop Tarts. People were jealous and I almost lost a limb because they thought I had been holding out on them all summer. Just kidding... but seriously :) No worries though, I think they will move on to Molly since her family just sent her a huge box of candy, Reeses in particular, which is really special because Poland doesn't have Reeses. Crzy I know, but such is life. )I'm writing late at night sooooo my apologies again).
Highlights From the Week:
- I found a large mug so I don't have to use the small ones any more for coffee (Kawa). I was really excited about this, which is obviously why it came to mind first. :)
- Molly and I are teaching English this week together and we had to make up a team cheer, which where our camp team cheer experience came in handy. Woohoo Go Cheetahs!
- The word for brother in Polish is Brat. It's spelled and said the exact same way we do it in America. (I thought that one was funny, just in case you wanted to know)
- Polish summers can be in the 50's, although the Polish say it is rare. Thankfully I over packed and am prepared for these freakishly cold summer days :).
Asia
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