Sweeney's Tums' Count: 37

Hey, it's Matthew. Overall, the trip has been amazing. Jen caught the lody midair when it fell off of the cone today. Eating has been great, due to the mild food and great taste. Mealtime has been the only time during the day where I am able to relax. Every other time is spent with the Poles playing games. They speak much better English than I originally anticipated. Everyone is extremely polite and respectful. They are also much quieter. People talk with an inside voice everywhere. Everyone stares at us Americans when Dan yells. Please pray for the Poles as we hope to share the gospel at camp. I'll see you all exhausted, and on jet-lag, when I get back.

Matt (aka Sweener)

Precamp, day 2

Saturday started day 2 of pre-camp at the church. We headed off into town to see what makes this city unique. We had a great time walking around and eating ice cream! Cale and the rest of us got to eat chicken for dinner.

We finished off the day with a short program and a team meeting. The team is starting to realize the toll this kind of ministry can take on their patience. We are around people all of the time in close quarters.

Tonight we are spending our final night with our host families. Tomorrow is church and the drive to camp.

-- Dan

Collarbone Boy 2

Hello this is Stephen! Let me just start off saying this: I love the food. I've never eaten so good in my life! One of the best things has been the lody (ice cream) - quality stuff.

Today we started pre-camp, we tested the Poles on English (to determine what class level to place them in), played sports, and started to get to know them. Sunday we will leave for the camp in Swinoujscie, which is located in the north-eastern-most part of Poland (by the Baltic Sea) to begin camp. Thanks for all your prayers and support while we are here in Poland, they mean a lot.

Stephen (not pronounced Steven)

Tuna

Hey all you guys back home! This is Cale and Dan asked me to do a blog entry to fill you guys in on some name calling that's been going down here in Poland. On Thursday, we picked up Przemek (Shemek) on the way to Zielona Gora. We were at a stoplight when I asked Przemek if a picture on a billboard was of Tuna. Come to find out, Przemek is a bit of a smart aleck (in a good way, of course). He was quick to respond, "No, but you're Tuna" What seemed like an innocent comment has turned into a nickname that I can't seem to shake. It may even follow me back to the US. Lord-willing the Polish here will remember me as more than just Tuna, but it has made for a good inside joke.

The trip has been a great experience so far, and the hope is that each of the members on the team will get to mention a little story or something that's gone on during the trip. We miss you guys, but are excited to be here doing what God has called us to do. And your continued prayers are what help us through, so thanks.

Cale B.

McDonalds

We are all standing in line for ice cream! This must be the busiest place in town besides the disco! It's Friday night baby!

-- Dan

English tests begin

Tonight we began the English tests as our pre-camp began at 3:00 p.m. Clare was rounding up people to get in line, Bethany and Rachel were getting them to describe to them things they saw in a picture. The next round of tests brought the students to Molly, me, Julie and Will.

The rest of the students were outside with Dave playing games. Dave will be a beginning teacher this year, and the pastor's daughter, Julia, will be in his class!

We will do more tomorrow!

-- Dan

Photo Album 3: 6/29/07

Click here to access the blog and see the slideshow

Photo Album 2: 6/28/07

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Prayer Request from Poland Team

Hey all, I received an email this morning from Dan.

There are a couple of students that aren't feeling too well. Everyone's attitudes are great, but hopefully they can all get feeling better before camp. Let's pray for this specifically.

Thanks, Julie

Arrived.

At 8:30 we arrived at the church in Zielona Gora. The team is doing well and off to their host homes for a late dinner and some rest. We will hit it strong tomorrow morning with a 10:00 a.m. breakfast!

-- Dan

(Jon here with a quick note, I've got some more photos from the team, and will be posting another slide show soon - is anyone having problems with the blog, slideshow or subscriptions?)

To Zielona Gora

We are on our way to zielona gora. We just picked up PRZEMEK and monika who will be leading our camp! He has been living in northern Ireland and started a polish church this year that has around 60 people! It's so good to see him and hear what God is doing!

-- Dan

Copernicus

We are standing in the academy where he studied from 1491 to 1495! (That's from when he was 18 to 22)

Photo Album 1

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Day 1: Castles and Ice Cream (Lodi)

Hey! Just wanted to say hi!

I am on the terrace at a castle with our team eating ice cream! We are off to bed at 2pm your time!

-- Dan

Day 1: in Krakow (& Passport Update)

We're in the square in Krakow and Molly's got a passport!

There is nothing a clean crisp Benjamin can't buy in Poland!

We are in the square now and she will meet is for dinner at 630! Sunny and windy day!

Passport Problem #1

We arrived in Poland! We touched down at 5:57am Denver Time.

First passport problem: Molly's passport expired in May!

They will not let her in the country without a current passport. Dan Hash is negotiating with them now! The dude is working his magic! He is trying to let them take her to the consulate.

Denver and Chicago missed this and it's a good thing because she would still be in America. she can get a passport here. We are in the office right now waiting to see what will happen. It looks like she will be able to get it and not have to go home!

We are trying to figure how to get the picture. Stay tuned.

Lift off

From Dan's cellphone camera...

I guess we found out why the tickets were cheaper!

No, no dogs are on the plane. Just trying to keep the blog interesting during the team flights.

Kelly and I (Jon tC) drove the team to the airport this morning, with zero flat tires, no luggage left at the church, no accidents, and very little crying.

Unlike last year's repeatedly delayed flight, the team has just taken off from DIA and is headed to Chicago.

I'll add more info as I get it.

Also... To stay up to date, you can now subscribe to this blog using the "Subscribe" form on the right hand side of the page. Just enter your E-mail and click "Subscribe." Once you verify your e-mail address, you'll get e-mails within 30 minutes of new posts to this blog!

I Can't Hear You

Our theme song is "I Can't Hear You" by Matthew West. Here's a link to the song and the dance we will be doing at camp. This is the video we used to learn the song. You don't have to wait for Poland Sunday! We are hoping and praying the lyrics to this song provide a great way to start up conversations at camp!

I Can't Hear You Lyrics

This world is making me dizzy

I can’t seem to keep it from spinning

This life is screaming so loud now

I can’t escape from this crowd now

It’s like I’m climbing up on the shoulders

In a room full of strangers

And then everybody walks away

Chorus:Fly high, jump and touch the skyHigh,

bring me back to life I

know you’re there when I can’t hear you

Down now at the speed of sound now

When I touch the ground now

You’ll be there when I can’t hear you

I am a classic case of dysfunction

I talk and talk and still I say nothing

Am I the voice of my generation?

Is everybody having the same conversation?

We’re all climbing up on the shouldersIn a room full of strangers

When we should be reaching for you

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re not alone

No matter who you are, no matter where you go?

Feel like you’re climbing up on the shouldersIn a room full of strangers

We’re all reaching

Our Schedule

Here's our schedule for our trip! We are gone June 25th - July 10th! It's going to be a wild ride!

June 25 - Fly to Chicago & Krakow, Poland
June 26 - Arrive in Krakow, Poland
June 27 - Krakow
June 28 - Auschwitz & Travel to Zielona Gora
June 29-July 1 - Pre Camp in Zielona Gora
July 1-8 - Camp in Swinoujscie, Poland
July 8 - Night train to Katowice, Poland
July 9 - Day & Night with Dan & Laura Hash at their home
July 10 - Fly to Chicago and Denver

"My favorite country!"

Today I went to Kaiser to get medicine for my Streptococcal pharyngitis. Strep throat for the lay person! As I was checking in I told the lady that I needed to get medicine in me before I flew to Poland with a group of students from our church. The lady sat back in her chair and said, "That's my favorite country. My family is from Poland and I went there on a cruise 2 years ago. We went to a city off the Sea." She couldn't believe someone in Kaiser today was going to Poland on Monday!

It was cool to see her joy for me and our team going to a place that she loved. There was someone behind me ready to pay so I was off to see the nurse. Now I am off to take my medicine pictured above.

Underground

Our camp this year is centered around the theme "Underground." Here's the logo! It's going to be an awesome week!!

Long lines

Today United Airlines was down for two hours at DIA. I am so glad they are working out the kinks before we show up around 9:45 a.m. on Monday morning.

You should stay tuned to this blog and get ready for the potential travel hang ups!

We are off to Krakow on Monday, June 25th!

Student Thoughts: Rachel M

This will be my third time going to Poland. I am looking forward to getting to know our team better. I have learned that a special, common bond is created within the team, especially after spending two weeks together. We work together through the challenges, but also get to be outside of our normal lives.

There are many people that I am looking forward to seeing again. It brings me great joy think about the memories and picture their faces. I don’t feel very nervous about this trip, but the first year I went I was very unsure of how everything was supposed to happen and the details of the trip.

I am preparing spiritually by praying for the team. I have also been praying about my role for this year. I’ve been thinking about the previous trips and the friends I have made. I would like prayer for getting through the rest of this school year and finishing well. Already the time has gone by fast, but currently, I have a major school project that is causing stress. I also want to be mindful that the next few months are good preparation for showing God’s love to people at school.

Student Thoughts: Jen C.

As our Poland trip approaches, I am really excited for the whole experience. I cannot wait to meet and build relationships with the Polish students. I also can’t wait to see how God will use me in this trip and I hope to successfully show his glory to the Polish people we will meet. I am also looking forward to improving my own relationship with God. I’m excited to see what he will teach me while I am there and I hope to fully live my life for Him. I look forward to building stronger relationships with the students and leaders of the Poland team as well. Lastly, I am also excited to see God’s creation in another country as well!

While in Poland, I am most nervous about putting myself out there. By that, I mean that I am worried that I won’t be accepted by the Polish students because I tend to be a shy, introverted person when I meet new people. I just hope that I will be able to be open up to the Polish students I meet. I know this is really important because the friendships I build in Poland will help me spread God’s kingdom. Of the stops we are visiting in Poland, I am really scared and apprehensive to go to the concentration camp, Auschwitz. Even though I’ve learned about it in school, I know it will be so much harder to actually visit the camp. I am also a little nervous to leave my family. I am worried that I might get a little home sick but I am predicting that I will be having too much fun to miss my family!

Well, I would really appreciate it if you all would pray that during the trip I will fully rely on God and be a willing servant. I tend to like to be a leader and I am sometimes a control freak so I really hope to be able to fully commit my life to God. Once again, I just need prayer that I will be open to the Polish students I meet and not hide behind my shyness and insecurities. Also, since this will be the first time I have ever left the country (Yeah!) and my family for more than a few days, I hope that I will be comfortable during this trip and I will not become too homesick. I mainly just hope that God will help me spread his Word into the lives of the Polish students.

The President Beat Us

The Presiden of the United States of America beat us to Poland. He was there on June 8th! Check it out here!

I can't wait to get to Krakow and hear Alice say, "Welcome to Poland!"