Welcome to Poland

We are thankful for safe travel. We did sit on the runway for 2 1/2 hours in Chicago, which made our flight to Warsaw seem SOOO much longer. Nonetheless, we managed to get a few hours of sleep on the plane, and we had fun with the people who sat near us.

When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to find the baggage process at the Warsaw airport much more expedient than in past days. They have updated a lot of their systems and have built a beautiful new addition at the airport. Expedient baggage service was not our most pleasant greeting at the airport, though. We were pleased to see Nate Berry waiting for us on the other side of Customs. It was great to see a familiar, friendly face on this side of the ocean! Nate drove us to the apartment where he lives with his wife, Ola, and his son, Filip. They currently live with Ola's parents, Andzrej and Urszula Bajenski. The Bajenski's were away for a holiday, so we just enjoyed time with the Berry's. Ola prepared a delicious meal, and we sat around the table and talked and laughed. Nate gave us a quick tour of areas in Warsaw we had not yet seen.

We had hoped to go to the large celebration in Warsaw that evening, with concerts and a huge fireworks display. This was the day that Poland officially took over leadership of the European Union for six months. Thus, there was a huge celebration in Warsaw that night. However, because it was very cold and rainy, we returned to the apartment and enjoyed talking and visiting with each other in warmth and comfort! Nate updated us on the Real Hope ministry. They are focusing on two cities this summer, where hundreds of Christians from Poland (and other countries) will come to do work projects, present concerts, orchestrate games and activities for kids and teens, and share the gospel. It is a beautiful display of Christians working together to improve conditions in these Polish cities -- both spiritually and physically.

Accommodations at the Berry's were wonderful. Sherri slept 9 hours. Dave and Levi had a more difficult time adjusting to the time difference and were up during the night. Nonetheless, we had a great time. It was wonderful to land in Warsaw, and stay somewhere less than ten minutes from the airport on our first night. Thanks to the Berry's for a wonderful welcome to Poland. Who would have known that when God had us cross paths with the Berry's in America, we would one day be sitting in their apartment in Poland.

Nate & Ola will meet the rest of the team when they arrive next Friday!