Monday 25 April 2011

Pulawska, Warsaw

Gość w dom, Bóg w dom

As soon as the Polish night ended I packed and headed for London Luton airport. In a few hours I landed in the cold and wet Warsaw. I was met by Lukasz Bajenski and his lovely family who took me to Pulawska church where my adventure began the very next morning. (By the way,  I am trying to keep our updates short, therefore I will not talk much about people or church size, but will focus on the outreach and possibilities for mission without borders). 
When I arrived they had began the Labyrinth, which is an evangelistic tool that has been used in this church for years and it proved to be very affective. Many people came to church through the Labyrinth, which takes you on a journey of life, God, creation and your place in God’s kingdom by using media.  I have met people not only from Poland, but also from England, Singapore, India and North America, who have been deeply touched by the simple, but affective media coordinated way of telling the story of God’s creation and purpose of our lives. 
Sunday service with pastor Zbigniew Tarkowski
At the end of the second week I had a meeting with three church leaders to discuss future possibilities.  The church leaders expressed their interest in working in partnership with churches in Gloucester.  
Pastor Zbigniew Tarkowski wrote a letter to Kendal Road Baptist Church, St. James and Brunswick Baptist church inviting them to partner and seek ways of reaching out to Polish people in Gloucester together.  At this point I thanked Lord for taking me so far and answering to our prayers for Polish church in Poland to begin thinking about cross-cultural missions.  Pulawska church has raised people of faith that seek God’s will.  
On the way back to England when I had time to reflect and think of the last two weeks. I thought about the meaning of ‘Global Church’ that we often claim of being part of it. We often fail to act like one for many different reasons. Churches in the central and eastern Europe have been receiving missionaries and help for years. It is time for them to think about giving and learning more about God’s Kingdom by working with western churches as equal partners in God’s mission.  Where perhaps western churches will be open receivers than givers.  We inviting you to pray for these churches to seek God’s will and to be open to new opportunities.

Here are some photos from Pulawska church where God is so real in peoples lives and worship. 
Ewa became my Polish mum
Sunday school
Rafal is a pastor at Pulawska and coordinator of the Labyrinth
The Labyrinth reception
Behind the scenes of the Labyrinth
Michael from India is studying PhD in business and Mariusz coordinator of the Labyrinth
House group
Gość w dom, Bóg w dom (A guest in the house, God in the house) Polish people are extremely hospitable! I had so much food that I thought I will explode.  As the Polish saying says, ‘A guest in the house, God in the house’ and they truly made me feel very special by constantly feeding me.
Reunion with former Redcliffe volunteers
at the Labyrinth
50+ club, I had a chance to talk about our vision and read Polish Bible!
The Labyrinth walls have been rolled up around the polls for the Sunday service.
one of the Labyrinth chambers

Labyrinth reception is always busy
pastor Zbigniew


Pulawska church has over 500 members and is growing! They have planted two more churches. The North church has over 700 members and two month old new plant church has 200 people and growing!!! I had a wonderful time at Pulawska church and visited other two. Here are some photos.




Thank you for your prayers!!!


Rita and Vidas

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Polish Night



Happy Easter! May His victory on the Cross be your witness to the world of his unconditional love for all! 
We apologize for the belated Polish night update.  It is difficult to put our feelings and thoughts together.  We both felt quite teary and overwhelmed by peoples response and their active participation during the evening. 
We think that photos are the best mirror of the evening together.  One of our guest’s said, ‘God is with us tonight,  it is so wonderful’. This is what we prayed for that God would be in the midst of all preparations and would be the host of the night. The evening really reflected what could happen if we all used our gifts and skills for His Kingdom together.  Let me just say how it feels to stand in front of the people that have been strangers to us,  but became our closest friends, grandparents, sisters and brothers on this journey.  All my life I have been watching people taking a step of faith to do most extraordinary things, but I have never thought that God will choose me to be His companion in His mission.  Vidas have never thought that instead of becoming a wealthy man, he will find an eternal treasure in Christ, who has turned his life upside down.
Honestly, we have never thought that we will find a family in a foreign land, who will stand behind us in prayer, love, compassion and encouragement.  A big thank you to you all for making this evening so wonderful where God has been a host and we all enjoyed His hospitality. 


Here are some more photos from the Polish Night!!! 
Quiz time!

Sharing our vision
Enjoying Polonez!
So much fun!

Continuing to dance....
Bigos, beans stew and stuffed cabbage!!!
Around the table
Colouring Easter eggs



We are very thankful to Fiona and Ian, Jill, Jennet, Izobel, Vaughan, Sarah and Tony, Ola, Christine and Jim, Jill and Brian, Mandy and many others who made this evening so wonderful!

Pray:
Please, continue to pray for our financial support. The Polish night was a good start and we got a few people who joined us on this journey! At the moment, we have 47%, we raised 16% and we still short 34%. 

Pray for Rugile: she had an ear infection several times. We noticed that she cannot hear well and on the 3rd of May we got an appointment with a specialist at the Gloucestershire Royal hospital. 

Pray for Vidas: work, rest, his personal life with God and thinking about studies at Redcliffe. We hope that he will be able to take a few courses already next year, but it all depends on our financial situation.

From the 9th -11th of May we will join ECM Britain missionaries for a retreat. Please, pray that we would have a great time together, rest, reflection and reunion with friends.

Thank you for prayers and support!

Rita and Vidas Rimkai
8 Casey Close, Gloucester, GL1 3QP
Email: rita.rimkiene@ecmi.org
vidas.rimkus@ecmi.org

ECM Britain
Freepost NH-4573
50 Billing Road
Northampton
NN1 5BR
Email: personnel@ecmi.org

Rimkai

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