Malone Service Learning - Poland

Safely arrived Brussels and at our gate for our flight to Chicago.

Getting up and preparing for an anticipated 24 hour trip home.

Today we went to UKSW where Dr. Entwistle gave a lecture to the university students. We were treated to lunch at the university and then spent the afternoon and evening exploring Warsaw. Tomorrow we get in taxis at 5:00 a.m. to start the 24 hour trip home. What a wonderful opportunity we have had to experience God's world and to make a small difference along the way.

Today we bid sad goodbyes to our host families and new friends in Sosnowiec, and boarded a high speed train to Warsawa. When we got there, we worked our way to our hostel, stowed our luggage, and enjoyed a meal and walking around Warsaw's Old Town. Over 80% of the city was completely destroyed after WW-2 and later the Old Town was rebuilt to look exactly like it did before the war. At dinner we laughed, told stories, and processed our experiences so far. What a wonderful group this is, and what amazing experiences we have had. (Sadly, I only got half of Christina in this picture :(

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Today the students went to a school to help Polish students practice conversational English and then toured Bedzin Castle and an overgrown Jewish cemetery. Over 60% of Bedzin's population was Jewish, and nearly all of them were killed ther or in Auschwitz. Only a few were saved, hidden in tunnels beneath the castle and the local Roman Catholic Church. Sadly, there is almost nothing to commemorate their lives or there history, much of it intentionally erased under communism. For instance, the communists put a major road through the Jewish quarter, and a roundabout through the site of the synagogue. The group is really close, works well together, and is enjoying lots of laughter, food, and good conversation. Goodnight from Poland!

Today we split up into two groups at the church. The ladies took on the task of painting a Sunday School room, while the guys took on the task of preparing the floor of the church addition by smoothing out the concrete with pneumatic hammer/chisels and laying down styrofoam layers, onto which a radiant floor with more concrete will be installed. Unfortunately, out iPad can't connect to the Internet, so we can only share a few painting pics. We are all tired, but getting along well and very happy to be making new friends.