Travel With Travis

Thursday Night

Book of Hope hosted a wonderful banquet for of the team members that were in Poland this week. It was a very nice restaraunt in Old Town Warsaw. During the evening we shared stories from the week. But the highlight was getting to hear the story of Magda. She is a 17-year-old Polish girl.

About 2 years ago she established a personal relationship with Jesus. She has learned a lot about God in religion classes, but this was the first time He became a personal friend to her. Her life has changed in wonderful ways. She stopped drinking and smoking marijuana. She tells people she is now full of life and joy. Now she is active in Book of Hope distribution in Poland.

She lives in Lublin, Poland...about 3 hour train ride from Warsaw. We were suppose to meet her in Lublin when we visited the Concentration camp. However, because of weather we didn't go, and she took a train to Warsaw to meet us.

Unfortunately she missed her 7 p.m. train back to Lublin. Her mother was upset and very worried about her. Since the next train didn't leave until 10 p.m. she needed someone to ride with her for safety.

Me and Matt Wilkie rode the train with her to keep her safe. The train that night was delayed several times at different stops. Magda's mother called a few times while we were in the train. She was very nervous, mad and worried about her. But I'm very thankful we rode with her because there were drunk guys hanging around causing a scene in front of us. The cops hauled them off at the next stop.

Magda told us about student culture in POland. They don't like authority. They are involved in alcohol and drugs. This generation doesn't get too excited about their Catholic Church. However, Magda is on fire with her personal relationship with Jesus. It's difficult for her to find a group of people in her town that understand what it means to have a relationship with God. She virtually has no support system of encouragement except God.

So at 1 a.m. we got her to a taxi and sent her home. I believe is was an ordained moment for us. We got to pray for her, encourage her in her faith, and encourage her about some issues with her family.

What a night!!!! Here's an at-a-glance look...

7 p.m. - dinner
9 p.m. - arrive at train station
10 p.m. - depart for Lublin
1 a.m. - arrive in Lublin
1:30 a.m. - find a Polish diner near station
3:17 a.m. - find out the train is delayed
3:37 a.m. - board the train
6:30 a.m. - arrive in Warsaw
7:00 a.m. - get to hotel
7:30 a.m. - fall asleep
9:00 a.m. wake up and shower
9:45 a.m. head to airport

posted by travis spencer @ 11:56 AM