We’ve lived in Kraków now for 18 months, and at times it feels like much longer (not in a bad way, just that it’s been a time full of life), and yet it isn’t much time at all on the grand scale of things, nor compared to many other workers here. However, because I’m keenly[…]
So what does 10+ years in the field look like for us? I don’t know for sure but we’ve got a vision, and it looks something like this: Polish house group leaders Group leaders cultivating other group leaders Intentional living community (this is the big ticket item!) The beginning of looking at sending a team[…]
We’re not confused, we know Portland is not Poland… The road to Poland for us has been marked with false starts, heartache, and frustration. So here’s why we’re still in this, why we will make it there. God called us. Maybe he’s calling you to help us with the following: Monthly budget Living expenses: $3,455/month[…]
Yes, there are dragons of all kinds in Poland, particularly Kraków… although I’ve only seen two, the one above which spews water… and another one near by which at one point use to breath fire if you sent him a text message! Then there is the most real dragon of all, the enemy to our[…]
In about one month we’ll have a new little daughter, Elena Sofia Mielonen is due on November 1st! We’re excited to explore a new personality to enjoy and love on. Emma is becoming more and more excited and we’re enjoying all of her thoughts on how she’ll “help” her sister. As God has worked in[…]
These faces and many like them are the future, in this case they are the future of Poland and beyond. These two little girls also need discipleship, and for them it will be through their parents who are challenged with raising children in a world full of confusion, distrust, and false hope. We truly believe[…]
So often when we are thinking about ministry in Poland the topic of culture comes up, this can be a delicate thing to address because it isn’t easy to be objective since we’re attempting to see Poland through our American lenses. The ultimate goal is for us to capture in our hearts what Kingdom culture[…]
We have not been very good at updating this blog, there are not really any reasons or excuses just focusing on family life! Please remember November 1st, 2012! Why? Because that is the day two things are “due” firstly and foremost our new baby daughter is due! Secondly we are believing for that to be the[…]
http://life-love-laughter.tumblr.com/post/4431940058/a-great-reminder This is so encouraging to be reminded that we are all right where God wants us and just in time for everything. We’re never late…even when moving to Poland. 😉
So often I (Travis) find myself jealous of other missionaries serving in places like Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East, South America, etc… these are places I call “the sexy” mission field, there’s a certain automatic appeal about these places. Generally (and very generally) people (mostly Americans) associate this appeal with either Islam, third world, or poverty. All[…]
Looking at learning Polish as a whole, seems like a massive mountain that is impossible. It seems I will always sound silly and unable to make the ‘normal’ sounds Poles make. One example, rolling your tongue. I have no idea how I was jipped while I was being created in my mom’s womb but I[…]
There are three “mile stones” for us to pass before we leave the USA for Poland. The first is to grow our family, we hope to have one more child before leaving, if we end up being fully fund-raised and w/o another child, then we’ll probably move to Poland and grow our family in the[…]
There are days when it hits us harder than other days. Feelings of being disjointed and held back. When the thing we want the most is to wake up to a morning in Krakow. See our friends there, go to language school, walk their streets and make a close relationship with their culture. These heartfelt[…]
One of the key values of our mission to Poland is building meaningful relationships. Relationships built on God’s kingdom and values. The core to meaningful relationships is interdependency, the idea that we all need one another. Church should reflect a family system, the idea that we are there for each other in spite of circumstances.[…]
Are cars killing the Church? This is a post by our good friens Marcus check out his full blog here: www.mheternal.com Bear with me for a moment. No, this isn’t an environmental diatribe — there’s plenty that’s been said elsewhere about carbon emissions, gas prices, etc. This isn’t that kind of blog. Rather, as we[…]
We have not been good at updating people in the past six months in regards to our plans with Poland. This has been somewhat intentional, and somewhat because we’re not really sure how to address everything. In short, we are still 100% on board for becoming full time missionaries to Poland. Our vision and goals[…]
Keep your Facebook updates from 2010 forever in a printed diary Shared by TravisM Not Poland or Missions related – but something that’s pretty cool! PRESS RELEASE January 1, 2011 Ever wished you could keep all your Facebook status updates as a real diary? Now you can. Launched on January 1, 2011, Like This Book[…]
Poland welcomes first black member of parliament For the first time in Poland’s history, a member of the country’s black community is to sit in the Sejm lower parliamentary house. Click here for the original and full post
Cannon Beach, Oregon There’s something about the ocean that just makes me stand in awe of who He is (I think there’s a song along those lines). Prayer can be so mysterious and also very tangible. We are strong believers in the power of prayer (and fasting) as we have experienced the amazing and life[…]