International Convention Warsaw, Poland! Part 1
Sorry for my absence! Life has been jammed full of activity, not too much that's so interesting. Till now!
After 3 weeks of being away we are finally back home.
The international convention in Warsaw, Poland and all the events surrounding- just unforgettable. So much more than we could have ever dreamed. For this we feel forever changed. The hard work, joy, love, talent and sacrifice of the friends in Poland makes us want to work harder for Jehovah. Over 8,000 brothers and sisters volunteered to help with the convention and connected activities. Many took several days or weeks off from work, some even left their jobs, and others traveled hundreds of miles regularly up to 6 months before the convention began to plan, train and rehearse. They didn't miss a beat either. From the moment we arrived they showed unfailing love. We felt so taken care of. All we could need was given to us, detailed custom maps, a help desk at our hotel and 24 hour a day assistance. The branch even arranged for the delegates to have free public transportation on all buses and metro lines within the convention radius. Upon arriving we were greeted by many friends in the airport, as we left airport parking and at our hotel. Some friends spoke very little English but they knew how to say "I love you!".
Our very first full day we took the train to old town Warsaw. On the train we met two sisters volunteering at another hotel. They had traveled 4 hours to get there and rented an apartment for the week. They didn't know English but through Google translate we were able to communicate and had wonderful spiritual conversation. They invited us to dessert and coffee at a cafe in Warsaw, their treat and we spent a couple hours walking around together. It was so upbuilding!I just received an email from them today inviting us to visit their small village in Poland. So in less than 24 hours in Poland our hearts were filled with love and joy.
The evening after we arrived we attended the evening gathering set up by the branch. We were picked up on a big tour bus with other friends from our hotel and transported to a much bigger hotel. It must have been a 1,000 witnesses there from all over the world! When we went back and counted we met friends from at least 25 countries!! They had a huge banquet for us with delicious food, many traditional Polish dishes. Musicians, whom were all Jehovah's Witnesses, filled the room with beautiful renditions of kingdom melodies and original songs. After a couple hours they led us into a large banquet room with a stage. Performers put on skits, sang and did traditional dances. The level of talent was epic! We were seriously impressed. They even wrote original songs and taught one to the audience with a dance. Everyone was on their feet by the end singing and dancing together and even the performers came down to join the party! They replayed that song at least 5 times, us all getting better at it each time. "In our hearts we are united. That you've come we're so delighted. Please remember with Jehovah you're not alone. Our love for you will never ever fail."
On Wednesday we boarded the bus again in the afternoon, another bus ride filled with friends singing together in many different languages. This time we had the awesome privilege of visiting Poland Bethel. What a gorgeous branch! Full of beautiful flowers and greenery! They set up an amazing outdoor festival for us. They had at least 10 different booths with food and drink plus activities. I learned from a sister how to make pierogies, the most popular traditional polish dish. They even had a booth with samples of Polish vodka and another with honey mead. After eating, drinking and socializing the music started. As we journey down the path on a perfect day passing booths of tasty dishes and the smiling faces of our spiritual family, it really felt like paradise. They put on a huge performance on an outdoor stage they made just for the convention delegates. They did a series of traditional dances with songs. And wow wow wow! Some of it was like crossfit X10, super athletically challenging! And guess what!? 6 months ago most of these friends had no clue how to do these dances. They rehearsed every week for 6 months! Jehovah causes to become! Speaking of that, on a very personal note. I want to share my prayer to Jehovah. I prayed so much in this process. One thing I had to pray for is to not overwhelmed by the people. I love people but as a more introverted person I can only take so much of being in large groups. Just at a local convention, sometimes even just a meeting with my local congregation I feel "peopled out". In Poland from the very minute we got there till the minute we left there were people around all the time. Just from the first day I was feeling worn out. But I begged Jehovah to cause me to become. To become a more social person and to have the emotional energy to not just be with people but to make it count. From that time on Jehovah certainly answered me, it seems I was transformed into a different me! Not only was I able to be with people but I looked forward to it, I was excited for it every day. I'm so thankful for this. If you deal with the same thing, know you don't have to be limited by it. It reinforces to me how powerful prayer can be and made me feel very loved and looked after by Jehovah. (Philippians 2:13.)
On Thursday August 8th we had maybe the most amazing day. It's so hard to pick a better day because every day the friends just went above and beyond. We took a old classic train ride through the forest called Mazovia. It was a gorgeous ride through countryside and forest. Rolling hills and apple trees were among the cascade of picturesque scenery. Next a tour guide lead us through the musical composer Frédéric Chopin's home. He was a native to Poland and a musical prodigy. Sadly he only lived till 39. The day ended with another, you guessed it, huge party! It was an outdoor picnic with a buffet of tasty food, an ice cream bar and a booth for handmade traditional crafts the friends gifted to us. Performers from all over Poland put on a marvelous show like a JW concert! Everyone was singing along, dancing, jumping up and down, making trains of people and so on! What a blast! The friends we made and the fun we had, can't be described with words. We got home well after 10 that night and knew we had to get some rest for the convention the next day. Although I must say it was difficult to fall asleep after that day! So much love and encouragement already, and the convention hadn't even started.
After 3 weeks of being away we are finally back home.
The international convention in Warsaw, Poland and all the events surrounding- just unforgettable. So much more than we could have ever dreamed. For this we feel forever changed. The hard work, joy, love, talent and sacrifice of the friends in Poland makes us want to work harder for Jehovah. Over 8,000 brothers and sisters volunteered to help with the convention and connected activities. Many took several days or weeks off from work, some even left their jobs, and others traveled hundreds of miles regularly up to 6 months before the convention began to plan, train and rehearse. They didn't miss a beat either. From the moment we arrived they showed unfailing love. We felt so taken care of. All we could need was given to us, detailed custom maps, a help desk at our hotel and 24 hour a day assistance. The branch even arranged for the delegates to have free public transportation on all buses and metro lines within the convention radius. Upon arriving we were greeted by many friends in the airport, as we left airport parking and at our hotel. Some friends spoke very little English but they knew how to say "I love you!".
Our very first full day we took the train to old town Warsaw. On the train we met two sisters volunteering at another hotel. They had traveled 4 hours to get there and rented an apartment for the week. They didn't know English but through Google translate we were able to communicate and had wonderful spiritual conversation. They invited us to dessert and coffee at a cafe in Warsaw, their treat and we spent a couple hours walking around together. It was so upbuilding!I just received an email from them today inviting us to visit their small village in Poland. So in less than 24 hours in Poland our hearts were filled with love and joy.
The evening after we arrived we attended the evening gathering set up by the branch. We were picked up on a big tour bus with other friends from our hotel and transported to a much bigger hotel. It must have been a 1,000 witnesses there from all over the world! When we went back and counted we met friends from at least 25 countries!! They had a huge banquet for us with delicious food, many traditional Polish dishes. Musicians, whom were all Jehovah's Witnesses, filled the room with beautiful renditions of kingdom melodies and original songs. After a couple hours they led us into a large banquet room with a stage. Performers put on skits, sang and did traditional dances. The level of talent was epic! We were seriously impressed. They even wrote original songs and taught one to the audience with a dance. Everyone was on their feet by the end singing and dancing together and even the performers came down to join the party! They replayed that song at least 5 times, us all getting better at it each time. "In our hearts we are united. That you've come we're so delighted. Please remember with Jehovah you're not alone. Our love for you will never ever fail."
At our hotel we were greeted by dozens of friends.
On our way to the evening gathering with delegates from Korea.
We were asked not to post any photos are video of the performance online, so if you want to see it, we have to show you in person!
On Wednesday we boarded the bus again in the afternoon, another bus ride filled with friends singing together in many different languages. This time we had the awesome privilege of visiting Poland Bethel. What a gorgeous branch! Full of beautiful flowers and greenery! They set up an amazing outdoor festival for us. They had at least 10 different booths with food and drink plus activities. I learned from a sister how to make pierogies, the most popular traditional polish dish. They even had a booth with samples of Polish vodka and another with honey mead. After eating, drinking and socializing the music started. As we journey down the path on a perfect day passing booths of tasty dishes and the smiling faces of our spiritual family, it really felt like paradise. They put on a huge performance on an outdoor stage they made just for the convention delegates. They did a series of traditional dances with songs. And wow wow wow! Some of it was like crossfit X10, super athletically challenging! And guess what!? 6 months ago most of these friends had no clue how to do these dances. They rehearsed every week for 6 months! Jehovah causes to become! Speaking of that, on a very personal note. I want to share my prayer to Jehovah. I prayed so much in this process. One thing I had to pray for is to not overwhelmed by the people. I love people but as a more introverted person I can only take so much of being in large groups. Just at a local convention, sometimes even just a meeting with my local congregation I feel "peopled out". In Poland from the very minute we got there till the minute we left there were people around all the time. Just from the first day I was feeling worn out. But I begged Jehovah to cause me to become. To become a more social person and to have the emotional energy to not just be with people but to make it count. From that time on Jehovah certainly answered me, it seems I was transformed into a different me! Not only was I able to be with people but I looked forward to it, I was excited for it every day. I'm so thankful for this. If you deal with the same thing, know you don't have to be limited by it. It reinforces to me how powerful prayer can be and made me feel very loved and looked after by Jehovah. (Philippians 2:13.)
Poland Bethel!
Outdoor activities!
Tasty :)
Unforgettable performance!
On Thursday August 8th we had maybe the most amazing day. It's so hard to pick a better day because every day the friends just went above and beyond. We took a old classic train ride through the forest called Mazovia. It was a gorgeous ride through countryside and forest. Rolling hills and apple trees were among the cascade of picturesque scenery. Next a tour guide lead us through the musical composer Frédéric Chopin's home. He was a native to Poland and a musical prodigy. Sadly he only lived till 39. The day ended with another, you guessed it, huge party! It was an outdoor picnic with a buffet of tasty food, an ice cream bar and a booth for handmade traditional crafts the friends gifted to us. Performers from all over Poland put on a marvelous show like a JW concert! Everyone was singing along, dancing, jumping up and down, making trains of people and so on! What a blast! The friends we made and the fun we had, can't be described with words. We got home well after 10 that night and knew we had to get some rest for the convention the next day. Although I must say it was difficult to fall asleep after that day! So much love and encouragement already, and the convention hadn't even started.
Our awesome tour group and very knowledgeable guide.
All smiles.
Party time!
Beautiful sisters.
So much dancing.
Some of the coolest people we met! Our new friends from France made us feel like we were apart of their group! Merci!
To be continued....
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