A Work In Progress: 24-7 Team in Neubrandenburg!

Wow, what a brilliant week! And amazingly, everything seemed to run smoothly from the “Get Go”, so thank you for your prayers! :) It was also a very full week, and I think it’s taken the past week or so for Katharina and I to ‘balance out” and fully re-energise, but we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better week or group to have, and we are already looking forwards to doing something like this again!

Introducing the Team to the German "Ice-cream Culture" on the first day!

The group “clicked” from the first contact, and really connected well throughout the entire week. We managed to take three Ausflüge (Out Trips) to towns in the region that Polylux would love to see things either develop locally or perhaps eventually “plant out” into, where we were able to bless, encourage and pray for God’s heart in those places. In one of the towns(Wolgast) we were also able to meet up with a friend of a friend who lives and works with a small church community there. We found that really special, too, as it was so nice to see how encouraged she was by having us come, as well as being able to JOIN with her in praying for her town.

Field Trip!!

Picnic lunches and learning about the Region

the Team in Wolgast, with Rebekah (2nd from right) who works with a local church there

During the week the Team also got to help out with a big community "Fest" going on, to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Datzeberg. Polylux had quite a presence there, with different “stands” that people could go to and make pin badges, or have bags or T-shirts printed with some of our designs, or join in the children’s “soccer tournament” held throughout the afternoon! The Team all helped with the various activities, which was great because it meant they were able to meet and interact with a lot of our Neighbours and the wider community on the Datzeberg, as well as getting to practice some of their German!

The Familienplatz "en Fest"

Ellen & Hannah helping people make pin badges

On Monday & Tuesday they also had the opportunity to join in with the choir for an evening as well as with the Community Frühstück (breakfast) at Caribuni, and then on their final day Basti had them do an “International Day” at Caribuni, sharing a little about why they’d come, where they came from(mix of English, Scots, and N.Irish), cooking “Shepherd’s Pie and Apple Crumble” (traditional British Food) for everyone and teaching them “Rounders”. It was all great fun and the kids loved trying out their English!

All in all, it went AMAZINGLY!! It was the first time that Polylux has hosted a “Team” of this nature, and honestly, none of us really expected anyone to choose our team (oops!), let alone to have to find 2 extra beds to accommodate everyone! And during our “Team Debrief” on Wednesday, all of them said what an amazing time they’d had, they’d been encouraged, inspired, challenged, wouldn’t have changed anything unless to stay longer, etc, etc! :)

I know that the entire Polylux Community were really blessed and encouraged by having them come spend time with us, and I know that Katharina and I were both blown-away, relieved and encouraged by how well things went!

Thank you for all your support!