Missionary Tim Hinrichs sends the following report.The Choir arrived last Friday afternoon in time for the first concert in Drogomysl. On Saturday we were able to take them around the region of Cieszyn and show them the campus of our Bible school. It was a meaningful time for us as we shared the great needs for Poland and the struggles of our Bible school and we all gathered together for prayer in our largest classroom for a time of prayer. What a great encouragement that was for us! Finally, in the late afternoon, the choir travelled to nearby Skoczow where they sang a concert to a nearly full church and many youth! In fact, Skoczow has the most active youth group that I know of in the Lutheran Church of Poland. After the concert most of the youth stayed after to get to know the choir members. It was such good fellowship, that the youth didn't want to let them go!
On Sunday morning they travelled to the 300 year old "mother" church in Cieszyn called "The Jesus Church." They were able to sing a few numbers in the middle of the traditional liturgical service which alone was quite a cross-cultural experience. In the afternoon they met in Wisla, 30 miles away where they sang for a packed church of over 400 people! What a blessing it was to see the impact the choir members had on those in the audience - the joy was infectious. We were especially surprised by the fact that a few people raised their hands in response to the call to receive Christ. After the concert there was a reception and the pastor was telling me how much of a blessing it is to see young people who are so enthusiastic for the Lord. It was a great testimony for the young people here.
The Polish leg of the tour ended on Monday with a day trip to Auschwitz and Krakow. I guess the highlight for Renata and myself was seeing the choir sing in the main square in Krakow. After the first number a crowd had gathered and they wanted more. After the second number more were there - probably 40 people. They ended up singing a mini-concert!
To be honest, I was expecting great concerts from the choir but I was surprised by something more: the ministry of their music, words, and joy. And this ministry was not only to those they met at the concerts and the people they met, but the choir was an encouragement to ME and our Bible school ministry here!
