It’s now been ten days since your team boarded the plane in Poznan to begin the long journey back to Utah.  I’ve had time to reflect on our time together and would like to share the following thoughts:

In this, our 7^th year of hosting Short Term Mission Teams, our experience with the 30-member team from Utah was nothing short of a colossal blessing.  Here’s how:

1. I have never seen a team whose collective value of sharing the Word of God with one another was so high.  Your apparent habit of having the Word on your hearts was such a wonderful blessing to Joan and me!  It reminded us of our early days of ministry when we and those with whom we ministered were taught and then practiced the same.
2. Your tireless serving mentality was present in your leaders as well as in each team member.  You might think this is common in every team which comes to Poland but it isn’t.  Though you were dealing with a certain level of “culture shock,” you weren’t so paralyzed that you couldn’t serve.  We constantly had people either asking us, “What can I do to help?” or just pitching in without being asked to take out the garbage, do the dishes, carry equipment, or set up more chairs.
3. To say our kids eagerly anticipate the coming of Short Term Teams (especially one with so many young people) is an understatement.  They count the days beginning many months before the team’s arrival.  You guys were so affirming and encouraging to our kids (and to Joan and me about our kids)!  You included them whenever you could and really made them feel like an integral part of your outreach.  They appreciated opportunities they had to help with translation and the Lord really used them!  This was such a super blessing for Joan and me!

You all comprised by far the biggest team we’ve ever hosted here but also blessed us with a huge blessing to match!  May God use your experience here to help form Christ in each of you and to just bring greater glory to His worthy Name.  Thank you Utah!!!