Poland Part 2: Niepołomice and Krakow

On Saturday we went to Niepolomice, a town about an hour bus ride away from Krakow. Before we headed out in the morning Wes and I found a local coffee shop/breakfast location to enjoy. Wes ordered an ice coffee (came with no ice) and I had a latte. I took a picture to note how ash trays were everywhere (outdoor areas at least). To us, Krakow had moments of US culture, fashion, design of early 2000s.  We appreciated how every time we ate out, even at walk up food places, the dishes were served with real plates/utensils as if in a "sit down restaurant". Wes came back another day for this salmon avocado eggs benedict dish. 

picture of Dad and CJ who ate breakfast in the Hotel (which they raved about) most days 

Wes snapped this picture of myself getting to know a lady I was sitting next to. Her name is Ludmilla and she has 4 daughters. She is a single mom who left Ukraine for Poland several years ago. We had a great conversation and ended up meeting later in the week for ice cream. 

the town square of Niepolomice was very charming 

We went to Niepolomice to meet up with 4th Baptist of Krakow church members.  Even though it is a 45 min drive into Krakow, they have a few church members who live in this town. Their goal would be to start a bible study in this area. They invited their church but weren't sure how many people would show and yet they outnumbered out team which was very encouraging to the missionaries and pastor. So we split up as a US team and partnered with Polish church members. Our goal was to have conversations, share about the church, engage the community (many were out for a horse festival at the town square). 

As I look back on these pictures, Wes and I were paired with a young mother (above) who lives in Niepolomice, and it reminds me to pray for friendships and Christian community for her. She hasnt met any other young Christian women in Niepolmice and desires that, as we all do. She moved back with her husband to start a family (they live with his parents). I asked her how she became a Christian. She said she was exposed at a Christian conference that  visited her town and a friend invited her to. It is a good reminder that you dont know how the Lord will use your invites and seed planting. 

Wes and Mateusz trying to communicate :) He spoke English and was a very encouaring Polish church member who spent time with us. Dad and him were paired in Krakow once for evangelism and Dad was encouraged how Mateusz would be praying prior to their interactions and right after for the people by name. 

The church arranged for us and their members to spend time together walking through Niepolomice forrest.  I didnt know what to expect when they referred to a "walk in The Forrest". It was a wooded area with miles of walking and biking paths. We ran into a kids camping group as well. 

When we came back from Niepolomice, we went into the Krakow Old Town for the evening. We visited Wawel castle which looks over the Vistula River and is within the walls of Old Town (it used to be a fort contained by a moat)  

Wes pointed out here that the vines /greenery grow up the side of castles  like this because they under the toilet that hangs outside of wall in medieval times

By the cathedral in the castle walls, there is a statue of John Paul II who was a Pope from Krakow, Poland and was the church he as first a priest at so they have  statue there as well. 

places to scrap the mud/horse poop off your shoes were still visible in places along the sidewalks. 

I couldn't get over how pretty 

 Lucky for us there was a festival going on by the river front. Many vendors and food options were available. Wes tried all the meats and choose soup, bread and we each enjoyed grilled cheese with prosciutto and cranberry compote. 

Every hour at the bell tower in the town square a person plays a song on a trumpet and stops towards the end due to the story that it was being played in medieval time and he was shot with a bow/arrow at that point in the song 

We had devotions in this lobby/bar hotel room at night lead by Edgewood Baptist team members with just our US group.  Dad was always engaging different workers :)