To Poland with Love - Recalling the 1988 Mission during a Communist Era

 

Agape Poznan Evangelical Church by Rev’d Paul Collings

Acts 16:6-10 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.  When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.  So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.  During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Thirty-three years ago to day, I had the privilege of leading the Exeter Temple Salvation Army  Band on a 10 day mission to Poland.  Yes, it was 1988 and the Iron Curtain was yet to fall and the Berlin Wall was still in tact. Poland in those days, under communist rule, was a very different place and life was hard.  Often there were still bread queues, supermarket shortages, extremely low wages where many of the things that we took for granted were not to be found or affordable for the average family. The exchange rate was 1,200 zlotys to the pound; today the rate is 5 zlotys to the pound!

Some years earlier, Brian Hart, who had worked for the Bible Society, started his “To Poland with Love” campaign; supporting a wide range of Polish Churches exercise their mission.  The Salvation Army had not operated in Poland since the Nazi forces marched across the country. He had a dream of seeing a Salvation Army Band March down the Streets of Poznan, Warsaw and Lublin and in 1988 his dream came true. So on Wednesday the 7th September, a Dawlish Coach laden with brass instruments, uniforms, and supplies for the congregations of Poland left the Car Park of Devon County Council.

Over the next 2 weeks I will take you on a journey by reconstructing a diary of events and sharing sketches of places visited that to this day are still deeply etched upon my heart and mind.

Wednesday 7th September: We gathered at the Car Park of County Hall late in the evening with the Coach packed the previous evening.  Our aim, to catch an early morning ferry from Dover to Calais and pick up our the under secretary for Europe, Lt Col. Booth, grandson of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army and the Army’s film crew, who where to record the events over the next two weeks.

Thursday 8th September: All went well until we hit the M25, when the coach developed a fault. After several hours on the hard shoulder, a breakdown mechanic arrived and corrected the fault enabling us to continue to Dover. With our additional passengers on board we set sail on the cross channel ferry. 

From Calais we made our way through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and into Germany towards the Military Army Base of Minden, for an overnight stop over courtesy of the Salvation Army Red Shield Services. The Red Shield Services is the Army’s Welfare wing supporting military personnel and their families.

Friday 9th September: Having travelled 1000 miles we arrived at Zbór Ewangeliczny „Agape” w Poznaniu (Poznan Evangelical Agape Church and Theological Seminary) our home for the weekend. Tomorrow, the real work starts.

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” – Sally Koch

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What God inspired opportunities will I encounter today to help another?
2. How might I exercise such care and attention to alleviate someone else in need?
3. How ready am I to receive support or exercise mutual care today?

A PRAYER

Father God, we thank you for the congregation of the Agape Evangelical Church in Poznan, who continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ in their community. We Praise you for the wonderful things you are doing amongst and through the churches in Poland. We especially pray that you continue to draw people to Yourself through the ministry of the churches. Give them grace and strength to do your work. May we too share your gospel mission of breaking down the barriers and helping others to see your truth. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen