Poland Wednesday

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Wednesday

Breakfast today included some scary looking fish. Even Julian couldn't eat it so the rest of us steered clear... (a first in 18 years of married life that Mr O has turned down food!!)

Bus and tram ride to the school for International Childrens Day where the whole school did a great event based on the Olympics. We took part in the opening ceremony parade with Simon leading us behind the UK sign and David and Joe carrying a massive flag. The rest of us had tiny flags but Stuart out shone us all in his fabulous London shirt. Other students at the school represented Poland, Czech republic, Jamaica, Slovak and France amongst others. We each then had to show a national sport. After a little discussion we decided on cricket, with Simon bowling to Julian, Stuart as wicket keeper, Kevin as fielder and John as umpire.

After apparently hefting a wide shot, Kevin miraculously caught the invisible ball, John pronouced Julian was dismissed and Stuart just looked lost.

We then had various sporting games,relay races and other team games. Alison won the triple jump - which consisted of jumping three times from a standing start.

We then had a dinner of hot dogs and sweet tea. Then we "organised" some games, including passing a hula hoop along a linked chain, and balloons tied to feet that had to be popped.

We sang some songs, although the PA system struggled with our efforts. It was well received but we think they were just being polite!

Then cakes, and home for a rest before the evenings entertainment.

In the evening we went out to a church in the environs of a fertilizer factory in Police - its a town - but Simon thought we were going to see the police. We had 45 minutes of music and talking in Polish. Alison was amazing again and seamlessly joined in, demonstrating she is brilliant on the flute in any language! We then all went to the front and did a couple of action songs. Henrick really enjoyed the children's actions, we did feel a bit like the Von Trap family but nobody was wearing curtains!!

Lynda gave a very moving testimony and Kevin followed up with a sermon that cleverly linked into the earlier Polish sermon translated into his ear by Henrick. Then a few more songs and thus concluded another 2 hour service. We were revived by a delicious chicken supper and yet more cakes. We had a v jolly sing song on the minibus aided by Stuart and Henrik on a tour guide microphone at the front.

The kids have been such stars today so we rewarded them tonight with a mini egg hunt round the church and a very rowdy game of PIT.

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