50 Years Serving the Lord ...

I got a call from Paul a couple days ago. He and wife Betty, along with me, my wife and nearly 100 other friends of the Wereschs are relaxing after a wonderful party … Paul and Betty’s 50th wedding anniversary. The event took place at a beautiful oasis near Yakima, Washington and was put on by the couple’s loving boys Wesley, Jonathan and Dan; their wives Eileen, Jennifer and Bryn; and Grandpa and Grandma‘s joy, grandson, Frederick.

Paul said that as he thought of the thrill of seeing everyone, he was thinking about how children often dream of having one day in Santa’s workshop … seeing all the creations of the man himself … what a joy and a thrill that would be.

But then he said, "Larry, I have spent 50 years in God’s workshop, meeting, seeing, helping, encouraging the workmanship of the Lord … His marvelous creation … His children." He was nearly in tears of joy as he related the thrill of it to me.

I always admire those folks who in this day and age make it to 50 years of marriage and more. But, even more so the Wereschs who have served the Lord during every one of those years ... serving as ambassadors of our Almighty God.

I once asked an elderly gentleman in our town in Idaho for two words that would describe the success of their 70 plus years of marriage. He said without hesitation, "Yes, Dear!"

These two missionary sweethearts, the Wereschs, made a similar two word commitment when they decided to work together … "Yes, Lord!"

As a result of that obedience, they have had the privilege of sharing Jesus with thousands … even tens of thousands of souls in Eastern Europe and Russia … God’s handiwork.

You might think that with 50 years of marriage and service, they would think of retirement … think again! They have already prepared for a 5 week trip to Poland in October. As I bask in the memories of this recent party in Yakima … attended by friends, relatives, admirers and brothers and sisters in Christ, I can only imagine what the parties are going to be like in Warsaw or Bielawa or Barlinek or Bielsko-Biala … all cities in Poland where Paul and Betty served the Lord and are welcomed with open arms. I have seen the love the people of Eastern Europe have for the Wereschs … the parties will be great.

But, as I imagine a day in God’s workshop I can’t help but think of an eternity in God’s heaven … with brothers and sisters in Christ like Paul and Betty Weresch … now THAT will be a party!

Don’t miss it, my friends!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

A Letter From The Weresch's ...

Paul and Betty Weresch have been ministering in Europe since September 23rd. They have visited churches in Norway, then on to Russia and now are in Poland. Let me share their recent letter with you.

Greetings from two European travelers …

We had a very interesting time in Sochi and Adler Russia. The services were great. There was a very good spirit in all the services.

A highlight one evening was an 84 year old war veteran who received Christ as his Saviour We just wish you could have been with us to experience the wonderful time of worship and the way the people responded to the messages. The people were very excited to have us come to minister to them.

One Saturday (our free day) the pastor and his wife took us for a tour into the mountains. First we visited a tea plantation. It is the first one in Russia. We were shown around and then had tea and light lunch at the tea house. From there a 4 wheel vehicle picked us up and took us to a rehab center which is also a summer camp for children. The camp is being built in very rugged terrain but has good potential, however right now it is still very primitive. There is no running water or utilities of any kind.

While there we had a meeting with the rehab people. Their testimonies were most interesting. The leader of the group is a former drug addict that has been free for 5 years. He has taken Bible school by correspondence. What beautiful young lives that now have been free and redeemed by Jesus.

On Sunday we had a wonderful service in Sochi. They church was packed. Then we were taken out to a Georgian restaurant. It was a beautiful place. We dined in the loft of the building. The food was served with flair. Wish you could have been with us for it was very interesting.

After a very long traveling day on Monday we arrived in Poland at 4:00 AM Tuesday. We had flown to Berlin and there were picked up by the pastor's son at 11:30 P.M. Then we had a 4 hour drive to Dzierzoniow, Poland. After a few hours of sleep we are fine.

The weather here is the opposite from Sochi. It is cold, windy and
raining. Some parts of Poland had an early snow. On this trip we have learned to just take it as it comes. In November we will be returning to Canada.

God bless you
Betty and Paul Weresch

Continue to pray for Paul and Betty as they continue their mnistry in Poland.

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Alleluia - Alleluia - He Is Risen!

What a wonderful thing happened that day when our Jesus was resurrected! It is the defining event of our faith … the power over death. A new beginning … how fitting that we should celebrate His resurrection in spring … a time of new life!

I will remember Easter forever, because it was on that day, 16 years ago that I became a new man … was given a new heart and a share of that great event … resurrection. That was the day I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart.

Two things have happened this week that has had me musing about that glorious event. Although my mother had gone to heaven a decade before, my father – a wonderful Christian man – enjoyed the last eight years of his life with me, his born-again son. I could see the joy shining from his heart as we would talk about the Lord we shared. I will see them both again in heaven because that is what resurrection is all about.

The first thing that happened this week was the posting by my friend Alexander (Sasha) Shein of the video right under this posting. You should stop reading for a moment, go down a few inches and take a couple minutes to see this young boy talk about his father.

The second thing that happened was during my weekly phone conversation with Paul Weresch.

Paul and Betty have been in Germany, Poland and Russia … revisiting churches they have planted. It has been a glorious few weeks with the Lord blessing them greatly. They are so very thankful for that. However, the thing Paul wanted to talk to me about was a note from one of his sons, Jonathan. He and his wife Jen have been moved by the Lord to build some houses in El Salvador this summer with Habitat for Humanity. You could hear the joy in Paul’s voice as he spoke to me about his Godly son.

You see, all of Paul and Betty’s sons are serving the Lord. And, with all the joys and success the Lord has given the Weresch’s by His grace … the greatest is that they are witnessing God work in the lives of their children.

It is simple … Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected … He asks us to remember that and believe … then pass it on to our children.

If the little boy in Sasha’s video clip sees a father who loves God with all his heart and shows it, he will follow in his father’s footsteps. And, the father will experience great joy, just as my father did, just as Paul and Betty did, just as you can if you pass that love on to your sons and daughters.

And, my dear friends, our great Father in heaven will also experience great joy and know … it was worth it!

Happy Easter!

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

A Letter from my dear wife, Betty

Dear Friends,

May God’s blessing and guidance accompany you throughout this New Year 2009.

Just being into the third week of the year much has happened, we have seen the overwhelming crowd of people weeping and rejoicing while witnessing the inauguration of the New President of the United States.

Then in the other side of the World we saw the pictures of people in utter despair seeing their loved ones die and their home destroyed by war in Gaza. The future is unknown to all of us, will be rejoicing or shedding tears of grieve?

While we live from day to day in this New Year may our life not be like a monopoly game where we strive to be the winner and then take it all, only to realize that our life (like in the game) when over, all is put into the box. We have no more than all others.

May we realize that today Life is an opportunity given to us by God to SHARE our resources whether they are physical, mental, spiritual and monetary. Great examples in this life are Jimmy Carter and the many volunteers building the Habitat houses for the poor. Then there are also the many community and church volunteers. Let us, you and I, join these people.

“Therefore as we have opportunity, let us Do Good to All people”    Galatians 6:10.

Paul and I are looking forward to our ministry in Europe this year. In March and April we plan to be in Germany, Poland and Russia. We will be focused on teaching the Word to the pastors, leaders and congregations. We thank you for making this ministry possible through your prayers and financial support.

Here are exerts from a letter meant for all our donors who make this possible; received from Bible school students whom we are supporting:

“Dear Paul,
Thank you for your support in our studying at the Bible school. All of the sessions are a great opportunity to be grounded in the Word and prepare us for service. These studies are made much easier by the support you give us. We are so grateful to you for these blessings. Best wishes from; Lukasz, Marek, Jarek and Bartek”

God bless you

Paul and Betty Weresch

A Great Experience .. A Wonderful Legacy

Recently I officiated at the memorial service for a very dear friend, fellow worker and father-in-law to my son. It was an experience I will long remember.

Dr. Glen Doornink was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, beloved physician to many, and a dedicated man of God.

I am reminded of Dr. Luke’s observation about David in the 13th chapter and 36th verse of Acts, "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep and was buried with his fathers …"

What a wonderful legacy to a selfless man that hundreds of co-workers and former patients .. patients crossing many color lines, but treated equally .. attended his memorial.

What a wonderful legacy that 7 children, 36 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren all serve the Lord.

What a wonderful legacy that he will be remembered in Romania and Yugoslavia where he assisted me on several missionary trips.

And what a wonderful legacy that 8 of his grandchildren have been part of the team that helped us with the language camps in Slovakia and Poland for the last 6 years.

Dr. Doornink was distinguished by his many professional accomplishments over 40 years, by his love for his family and by his service to mankind while walking this earth. He always put the health of the people over the importance of making money.

And now, like David, "having served his own generation by the will of God, he has fallen asleep and been buried with his fathers …"

A wonderful legacy .. a marvelous man .. Dr. Glen Doornink.

Paul Weresch

Does God Care?

Does God really care?

Come unto me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Words of Jesus.) Matthew 11:28
Last week a man came to our meetings. He was very dejected, his problem was that he had an alcoholic past because of which he had lost his employment and now was unable to find a job. He came to Pastor Daniel asking him to assist him in finding a job. Pastor Daniel said to him that he was not a job agency nor was he qualified to give him psychological counselling that would enable him to find a good job. But what he could do for him said Pastor Daniel, was to pray with him and God would make sure that he got a job. The man looked in disbelief at Pastor Daniel. But on being encouraged to simply trust God, he joined in prayer. The next day we were surprised to see a joyful man come to our meeting. He was beaming from ear-to-ear, and informed us that he had found a job. Early in the morning he had an impulse to go to a certain company and ask for employment as he approached the person that interviewed him he realized that he had walked into an open door. Not only was he offered the job but he was offered immediately a contract for six months. The personnel manager was fully aware of his alcoholic past but he was also aware of the fact that he had managed to stay dry for four year. This man was amazed that God would really care for him and answer his prayer so quickly.  
Now does God really care? The answer is yes, we read that in the text from the gospel of Matthew. God really cares! 
 Can anyone go through life without facing problems? No, we're surrounded by problems! There's no way of hiding from them, they pursue us like shadows. What's more, problems are individualized. No two pPublish Posteople have exactly the same problems. That's why it's comforting to know that God knows us individually, personally God knows all our troubles. Remember Jesus said come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. The psalmist knew that and sang: “I lay my requests before you and I wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3

Think about it!

Paul Weresch

English Camp in Dzierzoniow, Poland

From right to left: Alana, Annie, Carrie, Jane, and Ray

Last week has proven to be a productive yet exhausting time for our team from America. All five of us are students or former students from Washington State University. Jane and Ray met Annie, Alana and me in Berlin and went straight to Dzierzoniow. Our purpose was to aid the local church in blessing the town by teaching a valuable life skill to its children: the English language. 

For five days we met with 30-40 young students, teaching them to sing English songs (about Jesus) and addressing the large group with a message about God's love. Then we broke up into three smaller groups, divided by skill level, and taught them some basics of the language. The children were introduced to several new vocabulary words and were given the opportunity to interact and practice their English on native speakers. In the oldest group of kids we had several great conversations about God and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. 

Through the camp, some residents of Dzierzoniow have noticed the blessing that this church is to the community and have praised God because of it. Relationships were formed between the students and the American leaders, despite the linguistic obstacles. We praise God for the opportunity to be here and to work with this church. They, and we, look forward to doing this all again next year.

Ray Gross and Carrie Calhoun

Our friend Alexander Shein, the pastor from Moscow, Russia visited us in Dzierzionow, Poland. This was Sasha's first visit to Poland and it proved to be most profitable for all of us. Pastor Shein preached to an audience gathered in tree-mast tent on the subject of the importance of making the right investments in our lives. These investments were not to be limited to finances only but include time and talents which in the final analyses means the investment of our lives; his message was well received.

In addition to his preaching, Sasha helped us greatly with our IT work and with development of this Blog. Tomorrow our friend is leaving for Moscow. We, who are remaining in Poland already, miss him, who is such a multitasking talent. Bon Voyage, mon frere!

Paul Weresch