Alleluja! We made it back to Poland, and without any delays, surprise, surprise.

The cylinders have been really playing up on the way from Nantwich to Lincoln on Wednesday. So when we left Lincoln on Friday at 2 p.m. to catch the ferry in Dover at 10:15, we prayed a lot. :)

God answered by sending us a lovely rainbow - we took it as a sign from Him that we will be ok. Within the following 2 hours we stopped 5 times due to the cylinder not working... And, on top of this, we hit a couple of major traffic jams on the motorways... What should have taken us 3 hours turned out to be nearly 6 - we got to Dover with an hour to spare, nevertheless.

God has been working hard on Dale, while Dale has been thinking hard on how to avoid the problem. He seemed to have given Dale the solution - driving with high revs, trying not to slow down, if possible. It looked like the cylinder choked whenever the revs dropped - when we had to slow down in traffic or going uphill. So off we went through France, Belgium and Netherlands, like a lightning through the night! Driving at night has it's advantages - almost no one else on the road.

We did stop a couple of times, of course - for fuel, toilets and food, and - to pump up one suspiciously looking tyre, but only 3 times with the cylinder problem! When we reached the hilly part of Germany, there was a lot of prayer going up from our van - and we went through all the hills quite smoothly. I don't know who was more into doing miracles - the Lord, or Dale. :))

We got to Poznań on Saturday evening, after 19 hours' driving. We're really grateful to the Lord for bringing us safely home.

The car is ready for its next visit to the mechanic... except that now it has one very flat tyre - like a pancake - where's the foot pump???!!!

Thanks to all of you who prayed during our trip!
God bless!

Our Church Vision

A Radical Vision for Historical Biblical Christianity

* a radical understanding of God's Word and His Kingdom - and applying it now to our lives in a Polish context

* all about Jesus - SOLO CHRISTO
* all abouit grace - SOLA GRATIA
* all about faith - SOLA FIDE
* all about Scripture - SOLA SCRIPTURA
* all about His glory - SOLI DEO GLORIA

(not in any special order:)

* understanding His Word and putting it into daily practice
* discovering our purpose in His plan
* serving Him and serving others (being a tool, a mirror, a clay pot)
* reading His Word - slowly carefully and seeking what is really there - and then applying it to our daily lives
* using the gifts and talents He's given us 'for the building up of His Body' - all members (including women & children)
* allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in the light of Scripture
* seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness
* follow us as we follow Christ
* relationship Christianity - first with Jesus and then with our 'family'
* upside down Kingdom - where the greatest King of all is the greatest Servant of all
* His rule and the expansion of His realm in our everday lives & situations
* Spiritual warfare
* Good News for the poor
* discovering the real Jesus
* being pioneers...

This has formed the basis of many ideas we have as a fellowship for the work we are trying to do for the LORD in Poznan, POLAND.

Dale

Back in the UK

Thank you for your prayers. We have arrived safely in Dorking, my old home town. A spot of bother with the van occurred - seems we lost a cylinder, but this has been temporarily fixed (with the help of a 17 spanner!). Good time at St. Paul's Church on Sunday and we've been meeting up with friends and family.
Please pray for renewed contacts and interest in the work going on in Poland...
Praise the LORD for continued support for the ministries we're engaged in...
Pray for a fruitful (and also relaxing!) time during the rest of our stay...
Pray for the time we spend 'up North' with Mum and my sister and her family.
(We hope to try to meet up with my Dad as well).
Many thanks,
In Him and for His Kingdom,
Dale

Minibus - Our Ford Transit

We spoke to the mechanic today and he said that they should be able to weld the exhaust pipe back to the silencer. The van should therefore be OK for the long trip. Please pray for us as we make the journey - we have a deadline for the ferry. For safety and no hassles. We head for Calais and then from Dover straight to Dorking.
Many thanks for praying!
The Taylor Tribe ><>

Getting ready for the UK trip...

Having just arrived back from the Royal Rangers' Scout Camp, we're now trying to get ready to head off for the UK on Friday morning (30.07.10)...

Please pray:

* the van has currently a MAJOR problem and is currently NOT driveable. Last night I discovered that the exhaust pipe has severed after one of the silencers... The exhaust repair place near us is closed for their summer holidays... :(
- Please PRAY that we'd solve this problem and be able to leave on time!!!

* we will drive across Europe (Germany, Holland, Belgium) to catch a booked ferry from Calais 0645 on Saturday morning 31.07.10.
- Please PRAY that we'd have no problems during the non-stop journey.
- PRAY for Dale as he drives - for safety, tiredness, and that his back will be OK...
- PRAY that we won't get lost on the motorways (especially around Dusseldorf / Duisberg and Antwerp).
- PRAY for the kids and patience on the very long trip...

* we will be in DORKING first visiting St. Paul's Church, friends and family.
- Please PRAY for renewed contacts, interest in our Mission work in Poland.
- Praise the LORD that we can stay at Nick & Marie's again :)

* we will visit NANTWICH, where Dale's Mum lives and spend time with her, Dale's sister Paula, and her husband Simon and the children's cousin - Hayley... :)

* we will visit LINCOLN to see friends there - Jonathan & Ewelina Greenwood and the Baptist Church.

* Hopefully we will also be able to visit family and friends in other parts of the UK too...

Prayers for us are very much appreciated!!!

In Him and for His Kingdom,
Dale ><>
Asia and the clan!!!

July

Half a year's gone ...

All the three homeschooled girls have passed their end of school year exams very well.

From September Hannah and Sarah will continue their education at home under the Wrocław Christian School ARKA. Abigail, Ben and Reuben will attend the Poznań Christian King David's School.

Asia will continue teaching English in King David's School.

Dale should continue teaching English with business companies.

Please PRAY for one main contract still to be signed... Due to management changes in this company where Dale teaches (the main source of our income), English classes there may also be affected.

For 3 months (maybe more) we will have a Christian lass from St. Mary's Reigate staying with us for her gap year. She will do some English teaching, mainly assisting Asia in King David's School, as well as being involved with a children's club run by our friend Bernarda for children from difficult homes.

PRAY for her safe arrival at the beginning of September and good adjustment to Polish culture, her new responsibilities and to our big, noisy and messy family :)

Holiday time!

Military Zone for Dale, Hannah, Sarah, Abigail and Ben - 8-10 July - history re-enactment weekend - from Medieval times to the 2nd World War.

Royal Rangers scout camp - 14-25 July. Our 4 older children go, and we go as staff. The theme is the "Ranger's Apprentice" series of books. A scout camp with a medieval theme.

PRAY for:

-organisation and administration - organising a scouts camp under EU safety requirements would be a challenge for Gen. Baden-Powell himself :)

-time spent on adventure, as well as character training, team work and following the Lord

-good weather

-a high percentage of the camp participants will be children from areas affected by the floods earlier this year - pray especially for them that this will be an opportunity for them to learn about God's love and care

Family trip to England - 31 July - 22 August.

We will be in Dorking the first 10 days, staying at Nick and Marie Goddards' house, visiting St. Paul's on Sundays: 1st and 8th August.

10-17 August - visiting Dale's family in Nantwich, Cheshire
18-20 August - visiting friends in Lincoln Baptist Church

21 August - back to Poland

The last week of August Asia will be busy at a Christian teachers conference in the South of Poland and planning the next school year.

PRAY for:

- safe travel
- time spent well with friends and family


"Home education in Poland"



We've just received our copy of a newly published book in Polish. It's a compilation of articles and testimonies of Polish families teaching their children at home. One of the chapters describes education at the Taylors' - written by Asia!

Exam results - Praise the Lord :)

Thank you for your prayer support - Asia & the girls were very encouraged by the results of their first exams under the Polish system for Home Schooling in the Wroclaw Christian school.

Over 2 days Hannah took 8 exams and Sarah took 7. Overall results: one A+, six As, six Bs and two Cs. In between exams the girls went to regular lessons with their appropriate classes and enjoyed themselves.

The teachers were very pleased with the girls’ performance and we left with the headmistress’ congratulations on the work we’ve done so far.

Incidentally, the outstanding A+ was for German, for their English the girls got only straight As!

Home Schooling Exams - PRAYER REQUEST

* Please pray for Hannah & Sarah this week as they face exams in the Christian School in Wroclaw. They will join their classes for end of semester exams in their many different subjects.

* Please pray that they will be calm during the exams, and work quickly and efficiently in answering the questions. That the key issues they will remember and be able to put them down on paper.

Asia will go down to Wroclaw with them and they will be staying overnight at the Baptist Church there for a few days.

Ben & Reuben will go to Kolobrzeg to Asia's parents for the School Winter Break and the girls will join them after their exams. Abi will go to a friend's for a few days and then join everyone at the Baltic Coast.

Dale will remain in Poznan working with CELT and doing an Intensive English course with a Businessman. He has a lot of catching up to do because of problems with the weather here (the minibus doesn't like the ice & snow - rearwheel drive - and is in hibernation!), unfortunately continuing back problems have also contributed to cancelled classes.

Future events:

PRIORITIES AS A FAMILY...

Dale: preparation for a Bible series teaching on Mark's Gospel
Model Club moving to a new location with a new group of teenagers
continued language teaching - some intensive work
New Life & Eldership meetings - responsibilities

Asia: homeschooling the girls - pressure on her
work with King David's School - responsibilities & ministry

New Life Fellowship - focus on evangelism and deaf ministries this year


Praise the Lord:
For continued prayer & support from St. Paul's Dorking
All the Christmas Cards and newsletters we received from friends :)
Sarah passed the first semester exams at the Music School with excellent grades in practical and classwork.
Received very positive letter of thanks concerning the 'Family Hero' Exhibition in a local Secondary School.
Brilliant time with the Church fellowship around the New Year period.


Asia, Hannah, Sarah & Abi - The Taylor 'Little House on the Prairie'


Ben - the Redcoat (mainly Royal Field Artillery!)

Welcome to the Taylor Clan Blog!

Hello and welcome to our family blog. Hopefully we'll manage to keep it updated with our latest newsletters and prayer pointers. We'll try to keep you in touch with things that are happening in Poznan, in the life of our family and also the Christian fellowship here. News, events and other such developments we'll be publishing here.
Have a look at our last Newsletter - Christmas 2009 - which you'll find below (or in the archive to the right of this note).
Thanks for visiting,
Dale

The Taylor Times - Christmas 2009

“As for me and my house we will serve the LORD..” Joshua 24:15
THANK YOU FOR YOU CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR WORK & MINISTRY IN POLAND

Warmest greetings & love in Christ from the Taylor Clan in snowy Poznan, Poland! We hope that you have a brilliant one celebrating the birth of Jesus – our Lord and Saviour!

Dale, Asia,
Hannah, Sarah, Abi, Ben, & Reuben ><>

Mission from LINCOLN–
“It’s about time…”
At the end of July we hosted a group of teenagers from Lincoln Baptist Church (UK) who helped us run an English Language Camp in our house!

Polish teens joined them everyday for trips, classes and in the evenings heard about the Lord Jesus through testimonies, music etc.

“It’s about time…”

The title of the Camp enabled several ‘play on words’ from encounters with history, English grammar tenses to, of course, the idea of making a final and definite decision.





Health
The moment all the young people left, Dale was diagnosed with a herniated disc which meant spending nearly 2 months in a horizontal position on the floor.
With medicines, physiotherapy and regular checks things seem more under control, but it means a much more careful lifestyle now -
if it is possible to stop Dale running around!!!


Jazwiec - Christian Medieval Fellowship

In his free time Dale continues to be involved in both Medieval and World War re-enactment groups, preparing history exhibitions and lectures for schools and libraries in Polish & English. Photos from the last exhibition “Family Heroes” can be seen at:

http://www.turboimagehost.com/album/19322/wystawa_11-11-09


Transport

One of the amazing blessings from the Lord this year was Asia passing her Driving Licence – at first attempt! A revolution in the family! Asia enjoyed the new driving licence, taking our kids and friends to the lake all August, until on the first day of the new school year she had an accident crashing into 3 other cars. Later, after discovering that the brakes had failed absolutely and completely, we were very grateful to the Lord that no-one was hurt! Our mechanic managed to get the minibus going once again!!! However, we need to seriously consider exchanging the bus for a more reliable one, as we keep fighting with bigger and smaller repairs.

Our family trip to England this year was not possible due to previous repairs needed on the minibus and Dale’s back problem. So prayer’s needed!

Education
Hannah & Sarah continue their home schooling under a Christian school in Wroclaw. In January 2010 they are taking their first exams under the Polish Education system! Sarah started Music School in September and an early Christmas present appeared in our house on the last day of November – a piano – life will never be the same!
Abi, Ben and Reuben are at King David’s School in Poznan, where Asia teaches English and is the Form teacher for Class 5. In October the school organized a week’s conference with Christian Education experts from UK, which kept Asia busy translating both lectures and materials, as well as looking after some of the speakers staying at our home.
Teaching our girls at home has resulted in Asia being asked to write down our story and experiences for a book on Home Education in Poland, to be published early next year.

CELT – Christian English Language Teaching

Dale continues to work with CELT, mainly with business folks and in teaching teenagers preparing for their final Secondary School exams. Most of the classes are nowadays individual ones, more personal and flexible. Our aim is still to build relationships whilst at the same time taking opportunities to share the Good news whenever they arise. (I Peter 3:15)


The Building
Currently snow-covered! We are suffering a bit from the fact that the building has never really been finished. There is no insulation on the house which is causing some minor damp problems, but worst are the temperature problems in winter and the accompanying gas bills!!!

New Life Christian Fellowship

Dale is one of the Elders of the fellowship, which continues to meet in the house on Sunday mornings. We’re about to start a bigger project on translating the New Testament into Polish deaf sign language – to be accessible via internet (& DVD) for deaf people throughout Poland. Having spent several years with a small group of deaf people we realize they are in fact a completely unreached ethnic group, with their own culture, language and completely different way of thinking. They’ve been left to themselves in their own world for many years – time to change it!
Dale has just finished teaching a series on the Book of Esther and in the new year hopes to start one on Mark’s Gospel.

Royal Rangers -16th Scout Group - Poznan

The Royal Rangers (a Christian Scout organization) are expanding their work in Poznan as several new troops have started. Dale is leader of a specialist troop as the Model Club he has run for years has now come under the umbrella of the Rangers, as has Jazwiec. Two other troops use our home at the moment – the Eagles (boys) and Falcons (girls)!


Prayer Pointers:
Our Family – education and health!!!
New Life – growth in the church.
New Testament Deaf Project.
Development of King David’s School (more staff & children, plus new location)
Plans for next summer - ?
Jazwiec exhibitions, tournaments, outreach opportunities!
Royal Rangers at our house!
Building & Minibus problems!

with all our love in Jesus,
The Taylor Clan ><>