Brian Humbles: Guest Blog Contributor

I’m traveling with Roger and Brooks in Poland, and it’s time to report on the adventure. Thursday we both landed in Bydgoszcz (go ahead, give it a try: say “BID-GOSH,” sort of spitting out the last few letters and adding a bit of a guttural sound. Only took me three weeks of referring to “that unpronounceable city” before I final mustered the courage to speak it out.) The day was a classic traveler’s adventure for me, with two missed flights (out of three, the first one being late and causing the cascade); so we didn’t meet up until Friday morning. Roger and Brooks came in from London, where they had their own adventures watching oversized/overweight travelers (their carry-on luggage, that is), shedding pounds and inches at the gate with all their fellow sufferers looking on with sympathy and dread. (“Will mine also be too fat or too heavy?”) Who says travel isn’t glamorous and exciting? When I arrived after midnight, I was up and ready to meet our host, Sławek Jakowiec (forget the last name; for the first, say “SWAVIK”),  who gave us a brief tour of parts of Bydgoszcz, the 8th-largest Polish city, with over 350,000 people and a rich heritage. The Vistula River flows through the town, and is lined with century-old architecture and beautiful trees turning shades of yellow and gold in the chilly fall air. We lunched on “pancakes” (really more like crepes) stuffed with about anything you want—ours had chicken and minced pork—VERY tasty, then set up for our evening meeting. The first meeting was an opportunity to introduce to a mixed crowd an overview of the principles related to simple church. By mixed I mean some who were 20-year veterans of house church, and others who were eager to learn more than what they had heard, or had read in Roger’s book. (More on that later.) Roger was kind enough to include me in presenting; and working with a translator meant the time flew! The reception by the crowd was warm and friendly, although I still can’t say “hello” in Polish (Sounds like 7 syllables...) I had learned during the day that Sławek had translated Roger’s book into Polish, and the printed copies had just shown up before we arrived. I tell you I felt like someone special, knowing that the guy signing copies of his book was my friend. We’ve been kidding him about his book signing ever since! Saturday morning we met in a home, about 20 of us squeezed into a 10 x 15 foot room on the top floor of an apartment building with a spectacular view of the city. We ate of course, and reviewed a host of issues related to simple church gatherings. I was very encouraged: the more we shared together, the more I appreciated how sincerely these brothers and sisters desired to see others brought into relationship with Christ, and then discipled into maturity. Discipling was the focus of the discussion—a challenge as there is no direct translation of this concept into Polish! For lunch we went to the mall—an impressive place that puts anything in our area to shame. Chinese food in Poland wasn’t bad at all—although it was interesting ordering by pointing and hoping that what the picture looked like was what it really was. (“Tastes like chicken!”) We spent the afternoon in Sławek’s living room—again, a tight squeeze but a time of rich blessing and sharing. Again the time passed quickly, with rich interaction on topics carried over from the morning, and much, much more. I’m convinced it was equally encouraging for us and our hosts. So what’s struck me most deeply so far? I believe it’s been the rich sense of a common purpose with these guys. As we prayed together Friday afternoon I was gratified to consider the beauty represented by our lifting common prayer to the Father in unique languages, each of which was a fragrant aroma before Him, blended together in a glimpse of what I imagine it might be like when in the end “those from every tribe and tongue and nation and people” worship Him together. It truly was amazing. Second, I’ve been very encouraged in continuing what my wife and I are committed to doing at home, as there is much we’ve shared here that I see room for reenergizing and building on there. Can’t think of anything better than going back with a deeper sense of purpose in what God has put our hand to, having been deeply enriched in this special place. Sunday my time with Roger and Brooks comes to an end, while they continue on to warmer climes, and I’m sure much more to tell. I’m writing from the train, where we’re headed for Warsaw. It’s been a great three days! Roger's book signing: Slawek and daughter: