"Ring the Bells . . . let the whole world know"News from George and Vera BaJenakI

FEBRUARY 1973

Dear Christian Friends,We wish to bring you up to date with our life and work here in Poland.

Thanks to your prayers and His leading, we have come through another year.This was not an easy year for the Bajenski family. It was our first year ofworking and living here without our parents. Three years ago my motherdied, and last year father was called home after 43 years of serving Christhere in Poland. This new situation gave me many new responsibilities inrelation to church property management, and office administration and paperwork which my father was handling himself. During this past year much ofmy time was given to the ministry of the Warsaw Christian Church, withstrong emphasis on our youth programme. The youth work in our localchurches and in connection with our camp activities is the most rewardingand promising undertaking in our work. From these ranks of young Christians a new leadership is forthcoming for the Church of Christ. Vera isdoing fine-becoming very fluent in the Polish language and at the sametime helping me to keep my English fluent. She has assumed the dutiesclosely with collectively as a mission here in Poland. This past year,

:ently had 2 after a very successful youth programme of camp activ-\ there have ities in Ostruda, our programme has been expanded not3ast summer. only for young people but to include accommodation andII of our day activities for senior citizens on this existing twelve-d knows that acre campsite. We see this as a good decision and an a more full very timely one. Needless to say it is in need of muchwe wish for prayer and support. We daily pray to God for wisdom and

ividually and strength to follow through this undertaking. I personally

of organist in Warsaw church and is working closely withthe choir and young people. We have recently had 2baptisms and in our camp work in Ostruda there havebeen over thirty decisions for Christ this past summer.We cannot at this time summarize for you all of our dayby day work during this last year, only God knows thatone day we will be able to share with you in a more fullway our activities. At this particular time we wish foryou to know that we need your prayers individually and

A group of young people with Dewey Thackston leadingin a "sing-song" at the campsite in Ostruda.

^ mssvmcmm

Polish young people pose for a group picture on a campexcursion.

recall from some time past a message given by PresidentEarl Hargrove of Lincoln Christian College at the dedication of a new sanctuary at Eastview Christian Church,he said . . . "Christian ... if God is with us let usplan big" ... I feel He is with us, therefore we moveinto this new year with big plans and big hopes so thathere in Poland all of our daily efforts may not be in vainbut people of all ages may come to know Him and Christ

INCOMEBalance forward August 15. 1972 $1965.00Receipts August 15-December 31 3663.00

Total $5628.00Note: The above total does not includedeposits for December as they were notreceived for banking until after the newyear.

Less total Disbursements

Balance on hand

Lincoln Christian ChurchBox 147Lincoln, Illinois 62656

(ADDRESS RETURN REQUESTED)

$1965.64

$3662.36

be glorified in everything. We feel in a very real waythat God is on His Throne and we wish you dear friendsHis strength and blessings.

In Christ and His service,

Vera and George Bajenski

DISBURSEMENTSLiving Link 3 months @ $600PrintingPostageDisplay materials for missionary

conventions

$1800.00112.00

15.00

$1965.64

8ulk Rate; Non-ProfitU.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 148Lincoln. Illinois

Mission ServicesBox X77Keapton, Ind* 46049

WAY 1 5 1973

"RingtheBells . . .let the whole world know'

News from George and Vera Bajenskl

SPRING 1973

Dear Christian Friends,We greet all of our dear Christian Friends in the

name of our risen Saviour. We are well, thanking God thatHe is with us, and also thanking you all for your concern,prayers and support. We thank all of you who have notgiven up on us due to sparse communications.

Our Christian labours here in Poland are progressingslowly. We do not have any fantastic figures or statisticsto announce but we are here and the Churches of Christare here in Poland working day by day, still preparingground for the Lord's harvest. Seed of the word of God issown by our mouths and our lives and through the veryeffective medium of radio. Tapes are prepared here inWarsaw and broadcast from Monte Carlo. The responsehas been greater than we could imagine. Letters are coming in from all over the country. People are asking forBibles, prayer and other requests. Just 2 weeks ago wewere with a group of young people of our congregationvisiting a village where a new congregation was formedthrough the radio ministry. This new group made requests for Christian Music. I did leave them a copy of ourPolish record but there is a definite need in this area of

'producing and distributing Christian music in Poland.People are anxious and eager to hear the Gospel.

Naturally we are not without our own growing pains.Many of our elders and preachers are dying and thosethat are still actively preaching are reluctant to pass thiswork along to the younger generation. There is a tremen-

. dous need for training a new leadership. There has beena start in this area but due to prevailing conditionsprogress is very slow.

Our Youth Center work is now combined with theHome for the Aged and is situated on the same property.Funds are needed for this project and much prayer thatgovernment approval may soon be given allowing us tostart major construction. We pray and believe that thisapproval will soon come and we would ask you all to especially remember this part of our work in prayer.

u

Plans have already been made for ^ht-weeks ofcamp activities this summer. We do hope there will besome groups of college age young people visiting us thissummer as in previous years.

We would like to share many more things with youbut in time when we will have the opportunity to meet faceto face we will be able to relate things to you in moredetail.

Sincerely In His Service,

Editor's note: Shortly after receiving this letter, wordwas received that papers have beenprocessed and George and Vera will bevisiting the U.S. and Canada thissummer. After confirmation of details,dates will be announced. J. Huk

INCOMEBalance forward Dec. 31/72Receipts Dec. 31/Mar. 31/72Less total disbursementsBalance on hand

Lincoln Christian ChurchBox 147Lincoln, Illinois 62656

(ADDRESS RETURN REQUESTED)

$3662.364377.651972.706067.31

DISBURSEMENTSLiving link support 3 months@$600 $1800.00Newsletter and Christmas letter 145.70Postage 27.00

Total 1972.70

Bulk Rate; Non-ProfitU.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 148Lincoir), Illinois

Mission ServicesBox 177Ke.Tipton, Ind, 46049

"Ring the Bells . . .^13

let the whole world know'

News from George and Vera Bajenski

"To God be the glory,great things He hath done."

The words of this great hymn so beautifully expressour feelings upon returning to the United States, afterspending two years of living and working with Christiansin Poland. God has been good to us, and we thank Himfor all of you dear friends, and for your prayers and support which made it possible for us to be in Poland at animportant time in church growth. For me personally, asa citizen of a foreign country, it is a special feeling andprivilege to be able to return to the United States, wherethe best years of my life were spent. For Vera it is also aspecial feeling to come home after some time spent incommunist Poland.

Christian churches, and churches of Christ in Polandsend you their Christian greetings and salutations, aswas practiced in the days of Paul the apostle. If to bemeasured by time, the time we spent in Poland was twoyears, but if to be measured In experience and Indevelopment of the work, I believe that more happenedin these two years, than could have been expected in fiveor more. These new developments were taking place inour church work, and our Polish family life, and personallife. We would like to limit our first newsletter, since our

arrival, to these three points mentioned, with more to beshared with you by personal visits, and future letters.

Concerning our personal life and planning our futurework, a new development is taking place in relation tomy official status with the United States Government.For a period of two years it was possible for both of us tolive and work together in Poland, being subject to twodifferent governments. Vera was subject to theAmerican Government, and I was subject to the PolishGovernment. It seemed that all went well for this periodof time. God provided and protected from all evil. But toexist like this for a longer period of time was impossible.The regulations of the government of the United Statesdid not permit me to stay out of the United States for alonger period of time, since I am not a citizen, but onlyhold resident privileges of the United States. Theseprivileges were given to me after our marriage in 1969.After prayerful consideration of all the facts, and afterconsulting the consul at the American Embassy in Warsaw, we decided to settle this matter of my visa and apply for naturalization papers with the government of theUnited States. This decision will have significant influence on our personal life and future work withChristians in Poland. During the time which is needed tocomplete this process we will be serving our Lord here inthe United States, visiting churches, preaching and singing Christ's message, telling of the growing church incommunist Poland, and the other East European countries, also sharing our latest mission developments. Wewill also be helping our Christian friends who have leftPoland and are presently living in the United States.There are many of them, but not many churches wherethey can worship together winning others for Jesus. ThePolish brethren have also asked us to speak on theirbehalf concerning two important developing projects,which will still be mentioned.

Some other news which we would like to share withyou is from our Polish family life. During our stay inPoland we experienced a death in our family. My father,Paul Bajenski, was called Home by God. He was myfather, but for the last forty-four years he was God'sfaithful servant. For many years he worked among hispeople in Eastern Poland, but for the last twenty years hetravelled all over the country with the Gospel, with council, and with advice, strengthening churches in theirneeds. He was a great help and source of encouragement for me in my ministry. It was very difficult for me tostand helplessly by his bedside and watch him go home,where just two years previous my mother had gone. God

is an Almighty God. He is now my father. He loves andHe cares. It is for Him alone that we want to live, andserve, and go wherever He needs us. As sad and as difficult as it was for us to take, we accepted it from God, forHe knows the best. Since father's death, many newresponsibilities were passed on to me. But God was withus, and those empty places in our Warsaw church werebeing taken by other Christians. Everyone in church washappy to hear the words of a convert during a recentbaptism, "Through the witness of Brother Bajenski, whois today with Jesus, I am now a Christian." Also therewere the words of my younger nephew, Andrew, who lived with my parents since 1961, "I want to work for Jesusas my grandfather did." Andrew keeps his promise. Andrew is still young, only eighteen years of age, but he isactive in church life, singing, witnessing, and travelling toother churches with young people telling of his faith. HisChristian-life is effectivejo that .he is_bringing .manxofhis school friends to our youth meetings, summer andwinter camps, and It was at the summer camp inOstruda, last year, that one of his friends, Ursula,stepped forward and accepted Christ. Today she is afaithful member in our Warsaw congregation. Next yearAndrew is planning to enroll in the only TheologicalAcademy there is in Poland. The other members of theBajenski family in Warsaw are also Christians. My sisterDonna, who was our choir director, is temporarily living

in Prague, Czechoslovakia. My eldest nephew Leszek,just recently was called to serve his term in the Polish army. My young niece, Dorota, is still in high school, butalso active in the church's youth work.

Generally speaking, the Church In Poland is a youngChurch, composed of many young people, althoughthere are still some older brethren who started the workin Poland fifty-two years ago. This is a difficult time ofChristian work in Poland, a time of transitiona timewhen the younger generation, younger in age and experience, is taking the place of the older generation. Insome cases this creates growing pains! Much wisdomand patience is required until fruitful results of this workare seen. Pray with us, dear friends, that both our olderbrethren may be able to see clearly their place in Christ'swork, and that our younger generation may have thecourage and wisdom to make decisions for the benefit ofCtrrlstrPray in parttctrtar for -Kostic Jakoniuk, whoreceived his Seminary training here in the United States,that God will give him the strength needed in leadingothers in this growing process.

At present, the Christian churches in Poland, togetherwith other Evangelical churches are undertaking a veryimportant project that will help our churches grow. As ofSeptember, 1973 the churches are sponsoring a Bibletraining programme lasting six to eight months. For

about twenty-six young men from all over tine countrythis will be the beginning of a future regular Bible schoolin Poland. This is one of the two projects that thebrethren have asked us to remember, for there still maybe some unexpected difficulties and need for financialassistance. Another large undertaking of our churchesis the expansion of our Ostruda youth camp. Groundshave been purchased and rp_ughjy adapted for our present camp activities. But in order to build new facilitiesfor living and for teaching on a permanent basis, wecould not receive all the needed permits. Then the ideacame-to transfer to our camp ground the church's SeniorCitizens Home. New buildings would be built accordingto government requirements, at the same time enlargingthe home to provide for about sixty people. Also duringthis construction it would be possible to build additionalrooms for our youth programnrve. The project meetschurch and government approval, and plans are beingmade for construction. This undertaking will demandmuch work, financial backing, and constant prayer thatin all decisions God will lead the proper people ingovernment who will make the building of this projectpossible.

We would still like to share one more piece of happynews with you. While working with a group of Christiansin one part of Poland, we were able to help them start anew independent congregation which meets presently ina private home but is already adapting our old home forchurch use.

I believe that we will have more to tell you about theseprojects and many other things as we will meet. Now wemust close our newsletter. We would like for you to knowabout our joys and sorrows, and to make ourselvesavailable to you by visiting your churches, your homeswhere we could tell more how God is making His plans inour life come true.

You can contact us by mail at:Ring the BellsPolish Mission

Box 147

Lincoln, Illinois 62656Or directly through our forwarding address:

George BajenskI% John Huk Jr.

833 Miriam RoadBay Ridges, Pickering

Ontario, Canada

We will be anticipating to hear from you soon, as yourprayers and support are needed. At the present we donot have any other means for living, and continuing ourPolish mission work. Only your prayers and support willmake it possible for us to help Christ's work in Polandand to help Christian Churches in America.

In His Name,

/t- oikaieMs^

Vera and George BajenskI