14 April 2019

(Can't think of a catchy subject line, so the boring date will have to do)

We had more new experiences this week than we can count.

All the old missionaries in Poland gathered in Warsaw for a 3-day "conference" or mutual support or group therapy, what have you. All the branches are spread out around the country and so it's nice to see how other missionaries are doing what they do to help the work move forward with their little flocks. There are 5 couple besides us and each is about 3 hours away from any other. Warsaw is 4 hours by car from Gdansk and we took a very pleasant 3 hour train ride to get there. Warsaw is the national capital, it's very crowded and busy and there's lots to see and do there.

We enjoyed a Chopin piano concert in a restaurant where the composer himself played. He preferred to play for small groups instead of in concert halls and it was great to be just feet away from the pianist. The young man was just amazing and his performance was full of enthusiasm and passion. Some of Chopin's works are emotional roller-coasters and we loved it.

We visited a museum of Jewish history in Poland, which was interesting and at the same time depressing, of course. The 12 of us visited other sites, including the old town which is another beautiful tribute to the Polish people's respect for their history and their rebuilding prowess after WW II. While we were standing together deciding where to explore, we heard some girls scream and Jean ran to where a crowd was forming. Turns out some members of BTS (google K-pop if you dare) were dancing on the square. She got some video right up close. When she showed it to our president's 14-year-old daughter and her friend, they literally screamed and started crying. That's pretty much been the reaction to everybody she's shown it to. Whatev.

We walked a lot and saw a lot and discussed where to eat a lot, then ate a lot. It was exciting and new. Contrast that to us joining the mission president and his family for breakfast and scriptures on the last day. There are lots of things in the world that are fun and we enjoy them, but the things that last are the ones that are quiet and bring you peace. That was our most salient takeaway from the week.

Peace to you all,
Elder and Sister Bridge

Pics

Polish Spring countryside at 150 km/h

Title this either "Tomb of the unknown soldier" or "Unmoving blue jeans and white sneakers" 

(He just wouldn't move out of my shot!)

The flowers in foreground are the colors of the Polish flag

Note the senior missionary holding her phone up high with her mittened hand.

Soup for the homeless on Sunday. I told you we help a couple of groups prepare soup and sandwiches for the homeless. Today was the first time we had room in our schedule to help the Sunday group serve it.

I hope you can see enough detail and I can set the scene for you. There were about 100 or 150 in line for soup (hard to count because they get back in line until the soup is gone). The folks also hand out new socks and underwear each week after serving the soup because many homeless people have no way of washing those in the winter when fountains aren't running. I happened to notice off in the corner some of our group standing by a seated older man. He won't go to a doctor for his feet though he should. Some people don't trust institutions. A young lady was washing his feet. Away from the handout crowd. Out of sight. Avoiding notice. She does it for him every Sunday.

I had to turn away for a long time, there was pollen or something in my eyes.