Hejka cześć friends and family!

In one week, so much has changed and so here are some updates on missionary life in Poland and the effects of the corona virus:

As of today, there are around 150 known Covid-19 cases in Poland with 3 deaths, but drastic measures have been taken pretty early on to slow the spread of the disease. Despite the precautions, the number of cases is starting to grow exponentially though as of this week the numbers are still relatively low considering Poland has a population of 38 million people. As of a couple days ago, schools, museums, theaters, and malls are all closed for two weeks. The governors of different cities have encouraged everyone to stay home. Travel in and out of Poland has been banned and international flights have been suspended for the next 10 days. No trains are currently going west to Germany or east to Ukraine. A few days ago, President Trump also banned any foreigners from Europe from entering the US- however, the ban does not apply to US citizens. The situation is changing daily so what I share today may be much different in a couple of days.

For us missionaries, it currently means that although we are not in lock-down yet, we have a 2-week food supply just in case that becomes necessary. Currently we are not allowed to tract, street contact, teach English class, or hold any group meetings. But we are allowed to work on Facebook and keep having skype lessons 🙂

For me, the plan is still that I will come home to Texas in early April. When I cross the border, I’ll be screened for coronavirus and regardless of the results of the screening, I will at a minimum be self-quarantined in Texas for 14 days (unless something changes before then).

During the initial panic last week regarding the growing pandemic, many of the grocery stores were emptied of a lot of food; as of today, the stores have mostly restocked and this morning there was plenty of food, medicines, and (maybe most importantly) toilet paper!

During this confusing time when the situation changes daily and nothing really seems certain, where can we turn for peace?

The lyrics of one of my favorite hymns comes to mind:

Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart,

Searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows,

Where, when I languish,

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only One.

He answers privately,

Reaches my reaching

In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.

Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind,

Love without end.

In a chaotic world full of daily changes and imperfect people, Jesus Christ is a constant. He is constantly there–our loving older brother who wants the very best for us. During this uncertain time, I have received a lot of strength from the knowledge that no matter what is happening in the world, His promise to us is the same–PEACE.

I also have a strong testimony that faith and prayer are powerful. When we have faith and we act on it, we open the door for God to work miracles in our lives. That doesn’t just mean we can sit back and do nothing—but rather that when we work together with God, we can achieve more than we ever could alone.

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, and safe week! Wash your hands often, take this time inside to learn a new skill or read a good book, and tell someone you love them. I love you all!

Z miłością,

Siostra Baldwin

Pictures

-Singing hymns in old town with the elders

-old town is EMPTY

-riding the empty bus

-adventures in old Town

– No toilet paper!?!?