Poland
Maya, Michael, Sandra, Olive and Hania are like most Polish children. They love their parents. They have hopes, dreams and aspirations. They want to discover the world around them.
They are like most children in every way. Except one. These 5 suffer from serious health conditions in one form or another, including cancer.
And all too often in Poland, because parents are not able to stay with them at hospitals, this means long separations from family. At a time when they need loving people around them the most. Sometimes the families have to travel extreme distances for treatments, and cannot afford to stay nearby.
Several years ago, Bread of Life's Tomek Jezyk observed this situation in Kalisz, Poland, where he is a pastor in addition to the Director of Bread of Life Kalisz. In typical Bread of Life style, he did something about it.
Tomek Jezyk (middle) with Bread of Life co-founder, Richard Nungesser (left).
He orchestrated what has become an annual event in the historic town square of Kalisz, Poland to raise funds for the benefit of children and families facing these situations.
The event features donated entertainment, a warm meal and handmade Christmas items offering many the chance to be a part of something very cool at Christmastime.
Christmas at the Square in Kalisz, Poland
ITMI's Brooke Nungesser selling Christmas goods as part of the fundraising efforts.
Tomek Jezyk (far left in yellow vest), Bread of Life's National Director Janus Fredyk (right of Tomek), and the New Life Center residents at Christmas at the Square.
This year's Christmas at the Square event raised the highest amount yet, clocking in at $7365 USD. Then a subsequent fundraiser raised brought the total to nearly $9800!
The funds will help their families with commutes for treatment, hostel stays for parents as well as drugs and other treatments.
"Build a Hospital, Please!"
As this event has gained momentum and recognition, the amount raised has grown as more and more participate in donating items to sell.
Knowing Tomek's concern for the frustrating situation of these families, the city asked Tomek to raise funds for a small hospital to meet the needs of sick children.
Bread of Life co-founder and ITMI partner, Brooke Nungesser says,
This is an extremely important project because too often in Poland, kids and parents are separated. This will relieve the stress of having to travel, sometimes at extreme distances, when children are in the hospitals. It is a project the city asked Tomek to take on, and we did not hesitate to answer, “YES!”
After all, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me…” And Jesus himself is in the business of healing and living!
Friends, if you want to help out this family in their time of need, if you want to be part of a great demonstration of what it means to be one of God's people, if you want to be "in" on what God is going to do with his faithful servants, will you pray with us for Tomek, Eliza and David?
Will you consider providing some needed funds for their medical treatment?
(click the button below and include "Tomek medical" in the comment box.)
