Poland
This article was originally published in the March 2017 edition of ITMI Monthly.
“One million down, 59 million to go.”
Our Polish partner, Piotr Zaremba, has been here in the U. S. for most of February.
He didn’t get to come to the States last year - a first in a very long time. Piotr doesn’t come to get away from his work in Poland, because he brings as much of his work with him as he can fit in between as many “thank you” visits as is possible.
ITMIs Piotr Zaremba with his wife, Krystyna.
Piotr loves to show the printed, footnoted, cross-referenced, newest printed Polish Bible, the one that all of us had a small part in helping him translate and publish.
His kind and gentle report always includes some insight into what we have helped him do for his beloved but lost and blind Poland. “We have over 1 million copies of our translation now distributed to Polish speaking people.”
He then immediately says, “…we have only 59 million to go.” Piotr has a passion to reach all the approximately 60 million Polish speaking people in the world.
The first step was to get them an accurate, readable and usable form of God’s Word.
Poles from all walks of life and circumstances are enjoying the translation.
Over 800 evangelicals gathered to celebrate the completion of Piotr's translation!
As happy as he is with the success and acceptance of his new translation, Piotr says, “…but I am greedy. I want more.” Anyone that knows Piotr knows how unlike him it is for the word “greedy” to come out of his gentle, soft-spoken mouth.
“More” to Piotr is the next big opportunity he sees to reach his country for Christ.
You see, Poland has been decimated not just by communism, but a dominant and militant state religion. This one-two punch has almost completely inoculated the Poles to their need for Christ.
Piotr believes, and often states, that one way to reach Poland is to reach “the largest unreached people group - the children.” With lost parents, these children are not even hearing of the love, hope and purpose of Jesus.
Piotr wants to introduce Christian education to Poland’s elementary school children. Strangely, the Polish government will help a school if it meets certain standards and has Polish students enrolled.
Piotr believes that if God will allow - and use us to help Poland - the school can be self-sufficient in about three years’ time.
Imagine our disappointment as our own Darek Baniski, husband and father of three children, two of which have been diagnosed with the very rare and currently incurable, Niemann-Pick disease, was in essence fired from his very successful position of “President” (or Superintendent) of a highly ranked secondary Polish trade school.
Derek Banicki with his wife, Daria.
He was persecuted for the stance he took on sola gracia by being part of the evangelical church. Yet, with Darek not having his usual education employment, he is now able, willing and elated to see how God can use him and his vast education experience to Biblically train the next generation of Poland’s children.
Darek, Piotr, and the education team that has been assembled believes that their needs for the first three years are as follows:
$65,000 (USD) first year, $45,000 second year, $25,000 third year.
ITMI, through one of our dear supporters, has received a commitment to match any donations for this Polish children’s education project up to $20,000 USD.
This donor shared that he and his father were concerned that initial costs to start Christian children’s education in Poland was going to cost as much as 10x what Piotr and his team have estimated.
This donor, who started an Arizona based Christian K-12th grade school and who supported it for decades, knows the exceptional value of what Piotr and Darek are trusting God to do in Poland.
If you are interested in a wonderful and exceptional eternal investment project, will you prayerfully consider helping the children of Poland hear and know the love of Christ, in an environment of care and safety with godly teachers who love and purpose their gifting to nurture these future citizens of God’s Kingdom.
William Cary, a missionary to India once said, “…I’ll go into the places where you will never go, but you must hold the ropes….” ITMI wants to help Piotr and Darek by holding the ropes as they go where we will never go. Join us if God so leads.
In His Service,
Steve Evers
has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.
