Peter Mahar is best known for his life style photography, making his clients feel calm and right at home. His documentary approach enables him to capture the essence of the mood in the moment.
He has done a little bit of commercial photography, shooting for a fashion designer, hair salon, and chef. His fresh outlook on life helps his photos stand out from the crowd. (http://www.petermahar.com)
Born in 1989, Miwaza is a Christian award-winning photographer and designer. Growing up in a big family and being part of the church all her life has influenced her work. She has been taking pictures for about 10 years since she first "snatched away" her father's digital camera. In addition to her work as a photographer, she also designs websites, postcards, posters, brochures, t-shirts and more. (http://miwaza.com)
Archive for the ‘Prayer Requests’ Category
Our trip there involved a lot of “hurry up and wait”, but we finally connected with our competent tour-guide who led us in a whirlwind through the massive main structures. We could have spent weeks, but we got to see enough to have an amazing time. The major highlight was being able to sing The Nicene Creed in the oldest hall of the castle…that has simply awe-inspiring acoustics.
By the end of the tour many of us were faint with hunger, even those who had already resorted to ice cream earlier in the day. We had several options, but the tough spirited decided to laugh in the face of starvation and charge up the several hundred steps to the castle’s highest tower. It was worth it all. The view was amazing. The trees are so dark and beautiful here. Sadly, our photographers keep missing out on these stair challenging adventures…
We charged over to McDonalds to meet the rest of the group, only the rest of the group had providentially changed their plans. There was one McDonalds employee who knew any English and the whole place was mobbed with children who spoke another language yet. It took us over a half-hour to get about eight people’s worth of food…and even then, three of us ended up sharing a Happy Meal. Thankfully there was an appeasing bird toy that has proved to hold hours of fun-filled entertainment.
Through much stress we all made it to the train platform in plenty of time. Most of us took advantage of a relatively still and quiet hour to doze and drool contentedly. Elise, who seems to have long lasting caffeine effects, continued to cause entertaining trouble..
Tonight we are having a spaghetti extravaganza at the hostel organized and executed by leading female members. Right now the kitchen is very much alive with wild voices…I thought today was our day of rest from singing. apparently we can’t help it. Peter and Miwaza are focusing their artistic genius on a photo shoot with Benjamin and Rebekah. The rest of us that still posess any energy are playing Frisbee outside the hostel.
Tomorrow it is back to work. We may be able to take a quick morning trip to dip our toes in the Baltic Sea. We have two concerts and street evangelism scheduled. It’s going to be a big, awesome day!
Please pray with us-
-For energy and lively voices for our work here.
-Good attendance and conversations at concerts and on the street.
-Blessings and encouragement on Pastor Pawel, his family, and his work here.
-Health!
-Praise to God for a wonderful time here! We can’t believe it is already Thursday.
Bethany F.
The train station, on our way to the largest red brick castle in Europe.
They let us sing in the room with the best acoustics. It was glorious.
The room where the Knights ate their meals.
Arm wrestling for lunch.
Girls preparing our home cooked meal!
All done!
We trudged out onto the sidewalk and down to the dock, where we climbed onto a pirate ship of sorts with highly advanced steering and propelling qualities. We enjoyed the trip to Westerplatt alternating between being “King of the World” on the prow and hulking under the wind and rain cover with comforting hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. Hot weather seems to be an every other day occurrence for us. Sadly, the more unfortunate individuals of our party weren’t able to finish their beverage in time before disembarkation…
We wandered over Westerplatte’s bunkers, towers, plaques, and memorials. I believe getting the story of the men there gave us a better feeling for the entire spirit of Poland. Between history lessons and exploration we busied ourselves with rose-hip wars and fruitless searching for necessarily facilities.
We all waited for the ship lined along the dock, dangling our toes, and snacking on Julia and Tanaya’s trail-mix. The ride back was glorious. We wanted to commander the vessel to take it the open sea where all the delicious wind was, but we had to be contented with several of our team being able to take turns at the ship’s wheel. The shipmaster was indulgent in our Polish Pirate imitations. We were able to talk to the ship’s tour-guide about our presence in Poland and had a good conversation.
When we got back we sang in the Old Town and handed out fliers before returning to the cringing Subway for lunch. In-between two more rounds of singing and handing out invitations we had two mad dashes to the mall, a laundry extravaganza, and other church, shop, and riverside sightseeing..We made the trek back to the catering place for dinner and then the hostel to fancy up for the evening’s concert.
Our concert was at 8pm in the main street of Old Town. We had a competent sound system and God very graciously only teased us with a few sprinkles. Pastor Vanderveen proclaimed the Gospel between two sections of songs. Our voices sounded a bit tired, but we are working better together. We had several people who sat through the entire concert and many people stop for several minutes and take literature. The concert was very encouraging. We pray it bears fruit!
By the time we clambered back up the stairs to our hostel, most of us were pretty beat. Several rounds of Poker and Dutch Blitz brought us back to life in time to be very noisy before crawling into our neglected beds.
Please pray with us-
-For a good day of rest and preparation today.
-For Miwaza who sprained her ankle!
-For health and energy as more people come down with colds and lose their voices. Especially for David who is sick and missing out on the castle today.
-Praise for a good concert last night and energy and audience for Friday and Saturday concerts.
God gave us a magnificent day!
Bethany F.
Waiting to go.
On our way to the boat.
Some of the ruins of Westerplatte Point
Old memorial for the people that died in Westerplatte Point
Heading into town square for our nights Concert.
Some of the people that came to watch us. We were so blessed this night, we had so many people coming to stop and hear us sing.
-That we would continue to have good weather.
-That God would bless our conversations.
-That we would have energy to do all things well!
Garry giving us all the recent changes in our schedules.
The Town square where we have been doing most of our singing.
Part of the beautiful city of Gadansk.
Meetting some of the people that stayed to listen to us sing. He is a photographer!
The battle plan for gaining seatage on the full train failed miserably, as girls lacked speed and volience to claim cabins. We all stood about awkwardly in the hallways until we could find passangers gracious enough to share their space. Some found refuge in the baggage area where they ammused themselves with card games, Mad Libs, and breaking rubber bands.
At the Inowroclaw stop, Landon discovered the hostel keys in his pocket. Fail. But apparently he wasn’t the only one…
We’re going to miss Poznan and all the people there, but we’re excited about Gdansk and working with Pastor Pawel here.
Please pray with us-
-That God would bless our work here.
-Praise for a beautiful, clean, spacious hostel with acceptable internet.
-Energy and health for all of us.
Bethany F.
Today started too early with a confused Polish man bursting into the girls’ hostel. Apparently his room was full and he was trying to find a place to stay…
Needless to say all the girls were wide awake and ready long before the boys crawled into our practice room. We kept practicing for only 20 minutes so we’d have at least a dull croak left for the concert this evening and then were set loose for some free time until we regrouped at 2pm.
Upon release we migrated en masse to Starbucks. Certain technologically literate persons sat about enjoying conversation and free internet, while the rest of us split up to shop, explore, and eat at Pizza Hut…again.
Some of us cruised the mall at various times and places where Nathaniel reportedly ran into a glass door. Good times.
Some of us caught an amazing organ concert at the “pink church” otherwise known as the massive, gorgeous church near the town square. Some of us privileged persons saw a beautiful 1400′s Franciscan Church that had been rebuilt several times, but retained all its glory. The pipe organ alone was magnificent.
Besides some unfortunate stragglers, most of us reconvened at the hostel at 2pm and set out on a long trek past a million wedding dress shops and other assorted stores and buildings. We arrived at the park still clutching our umbrellas and shivering. The stage for our concert performance had some very interesting acoustics going on, which made for an interesting experience. God saw fit to keep the rain and wind constant, but we did have several people stop by. Mrs. Jarmulak and co. kept our spirits up by leading our varied audience in claps of encouragement.
By the time we’d finished the concert, the wind had become even more aggressive. Those of us delusional enough not to pack coats were suffering again.
We all hurried to the massive historic Poznan Cathedral and managed about 7 minutes between a wedding and evening mass. It was well worth it. I hope Peter and Miwaza got some good pictures. I can’t begin to describe it…at least when I’m this tired.
We had some time before dinner reservations so we dispersed, and some of us shivering, blue people finally gave in and went warmth hunting. C&A was the closest shop at hand and we left with warm jackets and alarms beeping. It was probably Sam trying to smuggle his coat…or maybe it was his rad hat. Too much coolness.
We returned to the “Dumpling Place” we had mobbed on Wednesday, only this time with some extra-good beverages Aaron wished to add to the gathering. We left in groups, fat and happy.
Unfortunately some of us girls curently sit in misery while we wait for our wondering room keys. They’re out on the town.
Meanwhile, the boys abandoned Benjamin, who was oblivious to his plight while he wandered about holding Rebekah’s hand. His door poundings could not be heard over the men’s rumbling conversation, and he could only regain entrance by throwing vittles at the third-story window. Finally, a half of banana reached the feet of one of our fearless leaders, who promptly responded with, “What in the world?!!?!??”
God has given us another blessed day. It wasn’t really our plan, but He apparently had a better one.
Please pray with us-
-That we would have good fellowship with the Polish saints, and that we could be an encouragement to them tomorrow.
-That we would have a good day of rest and that peoples’ voices would recover from vocal boot camp.
-That Elise V. would come in safely tomorrow.
-That we would have good weather! Gdansk is supposed to be even more unpredictable, and we really need some dry days.
-That we would continue to have the energy and spirit to continue with our goals and have good fellowship with each other. We are so blessed to be here together.
Bethany Forster
Mr. V telling the group our morning schedule, and about the importance of nocking before entering a room.
Bubu and Joseph discuss the logistics of our performance.
Singing in a park. Sounded very cool!
Our group heading back.