Between the 11th and 13th of February 2022 we had an international youth weekend. Young people from Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and of course Poland gathered at our place in Ustroń. We have been planning this weekend since autumn 2021 and we were very much looking forward to this time together with our friends from home and abroad.
On the first day, Friday February 11th, we gathered for the evening youth meeting, where brother David Nooitgedagt gave us an insightful introduction to Romans chapter 7. The Apostle Paul writes there about two orders active in man – the order of God and the order of sin, and gives thanks to God in verse 25: “To God be thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord! So I myself serve with my mind the law of God, but with my body the law of sin.” Later in the service we heard many testimonies from the young brothers and sisters. Everyone was able to say what was on their heart and the simultaneous translation allowed the listeners to receive in their native language.
On Saturday February 12th we gathered in the morning for a short program prepared by a group from the Netherlands. We heard how important it is for everyone to know from what source they draw their nourishment, what they fill themselves with. There are two sources: a good and pure source from God, and a source that is polluted by sin. We choose for ourselves which source we draw from, but we were encouraged to use only the true, living water: “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall not thirst for ever; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a spring of water springing up to eternal life.” These are Jesus’ words from John 4:14.
Later on Saturday, each participant of the weekend was able to take part in an activity of their choice. Thus, a large number of people went on a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Oświęcim, another group took a trip on a mountain trail in the winter scenery, and still others played team games in the sports hall in Istebna.
In the evening of that day we gathered for a themed celebration. We heard many songs, hymns, speeches and appeals. The theme was a verse from Revelation John 3:7 “…This says the Holy One, the true One, the One who has the key of David, the One who opens and no one will shut, and the One who closes and no one will open.” In the panel conversation, moderated by Marek Kędzior with David Nooitgedagt and Vidar Olsen from Germany, the main topic was David – his humble disposition from an early age, which did not change when he became king. This trait of the young man who defeated Goliath caused God to choose his tribe in which Jesus Christ was born, the one who holds the key mentioned by the apostle John in Revelation.
The weekend concluded with the youth service on Sunday, which was opened by Brother David Nooitgedagt with words of hope and encouragement for all young people. We heard many testimonies expressing gratitude and joy for the opportunity to experience such days. At the end, brothers Piotr Pilch and Vidar Olsen made us realize how privileged we are to be able to meet with other young people to hear and live God’s Word.
We are very happy to have been given the opportunity to experience such a weekend. For a long time we have dreamed of having the opportunity to hold large youth meetings. Thank God we were able to do it this time and over 300 participants returned home after three days full of good content. We believe that we will again get the chance to organize similar youth meetings in the near future.
