"Ring the Bells .

let the whole world know"

News from George, Vera and Benjamin Bafenskl

February I9S8

Dear Friends and Supporters,

It is our first letter to you this year.
We wish you therefore many happy days, abun
dant in God's "blessings. We also sincerely
thank you for your faithful encouragement
and support of our ministry.
The year I988 found us here in Toronto in
good spirits and good health with more work
than ever "before! This included radio and

followup activities, more church invitations,

involvements in church life in Poland and

even in Russia and on top of everything more

adjninistrative responsi"bilities and much more
physical labor in the construction of our new
office and studio facilities. We thank God

for strength and for all of your help and

prayers.

One highlight still from last year, actually it was a highlight of many years of our
"Ring the Bells" ministry. This short yet powerful song about Christ's birth in Bethle

hem has a powerful ring of command - to tell the whole world about Christ's life, death
and resurrection, in other words the whole Gospel and this challenge we did accept as a

priority in our life. With this theme, "Ring the Bells...let the whole world know," last
December I was invited to take part in a week's program of the Living Christmas Tree with
the Capitol City Christian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was truly an unforgetable
experience and I hope for many of us it will serve for years to come as a reminder of our
commitment to our Lord. Thank you Bob, thank you Kay and all dear friends from Nebraska.

After all of last year's changes it seems as though we are still catching up with the
work load here in Toronto. Our four language radio ministry continues without interruption
although now there is only three of us working with it. Our Russian work is done collec

tively. The office work with printing, mailing, bookkeeping, some correspondence and a
few other things Vera is handling.

To complete these few words on our family up-date I will just mention that Benjamin
has grown about 8 inches since last year. Ever since our last summer's visit with the

Parkcrest Christian Church in Long Beach, California, Ben was impressed with Califor
nia's life-style including surfing and the music of the Beach Boys. Also after spending
a week at the Word of Life camp in New York, he was inspired by some Christian musicians
and he started to play on the trumpet. Right now he is one more time involved in the

school's 8th grade public speaking competition and guess which topic is making winning
performances thus far - his "Nerd-a-raania" theme in which he challenges students

to

take a stand for what is right, be themselves and not be ruled by fads and peer pres

sures. Very interesting. I think we will hear more about him in the future.

Now a few more words from our actual mission field, Poland. Over the last several
years we were developing a more regular working relationship with ray home church in

Warsaw. Now I believe the time is coming that we'll be able to say safely that we are
working together, helping each other, extending ourselves beyond borders. Although we
are not able to be there all throughout the year, together we are doing the ministry
that God has called us to do. Doors are being opened wider and wider. Freedom and

opportunities for evangelism are just about limitless. Polish authorities are fully
aware and tolerating oxir mission involvements. People are ready and spiritually hungry
to receive the Word of God. Friends, pray that the Lord will send forth laborers into
his harvest.

lS of February 12, all Christian and Evangelical Churches in

.and are free and organizationally independent from each
her. The Union of Churches that existed for the past forty

ysars dissolved itself. May God now grant wisdom for our
)lish brethren and may His spirit guide them in growing and

leading the rest of the nation to spiritual heights that were

notNmown before!

TluK^lawska Street Christian Church in V/arsaw, which likes"

to be knbimias a Christian Petlowship, is leading in many

courageous iriirtiajjiyes that prove to be elective. Last year the

Youth Conference with"'ov'er"~6;'00Q~rn attendance was largely their
initiative. Starting on February 28 until March 26 they are
leading a nation-wide month of prayer for repentance and a
spiritual renewal for the Polish nation. Many local Evangelical

and Protestant Churches, even some Roman Catholic Parishes

POLAND SAYES YES - "TAK" TO JESUS I

across the nation committed themselves to this month of prayer.

Special schedules of appropriate teaching and prayer requests have been prepared and
sent to all churches and individuals. They really anticipate the results. God will not
fail

them.

Please remember them in your prayers. Especially remember Andrew Bajenski the young
pastor of this growing Warsaw Christian Church. Andrew is also the leading person in

many of this church's activities. Pray for his health, his family Urszula, Luke and
Ola. Pray for the Church in Warsaw sind many of our corelated mission activities in
radio, youth work and benevolent programs.

May God bless you and be very close to you as together we reach out to help others.

Yours in His service,

S<i|ekiU
George Bajenski

BOX 246. PICKERING. Of^ARIO LIV 2R4 CANADA PHONE: (416)427-3757

Ring the Bells... let the whole world know*

.J}=

flews from George, \/era and Beryamin Bajenski

194S

1988

October 1908

Each summer season provides us with challenges in our East European missionary ouruation ceremony with all its awards and recognitions for Benjamin's 8th grade public

^liltlllt^^
'

reach. However, the summer of I968 was above all our anticipations! As soon as the grad-

school career ended, we boarded the first available Polish 'Lot* flight taking us to

Warsaw. It was Wednesday, therefore we started our visit with regular prayer meeting
attendance with the Pulawaka Street Church. Then, after seeing to all necessary registra-

tions and most important initial businesses, we wars off to Ostruda, where the first in-

termediate youth camp was already in progress. There were about one hundred campers, good
personnel, a good spirit and visible good results of camp teaching, I could see in some
of these campers potential for good leaders for the Church in Poland.

We were able to be with three similar groups of campers, each of them representing
a different age level. The average attendance was about 120 people in each group. What

was really significant was the fact tliat over 30^ of these campers were young people
without any true religious or church background at home. Yet here in Ostruda all of them

felt good being surrounded by a Christian atmosphere, studying the Bible, praying, singing and being together. In the oldest group one third of all campers expressed a desire HlI.
to follow Jesus. No wonder that tears were filling the eyes of many at the time of departure. Returning home to no church and no Christian friends was not much fun. What a tragedyl Since the summer we have heard already that many of these campers in different

places continue in the way of the Lord. In the Warsaw church, for instance, twelve of

them were recently baptized and became involved in regular church life. But we can not

stop thinking about the others. We would like for them also to find a good Christian

home atmosphere, V?hat a challenge and opportunity to be involved in directing the life
of young people in Poland to Jesus.

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Actually this summer we visited several places in eastern, northern and southern Poland, However, most of the
time we did spend in Warsaw. I had several meetings with the elders and different leaders of the Pulawska congrega
tion, With Maly Dwulat we discussed the need for further development of the Ostruda Camp. With Michal Werejeraiewicz
we were discussing the new program of the Correspondence Bible Seminary, With Krzysztof Pietrzak we discussed our
missionary radio outreach. I was meeting with the Committee of Chriotian Benevolent V^orkers who oversee the distri

bution of all articles sent to them through our ministry. Overall we spent many hours discussing all activities of
the Christian Fellowship of Warsaw Church. In conclusion I can say, Cod still has something beautiful for us to see
in the life and Christian witness of this group of believers in Poland,

The highlight of our summer activities in Poland came at the conclusion of our visit. In the first week of

September the Warsaw Church celebrated its 40th Anniversary. It was a true time of reminissing. Personally I saw
my childhood. I remembered my parents, the time of sickness, the time of imprisoniaent, the time of my decision for
Ctoist and ^

baptism in the Vistula, the largest Polish river. I believe everyone was doijig the same. But laoat-of -

ail we looked with great anticipation into the future, knowing that the mission is not finished as long as there

are those who have never heard about the Christ, There was a simple but symbolic decoration in the sanctuary where

services were being held. A large cross, ",..where it all began," said pastor Andrew Bajenski. Then there were three

numbers. The year I948 symbolized the starting point for this group of believers. The year I988 in larger print was

to be a reflection of the present day. The largest number, the year 2000 was a symbolic look into the futiire. One
thought from this Anniversary service I would like to share with you. It was shared with us by Andrew and was based
on the scripture from Ilumbers 14,",*,a one lost day of opportunity is as a whole year waisted in the desert." Oppor

tunities for evangelizing Poland are before us. Only twelve more years and this turbulant century will end. May God

help us so that truly each day of our life will be counted for the Lord.

Then came a few statistics. In a 60 mile radius siurounding V/arsaw, live over 4.5 million people. In the same
area there are over 60 cities in which there are no Christian, Evangelical or any Protestant churches whatsoever.
"Will we allow our faith to act now?" Viliat a challenge! The response was immediate. As a plan of reaching these 60
communities was outlined (each year an evangelistic crusade is to be conducted under a tent in five different com

munities) the whole congregation in a prayerful attitude joined in saying, "So help us Cod!" Sixty new places with
the possibilities of starting new churches in such a short time will take many people, much work and many prayers.

It was a true 'Faith Promise' commitment made by the Warsaw Church. We were not only present during this service,

but we were also commiting ourselves into this mission endeavour. We will be informing you concerning all progress
in this undertaking.

Many other beautiful things happened during this summer's mission trip to Poland and Russia, but time for just
a few more reflections from our visit to Russia. We already mentioned our xmusual visit with family in Russia. The

same village where 12 years ago father Huk and I were not able to even participate in the village church service,

now, all three of us spoke and when the 3 hour service was over nobody even moved to leave! They wanted to hear

morel So we spoke again, telling them about our work and church life here in America. I told them of our missionary
radio outreach, about printing Bibles and our new Russian songbook that brother Huk prepared. People were visibly
happy, relaxed and very receptive. Many asked us to send them Bibles, Bible Dictionaries, songbooks, or other
Christian literature. Many spoke with appreciation for our radio ministry. Finally after
hours of fellowship
ended, we ate at the table of the preacher's home. It was well after midnight that we managed to reach the home of
Uncle Bill where we slept for a few hours. The next day at noon another service in a nearby city.Here we met ano

se^ices were^wa^tlng for us in another city^of Mi^k. Here^close

ther family knoTO to us, the two brothers and three sisters of brother Paul Bajko from Maryland. Again preaching,

beautiful singing, choir numbers, recitations, I was asked to conduct their choir and sing in Russian! Children
played various musical instruments and sang one very familiar Polish melody. It was very difficult to part with

Friends, we thank God for what He is doing in the East. Actually, 'perestroika' and 'solidarity' for us Christ
ians simply means more opportunities to preach the Gospel. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being with
us with your prayers and financial support while we were in Poland and Russia!