CEE Story From The Mission Field
Coffee, pickle soup and tattoos help share Christ in Poland
July 23, 2007
By Sue Sprenkle
LUBIN, Poland - Drab, high-rise, block apartments cut a dirty, jagged line against the gray sky. Two rough looking youth walk in the buildings’ shadows, looking as if they might make trouble. Unsmiling, the youth nod to friends smoking and drinking alcohol outside a small, grocery store.
The two duck inconspicuously into an out of place single story building. Once inside, their hard exteriors melt as warm golden hues, soft red lights and pulsating techno music provide a hip – yet safe -environment for the Polish youth. They flash huge smiles and bound over to greet their American friend, Rich Ellis, making coffee behind the counter.
“Are we still on for pickle soup and Bible study Monday night?” they ask the International Mission Board journeyman missionary. Rich answers with a smile so big even his dark beard and moustache can’t hide it. Just a few months ago, no one was interested in coming to the coffee house, let alone learning anything about the Bible.
Now, Coffeehouse Logos is packed on most weekends. Technically, business isn’t “booming,” most of the youth never order from the menu of drinks or snacks, but that doesn’t matter. What does matter to the small Polish Baptist church sponsoring the coffee house is that people are exposed to the love of Jesus Christ.
Rich partners with this Polish Baptist church in reaching the surrounding neighborhood for Christ. The Kentucky native serves coffee, cleans toilets, teaches English classes, plays ping-pong and foosball, and teaches the Bible. Rich’s willingness to do anything endears him not only to the church, but to the neighborhood as well. He doesn’t know a stranger, stopping to chat with anyone just as if he were back in his small, hometown, Warsaw, Kentucky. Something about this young missionary captivates people.
Is it the piercing in his lower lip? Perhaps it’s the tattoos adorning both arms. No, these help him blend in to the rough neighborhood. More likely, it’s the love that emanates from this journeyman. Youth flock to him because he cares. Whether it’s rough housing, playing games or sharing American goodies out of a care package from home, Rich shows his love by investing in lives.
“There’s not much around here to do but sit outside, smoke and get drunk. The kids we work with are rough, but we’ve seen some changes in the last year,” Rich says. “One way to reach these kids is by building relationships and trust. You do this by hanging out.”
Pickle Soup and Bible Study
Four guys barely fit in Rich’s small kitchen, despite their slight build. A big tub of dill pickles sits in the middle of the table. Someone dips their hand in juice, fishing out a pickle and grates it for the soup. Another peels potatoes as one more prepares the carrots. The fourth tells an animated story in between text messaging his girlfriend.
“When we started Monday nights, none of us knew how to cook,” one of the guys says, holding a knife awkwardly over a mess on the cutting board that’s supposed to end up being a traditional Polish meal. “Look at us now!”
“Yeah, look at our mess,” Rich, who is wrist deep in pickle juice, jokes back. “Seriously though, nothing beats a hot bowl of pickle soup on a cold night.”
Pickle soup night started with a few guys coming to Rich’s house on the night the coffee house is closed. The group started with just a few guys, but now even girls join the Monday night ritual.
Rich says the close quarters in the kitchen provide opportunities for the Polish youth and young adults to ask questions about God. The Monday night “regulars” seem to be the youth searching for a deeper Bible study than what is offered on Thursday night at the coffee house. None of the “regulars” are believers, but they claim to be Christian, having grown up in a predominantly Catholic country.
Close to 78 percent of Poland claims to be Roman Catholic. The Protestant population numbers around .4 percent, according to Operation World. Rich explains that in the past, Baptist and other Protestants were considered to be sectarian, or a cult. A change in thought slowly takes place as those willing to take a stand share their faith in Jesus Christ – like Rich.
Me? A Missionary?
“If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be a missionary, I would have thought you were crazy,” Rich says, shaking his head in disbelief. There are some days he still doesn’t believe it.
A drummer in a heavy metal band, Rich looks the part with tattoos and piercings. He quickly learned that his tattoos were a witnessing opportunity in the heavy metal scene. Rich explains all tattoos have meaning, so people ask each other about their tattoos. On a volunteer mission trip to Poland a few years ago, Rich found the same true in Europe. A school boy asked what John 3:16 stood for, pointing at Rich’s leg.
“When I found out I was going to Poland for two years, I decided to get a tat in Polish because I knew they would ask about it,” Rich says. On one arm, written artistically is “One Truth” in English. The other arm says the same in Polish.
Everyday someone at the coffee house stops Rich to look at the tattoos and ask him questions. Today, one young boy escorts a group of his friends to view the tattoos. The boy grabs Rich’s shirt sleeve, thrusting it up, and points out the Polish writing. Rich smiles and encourages the boy to share with his friends the meaning behind the tattoo.
Even strangers on the street stop Rich to ask about his Polish tattoo.
“God uses my tattoos to help witness. It provides an opening and a chance to share about Christ. God uses everything unique about us to tell His story,” the journeyman missionary says. Glancing around the packed coffee house, he adds, “I can’t believe they call this work! I get to hang out all night with friends and try to talk about God. I love it!”
Pray for Rich and the ministry in Poland:
- Pray for the Polish youth who visit the coffee house. Pray specifically for Kames, Agniszka, and Damien – the leaders of the youth. Pray that they realize their need for a relationship with Christ. Rich feels that if these three make a decision, it will spread through the entire group of youth and could change the entire neighborhood.
- Pray for more workers. “We need more people to come,” Rich says. “There are also other places that need workers, just like here. People need to learn about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.”