May 22/2022 The Poland Experience – Myers Park United Methodist

¿What I saw in Poland?

By Manolo Betancur

“Guest in the house, God in the house!” 

A Poland proverb.

I would like to share with you what I saw in Poland.

 Not Again.

1- I saw how Europe is getting united. To me they are not going to allow anyone to try to repeat what happened in WW2. The dark and cold war is not going to cover the yellow fields and the blue sky of Ukraine.

The Land of the free.

2- I saw a lot of love and gratitude for the USA.  Everyone that I had the chance to talk to, they shared their gratitude to our country. Before the world had the impression that the USA was the judge of the world, now they say that the USA is the savior of the war. Now I understand why we are in the land of the free.

Humanity is stronger

3- I saw an army of volunteers from all around the world. People of all races, colors, beliefs and religions united by the pain of one nation. Everyone is helping and finding help to all of those in need. While mas destructions bombs are killing people, hummanity is getting stronger than ever.

Looking for God

4- I saw the unification of faith, people who did not believe in God now are looking for God. I saw how churches are open to any one and non believers visiting churches. Sad how sometimes tragedy unites us but God is helping us to find peace and faith in our hearts.

One Goal

5- I saw the unifications of political parties with just one goal- Help Ukraine. In Poland’s political arena both parties agree to open Poland to Ukraine’s refugees.  Whatever they need. No matter if it is too much or too little they will have it.

Profits for human values

6- I saw big corporations changing profits for human values.  Any Ukraine refugee would travel around Europe without any expense. Warm meals in train stations and just at the border.

Help another bakery

7- I saw a Polish baker leaving everything behind in his home city in Poland to get into a war zone to help another bakery. I see bakeries around Ukraine and Poland giving free bread to those in need.

Our guests

8- I saw Poland’s soul in every single street. I saw Ukraine’s flags and peace messages. Instead of referring to refugees as such, they call them OUR guests. Poland will not allow their neighbors to suffer.

United

9- I saw how Ukraine is getting united as a country who was divided in too many ways- political, religion, social and so on. Now it is united under the same flag and under the same pain.

I saw God’s presence in Charlotte. 

10- I saw God’s presence in Charlotte. It has been a blessing to see how OUR community here in Charlotte got together to support us. Children writing support letters to the Ukraine refugees. Elderly people at my bakery give me 50% of their salaries in order for me to give more support to those in need. Immigrants and non immigrants, rich and poor we all got together on this.

Thank Myers Park United Methodist Church for being part of this journey.

Thanks to Manolos Bakery.

The honor goes to all the people who were part of this journey.

This is my thank you post Thanks God for giving me the opportunity to be there bringing hope to humanity.

Thank you to all these people in Charlotte who prayed for us. And who trusted me to deliver help to Ukraine.Thank you Sławomir Rodaszyński and Poland Methodist Church for sharing your heart with us. Sławomir, God shows us His blessings when God allow us to spend time with people like you.

Thank you Nathan Arledge, Myers Park United Methodist Church and all his team for making this possible. Nathan, your actions always are showing how God sent angels to bring love, peace and hope to those in need. Thank you for being one of those angels.

Thank you Adam Hamilton for say yes to Nathan’s invitation. You are an example to all of those religions leaders around the world to do God’s call for humanity. Thank you for your compassion for those in need.

Oliver Fisk and Bryan Thomas Arkwright with out you two. We would not be able to touch to many souls at the same time. Thank you for sharing your time with me.Thank you Yuriy Boyko for being so brave and keep your bakery in Bucha running.

Ukraine is the home of the bravest people of the world.Thank you Jacek Polewski for helping Yuriy’s bakery. You are Poland’s bread heroe. You represents very well what I saw in your country. Poland is an example to world about how to try your neighbors.

Thank you to Leidy Milena Ospina Castro, my dear wife, who always is supporting me. Thank you my love for understanding my soul.Thank you to my team at Manolo’s Bakery.

You are the engine who allows me to move forward.

Thank you to my kids. Emanuel and Julia, you know that you are my everything. You two are the reason for me to be in this world. Love you dad.

Following days I will post how I spent all your donations and what I learn in this trip.