Off we walked then to the Catholic University, encouraged that God had led us to our new missionary friend, but getting more tired and hungry by the minute…
The University was quiet, with no obvious office or reception at which to ask for Father Adam. In fact, there was no one in sight. To our right was a chapel, and we could hear there was something going on inside. I tentatively opened the door to see the chapel filled with young people, with a mass service going on, some priests in robes at the front. We snuck in the back and, after the service, asked the organist if he knew Father Adam.
“Which Father Adam?” he said.
Now this was rather difficult to explain. After a little confusion, we ended up meeting two Father Adams! We explained excitedly why we’d come to Lublin and that we didn’t even know it existed that very morning.
“Wonderful, wonderful!” Father Adam exclaimed with a smile. He explained that he loved what we were doing and was so touched and amazed that three Brits would end up in Lublin and seek to bless the church there. He then sprung into action and began talking to various people in Polish left right and centre.
“We are just figuring out how to share this joy between us,” he said with a glint in his eye.
After more discussion he announced, “So, I will feed you, and you can stay at Sebastian’s house this evening.”
“Thank you so much!” we all exclaimed, overjoyed with the promise of food and a bed. I was not sure what Eastern European cuisine would be like, nor what Polish Jesuits ate, but I would be glad for anything.
Adam took us into a restaurant and handed us menu’s as we sat down.
“I’m going to have a salad,” he said, “but do you want pizza?”
Josh and I looked down in awe at the menu before us, not quite believing our luck. It wasn’t luck at all I suppose – rather a series of divinely orchestrated events.
“Pizza sounds good!” we said, pinching ourselves.
“Do you want medium or large?” said Adam.
We assured him that medium was fine, but he insisted that we go large. The pizzas came and they were massive. We sat in awe and began to share the food around. There was so much we couldn’t finish.
This was just the beginning of our adventure, and there are so many stories to tell from those few days that I will have to record them elsewhere. From that point on though, we were looked after by these wonderful Jesuit priests who had such love for Jesus, and love for us – total strangers! They assured we had everything we needed and God provided through these new friends so that we left not having spent a penny. We were able to pray with these men, and talk to them about students and Jesus, sharing stories of students coming to faith in the UK. It was amazing that God was able to use this adventure to bless us so much through the people we met, and yet also use us to bless them. They were clearly so thankful, and so touched that we would come to Lublin and simply follow where the Spirit led, seeking to bless those we met.
