On Saturday, September 19th, Sweet Surrender/Poznan opened its doors for a public "soft opening", still waiting on final approvals from the city to begin daily business.
Rhonda spent the morning baking in the kitchen, the rest of the team was cleaning, practicing making coffee or practicing their music. I was doing some last minute work on some chairs, picking up some friends at the train station and working with volunteers to secure the painted glass artwork to the walls in the purple room.
We had no idea how many people or who would show up. We were not allowed to advertise because we were not officially open. So, all we had was word of mouth and about 100 invitations that were mailed out to friends....several to people who don't even live in the area just because we wanted them to know what was going on.
At 5:30pm we met in the conference room. We read from II Cor. 5:20, about our challenge to be "ambassadors," and from Romans 5:37 about being, "conquerors" and then held hands in prayer, sliding the doors open.
At 5:45pm (we weren't supposed to open until 6pm) the first guests arrived...
By 6:15pm a friend made a quick count. There were 75 in house. We only have seating for 40.
By around 7:30pm after counting around 150 coming through the doors, I gave up. We were just too busy. On the evening, I am sure we had at least 200.
They sat and talked. They laughed. They listened to two wonderful concerts; crammed into the purple room and overflowing into the foyer and plateroom. They clapped. They brought us gifts. It was amazing...
I don't have time to tell you about the old guy with the poodle...or "The Colonel"...or the young lady from the foto studio...or our neighbors Monyka...Magda...Theresa...her husband or their son Adam.
It was just an incredible evening and we know now that our community is with us. They can't wait until we open for good.
Our team: Rhonda, Lindy, Katie, Ania S., Ania B., Helka, Mike, Ola and Ida (our neighbor from upstairs who just jumped in for about two hours at the peak of business) were selfless. Everyone did whatever was necessary to make things work and the blessing of Christ's spirit was everywhere.
Slowly...just before 10pm, folks drifted off into the night; the tea-light candles still burning to light the path down the red-brick steps. Our team met once more in the purple room while a visiting Pastor and friend prayed a benediction and then we blew out the candles, turned out the lights and the day was done.
Again....thank you for your prayers. When we work, we work, but when we pray, God works.
Ev and Rhonda
PS - Photos are attached and a video collage of the evening is posted on the website:
Sweet Surrender Website
