17. Aug 2025

Photo 1: Two children sitting on the Gniezno sign

Photo 2: King Lech was the mythical founder of the Polish nation, according to the Lech, Czech, and Rus legend. He and his two brothers, Czech and Rus, left their homeland to find new settlements, with Lech settling in what would become Poland. Gniezno was to be his stronghold.

Photo 3: Statue of Poland's first real king, Bolesław I the Brave. Gniezno was the first capitol of Poland thus fulfilling the legend of Lech. With this millennial anniversary of Bolesław's coronation, my heart was moved to pray for a new awakening of God's kingdom in the lives of the people in Poland. I carry now this prayer with me as I continue my walk through the country. May God's kingdom come, may his will be done.

Photo 4: This morning at breakfast I had an opportunity to talk and pray with a bike rider from Vienna. It was nice to be able to speak German with someone again.

I then walked to a small Baptist church that was not so far away (photo/video). There were about twelve adults and a handful of children at the service. The pastor asked me to share a few words, which I glady did, and a young Ukrainian man translated for me. He and his family had been taken in by the church shortly after Russia had attacked the Ukraine.

I had lunch on the main square in Gniezno where I had dinner yesterday evening. There was one other couple sitting about two tables away on the terrace. I noticed that the man was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers' t-shirt. Our eyes met and I pointed at him and said: "Pittsburgh Steelers?" The way he answered in English I could tell he was an American. His name is Wes and he was there with his wife Catelyn. Both are in the military service and stationed in Poland. I said I was from Cincinnati an Wes answered "Buh!" For Europeans who may be reading this blog, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals are archrivals in the NFL American Football League. After I finished my lunch, I went over to their table and we began to talk. I shared my story and about my walk. Wes said he was athiest, but his commander had recently come to faith in Jesus, and Wes noticed the change. Many things I said, his commander had also said to him. Our meeting and talk today was more than just a coincidence. Wes is re-thinking some things. I prayed for him and Catelyn and their journey through life.