27. Aug 2025

Grodowiec - Chocianów

Photo 1: As I approached the church in Grodowiec yesterday evening, I could hear by way of the outdoor loudspreakers the service taking place. I decided to wait outside in the evening sun for about an hour before I went in. Shortly thereafter people were being called forward and took a certificate with them which the priests would sign. I went up at the end with my pilgrim passport to identity myself as the American pilgrim that they were expecting for the night.

Photo 2: This morning I had breakfast with two of the four priests who share the responsibilities at the parish. They explained to me that yesterday was the day in Poland where people were encouraged to dedicate themselves to Mary. The special service yesterday evening was the conclusion of a month long prozess to prepare people for this dedication which was verified with the signed certificates. I then asked if there was also a special day for the people of Poland to dedicate themselves to Jesus. There was a moment of akward silence. I then said, "Every day!", to which they agreed. With the help of a translator app, I was able to share my story of coming to faith and being filled with the Holy Spirit. We had a good time together. After breakfast I offered to sing my pilgrim song of blessing in the Holy Spirit. I concluded with a prayer for their life and ministry and for Poland. The one priest had been there only three days. He responed: "That was powerful!" This morning was not the moment to debate theological differences, but hopefully to demostrate that the life in the Spirit can always grow deeper.

Photo 3: A flock of cranes in flight, perhaps slowly making their way towards the south like me...

Photo 4: At the grocery store this afternoon I could only find beer and sugar drinks in the coolers. I was looking for mineral water and left disappointed. Shortly thereafter this man in the photo stopped his car and asked if I was walking the Way of St. James. He then led me to his home a few blocks away, driving to a corner and waiting there for me before going to the next corner. He had walked a Camino twice to Santiago de Compostela and was happy to do something for a fellow pilgrim. He and his wife offered me a meal, but I had just bought a half of a chicken for lunch and wanted to eat it and get the weight out of my backpack. I did, though, except their offer to drink cold mineral water mixed with juice. I probably drank close to a liter. What a blessing. Thier blind grandson was visiting. His name is Jacob/James. I prayed for the three of them before continuing on.

Photo 5: Half-timbered village church in Pogorzeliska...

I got to the recommended place for pilgrims to stay in the town of Chocianow. The door was locked and no one answered the doorbell. I called the telephone number taped to the door. A lady answered, but could not speak much English and my Slavic-Polish was not the greatest help. She said it was not possible for me to stay there. I asked if I could put pitch my tent in the garden. "Not possible", was the answer. What do I do? I turned around and saw a man sitting at a table in the garden who was about to leave. I asked him if he spoke German or English. With his translator app we communicated. He noticed my efforts to talk with the lady on the phone and asked what I needed. I explained to him my situation. He the called the lady himself. It turns out that he was the boss. Apparently the hostel/hotel was totally occupied that evening. He took me then to a second place that was closed for at the moment, a student dormitory, and opened it up for me. There was actually one bed still made. He then drove me to a restaurant near by that he owned for me to get something to eat. How grateful I was to have a meal, take a shower and sleep in a bed. I have no idea what I would have done had I arrived in Chocianow five minutes later...