My name is Pawel, I work in a hospital in Warsaw. I grew up in a Catholic family, but I always felt that there was something missing in my faith. For years I thought that my faith was weak, without a deep relationship with God. I wasn’t happy in what I was doing, even though I used to help in the liturgy service, first as an altar boy and later as lector. After coming to Warsaw to study, I hoped that I would find a community that would help me to find happiness in my faith. I tried different communities, but I didn’t find what I was looking for. I lost my joy, I fell into depression.
I was hoping that by participating in the WYD it would change. I wanted to be a volunteer in the Parish of St Jacob in Warsaw. During preparation for this event, nothing changed my situation. Weeks before the Days in the Diocese I was informed that I had an aneurism in my brain. At that time I thought about giving up. I even thought about suicide. But finally I stayed as volunteer. On the two first days I was in charge of taking people from the airport. On the second day I took a group of 30 people who were part of the Shalom Community from Israel. On the bus, the youth took out their instruments and started to sing and dance. I didn’t know what to do as I felt a bit embarrassed about that situation. I wanted to run away and not come back. But God had other plans.
I remained in this same group for the next two days. Their happiness started to have influence over me. I saw real happiness of faith, something that I always looked for. The more people I met from Shalom Community, the more happiness there was in me. I forgot about my problems. It was something which I have never felt in Poland. I have never seen such happiness in evangelization, such devotion for mission. I joined them in street evangelization and I saw how they lead people to God. After the Days in the Diocese I went to Cracow where I spent every afternoon with the Shalom Community. It was a beautiful experience when I saw the way they evangelized and shared their happiness with others.
Because of them, I discovered which path I should follow in my life, what I should be devoted to. I want to show the same happiness in faith as they did. During this whole time with them, about two weeks, I didn’t have any moment of depression; instead, I was filled with joy! It was something that I haven’t felt for years. As I thought about the aneurism, this experience also gave me strength because I knew that God still wanted me to live. So, why shouldn’t I give Him my whole life and my happiness?
That was really strong testimony.
Thank you Pawel, first at all, thank you for not give up!
And believe, God will never, NEVER give up on His people!