Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / Feb. 1, 1988, edition 1 / Page 4
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Also tours German}^ Professor spends Christmas brecik teaching Polish young people A Chowan professor went to ‘‘great lengths” during the Christmas holidays to teach young people. But John Stanley Virkler did not meet with his Chowan economics or government classes nor teach his college Sunday School class at Murfreesboro Baptist Church. Instead, the students who par ticipated in his teaching lived in Poland, where Virkler led groups of young people in Bible study. During his tour abroad from Dec. 27 to Jan. 9, Virkler also visited Germany. Virkler began his service at Chowan with the beginning of the 1987 fall semester after teaching at four other colleges. He is also the former pastor of Mount Olive Bap tist Church, Bedford, Va. Mission Program Accompanied on his trip by an American pastor, Virkler visited Warsaw and two other Polish cities. He met with Polish students and young professionals ages 17-30. He was involved most of the time in intensive Bible study and train ing for evangelism with his American traveling companion. They participated in mission pro grams, sponsored by a Polish Christian group. Virkler and the pastor taught university students and graduates. “Since it’s difficult to get into the university in Poland, we taught the cream of the crop,” he said. His friend taught the book of John through an interpretor. “When he told a j(*e, there was a ripple of laughter. The first wave was from those who understood English. This was followed by a se cond wave from those who heard and understood the joke in Polish through the interpretor.” He said four to five students served as in- terpretors. Virkler said he enjoyed leading the students in Bible study. “Near ly all the students involved in Bible study were Christians, both Catholic and Protestant. They were very interested in the Bible study. Poland is about 95 per cent Catholic. On an average Sunday, 7(MK) per cent of the population is in church. This is one of the highest percentages of any country. Appreciates America During his stay, Virkler met and became acquainted with about 100 Poland and return. Although neat and hard working, they have a low standard of living. Most have two full-time jobs.” He said the taxi drivers in the big cities with American tourists may make more than college professors and doc tors. For the American tourist, the dollar goes far, he exclaimed. He took three students to a dinner of meat loaf and vegetables and Pep si for under $9. He said the food was not great but adequate. He said a two and one-half hour taxi ride for four people cost only $70. The only danger he encountered came from riding in a taxi. “The driver was going 70 mph in a Fiat with 600,000 miles. He was straightening out the curves. I “Nearly all of the students in Bible stud]; were Christians/' Polish young people, he stated. He also met students from other Com munist countries. Virkler was impressed by one student who taught himself English by reading several books and listening to tapes. “To unders tand how difficult this was, it would be very hard for us to learn Polish the same way.” He noted, “K you want to ap preciate the United States, go to gave him a tip to slow down. He said his friend gave a clean ing woman a $3 tip. “She was so thrilled she kissed him four times on the cheek and gave him a gift the next day.” Some Americans who have relatives in Poland or are second generation Polish are retiring in Poland where their social security check goes so far, he said. Farewell gift presented Professor of Economics and Government, John Stanley/ Virkler, who led Bible studii for Polish youth and also visited Germany during the Christmas holidays, discusses his travels with Cathy Carawan, a sophomore from Roanoke Rapids. % f/ Denise B. Helms receives a monogrammed mug from Dean of Students Clayton Lewis at a farewell party after serving two years as director PAGE FOUR—The Chowonian, F=ebruary, 1988 of health services. She has been replaced by Mrs. Kathryn H. Appenzeller, right. Difficult Place to Live Virkler explained, “The people were friendly, the scenery pretty, and the weather unusually mild. Americans are very popular. Every Pole seems to have a cousin in Chicago or Cleveland.” It is a difficult place to live. “Some places will accept only American dollars or German money for medicine. Pampers and quality articles like tooth brushes.” Virkler said that despite their hardships, the people have more religious freedom than other Eastern European countries. “At a store in Warsaw you could buy Bibles in any translation and in many languages. Poland had more freedom during the martial law crackdown of 1981-82 than three other eastern European countries during normal times.” Virkler said every Pole is proud of Casmir Pulaski and Thaddeus Kosciusko, two Poles who fought with George Washington. “The Polish people know that the two Poles helped Washington but they didn’t know that a town and county in Virginia are named for Pulaski and a Mississippi town for Kosciusko. They are proud of that.” ATlmeforFnn The Chowan professor also had time for fun. “On New Year’s Eve, I danced the polka from 8 until 11:30 p. m. I had not been impress ed with the Polish women, but for the party they were transformed by makeup and a party dress. I danced wift a Polish lady who did not speak English. Both our con versation and dance was an adven ture. She didn’t know what I was saying nor where I was going,” he laughed. The party, sponsored by a youth group, ended with a 30-mmute’ prayer meeting. A girl translated for Virkler. He also enjoyed spending one night in a modem hotel in Warsaw that was the equivalent to Holiday Inn. He said the old part of Warsaw has been restored including chur ches, plazas and old buildings and is a tourist attraction. Virkler said he had no trouble with the authorities even though security was tight. He saw two armed guards on his plane mside Poland. He also found the security tight in Germany, where he spent a week. “You have to show your passport to travel inside Germany. At the airports, you see soldiers with machine guns.” Visits German Churches In Germany, he visited both an English speaking Baptist church and a Methodist German language church. He said the Mettiodist pastor presented a “good sermon” on Philippians, which he could follow in his Bible. He said January 6, Three Kings Day, was a big religious holiday. He recalled seeing groups of four children walking together, with one child carrying a star on top of a See BIBLE STUDY, Page 6
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