Emma Nawrocka has worked for the Bible Society in Poland for nearly 40 years. As the political, social and economic landscape in Poland shifted, Emma remained strong in her Christian faith and service and brought up her family to love and respect the Bible. There are now three generations of her family who are committed Christians. Here, Emma shares their thoughts about her faith and the Bible.

The irony of freedom:
a decreasing demand for Bibles

WARSAW, Poland — “There has been a decreasing demand for Bibles over the past few years, which is quite an irony really: now that we have more freedom, there seems to be less need of the book of life,” says Emma Nawrocka. “During the Communist years and just after, people used to seek the Bible much more.”
Photo: Emma Nawrocka, who has worked for the Bible Society in Poland for nearly 40 years, now works part time in the Bible shop. Warsaw, Poland. Photo: UBS/Dag Smemo (POL04DJ-278.JPG)
Emma Nawrocka, who has worked for the Bible Society in Poland for nearly 40 years, now works part time in the Bible shop. Warsaw, Poland. Photo: UBS/Dag Smemo (POL04DJ-278.JPG)

Mrs Nawrocka has seen many changes during her 39 years of service with the Bible Society in Poland. She retired four years ago but still works part time in the Bible Society’s bookshop. She has many good memories of her time here.

“I remember the day in 1978 when we first published a New Testament with illustrations – there was a massive queue outside the Bible shop! Everyone wanted a copy,” she smiles.

Today, however, things are different, according to Mrs Nawrocka.

Rich and poor

“Although they have more freedom, people have so many other concerns now, and they don’t care as much about the Bible,” she notes. “There is a growing gap between rich and poor, and unemployment is increasing. This means that more families have to choose carefully what they spend their money on. The choice may be between buying school books for the children or buying a Bible. So, many people can no longer afford Bibles.”

For Mrs Nawrocka, the Bible has always been a central book in her life, and she has passed this love of the Bible on to her family. Her husband, daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren are all committed Christians and each year for the past 10 years, they have attended a summer camp arranged by the Lutheran Church. The children stay for four weeks – the first two weeks with their parents and the last two with their grandparents. It is a happy time for them all, a time to relax and be with other Christians. There are Bible study classes each Wednesday and a church service on Sunday.

“Summer just wouldn’t be the same without the camp,” she smiles.
(WR 390/12 - 02.05)