Introduction / History

If it is possible to feel sorry for a nation's geographic position. One has to feel that way for Poland, located on a plain between the often aggressive nations of Germany and Russia. More than once, Germany and Russia have sliced off parts of Poland. The most recent example was in the fall of 1939 when the Nazis and the Soviet Army invaded Poland from opposite directions and conquered the entire country. As late as the early 18th century Poland was a power as part of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth. Since that time Poland has frequently been a victim of its powerful neighbors. With the fall of communism in 1990-91, Poland became an independent nation. Today Poland has a rapidly developing economy and is member of NATO and the EU.
There has been a Polish diaspora for centuries. The first significant wave of emigration occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily due to economic and political factors. Today, many Poles continue to emigrate for economic opportunities, and there is also a significant number of Poles who have settled in other countries as students or as a result of family reunification. The largest groups of Poles abroad are in Germany, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Some live in the Netherlands where they started to arrive in 2004 after Poland joined the EU.

What Are Their Lives Like?

2004 was a key year for the Poles. They joined the European Union that year, and many emigrated to countries where they had the chance to earn more money. The Netherlands was one of these countries. Some Poles came as entrepreneurs and businessmen. Others were cheap labor. These workers enjoyed increasing their wages five-fold in the Netherlands. Since the Poles had a reputation as hard workers, they were often chosen as employees.
One of the first problems Polish families faced was their children entered Dutch schools without understanding the local language. Once they were more settled, Polish children learned Dutch and generally blended in with the Dutch population.
The Polish maintain their culture partly by establishing ethnically based organizations, but also by having small family-run businesses. These businesses have almost entirely Polish clientele, and they are places for Poles to meet socially.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Polish people in the Netherlands almost entirely Roman Catholic. 75% of these are practicing Catholics.

What Are Their Needs?

The Poles need to understand that biblical Christianity is a love relationship with their Creator made known through Jesus Christ. It is more than a religious tradition and a system of morals.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to revive the Polish church based on Jesus Christ and his word.
Pray the Lord leads Poles in the Netherlands to listen with open hearts to radio programs and watch TV programs that teach the biblical gospel.
Ask the Lord to save priests and bishops in the Roman Catholic Church so they can lead thousands to Christ-centered living.
Pray for Polish Christ followers to actively take the Lord to those who need his salvation and grace.

Scripture Prayers for the Polish in Netherlands.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poles
https://www.expatspoland.com/polish-people-characteristics/
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/polish-culture/polish-culture-core-concepts
https://www.polishpod101.com/blog/2021/04/23/polish-culture/
https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/poles-netherlands-0_en