The Village

A couple of nights last week, Kathleen and I were able to join the youth leadership team from the Jesus Church at a place called the village. It is just a short bus ride outside of Riga. For a whole week the team lives at the village together, leaving to go to their studies or work, and then returning there when they would normally go home. In the evenings they do planning, Bible studies and other things, and they also eat meals together. Kathleen and I were excited to be asked to make one of the meals. We got to share a couple of American things with our Latvian friends. We made Chili, had bread and cheese with it, and then we made chocolate no-bake cookies. (Ovens are not always a common thing to have in a kitchen) What a hit- They loved it! Kathleen led a bible study for us, and we got to help do some planning for the upcoming Christmas ball. What a fun time! I look forward to being more active in ministry with this group!

Independence day and StaroRiga

Thursday was the Latvian independence day, and there were many events; numerous concerts, a flower laying ceremony at the freedom monument, a ceremonial parliament meeting, worship services and fireworks on the Daugava River!

(Unfortunately this is not a photo that I took- I found it online, but I like it because it includes the top of the freedom monument, which is a woman, holding 3 golden stars)

This weekend there is also something called StaroRiga, which is sort of an event where they have different kinds of lights/shows up all over the city. Some are sculptures that are lit, some are images projected onto buildings, not to mention all of the strings of lights in the trees and all of the other types of light related things. Below is a website that you can check out to see some of the lights of StaroRiga!

http://zinas.nra.lv/foto/izklaide/549-staro-riga.htm

Festival of Hope

Please forgive me for the length of time it took me to post about this event! The Ceribas Festivals (Festival of Hope) was an event that was organized and put on by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It was held at the Riga Arena. The arena is a huge place, but it wasn't big enough to hold all of the people trying to get in! At the festival there was a lot of music including and 800 voice Latvian choir, a Latvian gospel choir, a number Latvian Christian musicians, a guitarist (who looked like a cowboy... must have been American), a couple that travel with the Graham Association, and Michael W. Smith (my personal favorite). There were a few speakers, most notable being Mr. Franklin Graham. This was a 3 day event, with the attendance growing each night, and they began broadcasting it on TV after the first night as well. Overall it was an unforgettable experience. The message of Jesus Christ as the Savior of all was shared with thousands of people. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the hearts of those that heard the message at the festival, and that they would connect with other's for fellowship and encouragement.

Franklin Graham and the Latvian translator. Notice all the people in white behind the stage? That is the 800 voice choir!

Michael W. Smith praising God with thousands in Latvia.

Latvia's National Anthem

Text of the anthem of the Republic of Latvia

God, bless Latvia,
Our dearest fatherland,
Do bless Latvia,
Oh, do bless it!

Where Latvian daughters bloom,
Where Latvian sons sing,
Let us dance in happiness there,
In our Latvia!

Here is a link to the song on youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UJchtpmpq4&NR=1

I have made it a personal goal to learn the national anthem of Latvia. As I was looking for the music online I also searched its translation. I knew a few key words in Latvian, so I knew a general idea of the content. The song has a neat history (which you can google and find!) and you would not believe how incredible it is to hear it sung. I enjoy it so much that I wanted to share it with you. Along with that I also ask that you might read it as a prayer for the people here.

My first introduction to this anthem was while watching a hockey game on TV- Latvia vs. an American NHL team. Before the game started they did both countries anthems. They played a nice recording of our wonderful American national anthem, and then when I expected to hear the Latvian anthem played a man dressed in formal attire came out onto the ice and directed the entire arena as a choir. I got tears in my eyes! It was so incredible! I was able to attend a Christian Festival of Hope this last weekend (photos to come) and the Latvian national anthem was sung there too. There is a real sense of patriotism here, that I respect and admire greatly.

May God bless both Latvia and the USA, Latvians and Americans.

Pastor's Wives Retreat

This is a group photo of all of us at the retreat. I am on the right side in the back with the pink stripes.

My, how the time flies!

I knew it had been a little while since I posted last, but man alive, it has been weeks! I better get down to business!

Where to start? ... I guess anywhere.

One of the big things that has taken place since my last update was a pastors wives retreat. This was a 2 day, 1 night retreat that the wives of all of the pastors in Latvia were invited to come to. It was sponsored by a district of the LCMS, and held at a nice country place on a lake with lots of woods surrounding. This was actually my first trip outside of Riga since being here. I hadn't even thought about it, but I guess that is a long time in one city for someone who grew up on a farm and went to college in Nebraska. haha. My main responsibility during this event was to watch the children that were there. This provided the opportunity for the mothers of small children to attend, even if they didn't have anyone else to watch their little ones for a couple days. If anyone is in for a challenge, I might suggest watching children of which you do not speak the same language. Challenges and all, it was a good event, and many of the ladies were talking about how it should be done twice a year!

The other trip I have taken outside of Riga is to a town named Saldus. There is a Discipleship school there, that has been in operation for 15 years. There was a celebration held there that many past and current students were able to return for. There was a worship service, lunch, speakers and music. The Archbishop gave the main message during worship, and we celebrated communion together as well. It was an enjoyable time. This trip also served as a way for me to experience the buses and how they operate. It's not rocket science, but it is good to know what you are doing so you end up at the proper destination!

We have had 2 snowfalls thus far but they have not stuck around. It is actually quite a nice day. 6 degrees! (CELSIUS) which is in the low 40's. I have a window open a crack, just to let a little fresh air in.

Today begins an exciting event here in Riga! The Graham Association is holding a Hope Festival here this weekend. It is a BIG Christian event held in an arena. They have done A LOT of work to spread the word. Everyone is welcome from anywhere in the Country to attend. Please pray for this effort to share the HOPE found only in Jesus Christ. Pray that it would reach many people, and that it would be a life changing time, just a spark to get a FIRE going! As you can probably tell by my over use of caps lock- I am excite about this. I know that God works in many ways, and my hope is that many people learn of His promise, that the Spirit would work in that to lead them to a church or fellowship and through all of this, that they will join in a greater festival, eternally in Heaven.

On that note- I have some things to get done, before I need to leave to go to the festival, so until next time- God's Peace!