Living in Ireland now!

Sorry that I have not kept up with this blog. Now there are lots of new things to try but won't use many of them today. Just update the information about my living situation.
In early Fall of this year (2013) I moved to Ireland to work with the Latvian community here. There are approximately 50,000 Latvians living here - most of whom are working or looking for work. There is a Latvian Lutheran church in Dublin which I attend and hope to help in some ways in the next few years. I am still try to learn to speak Latvian but at least here in Ireland most of the folks speak English which makes life a bit easier.
Will post a few pictures later this week, I hope.

So many things have changed since the last time I wrote (January). I was busy finishing up my time in Corvallis (February) and then headed back to Latvia.

 Two days after arriving in Tilza, I woke up with my left arm and shoulder hurting so badly that I couldn’t move it or think of anything else. That was a Saturday and I went to the doctor on Monday. The things he tried did not help and I ended up in the hospital in Balvi for a week. There was a great deal of infection and a very large cyst on the back of my arm. Without going into further details, spent another week in a different hospital with no release from the pain (especially the shoulder). I then went to Riga and saw several doctors, had more tests and lots of antibiotics. Nothing was changing. After an MRI it was determined that I needed surgery so I felt it best to come back to Corvallis.

I did have surgery at OHSU with an infectious disease doctor handling my care here in Corvallis. I am feeling much better but need a good deal of physical therapy. Also my white blood cell count is low and I will see a hematologist for that.

I am being well cared for by my friends here in town but the doctors think I should wait until September before going back to Latvia. Please pray for healing (which I know many of you are already doing) and patience. The ministry in Tilza has changed and I don’t know what the future holds for me in Latvia either.

Thank you for your love and concern.

Because I left Latvia in such a hurry I didn’t go back to Tilza which means my camera and other important things are still there. Liga has packed up my  things and I will decide what to do with them when I return.

Quite Surprising

When I first came here I brought with me my favorite sprinkler, having no idea if I would ever be able to use it. If I remember correctly it's called a "noodlehead". (See picture to the left) Since setting up our household here in Tilza I have tried to find a way to connect the sprinkler with the hose which comes with no attachments of any sort on either end. Just coulnd't seem to figure it out.

Well today, with sprinker in hand, I went to a small shop here (that seems to have bit of everything) and tried to explain what I wanted. Fortunately there were several men around who just kept trying to fgure it out. So with the help of a younger girl (the owner's daughter, I think) who spoke English and many ideas that were tried, they (now there were 4 men, the shop assistant and the young girl) came up with something that looked like it was going to work so I bought the various parts and pieces giving many expressions of thanks. The owner then decided that he needed to come to my house to see if it was going to work!!! I was quite shocked at his most generous help.

AND IT DOES WORK!

Most of our older kids from the boarding school who come on Saturdays really liked the "Dance Praise" experience. Some were quite good at it but I didn't really get "into" it.












Sunday morning worship... it's always a surprise to see who is there. We always enjoy having little Angelina, and this Sunday her Aunt Ina was also there.

One day we made bird houses from sticks and a few nails. The results were varied but most enjoyed trying it.

Last days of snow!! We planned some outside activities but we still had some snow to contend with so we adusted our plans. In this picture we made emergency snow shoes and tried them out!! It was kind of crazy but lots of fun. We had also planned to show the kids how you can tell time by the shadow from a stick. Unfortunately the clouds were hiding the sun!

One of the fun things we have been able to do as a discipleship group is go bowling. The three young girls had never been before and we had a great time. This is Kristine. Alise and Rebeka are in the background. By the end of this month we will have been meeting and studying together for 4 months. We talk about having eXtreme faith and being on a quest for a closer relationship with Jesus. Next week we hope to go swimming a a very new pool in Balvi.

Discipleship

Pictured below are the three young girls who have started meeting with me (and Līga translating) to learn more from the Word of God about living the way God wants. These girls are so much fun and we are hoping to go on an excursion in a few weeks to help build our relationships. Please pray that they (Rebeka, Alise, and Kristine) will become young women who love Jesus and commit to following Him.


This month it was my turn to teach the class on Prayer for our ladies groups in Tilža and Balvi. As we were talking about what kinds of things for which we can pray, I mentioned that many of you are praying for them as they take this class and build on their knowledge and love for Jesus.

What you can't see in these pictures is Līga who is translating for me.
Without her I couldn't be nearly so involved in the ministry here.

These ladies are from the Balvi class and this last week 16 ladies showed up. What a joy to see their interest.

From Boarding School to Nursing Home

Our February "one day camp" included a trip to the "pansionats" or nursing home. Our kids used their creative skills to make posters relating to Psalm 139 which were used during our presentation for the approximately 30 residents who came to listen. We had invited some youth from another church to join us and lead the singing. Most of these kids had not been to the pansionats in their city so it was a first for many people. We had explained that it is good to give to others even when we don't have a lot. After our presentation we divided into three groups and went upstairs to visit in the rooms of those who couldn't get out of bed. We gave each of these folks a gift of some muffins which we had made earlier, some fruit and candy. We prayed with those who wanted that and enjoyed talking with others.

Here are two of the boys who went with us. In this picture they are helping in the kitchen with preparations for lunch.