Week 8

So, we got to Riga on Tuesday about 7:00 p.m. and had a relaxing evening. Staying at the Hotel Latvija put us in a very central location. This is the same hotel we used during the Hope ’99 event but it has been completely remodeled since then and is now extremely comfortable.

The conference was for American and Latvian churches which have partnerships through Bridge Builders to spend time together learning how to be partners in the Gospel. We got to know each other better and gained understanding of one another’s ways. The schedule allowed lots of time for talking and relationship building. We (the Calvin contingent) are particularly encouraged by our developing relationship with the Tilza folks. They are hard-working and have lots to teach us. They are also looking forward to having us work with them on future projects. Perhaps one of the most significant things for me, however, was to see that I often identified with the Tilza contingent as well as those from Calvin.

Friends exploring Riga
After the conference I stayed in Riga with the Calvin team to follow-up on what we learned, to catch up a bit more on things in Corvallis, to meet with other friends who now live in Riga and getting a few things before returning.

On Sunday we attended two church services. The first was Vilandes Baptist which was within walking distance of the hotel. Marsha and I started off a bit earlier than the others and found ourselves enjoying the beautiful architecture and design of the old buildings along the way as well as other interesting sights. Vilandes is a partner church with a congregation in Richardson, TX. Because the message was brought by an American and translated to Latvian, we didn’t ask them to translate other parts of the service. It was interesting to see how much I understood.

One interesting site on the walk with Marsha

After church, while some of the others went shopping, I headed for the bus station to purchase a ticket for my trip back to Tilza the next morning. Was rather tired by the time I got back as it was quite a walk (but something that wouldn’t have been possible several months ago :).

After a brief rest, we headed for the Reformed Church service which also wasn’t far from the hotel. Maris Dupurs, a Latvian Partners Staff member, is one of the pastors and we met up with him there. This service was translated for me (see the photo) and I almost felt like we were back at Calvin!! The message was terrific and meaningful.

My translator for the Reformed Church service
That evening we had an enjoyable dinner at Chuck’s apartment in the old part of Riga. The next morning, after an early goodbye, I left for the bus station. The ride to Balvi took almost 5 hours but I was able to immediately catch the bus to Tilza. Was glad to be home. The girls had the fire going (of course) but Aija wasn’t feeling well. We talked lots trying to catch up with events of the last few days and week.

Week 7

Wow, where did the time go? We picked up The Calvin Team on Friday evening and drove to Ergli where we stayed in a very nice hotel. We were not able to stay at Eagle’s Wings camp because another group had rented it but on Saturday morning we got a tour of the camp from Dustin, which really gave us a vision for what he wants to do there. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine summer activities because it’s so cold right now!


Meeting the Calvin team at the airport
About noon we left for Tilza having made several stops along the way to see a housing project, buy food, etc. Lunch had been planned for 2:00 but we arrived at 4:00, ate, then went on a prayer walk of Tilza. (Katie Andresen was sick on the way to Tilza which was a concern.) That night we went to the cultural center and Dave taught some Scottish dances. I didn’t stay the whole time as I got rather worn out.

Sunday we had worship, lunch, Sunday School, and some free time. Marc and Marsha went with Kaspars to the Balvi church at 4:00. Monday all day was our day to think, pray and plan together about our sister church partnership. It was a very good time of conversation and planning. We are learning more and more about how Latvians and Americans (& Brits, Scots) can work together.

In the afternoon Katie started feeling bad again and by evening had to be taken to the hospital in Balvi. Katie Roth took them (Marc, of course, went also) and to help with translation. She was admitted – a scary thing in a foreign country but it was good that Marc could be with her. By the next day she was better and we picked them up at the hospital on the way to Riga for a Conference. Like my episode at the hospital, we still don’t know what the cause was.

Week 6

Well, this week started off great. Nineteen people were in church today (see pictures of some of the folks). Five young children (under 5 years old) were also there but they didn’t pay too much attention!! We had an excellent time of worship, Kaspars did a great job of teaching and there was a wonderful sense of the Spirit moving. After the service we had the Annual Meeting – where communion was celebrated and all business discussed. With a unanimous vote, it was agreed that I could be a member of Tilza Baptist Church!
Maija
Lolita
Elina

Much planning a preparation for the Calvin group which will arrive in Riga on Friday. Kaspars and I will go pick them up. But we have three other things to do first. We will meet with Inita for lunch, go pick up the glass for our stove, and get Marsha so that we can all go to the airport.
One of our trips to Ergli: Left to right Aija, me, Liene

Week 5

Dan Roth and Dustin Peterson went to St. Petersburg, Russia for a 4-day conference on Christian Camping. They said it was very encouraging and vision-building for the work we are doing here.

After much work over 4 or 5 days, Kaspars got our plumbing working again. Of course, I am really grateful that we have a place to go when things are out of order here but it’s nice to be back to “normal” – with one exception. The glass for our stove is ordered and ready but it’s in Riga and we are here. So, next time someone goes to Riga, they will get it for us, I think.

My house: my window is the far right, first floor. Our neighbor, Maija, lives in the white house.

It was very cold this week. At least once our thermometer read -30 Celsius and has stayed in the minus 20 somethings most of the week. How strange it is that one day when it got up to -10 I thought it was rather warm! It’s not really what you would call warm in the house every day but right now (Saturday) it’s great.

This was one of the most beautiful days so far.

This week I taught the lesson for the Youth meeting. It is a challenge to make things relevant and interesting. We have lots of boys – usually between the ages of 14-17 or so. Next week we think will draw more – as it is going to be Valentines Day (which they celebrate here) and we will talk about the difference between sex and love. It’s doubtful that anyone will be bored.

Thursday I went with Liene and Liga to the Kindergarten English classes. What fun. The kids were so interested and very eager to learn. In fact it surprised me how much they already knew. One of the regular teachers for the Tilza class is Ina whom I met in 2002 but have been unable to see again until now. She remembered my visit to their house and invited me to come again. She also suggested that I attend the Lutheran church when the pastor comes next time. That was one of my goals – to meet the pastor – before talking with people in town about Bible Studies. The Lord is directing my path. At the other kindergarten in Vectilza, most of the little ones stayed home because it was so cold. Instead we talked with and taught a group of 8-10 years olds. The principal there remembered me from our Hope ’99 trip when we made a presentation at the school. They are now in a new building across the street from the old one and it’s a very nice place. Like last time, she invited us for tea before leaving. And I thought I was in a hurry to go to Balvi with Katie…..

We really did get a lot of planning done today (Saturday). Spent a good amount of time in the Word, listening to the Lord, and being refreshed by His love for us. We know this is important in order for us to pass along God’s love to others. We are planning for the next 5-7 weeks of Youth Meetings. And also for the time when the four others from Calvin arrive next week.

Today is my Name Day. Everyone has a Name Day here and it’s often more celebrated than a birthday. Or rather other people stop by and give you gifts on your Name Day. For your birthday you invite a few others to a party. At least that’s what I think so far…. J Our neighbor, Maija, came over this evening to celebrate my Name Day and brought a delicious cake/bread and a bag of apples from her trees that she picked this past Fall. We had a great visit (with Liga and Aija translating). Maija’s daughter will be getting married near Christmas Valley in June and the whole family will travel to Oregon. I’m really hoping they can all come to Calvin.

This also happens to be the very day (35 years ago) that I put my faith in Jesus as my Savior. Little did I ever think that it would be my Name Day in Latvia. He knows all my days, all my paths, all my thoughts. Praise be to God.

Week 4

We had our weekly Youth Planning meeting in Tilza with three from Madonas church attending. The two young guys (in their 30s) who help lead the ministry there are very interested in discipleship and training. It’s encouraging to see their enthusiasm and love for the Lord.

On Thursday, 4 of us went to Riga for a conference on World Missions sponsored by Bridge Builders/Partners Office. Again, I was encouraged to see so many Latvians with a heart to reach out beyond their borders and share the gospel. The vision for this is expanding and what fun to hear them tell of the seminar for helping children learn about missions. Carol Wille from Corvallis was the featured speaker for this part. She did an excellent job. I attended the sessions by Chuck Kelley since it was in English and was being translated! I am even more excited about the possibilities for Tilza. Please pray for revival here… there are quite a few who have made commitments to follow Jesus but are not walking with Him.

Saturday morning I was not feeling well and by noon had a terrible pain in my side and was vomiting. Thankfully, Peter Eisans (a pastor helping with the conference and former Partners staff) called an ambulance and they took me to Emergency. After many tests and questions, they could not determine the cause of the pain. So I got a shot which fixed everything immediately. The doctor (a very good one, indeed) gave me two prescriptions and I’ve been fine. The cost for al of this? 37 Lats which is about $70.00!! I had such good treatment – and according to Dan and Katie Roth, I was in the best hospital in Riga. The Lord does provide. Stayed one more day in Riga just in case anything reoccurred but had no problems. Drove home with Katie – lots of snow.

Driving in Katie’s car is easy compared to the red van which often has problems. Two new tires were just put on the van just before the trip, but as we arrived in Riga one of them was going flat. Thanks to cell phones, we called back to Tilza to find out what best to do. After getting air in it (which in itself was not easy because we didn’t know where the next station would be and we were in new territory for everyone in the van with us), all seemed OK. But for those folks who went home in the van on Saturday there was more tire trouble and alternator troubles. Having left Riga at 7:00, they didn’t get home until 2:00 a.m. It was a long, tiring and very cold night.

Bowl Latvia!

On Friday afternoon, instead of the conference, I went bowling!

Here I am during one of our meetings at the Yellow House.