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.