This past week

NATO Sammit
That's NATO Summit Latvian style! Several years ago when Latvia hosted the NATO Summit in Riga, several young adults decided to meet out here in Tilza at the same time and hold a spiritual "summit" of their own. This year my roommate, Aija, got everybody together for a reunion of the Summit to encourage each person in their faith walk with Jesus. The discussions, onversa-tions and worship were good for everyone - including those of us
who were just on the sidelines. Of course, as with all retreat-type events there was plenty of time to enjoy some recreation. I had introduced the game of Skip-bo to Aija and she taught everyone to play while they were here.

Last night most of our team went to the little city of Ergli where Eagles Wings camp is located. A group of believers there has decided to start a new church so they don't have to drive the half hour or so to Madona for church services.

Approximated 35 adults and 10-12 children attended with several from the Madona church offering some special music. We had a very good time of worship, though I wasn't feeling very well. It was a long, cold, snowy, windy drive there in the church van (which is rather drafty) but I'm glad we could participate in this new venture.
Our group headed home fairly soon after the service and got back in good time. Kaspars is a great driver so no worries. But there and back we did have to stop more than once to clear the ice from the
windshield wipers.

It's a good thing we left when we did because the Roths were not able to get out just an hour or so later due to all the snow on the road. They are still not home but may be able to get out tomorrow.

This morning this is what my car looked like. I had not had to drive to Ergli so it collected lots of the white stuff. During the day yesterday I had already cleared the snow twice in order to make several short trips. I'm sure not used to this kind of snow build-up in such a short time.

It won't be long - floors are mostly in

The floor is coming along in our house. I suppose little will change in these next few days because we are celebrating Latvian Independence Day - with a four-day holiday. So far we have rough floors in each of the bedrooms and the livingroom. Kitchen still needs some work! We may decide to put in a new sink and counter so that will take some figuring and going to Balvi to look for what we need. Most likely we can get something ready-made. Not sure what the cost will be so - please pray that we can get a good deal.


Today we have snow!! The first snow for this winter season. Not much of it but, as usual, it is beautiful to watch come down and then things have a covering of white that is so picturesque.


I probably have said before, but it never ceases to surprise me the number and variety of people we have who use the Baptist Church facilites - especially the Yellow House. This weekend I knew that some young high school and college age men and women would be here for a retreat that my roommate, Aija, coordinated. It's a very relaxed and informal time of encouraging each other to seek the Lord with their whole hearts and keep walking in faith.
The night before this group arrived, however, a family came to stay for the holidays - Armands & Signe and their three children. No one has said why they came - maybe just to enjoy renewing friendships with Kaspars and Liene, Dan and Katie, etc. and have a nice time away from Riga for a few days.

We have been having some excellent times with the kids from the boarding school each weekend. The older kids (5th-9th class) spend time with us on Saturday mornings. Activities usuallly include cooking something, outdoor skills, table games, etc. On Sunday the younger ones come over (1st - 4th class) for Sunday School. We divide into small groups by age using lots of activities like singing, games, Bible stories, memorizing scripture, crafts, etc. to learn some important truths from God's Word.

My SMALL Car

My little Polo is soooo small.... I can almost pick it up and take it anywhere. :)

When seen from a different perspective, God's perspective, I get a whole different idea about about my life and it's problems. Right now I feel very much that I am kept safe in His Hands.

New Floors

After three weeks now I went to look at how the work is coming on our new floors in our house. As you can see, it could easily be another three weeks before we can move back in.

This first picture is taken from the front door looking into the kitchen. We had to take out the sink and counter and cupboard and might end up having to replace it.

This second picture is my room. Will be glad when it's all done and we can get back to living at home. We are staying at the "Yellow House" on the church property. I'm so glad to have such a nice place "to wait" while we have to be out of our place.

New Car!!

This cute little thing is a 2001 VW Polo with 100,000 kilometers on it. I got a very good deal on it. The man who sold it to me is from England and his wife is Latvian. They attend one of the largest Baptist Churches in Riga. They wanted to sell it to a missionary to help with the ministry. Last week I went to visit them again while I was in Riga for the Latvian Lational Prayer Breakfast. Today I had winter tires put on and I guess that makes me ready for snow - although we haven't had any yet. Still can ride my bicycle around some - but I am finding it hard to do when I know how easy it is to jump in the car.