Fourth post from Latvia

Tuesday Morning 

Had wanted to write an update last night but was just too beat after teaching the KTC seminar all day.  We woke up yesterday morning to sun and about 20 degree temperature.  We’ve learned that we have to figure 3-5 minutes in our schedule just to get bundled up for going outside!  We took a taxi to the Bridge Builder’s office.  It was a climb to get to the fourth floor-Beth has been a trooper with her leg.  When we got out of the taxi our darling Latvian girl, who had spent the night with us at the apartment casually mentioned that the circus headquarters was across the street.  She added that sometimes you could hear the lions.  Little did we realize that they would roar-intermittently--literally all day long!  Usually, when there is a fussy little one in a meeting, I tell the mother don’t worry because I’m used to cows and chickens running in and out.   A fussy baby really doesn’t bother me.  Well, I can now add roaring lions to the list!!

The office soon filled up with women excitedly chatting.  When everyone came we were 26 including the 3 of us-the room was full-not uncomfortable though.  Three women were pastors of Methodist churches.  Also in attendance were, the dean of a Christian college, Latvian women working in various ministries, missionaries from the Netherlands, England, Portugal and the United States.  They barely moved during the sessions, many had tears shimmering in their eyes.  The Lord gave me their hearts during the first session and it was very sweet.  With translation, I only am able to get in about 2/3^rds of what I plan to share—but the Holy Spirit led with what needed to be said.  There were many thoughtful questions that reflected their pain and struggles both personally and with the women they are working with.  One of the girls is working with prostitutes and she and a couple of other ladies are planning to establish the first drug rehab center for women in Latvia.  She and another woman go out on the streets every night and build relationships with the women of the night.  What a privilege to encourage and provide fresh tools for women like this.  

Several women have signed up for one-on-one counseling with me which will happen tomorrow and Thursday. 

I was totally poured out by 5 pm in fact, at noon, I wondered if I would have the strength to finish the day.  But was able to stretch out on a couch for a half hour and fell sound asleep-even roaring lions didn’t disturb!  Woke refreshed and ready for the afternoon.

Shelly working with a translator

One interesting thing is that during the night before the KTC seminar, I was moved to pray about the translator.  My sense was that the woman who was going to do it, needed to really HEAR the material, not just translate.  So I asked the Lord to keep her from translating if that’s what He wanted.  When we got to the office yesterday morning, there she was, with no voice!!!  She didn’t feel sick or anything just had lost her voice!!! She told me that she hadn’t been sick since Kindergarten.  There were many excellent translators in the group and the Lord gave just the right one.  The lady with no voice sat riveted all day long, her eyes were often moist and it was clear that God was touching her heart!  Wow!  What joy to be up close and personal watching God move!

Walking in the snow in Old Town Riga

After the meeting Tracy, Beth and I walked to the restaurant that we had gone to our first day.  It is near the freedom monument.  Riga at night is charming and especially right now that everything is covered with snow.  The cobblestones are a bit trickier to maneuver on since they are uneven and a bit slick, but we have not fallen and we are grateful every time we get back to the apartment without incident.  We stopped at the grocery and got some more water and other things.  

Today we don’t start our schedule till 11.  It was good not to waken to an alarm.  All three of us are working on our material for the conference.  Both Beth and Tracy will be giving seminars and I will speak 5 times.  We also need to get our gifts together and organized. We brought treats for the women on the planning committee and Beth brought an abundance of lovely things that we will give as door prizes at the conference.  We thought we’d encourage them to be on time by doing a drawing exactly at the beginning of each meeting and also plan several other opportunities such as whoever has a birthday, the most grandchildren, etc…We want to make it fun too.



Tracy (second from left) with the Worship Team

The Lord has opened the door for Tracy to work with the worship team.  The two people she is working with are well-known in Latvia for their musical ability.  She has discovered that they don’t have a clear understanding of how to plan a worship experience.  She has her undergrad degree in worship ministry and is now finishing her Master’s in it too.  I am thrilled at how carefully and gently she is leading them, establishing relationship and letting them own her suggestions.  She and I both have a sense that she will be having an impact on the direction of worship in Latvia for years to come.  They have invited her to the rehearsal on Thursday night and we are praying that during one window of time on Friday, she will be able to lead the main musician, Anete, into a time of personal worship to prepare her for the conference. 

We are having a good time and a deep sense of the significance of this ministry.  We are also sensing attack from the enemy.  That’s a good sign—it means that we are tromping on territory that he isn’t happy about!
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