Wow! I’ve been so tired at night that I haven’t done anything, let alone write here! But, I’m starting to get into the routine and this weekend I’m FREEEEEEE! So, here goes a little catch up. It will probably be long again…
The retreat was great. I did a little teaching from a book called Soul Shaping (http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/6w6/6w6114.html) to start our spiritual development program. I’m going to use this book as a guide for teaching, preaching and mentoring. Now, just need to get it translated! Anyway, the cadets love to talk and laugh and pray together. It started at the retreat and 2 weeks later and many hours living with each other, it continues. I frequently thank God for this little (or maybe giant) miracle. With language, cultural and historical differences this is a very special thing for Latvia and the Army. They are developing important friendships which will be invaluable for them and for the future of the work here. This was a very long weekend for Solveiga, as she was the only translator. So, I cut down quite a bit and as they were getting along so well, they did a lot of small group discussion and prayer. I also assigned them some solitary time. We ate a lot and laughed a lot. What more could you ask for from a retreat?
Then classes started. Monday is a light day – house (dorm) meeting and then afternoon electives. Some are in computer classes. One is taking driving lessons and the last one is not yet in anything. I’m trying to set up beginning English classes. They will have lots of choices throughout training, as long as we can afford it and find teachers. Tuesday I teach Salvation Army Principles (‘who are we and why’). Dace has agreed to translate for that class. I’m really enjoying it. This week we watch some of the webcast from the Welcome to the High Council. That was cool. This Tuesday we also had Strategy Force meeting at RHQ. Remember I said Solveiga had a lot of work, well…by Wednesday she was sick and couldn’t come in. And no translator available – first crisis! But these cadets are wonderful! I walked into Doctrine class and said they only had me and would have to figure out how to translate. First they tried Arturs translating to Latvian and Andre to Russian. But then all of them said that was silly – they all understand Russian and only one translation was needed. This was another miracle because in Latvian society there are some issues about the Russian language. But, they showed such grace and goodness (and patience with me.) . Remember the furniture delivered to us last week? Well, an hour into class and a truck showed up to take it. So, class ended and we all became movers. This week Doctrine class got a bit heavy and I’m afraid I overwhelmed them with new terms and too much information. I have to slow it down. Guna (Riga 2 corps leader) is team teaching with me and she’ll teach in Latvian so that will help them. (of course I’ll have no idea what she is teaching.) Wednesday afternoons Sarah and I are team teaching Public Ministry (platform skills) class. So far this one is going fine. I don’t teach on Thursday or Friday this term. I have time to work in the office and set up meetings. Last weekend was our official welcome meeting. It was so good, even though it was the coldest day in decades. I was unbelievably calm and excited! I could feel the Lord working through the prayers of so many people around the world. (more on that subject another day.) It went great and everyone was pleased and I think inspired by the day. (pictures coming) Sunday we met together with Henrik, Lisbeth and our Chief Secretary from Sweden, Royston. It was a nice day. As I said, they love to be together and worship and pray together. By Monday I couldn’t function – so I stayed home and tried to put my house and everything in order. When I sat down to read and pray I was nearly wiped out. The Lord came to me in an amazing way and really restored my soul. As great as the weekend had been, I ended by feeling like I would not be able to last for 20 months doing this. It is wonderful and there are so many miracles happening, but I don’t have that much faith in myself. Anyway, the Lord provided both scripture and music to reach me and reassure me.
This week we were in full swing with classes and the routine. I’m really enjoying studying, teaching and getting to know the cadets. I’m practicing taking one day at a time and doing what I can but trying not to worry or become crabby about it. Not sure I’m always accomplishing that but I am trying and finding much strength. There is much more to tell but there are also 20 more months of writing and life to come. I’ll try to write more often so it doesn’t get so long. Now you know a little about how it’s going and what my routine will be.
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