After my last 'poor me' posting, I decided I need to stop being so pitiful and look for the many blessings I know the Lord regularly provides me. Thanks to the comments from my 'East European' friends, I'm reminded that what I experience is not unique and some have it much harder than I. So, here goes:
First, see the update on MacKendy http://www.xanga.com/haitisteve This one story includes so many miracles and such a great testimony as to how the Church should work. I talked to Steve and Ketsia last night. I really miss them and plan to visit them in Haiti while I'm home this summer. I also talked to my sister Chris and her husband and daughter, Abbie. It was fun to feel like I was with the whole family for a few minutes.
Both morning prayers and the doctrine class were good. I used 1 john 4 in prayers. Of course, before I could share any lessons with the cadets, the Lord had a new one for me. When John talks about fear being removed by love, I was struck by the fact that love itself can be frightening. At least for me! Sometimes I hold back my love because I'm afraid of taking the risk of loving without knowing what the response or the long-term commitment might be. If it is God's love and not my own self-centered, weak and imperfect love, than I don't have to be afraid. He also provides the courage, strength and everything else I will need to love. A promise and a challenge.
Doctrine class was great. We talked about the various creation theories, the problem of evil and just started talking about how Satan came to be. I have a lot of studying to do before next week to keep up with the cadets' questions. Guna has to rest and be very careful until the baby arrives, so I'm on my own for the rest of the term. Keep praying for Guna. There are some serious concerns for her health and that could put the baby at risk.
Small group last night was different. Sarah kept apologizing for a random plan, but actually it was fun. I don't very often get to just sit around and talk about whatever comes to mind. Sarah gave a little direction and then we (especially Hanna and I) took off talking about whatever we wanted. I find I really miss the group when I can't be there.
Today I had lunch with Ieva. She's a great support and advisor. I especially appreciate her prayer support. I know she prays for me and our whole training program regularly and I believe that makes a difference. She also makes sure her corps people pray for us. Today she seemed especially concerned about me and I have to admit, I didn't mind that concern. Maybe I need to pursue more regular meetings with her and even a plan to pray together.
Yesterday, Graeme and I went electronics shopping. Someone from the states donated their tithe to the training center and with that we were able to buy a TV. The cadets will be able to watch the news and we will be able to use DVDs and videos for teaching. That is one of those unexpected blessings. I also treated myself thanks to some generous friends. (OK, shopping does make me feel better!) I've been using my laptop as an entertainment center which has limitations like not being able to work and watch a movie! I finally purchased a multi-region DVD player and little stereo system for my flat. Now I can borrow movies from my UK friends which greatly expands my movie watching options!
These are blessings both great and relatively insignificant, but all reminders of God's personal interest and His love.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
What an adventure
Sometimes I want the Adventure to stop!
I’m fond of saying that life is an adventure and this is all part of it. But I have to admit that there are times when I would like to just live a normal life (as if I have any idea what that means.) This week is one of those weeks – not that anything terrible has happened – well, not much. But, I’m tired of still being in a state of newness and feeling ignorant more often than wise and feeling totally out of control. After the Thursday evening adventure, I stayed home on Friday hoping to get quite a lot done but honestly don’t know what I did. Saturday was a regional Day of Prayer. It was well attended and people were so glad to be together praying and worshipping. I missed most of it because I was responsible for hosting. It wasn’t hard and I’m sure I could have had more help, but I wanted the others to be able to be fully involved in the program. For some reason which seemed entirely reasonable at the time, I scheduled another trip to Daugavpils on Sunday. I have so few free days when I can observe the cadets there. So, I grabbed this one. However, apparently my brain ceased functioning sometime on Saturday, if not before. One of the girls who helps with translation and is a friend, Dana, was to go with me. I told her what time I’d pick her up and arrived nearly on time. It was a beautiful spring day and I was actually looking forward to time in the car with Dana and the view on the way. We were making good time, so I decided we’d stop for a drink and a little good Latvian bakery. That’s when I looked at a clock and realized I had made a big mistake. My math was incorrect and we left a whole hour later than we should have. No, the time didn’t change and I was perfectly aware of how long the trip would be. I simply subtracted 3 ½ from 11 (starting time of service) and came up with 8:30. No way would we get there even close to on time and the only reason for going that far twice in one week was to observe the cadets leading and speaking. We weren’t even going to spend any length of time talking with them afterward as they had something else to do. So, after banging my head several times we turned around and came home. I got home in time to get to Riga 1 for church, which was nice. Henrik preached about the spiritual discipline of ‘confession’. Afterward I went straight home and spent the evening grading papers. I accomplished a lot so felt OK about the change in plans. However, grading papers I think was the point of feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my work here. The thing that struck me is that I really don’t know what the cadets are learning and especially what is sinking in and meaningful to them. All work has to be translated from Latvian or Russian and I can’t be absolutely certain of the translation (Solveiga is great but this was a lot of work for her.) I can’t be sure of the intent of their writing or even the originality of their thinking. Sometimes I feel like what we are teaching is the wrong thing or more precisely, not what they really need to know. But, I don’t know what the right thing is if this isn’t it. That’s when it hits me that ultimately their training is my responsibility. I know, I know, that’s way too much to put on myself and there are a lot of people here who support through teaching, translating, working on committees, etc. But, more than any other place I’ve been, I’m in this one on my own as far as ‘the buck stops here’. Some people like that kind of life. I’m more of a team player and I think this is the reason I’m so tired. Here’s my confession for today – I blew up at Solveiga and then poor Sarah who just happened to walk in, because Latvia has two holidays next week which I was unaware of. That means rearranging schedules and canceling classes so they have the days off. You would think I’d be rejoicing at the free time! No, I just thought about how little time we have to teach them all they need and now I’ve lost two days! If I heed Henrik’s sermon from Sunday, I will have to talk with Sarah and Solveiga tomorrow (see James 5).
Why write all of this? So I can sound totally pathetic? No, although it’s probably true. But, so that those of you who read this with the thought of praying for me will know how to pray. And feel free to give advice, admonish me or whatever else you think might help.
A couple more things to pray about: 1. I had an email at the end of the day about Guna, Riga 2 corps leader and my Doctrine co-teacher, she is pregnant and went to the hospital today with appendicitis. I don't have an update tonight. I had to crash study for her lesson tomorrow - man and depravity - no big deal! Pray for her and for the poor cadets who have to listen to me tomorrow. 2. I have morning prayers tomorrow and even at this late time (nearly 11pm) I'm not sure what to do. Part of that is because I've been studying doctrine most of the evening. The other reason is because I want to challenge the cadets on a problem that is effecting all of them and our atmosphere around the school. But, I'm not sure of the right way to do and when. It's a very big issue which needs to be addressed and I'm pretty sure I'm the one who needs to do it. I have an idea about how, but want to be careful I'm not manipulating them by using prayer time. Anyway, without more details, I'm asking for your prayer support.
I’m fond of saying that life is an adventure and this is all part of it. But I have to admit that there are times when I would like to just live a normal life (as if I have any idea what that means.) This week is one of those weeks – not that anything terrible has happened – well, not much. But, I’m tired of still being in a state of newness and feeling ignorant more often than wise and feeling totally out of control. After the Thursday evening adventure, I stayed home on Friday hoping to get quite a lot done but honestly don’t know what I did. Saturday was a regional Day of Prayer. It was well attended and people were so glad to be together praying and worshipping. I missed most of it because I was responsible for hosting. It wasn’t hard and I’m sure I could have had more help, but I wanted the others to be able to be fully involved in the program. For some reason which seemed entirely reasonable at the time, I scheduled another trip to Daugavpils on Sunday. I have so few free days when I can observe the cadets there. So, I grabbed this one. However, apparently my brain ceased functioning sometime on Saturday, if not before. One of the girls who helps with translation and is a friend, Dana, was to go with me. I told her what time I’d pick her up and arrived nearly on time. It was a beautiful spring day and I was actually looking forward to time in the car with Dana and the view on the way. We were making good time, so I decided we’d stop for a drink and a little good Latvian bakery. That’s when I looked at a clock and realized I had made a big mistake. My math was incorrect and we left a whole hour later than we should have. No, the time didn’t change and I was perfectly aware of how long the trip would be. I simply subtracted 3 ½ from 11 (starting time of service) and came up with 8:30. No way would we get there even close to on time and the only reason for going that far twice in one week was to observe the cadets leading and speaking. We weren’t even going to spend any length of time talking with them afterward as they had something else to do. So, after banging my head several times we turned around and came home. I got home in time to get to Riga 1 for church, which was nice. Henrik preached about the spiritual discipline of ‘confession’. Afterward I went straight home and spent the evening grading papers. I accomplished a lot so felt OK about the change in plans. However, grading papers I think was the point of feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my work here. The thing that struck me is that I really don’t know what the cadets are learning and especially what is sinking in and meaningful to them. All work has to be translated from Latvian or Russian and I can’t be absolutely certain of the translation (Solveiga is great but this was a lot of work for her.) I can’t be sure of the intent of their writing or even the originality of their thinking. Sometimes I feel like what we are teaching is the wrong thing or more precisely, not what they really need to know. But, I don’t know what the right thing is if this isn’t it. That’s when it hits me that ultimately their training is my responsibility. I know, I know, that’s way too much to put on myself and there are a lot of people here who support through teaching, translating, working on committees, etc. But, more than any other place I’ve been, I’m in this one on my own as far as ‘the buck stops here’. Some people like that kind of life. I’m more of a team player and I think this is the reason I’m so tired. Here’s my confession for today – I blew up at Solveiga and then poor Sarah who just happened to walk in, because Latvia has two holidays next week which I was unaware of. That means rearranging schedules and canceling classes so they have the days off. You would think I’d be rejoicing at the free time! No, I just thought about how little time we have to teach them all they need and now I’ve lost two days! If I heed Henrik’s sermon from Sunday, I will have to talk with Sarah and Solveiga tomorrow (see James 5).
Why write all of this? So I can sound totally pathetic? No, although it’s probably true. But, so that those of you who read this with the thought of praying for me will know how to pray. And feel free to give advice, admonish me or whatever else you think might help.
A couple more things to pray about: 1. I had an email at the end of the day about Guna, Riga 2 corps leader and my Doctrine co-teacher, she is pregnant and went to the hospital today with appendicitis. I don't have an update tonight. I had to crash study for her lesson tomorrow - man and depravity - no big deal! Pray for her and for the poor cadets who have to listen to me tomorrow. 2. I have morning prayers tomorrow and even at this late time (nearly 11pm) I'm not sure what to do. Part of that is because I've been studying doctrine most of the evening. The other reason is because I want to challenge the cadets on a problem that is effecting all of them and our atmosphere around the school. But, I'm not sure of the right way to do and when. It's a very big issue which needs to be addressed and I'm pretty sure I'm the one who needs to do it. I have an idea about how, but want to be careful I'm not manipulating them by using prayer time. Anyway, without more details, I'm asking for your prayer support.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Road trip
2 of our cadets are non-residential, living and working at the corps in Daugavpils which is about a 3 ½ hour drive east of Riga. Yesterday Solveiga and I headed there to observe their ministry. It was a beautiful spring day, the baby storks were poking their heads out of their nests and some even trying to fly. I have to confess I’d never thought much about where storks live, but I guess I assumed they were tropical and lived near the water like pelicans (admittedly I’m not very zoologically minded). But, really they live in Latvia at least during nesting time. They make huge nests on top of utility poles all over the country. It’s fascinating. So, the drive to Daugavpils was great. The meeting we went to was mostly geared to street people and many of them have serious drinking problems. It was something to see them singing and praying together. I am really burdened for this population, which is prevalent in every part of Latvia and pray that someday we will be able to open a rehabilitation center or recovery corps in Latvia. I have a reputation of being loved by the old Latvian women, especially the Russian ones and it proved true again last night. As soon as we got in the chapel an old woman (drunk, I suspect) started staring and talking. I headed over to her and Solveiga said, ‘she says you are lovely!’ She grabbed my hand and kissed me and continued to watch us and smile through out the service. All seemed to be going great as we headed back home until we got about 45 minutes out of Daugavpils and I was pulled over for speeding. This is the second time I’ve been stopped by the Latvian police. (25 years of driving in the US and I never got stopped.) The young policeman came over and asked me (in Latvian) why I was speeding. Here’s the rest of the conversation as I remember it. (apologies for mistranslation and perhaps exaggeration for effect)
“I don’t understand Latvian – only a little” (in Latvian)
You speak Russian?
No, English. (So he continues in Latvian which means Solveiga has to translate from this point.)
Here’s my registration.
Why is your insurance expired?
I didn’t know it was. (the truth and I did feel panicked but remained calm.)
Your license?...it’s American…you live in Latvia?
Yes, here’s my passport with residence permit. (another panic – I should have a Latvian license by now)
Why were you speeding?
I don’t know.
You’ll have to come to the police car. (Solveiga goes with me – there is another policeman in the car)
2nd man – here’s how fast you were going (shows speed gun). Why were you speeding?
I didn’t know I was (actually I believe they added 10 klm, but how do you prove that?)
You will have to go to the police station in Riga – you know where that is?
No, but I’ll find it.
(disappointed look)You’ll have to pay 30-50 lats. They will decide.
OK
(disappointed look)Why don’t you have insurance?
Innocently – I have an insurance card in the car, can I get it?
Smiling – Yes!
On my return with only an insurance card – frustrated they say, This is only for service. What are you going to do about this?
It’s a company car and I didn’t realize but I’ll take care of it tomorrow.
How will you get to Riga without insurance?
(pause…and I think, I’m calling Henrik!)
What are we going to do with you? IN ENGLISH!
(insert – this is the exact phrase used by the police who stopped me before – do they teach that at the police academy? In that case I thought I was paying for a ticket until he handed me back my documents and walked away with my 20 lats and I had no paper from him.)
All I can say is I will take care of it tomorrow.
Flip through my documents again – who do you work for?
Pestisanas armija
Flip through documents again and whispering to each other. Where do you live?
It’s the same address as the company.
Hands me the wad of documents and says get it taken care of tomorrow.
When we got in the car Solveiga said, “I wanted to laugh because they were two country police trying to be tough!” And we looked all through the documents – no ticket. In fact, they didn’t write one thing down! So, I came out of that without a ticket and having paid no extra amount to the local police!
“I don’t understand Latvian – only a little” (in Latvian)
You speak Russian?
No, English. (So he continues in Latvian which means Solveiga has to translate from this point.)
Here’s my registration.
Why is your insurance expired?
I didn’t know it was. (the truth and I did feel panicked but remained calm.)
Your license?...it’s American…you live in Latvia?
Yes, here’s my passport with residence permit. (another panic – I should have a Latvian license by now)
Why were you speeding?
I don’t know.
You’ll have to come to the police car. (Solveiga goes with me – there is another policeman in the car)
2nd man – here’s how fast you were going (shows speed gun). Why were you speeding?
I didn’t know I was (actually I believe they added 10 klm, but how do you prove that?)
You will have to go to the police station in Riga – you know where that is?
No, but I’ll find it.
(disappointed look)You’ll have to pay 30-50 lats. They will decide.
OK
(disappointed look)Why don’t you have insurance?
Innocently – I have an insurance card in the car, can I get it?
Smiling – Yes!
On my return with only an insurance card – frustrated they say, This is only for service. What are you going to do about this?
It’s a company car and I didn’t realize but I’ll take care of it tomorrow.
How will you get to Riga without insurance?
(pause…and I think, I’m calling Henrik!)
What are we going to do with you? IN ENGLISH!
(insert – this is the exact phrase used by the police who stopped me before – do they teach that at the police academy? In that case I thought I was paying for a ticket until he handed me back my documents and walked away with my 20 lats and I had no paper from him.)
All I can say is I will take care of it tomorrow.
Flip through my documents again – who do you work for?
Pestisanas armija
Flip through documents again and whispering to each other. Where do you live?
It’s the same address as the company.
Hands me the wad of documents and says get it taken care of tomorrow.
When we got in the car Solveiga said, “I wanted to laugh because they were two country police trying to be tough!” And we looked all through the documents – no ticket. In fact, they didn’t write one thing down! So, I came out of that without a ticket and having paid no extra amount to the local police!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Pray for MacKendy
Today my brother, Steve and his wife, Ketsia are in the US with MacKendy, one of the young men from their home in Haiti as he is having serious eye surgery. This is a real miracle of God's grace. To get more information and to help you know how to pray for them, you can read the story at Steve's xanga site: http://www.xanga.com/haitisteve
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Holiday in London
Last week I had a few days off that happened to coincide with my friend, Cathy's business trip to London. So, of course, off I went. Thanks to her work who put her (and me) up in a very nice and perfectly located hotel on the Thames! We had a wonderful weekend of walking, shopping, talking, and eating. I added on a day to meet with some staff from the UK training school. That was great and will prove very helpful for our program here. Here are a few pictures and commentary about our explorations.
View from the hotel!
Cathy and her bag
Palm Sunday procession with the Chalk Farm Band and a stubborn mule to St. Martin's in the Field Church
The only ones on the bus tour, in the rain
View from the hotel!
Cathy and her bagPalm Sunday procession with the Chalk Farm Band and a stubborn mule to St. Martin's in the Field Church
The only ones on the bus tour, in the rain
We saw "Movin' Out" by Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp - fun!
Spring time in Hyde Park - smell the flowers?!
Friday, April 14, 2006
GOOD Friday
The word for today in Latvian translates as "Great Friday". Someone asked me why we would call it 'Good'? Here's my reading for today which I think answers that question:
The purpose of God in the history of man was accomplished when Jesus breathed his last upon the cross. The cry, "It is finished!" was not the mere gasp of a wornout life; it was not the cry of satisfaction with which a career of pain and sorrow is terminated; it was the deliberate utterance of a clear consciousness on the part of God's appointed Revealer that now all had been done that could be done to make God known to men and to identify him with men. God's purpose had ever been one and indivisible-declare to men in various ways, a hint here, a broad light there, now by a gleam of insight in the mind of a prophet, now by a deed of heroism in king or leader, through rude symbolic contrivances and through the tenderest of human affections and the highest human thoughts, God had been making men ever more and more sensible that his one purpose was to come closer and closer into fellowship with them, and to draw them into a perfect harmony with him. Forgiveness and deliverance from sin were provided for them, knowledge of God's law and will, thus they might learn to know and to serve him-all these were secured when Jesus cried, "It is finished!"
from Footsteps in the Path of Life by Marcus Dods (A Guide to Prayer, The Upper Room)
Monday, April 03, 2006
Design for Life report
Thanks so much for praying for us this weekend. I felt great support throughout our conference. While much of what happened is confidential, I can tell you that God was definitely speaking and speaking clearly to many people. Vision for the future was created, new dreams were inspired and plans confirmed, gifts were practiced and affirmed by the leaders and the delegates. The leadership team was great and worked together easily and without stress. When we needed to put some last minute plans together, most of us had similar ideas about what we needed to do and as those plans unfolded during a worship and prayer time, it was evident that it had been the Holy Spirit who gave us those plans. I had a really good time of fellowship and practicing my Latvian. Today I'm physically exhausted, but spiritually feel refreshed and filled with hope. Here are a few pictures of the fun times!
Dace's Getting Acquainted Games
1. Building a car (that's me on the ground in pink - I'm a wheel) 1st picture of Helen and Zoe, part of our English-speaking small group at the corps. 2nd picture - Hanna next to me is also in our group.
2. Quick! Do you know your neighbor's name?
Game of the weekend - Uno Attack! (Linda loved it!)
Dace's Getting Acquainted Games
1. Building a car (that's me on the ground in pink - I'm a wheel) 1st picture of Helen and Zoe, part of our English-speaking small group at the corps. 2nd picture - Hanna next to me is also in our group.
2. Quick! Do you know your neighbor's name?
Game of the weekend - Uno Attack! (Linda loved it!)
Church as Community
http://www.24-7prayer.com/cm/articles/748 Here's a great article from the 24-7 Prayer website about the value, in fact necessity for involvement in the fellowship of believers, also known as church.
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