Contrasting Images of Haiti

Hope - Hopelessness
Love – Despair
Joy – Discouragement
Laughter of children – Screams of pain/grief from woman
Shouts of fun from a football game – Gunshots from a forsaken neighborhood
Lush green fields – garbage filled streets
Clear blue ocean – dirty sewage streams
God at work – Voodoo drums and flags
God is present – Everywhere!

First train some of the kids have seen
Ben plays football (soccer)
Ben in the market with John
A little sugar cane for the road
At the ocean
Ketsia meets the waves
At the Haiti museum
In the country
Fresh, fresh shrimp - mmm!
With kids from the home

Ben's pictures from Haiti

Housing in Port au Prince
Fond de Negre Salvation Army
Tap-tap
Laundry
Outside the children's home
Presidential Palace
Hope through agriculture
City streets

the rest of my vacation

I’m back home in Latvia and before my vacation becomes a distant memory, I want to record some special moments.  This was definitely the holiday of conversations for me.  There were so many opportunities for special and intimate talks with more people than I imagined I would be able to fit in.  But, it seemed that was one of the important things I needed to do.  I already listed several of those people in my last posting.  The last 2 weeks I got in a few more – a good meeting with our Personnel Secretary, Harry Brocksieck; lunch with Chris Shay and Kristin Caddy, dinner and a really fun time with David and Diana Winters and family – Anna especially kept my attention.  That day I had been at Oakbrook Terrace corps’ day camp doing presentations for each of 5 classes of kids about Latvia.  It was fun but a bit exhausting.  Thursday evening, Lisa Jordan planned a party for me to see all (or most) of the other people I hadn’t been able to see yet.  It included the final game of Stephen’s baseball season. We had great food and fun, too.  I made the Wellers and Gortons look through my Latvia pictures.  They were very kind about it!  Unfortunately, Stephen’s team didn’t win the game.  Later in the week, I went to Little Pine Island camp and talked with Cheryl Britcher and Dina Shoults (a nice surprise), Curt and Vicki Britcher and Elise, and quick conversations with lots of other people during Music Camp.  My brother, Steve, was the guest and I went up to see him for a couple of days.  It was really fun to be back there.  

A quick (that’s a relative term – the traffic was horrible) trip to Detroit to meet up with Ben and we were off to Haiti.  It was Ben’s first trip there and Steve was determined to show him as much as possible.  We were only there for 4 ½ days but we got in a lot.  It was great to be with Steve and Ketsia in their setting.  It is a very hard place, but they are doing well and have important work there.  One of the strenuous highlights was a trip to Fond de Negre.  It’s on the coast and we drove on the worst road I’ve seen anywhere in the world (yes, Latvians, there are roads worse than yours!) But, on the other end was the ocean!  A beautiful beach, good food and even some rest.  We stayed at the Bethel clinic and hospital with the Ezehs, directors.  It is an amazing place doing significant work, especially with AIDS.  I’ll post some pictures from Haiti later.

We got home to Michigan in time for Abbie’s 8th birthday.  She and I did some shopping in the morning and then we had a party and went to see a movie with the whole family.  I was very happy to spend a day just with the family.  I left the next morning to get back to Chicago and get packed up to come home to Latvia.  One last conversation with Heidi Bailey who is in Chicago for Danielle’s wedding.  I had to fit that one in and I’m glad we did.  

So, there you are.  Not a very restful or peaceful vacation, but definitely a good one.  Now, back to work and life in Latvia.  There’s a lot to do to get ready for the fall.  More about that later.

Pictures from Commissioning and 25th Reunion

Good and 'old' friends, Carolee and Christie
Some of my sessionmates are a little crazy!
Curt (YS Editor!!) Mark (AKA Earnest Ainsley!)
More friends: Teri and Ken
"I don't feel old enough to be an officer for 25 years!"
Aunt Evie with Ben. We're going to Haiti together on Sunday (minus the mohawk)

About being home

I’ve been home  (USA home) for about 2 ½ weeks now.  I arrived the day before Commissioning weekend and after a quick lunch with the Jordans and a stop at my townhouse (provided by the territory) drove straight to the hotel (note to self and anyone else in a similar position: don’t go straight from another country to Commissioning!)  We were supposed to have the General but he cancelled and so the territory had to make a new plan, which included Commissioner Gaither and our territorial leaders. The Lord was definitely in the changes.  We started with Officers’ Councils which totally overwhelmed me when I walked into the auditorium.  Thankfully I quickly saw Mark and Carolee Israel, good friends from the South, and I attached myself to them for the day.  Of course, there were many people I wanted to see and talk with.  But, I wasn’t prepared for the small talk or seeing so many at once.  I came home this year because it is my 25th anniversary as an officer and the territory generously brought me back for the recognition/reunion.  We had our official dinner on Friday evening where I had to give the little speech.  Actually, it was fun to prepare for it.  I do love being an officer and don’t mind telling about how God is working in my life.  Maybe I’ll post my speech later.  The Friday evening program was excellent, focusing on missions.  The territory is so committed both financially and with personnel to serve the whole world.  It was inspiring to see the summer mission team dedication.  I already mentioned the Release Party that night but before we went to that, there was a surprise party for Pete McBride (50!!!!) – how fun to be home for that! Saturday we had our private session reunion. It was really fun to be with so many old friends, some I haven’t seen in years.  The evening program included a farewell for Barry and Sue Swanson, on their way to NHQ.  It was great – simple but genuine and just what Barry and Sue wanted.  Sue preached that evening and the Lord clearly used her to say just what needed to be said.  The response was immediate and overwhelming.  One of the highlights for me was to be able to spend some time with good friends such as Bill and Sue Harfoot, the Israels, Catherine and Peter Mount, David and Miriam Gorton and others.  I also got to spend a bit of time with my sister and family.  The Lord provided a little time with some of the people I really wanted to see.  Sunday morning was a holy time for the cadets and the rest of us.  The Lord moved during their covenant service and during Commissioner Gaither’s message.  Again, there were many who responded.  I had a special time of prayer with Sue Harfoot and my sister, Chris which was a real blessing.  I went home from the weekend exhausted but also overflowing with joy and gratitude.  

After a few days in Chicago which included going with Lisa and Cathy to a Cubs game (pathetic team), I went to Michigan to spend time with my family.  They are a busy bunch!  But, it was really fun to just join in to what was happening – softball games, graduation parties and much more.  I love my niece and nephews and am so thankful they still seem to enjoy having me around!  Chris and Steve are also great and I love being with them.  I also love watching them lead the Dearborn Heights corps.  They are good and it’s a blessing to see them.  The corps people are always so friendly and interested when I come home.  Even though I’ve never soldiered there, it does feel like home. They put up with a little presentation from me and seemed genuinely concerned and I believe they do pray for me, which I need.  I didn’t get to stay as long as I’d like because of all of our schedules, but the days were very good.  

Now I’m back in Chicago to finish up Dr/Dentist appointments and try to see some friends.  Of course, they are all busy (who said things slow down in the summer?) but I’ve fit in a few special times with Commissioners Baillie, Cheryl and Bruce Bailey, Eric and Cathleen Himes, Donna Hutchings, Sue Swanson, Viki Payton and Carol Shoults.  Saturday was Matt Harfoot’s wedding, which was absolutely beautiful and I got to see the whole family there.  Then some time with Lisa and the Arnolds.  Yesterday was my only Sunday to be at Oakbrook Terrace.  I can’t adequately explain what an amazing place that is and how important the corps family is to me.  They dedicated at least 21 people who will be going out on some mission work this summer.  They recognized dozens of people who serve the corps in some way and then farewelled 3 sets of officers moving out of the area.  It was my first opportunity to see David and Miriam Gorton as the corps officers.  They are doing a great job and I am proud of them.  The Lord is doing so much in the corps as a whole and in the lives of so many individuals there.  Knowing that I would want to talk to everyone and would be frustrated that I couldn’t, I asked the Lord to put the right people in the right place for conversation.  And He did  - Kirsten Gorton, Lindsay and Danielle Bailey and then the afternoon with the Gorton family which was just like old times.  

I’m sure I’m missing someone or something special that has happened, but that’s about all I can talk about tonight.  2 more weeks which includes a trip to Haiti with my nephew, Ben (FUN!) and then I’ll be home in Latvia.   Until then, I’m looking forward to more blessings and maybe even a little rest (I think that might have to wait until I get back to Latvia!)

Covenant Day in Sweden

The ladies wait for our plane
Evie and Sarah (newly married to Anders - new captain)

My once a year opportunity to play - I should stick to talking!
Arturs giving testimony with our friend, Guna translating

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

This is my result when I took the 'Classic Movie Test' . Try it! Now you know what I do on vacation. Comments welcome.

(Thanks to Carole http://cjbate.blogspot.com/ for this site.)

Thinking about Latvia

Today was our cadets' first Sunday at their Summer Assignment corps. I've been thinking and praying, wondering how it's going. I left them in the middle of their trip to Sweden. I traveled with them last week and spent a day together with them at the Swedish Training College. We attended their Covenant Service for their soon to be captains. It was wonderful to see our cadets in that setting, part of the bigger Army. It was also special to be with the 3 Swedish cadets as they committed themselves to serving as officers. I feel a closeness to them because of our partnership, they have visited us in Latvia and I have been with them in Stockholm several times. I left Sweden so I could be home for Commissioning weekend in Chicago. The cadets stayed through the week and attended the Swedish commissioning meeting. I have heard good reports, but look forward to hearing their stories. I'll put up pictures later. On June 14 they started Summer Assignment at 3 corps in Latvia; Riga 1 and 2 and Iecava. Arturs went to the Raynes Park corps in the UK. I'm so excited about what he will learn and bring back to us in the fall. Much to tell about my time here in the States, but today I'm thinking about Latvia and wanted to share that, hoping you will join me in praying for them. And while you are praying, think about Jon and Ian - summer interns from the US Central Territory who are in Latvia for the summer. They are particularly focusing on ministry with young boys and men. This is an huge area of concern for us and I believe God has chosen these two to be involved in something exciting and important. They are great guys and I know they will also appreciate your prayer support.

Red Book Sessions

I should be asleep as it’s my second day home, I’m at the Congress and I’m exhausted – and it’s midnight. I need to write about the amazing concert I just came from. It was the release party of the Red Book Sessions CD by The Singing Company. You can hear a demo of one of the songs “Never Mind, Go On” at .: ARMYBARMY :. resource for training materials, music and shopping. I’m bursting with joy and a little pride too, because of the wonderful, gifted and inspired young adults I know who are part of this band. Eric Himes, Keri Shay, Nate Irvine and Jon Bukiewicz. Each of them has a unique and even miraculous testimony of God’s grace in their lives, leading them to be part of this project.

And then there are the songs…Phil Laeger Phil Laeger . com joined the group for recording and the concert. He is a beautifully gifted pianist. Nate Hood also plays guitar – amazing, too! I’m running out of adjectives but you can probably guess that I’m very excited about the recording and the work the Lord is doing through it all.

If you are in Europe, I’m bringing home some CDs to share. Just let me know if you want one and I’ll get it to you somehow. More about a really wonderful day - later.

Birthday pictures

Flowers, flowers and flowers painted by Sergejs


Evie's game - created by the girls!


My friends - Sarah and Zoe (we all wore the same sweater that night!)

It's after midnight so my birthday is over. I'm officially closer to one big birthday than the lesser one - EEK...I might be having a little trauma about that. I don't usually like to make much of my birthday. But, I'm in Latvia and you can't ignore any special anniversary here. I got an early greeting from a friend in the US who sent these words from Henri Nouwen:

Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam, a promotion, or a victory. Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: “Thank you for being you.” Celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it. On a birthday we do not say: “Thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished.” No, we say, “Thank you for being born and being among us.” On birthdays we celebrate the present. We do not complain about what happened or speculate about what will happen, but we lift someone up and let everyone way, “We love you.”Celebrating a birthday reminds us of the goodness of life, and in this spirit we really need to celebrate people’s birthday every day, by showing gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, and affection. These are the ways of saying: “It’s good that you are alive; it’s good that you are walking with me on this earth. Let’s be glad and rejoice.”

I decided to let people celebrate my birthday and to enjoy it myself. In Latvia the birthday person brings the cake so we had a nice chocolate one this morning at the training school. The cadets sang and gave me the traditional flowers. One of the things I love about Latvia - flowers! Sergejs also gave me two of his painitings. One of flowers (in place of the real ones) and another he painted after our last field training Sunday. It's of the road we traveled on to Liepaja. I love it and I love the sentiment, too. We had a great Homiletics class this morning, too. It had nothing to do with my birthday but was an affirming and encouraging time for the teacher, who just happened to have a her birthday today! I came home hoping to go out for a nice walk this afternoon but the weather was against me. I talked with Veronika for a bit (more flowers!) and Dace also brought me a nice bunch. My flat smells very nice. One of my favorite Latvians is Nina, a lovely woman who lives in our building and goes to the Riga 1 corps. We carry on crazy half Latvian/half English conversations and love each other. She stopped by with a little gift, too.

This evening was our last small group for the season. I offered to bring dessert. We met at Henrik and Lisbeth's and had no idea that they had planned to make a little party for me. I brought my Bible - no one else did! Lisbeth made a chocolate cake and I brought a fruit pizza (auglu pica). We ate a lot and they also had gifts. Wow...this was turning into one of my most celebrated birthdays! It wasn't over. 4 of the girls from the small group I used to lead showed up at the door with flowers and a gift. It was so cool. They made a game for me. I'll try to put up a picture of it. They stayed and we played their game. It was really fun and I'm going to sleep feeling very celebrated and very blessed.

Coming home!

To my friends in the States, I'll be home next week until July 11. I'd love to meet for a cup of coffee, a meal or at the least a little conversation. I have lots of stories and pictures to share! But, don't be afraid, I will try not to bore you and I also want to hear your stories. I'll check my email while I'm home or you can contact me through my sister, Chris in Dearborn Heights. Or you could actually comment here (does anyone really read this blog?)

more changes, more prayer requested

It has just been announced that Commissioners Hasse and Christina Kjellgren have received farewell orders from their present appointment as Territorial leaders of the Sweden-Latvia Territory and will take up a new appointment as International Secretary for Europe on 1. November 2006.

New Territorial Leaders for Sweden-Latvia will be Lt. Col. Victor and Rosalyn Poke, Australian officers presently serving as Chief Secretary inthe UK Territory.

(We are also losing our current Chief Secretary, Royston Bartlett. He will be replaced with a Swedish officer, Kristina Frisk.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henrik Andersen
Regional Commander
Pestisanas armija (The Salvation Army in Latvia)

Reflecting

Before it’s just a memory, I want to reflect on my experiences at the holiness conference. I had such a wonderful and blessed time, not just because it gave me a desperately needed break or because I met some great people. I also had some special moments with the Lord and was given some important words sometimes directly from the Lord and sometimes through others. It doesn’t seem to be one big revelation nor have I been given answers to my big questions, but there were significant moments. On the plane to Oslo I wrote this, “I want to be open and available this week for whatever…” and I tried to practice that throughout the conference.

The first night we paired up to ‘get acquainted’ with the delegates. I was with, Kjell, from Sweden who blessed me right away by saying he wants people to know him as someone who ‘wants to love Jesus more.’ Simple, but that’s it, isn’t it? During a half night of prayer, I asked Osmi from Finland, a beautiful retired officer, to pray with me. She had these words for me, ‘God’s gifts are complete.’ And I watched her often as we were praying. I was drawn to her lovely face because it glowed with joy and peace. I even wished I had a camera to try to capture that look. And I thought 2 things: 1. I want that!
2. When I’m retired will people see joy and peace or a grouchy, bitter, tired and lonely woman?

Our times of worship were one very powerful way the Lord spoke to me. During that same night of prayer these words were especially meaningful:

“Take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation”
“There is none like you. No one else can touch my heart like you do.”

I have been reading Ephesians and these words stuck with me through the week. I used them when I led morning devotions. From chapter 1:7b-8a “the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us.” I felt like God was pouring grace on us (me) all week. We took a pilgrim walk one day. We were given directed prayer themes. I walked and prayed and wound up at the sea sitting on a big rock with my feet just inches from the water (it was too cold to be in it!) As I was praying, the words to the Chicago Staff Band chorus song came to me “He gives you peace like a river, washing away all your fears.” I had my eyes closed, listening to the gently lapping water and feeling God’s peace wash over me. With no warning I suddenly heard a big wave come crashing to shore and my feet were covered with the freezing cold water from the sea. I think God was teasing me and reminding me that He had control over the water and my life, too! I laughed with a few tears in my eyes. As I sat there I felt so filled up with the presence of God that I thought I would burst. Across the fjord was the city with factories and apartments – the world. I realized I needed that filling so that I could come back and face the world.

I had several helpful and precious conversations, many of them with the delegates from Denmark. (I think I’ve been unduly influenced by Henrik and Lisbeth!) We talked about the future (mine and theirs), about using spiritual gifts, about the Army and our place in it and much more. The Lord sent those people to me just when I needed them and directed our conversations. And I think maybe I was sent to them, as well. It’s great to be part of the body of Christ. From those conversations one of the most helpful and important and maybe even prophetic comments was, “You need to be yourself.” Interesting…

One of my personal highlights was teaching for a couple of hours about worship, personal and corporate. I struggled in my preparation because I wanted to be appropriate for these people and this conference. It all came together and I had so much fun! They listened and participated and it seemed to be relevant. Also, I received a lot of affirmation which is admittedly an ego thing, but I needed it. Finally, for tonight anyway – I received an insight into my relationship with God and what He means to me. He is my “Eternal Teacher.” He will never be done teaching me new things and I will definitely never be done learning.

Change in Latvia

http://www.fralsningsarmen.info/Parleport/home.nsf

It's in Swedish but it's important for Latvia. Our regional commanders, Henrik and Lisbeth Andersen, will be moving to a new appointment this fall. Coming to Latvia are Goran and Chris Larsen from Sweden.

Pray for Henrik and Lisbeth and their children, especially youngest Lukas. They have been here for 6 years and this will be a significant change for them. Pray for the Larsens as they adjust to us, new language and culture and the rest. Pray for Pestisanas Armija in Latvia as we prepare for new leaders and say goodbye to our friends and leaders.

Pictures from Norway

The view of Oslo from Jan Harald and Eli's house. Jan cuts a tree to make the view better.

Jaana - new friend from Finland

Sweden's night: 1. Who's the King of the Jungle (no idea why) 2. Johnny - training principal and magician
Some of the delegates enjoy the beautiful weather
On our way to a Pilgrim Walk

Visit to a CHOCOLATE farm! (Really!)
I love this little guy!

The sea

Christianity Cheat Sheet

http://holyoffice.livejournal.com/80073.html?page=1#comments

I don't mean to offend anyone with this (although if you take it too seriously I take no responsibility for your response.) This is a fun list of common Christian terms with definition for the secular world...and a little healthy perspective for the rest of us. Posted as a link at: http://www.thinkchristian.net

a week of holiness

I’m sitting at the airport in Oslo, Norway on my way home from the Nordic Brengle Holiness conference.  I was invited to be part of the leadership/teaching team.  It was an amazing week and I have lots of ideas and challenges to process.  Besides that, it was a really fun week and I have lots of stories to tell.  For this blog entry, I’m simply going to note some of the more inspiring or thought-provoking quotes from the week.  Later I’ll fill in some detail.  These quotes may be a bit hard to understand out of context, but if you read something that you’d like to respond to, please do.  As I said, I’m still trying to process what I should do with my mind and heart full of inspiration.  Most of the quotes are from our guest, Lyell Rader who has a beautiful and rich speaking style.  Others are noted.  All are related to holiness and life.  Here goes:

From Petter (Finnish training principal): “our first language is the language of our faith and our discipleship”

“All His.  All holy.”

from the Rader patriarch (father of Lyell, Paul, etc.) “Always assume grace.”  “Do not doubt in the dark what God has revealed in the light.”

Elaine Rader:  “Practice the discipline of alertness to God.  ‘eyes wide open’.”

“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do” but “bend my dreams to your will”

“Prayer is the breath of the soul.”  O. Hallesby

“Holiness is the flourishing of our humanity – in beauty, fruitfulness and wholeness.  In the secular world holiness has a connotation of ‘incense, hypocrisy and mold.’ Wrong assumption is that holiness is about spirituality.  We are about humanity – body, mind and spirit.”

Psalm 103 – Praise to a God who puts everything right.

Hemingway: “We are all broken.  We live by mending.  Grace is the glue.  Some are stronger in the broken places.”

“By our wounds we may heal.  “

“The healing work of God is carried on characteristically through a healing community.”  Dr. Herb Rader

about the healing of the 10 lepers in Luke 17: “Mercy incarnate hears the shout, covers the distance, mends the broken.”

Vocational holiness – we need to ‘develop a contemplative life adequate to our vocation.’ Eugene Peterson

The deer farm on a beautiful spring day

white deer - not native Latvians
reindeer - also not native
Veronika & Nikolai with our favorite deer

I feed and pet the deer (I prefer animals from a distance)


This one shows off
Marina brought the bread
Marina & Dana greet wild boar

A full brain!

Wow! I've been on brain overload most of this week. It's been an exhausting, challenging and rewarding week. Sunday evening we hosted 7 cadets and Herve Cachelin from Switzerland overnight. It was fun to take them to Old Riga, talk about shared experiences of training and cadet life and have a good Lido meal. Monday was a holiday but I was up and taking them to the airport at 7:30. My intent was to work all day but I just couldn't. I crashed for the first half of the day. Later on I worked for several hours on a writing assignment for Barefoot Ministries (www.barefootministries.com). They are a left over connection from my TYS days and I love keeping that relationship even in a small way. Tuesday morning I was up early preparing for our Leaders' Day. I gave a presentation about calling and candidates. I've been reading a great book, "The Call" by Os Guiness. It's one of the books that's been on my 'to read someday' shelf and I thought it would be good help for my work with candidates here. It turns out to be a good refresher for me to as I look at what God is calling me to and where. My term is up next summer and I have to make a decision in the fall (or sooner) so I need some help. If you are trying to find out where God is leading you for the first time or the hundredth, this book might help. I'll put some quotes up later. After a long but good day with our leaders, I came home to study for Doctrine and Homiletics (preaching class.) Four hours of studying (which really wasn't enough but was all I could do) and then to sleep so I could teach for six hours on Wednesday. The teaching was tough. Lots of misunderstandings in Doctrine class but we got through it. Homiletics is hard because we are learning how to study the Bible inductively. Several of the methods are hard for me to explain and demonstrate because I don't understand Latvian grammar. It's fun but sometimes frustrating. I could use Linda Himes' help! By last night I was brain dead. All I could do was watch a movie and think about what else I should do. Today was another holiday (Latvia has a lot of Independence days) and I took it as one. I went with Veronika, Dana and their parents, Marina and Nikolai to a deer park in the country. Dana's friend's family owns and runs it. It was so nice. We walked and fed the deer. Then we sat in the sun and talked and relaxed. I needed a stress free, enjoyable day and that's what we had. I'll post pictures later. Much more I could tell about this week, but I need to sleep and you've probably read enough!