Blogs from Latvia, Europe - page 39

The last few entries have been a little bit rocky, but we're bouncing back. We went to three countries with mummified communist leaders, and we never got to smell the formaldahyde in any of them because of our various small "crises" and their various arbirtrary hours. But we're shaking it off. The bank cards work, Justin is feeling better, we have a new camera, and Justin fixed Chris' ailing iPod. Since he was never really able to shake his cold in St. Petersburg, Justin got very familiar with St. Petersburg's Puppet Hostel. They even gave us free tickets to the downstairs Puppet Theatre, but we were the only members of the audience over the age of 8 and unable to speak Russian. We're sure that we would have found the giant Hippopotamus hilarious if only we ... read more

We had our first experience with mockers. A group of boys were, sitting in the front row at our last concert whistling at the girls dancing and then making comments and laughing during the preaching. A couple of concerts back we had to deal with children running all over the place. Despite the distraction many youths came up for the alter call. I’ve spoken to 4 different girls who were really inspired by our work and want to work for God in the same manner. They are looking into Jesus Revolution. I really enjoyed being able to just encourage them and pray for them. A girl who was blind in one eye had three people from our team pray for her and when we left, she could see light where before she was not able to ... read more

As I updated the previous entries I am sitting in the same café I went to last night with Talitha. Our school visit was cancelled because their schedules are too packed due to school closings the past few days (because it was too cold for them!) so we have off until 1 pm. Since we are free I started the day off with a long PT and some good cheap coffee. I feels so privileged to be here living, truly living a wonderful great adventure. It may not always be easy but I can boldly keep going, knowing God is directing my path which will ultimately be to His glory. I never thought I would be sitting in a coffee house in Cesis, Latvia. How cool! And is it just because I said, “Here I am ... read more

yes it's minus thirty here in Latvia... read more

After a wonderfullly restful and -- perhaps more importantly -- warm, rest, I woke up ready to take on day two of my trip to this fascinating country. (That is such a cheesy way to start a blog update, but, I mean, how *do* you start a blog update? I struggle with that almost every time I start one of these! Weird eh?) Anywho. My first stop today was Rigas Central Market. You would think that the central market would be in the center, but, as with many European towns, the name has survived passed its accuracy (like in Prague where the "new" market is like 500 years old!) It is actually across the railroad tracks, so to speak (and literally as well) a bit to the south of the city center. (Being this far north ... read more