Teaching in Valdemarpils, Latvija

Darkness greets me and bids me rest each day. The days continue to shorten for another few weeks until Christmas. When a dim daylight does eventually come, my view is of a pine forest and open fields, with a frozen stream running through them. Candle light brings a warm glow to the room, and a hot cup of tea takes the chill away.

I am blessed to be in such an idyllic place for this week, as I teach in the DTS here at the base. It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Riga and enjoy the Latvijan countryside. The 'real' Latvija as some will say.

The teaching is on Biblical Worldview, one of my favourites to teach. How we see the world, and what we believe to be true shapes the way we live our lives, and thus shapes the world in which we live. What we think really does make a difference. I'm challenging the students, as I myself am challenged, to examine what we believe about who we are, what is our purpose here in this life, why is there poverty, etc., and determine the fruit or consequences of those beliefs. Do they line up with God's perspective and solutions? It continues our process of renewing our minds, to have the mind of Christ, to take on God's perspective. In such, we become a part of building a world around us, although fallen, that God intends - so that it 'will go well with us'. Obedience and conformity to the statutes of God's Word brings life and blessings...not only to our own lives, but moreso to the nations. Genesis 12:1-2

It's been over a month...

and since then, I've been in Australia teaching in a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Adelaide, connecting with the friends there. It was a rich time! Being back in Australia is always refrenshing! The weather was turning warmer and the days longer.

As I write, snow is falling heavily, blanketing the ground. I'm no longer in Oz, but back in Latvija, where the days are growing colder and shorter. One hopes for snow, and it's beauty, to brighten the grey surroundings.

Winter holds a beauty of it's own...God's creation in a bit of a dormant state, in order to produce more fruit in the future. To hear the song of the black-capped chickadee sitting on the bare tree branch wakes one out of the slumber of the season, and reminds us not only to hope for the next season to come, but to live in, take in, and enjoy the current season.

Why is it we often want the winter season (whether literal or figurative) to pass by quickly and spend most of it looking ahead to 'spring'? God is challenging me to take in all He has for me in this season. There isn't a demanding schedule right now, other than teaching here in Latvija, and the specifics of the arts ministry being established here. It's more a time of re-assessing, equipping, and planning - looking to the future, but living in the present. He as been speaking of rooting myself more deeply in Him, to be prepared for what lies ahead.

When I first came back to Latvija to begin my long-term stay here, a dear friend wrote these words..."Latvija - a great place to enjoy the beauty God has made, spend time in His presence, carry out the mission He has given, to dream His dreams...a place to be inspired and creative...a place of challenge to move mountains...the right place to establish God's kingdom". In order to even begin to touch the possibility of seeing these come to pass, I have to be rooted deeply in God! It's not at all about what I can do to see these things happen, but what He can do. So, I take steps, then wait, take steps, then wait - all under His direction.

Developing a Heart of Gratitude

There's nothing like a misty, cool, spring day in the Adelaide Hills. I sit by candle light (mixed with a bit of computer screen light - ugh), reflecting on the last year and all that God has done. These moments of reflection have been inspired by the AGM or Annual General Meeting held here at YWAM Adelaide.

It seems we don't stop often enough to think about all that God has done, from where He has taken us, and dare to dream about where He wants to take us. These aren't geographic locations necessarily, but places in our relationship with Him, and plans He has for us to co-labour with Him to be agents of change - history makers even! Sounds big, eh?!

God is big! There's none more able to move us on, to equip us for things we never dreamed possible, than God!

So, looking back...

He has given me new direction and vision, as He promised!

He has prepared a place for me in Latvija

God is faithful!

He has provided finances to do what He's called me to do

He has provided friendships, teachers, and mentors

God is big!

He has opened doors for an Arts Ministry to take it's first steps toward becoming reality

He has provided a venue for an 'outdoor studio' in one of the prime places in Riga - Dom Square

God is good!

He has kept me safe and well

He has built bridges for me to cross into the art community in Latvija

God is compassionate!

He has been faithful to His word and gave us the completion of the first DTS (Discipleship Training School) held specifically in the city of Riga.

He has opened doors to disciple others, and tell others about His love and invitation to know Him

God is just!

He has surrounded me with family in YWAM Adelaide and Riga, and in through my churches in US, Australia, and Latvija

He has blessed me with a loving family

God is merciful!

He has opened doors for me to teach and disciple in Latvija, Ukraine, and Australia.

He given power to overcome the enemy and walk victoriously in Him

God is kind!

And all these, He is - faithful, big, good, compassionate, just, merciful, kind...out of love for us! It's the out of His love that His faithfulness, goodness, compassion, justice, mercy, kindness, etc. flows.

I could go on, and be more specific about the things He's done. It would be endless! However, I am reminded now, to stop more regularly to think, even in the course of one day, how much God has done. It's massive...and a sure way to develop a heart of gratitude.

Wordless Wednesday on Thursday - Bush Fires, Russian Festivals, and Climbing

More...

Due to Jet-lag 'Wordless Wednesday' Will Appear on Thursday This Week

In Trasnit

Greetings from Singapore, Changi Airport
!
I'm currently in transit to Australia to do some teaching, then will return to Latvija in early November.

Having seemingly countless hours, in airports and on flights, to think of blog innovations, I've decided to add what will be known as, ' Wordless Wednesday'. This will sort of be the week in review with photos. It won't take away from the pictures I hope to paint with words, nor the photos that will accompany the written. So, check out what will come on Wednesday and let me know what you think.

Blessings

Sometimes life gets like this...but it's still good!

My head is filled with experiences to write in The Journey - the miraculous to the mondane, open doors to mislaying keys to my door, staying to going, and a residency permit just in case.

It seems that this entry could be as varied and divergent as life right now. Ah, but tests show that I'm crisis motivated and challenge motivated, so I'm in good form...

It all started when...

I was trying to change my airticket to a later date in October to go and teach in Australia. Evidently, much of the population of the southern hemisphere is in the northern hemisphere at present, but are migrating back throughout October. No seats were available until 7 November. So, one just goes with the original plan to return on 2 October and return 7 November.

Leaving earlier than hoped just means you cram a month of things into 2 weeks. No worries!

A phone call from a friend who has been gracious enough to let me store some things in an unrented apartment she has will have renters soon. This is great! It also means that my things need to be moved here, where I'm temporarily staying. Down from the 2nd floor, up to the 3rd floor - who needs a stairmaster?!

Friends will be returning to Latvija for a bit and have asked if it would be possible for me to register, insure, take through technical inspection, and basically get it road worthy so they could pretty much hop in and drive to Ukraine to teach. This I'd agreed upon before knowing about leaving sooner than later.

Today, I head to Talsi (2 hours drive) to get my residency permit placed in my passport. A resident of Lativja, with all the privileges of a Latvijan...except I can't vote, nor hold office.

Is all this winging or whining? No, just to share the reality that our lives are not really so different. I just live mine where we use other languages to do the things that need doing. We all have 'broadsides' that come unexpectedly, and we just work with it.

It seems to me, life will be quite the adventure in the next week, along with the regular stuff. Hope I don't mislay my keys again. Oh, and for the above mentioned 'open doors', I'll be adding another entry to the blog in the next day - depending on your time zone.

Photos:

Top: reflection of the 'powder tower' (it held gunpowder) in the canal that runs through a nearby park. You can see it in the photos of my first entry 'Beginnings'. I hope to paint this picture some time.

Middle: the Latvijan flag being flown at a residence in Vecriga (Old Town Riga).

Bottom: I was in a creative mood and shot this photo on an angle of the beautiful flowers that decorate the main park in the centre of Riga.

I began to think...

I’m living in Latvija… in a place where the language is different than my mother tongue…in a culture that is quite different than that of my native culture…
If I’m going to communicate with someone, or speak to a group of people in Latvijan, it must be done through a translator…at least until I become proficient enough to speak on my own. How my words and cultural stuff will be received is all dependent on the translator. Pretty awesome responsibility, eh?!

A friend of mine, who has worked as a translator, says I’m difficult to translate. The challenge lies, she says, in being able to convey the fullness of what’s being said, not simply the literal words used, but also the metaphorical and emotive language. Perhaps I’m a bit metaphorical and emotive.

So I began to think about my role as a ‘translator’; a ‘translator’ being one who will 'pitch their tent', 'dwell among' and serve to translate the reality of who God is to a misdirected and hurting world. What are the conditions for need of a translator? In order for a translator to be needed, there must to be something to communicate. In this case, it’s the gospel of the Kingdom. Also, one needs to step out of their own language and culture and enter the places where other languages and culture exists. In this case, it’s out of the Christian community and into the community which exists outside the church. I began to think about what is my voice? In other words, how do I communicate – through what mediums? Translation isn’t always easy, we make many mistakes along the way, or we need to restate it so people can finally understand…and it is necessary if people are going to understand.

Jesus pitched His tent (‘and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth’. - John 1:14 NASB) among us, and translated His Father God to us, so we could see, understand, and come to know God (‘No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him’ – John 1:18 NASB).

I began to think of those places I go, here in Latvija, where other languages and cultures are expressed. Plainly stated, where do I enter the world of outside the ‘church’ in an attempt to do some translating? How many relationships, or even points of regular contact, are there where translation is even necessary? There’s the art studio, the 3 women at Amelie café where my Latvijan lessons and hours of study often take place, etc. How can these relationships be enriched to better translate.

I began to think that it’s time to become more intentional about translation…

It's Pirmdiena!

Each day brings more yellow leaves on the birch trees outside my window, shorter hours or daylight, and new adventures on 'the journey'. However, it doesn't look like today's journey will take me too far past my front door...but one never knows. Morning still unfolds and I've downed my 5th hot drink in an attempt to bring some relief to my sore throat. Looks like it's a day working at home.

The 'brochures' at the top of the corkboard next to my desk are of various Latvijan artists, their works and cv. Whereas it looks like an ordinary display, it is actually the 'nerve centre' of the prayer project for local artists. One must remember, that in a country the size of Tasmania or West Virginia with just over 2 million people, every artist is 'local'. It's good to have a visual of the artist, their work, and understand a bit about them when praying for them.

So, I'll work on further developing a prayer calendar for Latvijan artists, spend some time praying, then move on to e-mails, studying Latvijan, and work on some ideas for a missions conference here in January...then see what's next!

A pretty ordinary day here in Latvija.

Thursday in the Studio

The studio is located in Vecriga (Old Riga) in the basement where Kaspars owns an art supply store. Nestled amongst quaint shops in old buildings, Pendants - as it is called, is painted in his unmistakable style, setting it apart.

Using a medium with which I had little experience, painting a subject that I found less than inspiring, I began to paint. Stil life didn't seem to do much for me. However, as the night progressed, my thinking began to change, and it became quite enjoyable. The painting began to actually take on the likeness of the still life. Exciting!



The highlight of the evening, not only came from creating on canvas, but creating with God. He is the One opening the doors and building bridges of relationship, and He simply asks me (us) to co-operate and work with Him. When I do, things begin to happen...life gets exciting! He's up to things here in Riga, and my job is to find out what it is and join in.


Our conversations revolved around lighting, technique, value, etc. However, mingled amongst the 'shop talk' or rather, 'studio talk', the topics shifted. Curious as to what brought me to Latvija, questions began to come. 'What are you doing here in Riga?', 'Where did you learn to speak Russian?' 'How long are you planning to stay in Latvija?', etc. My answers led to more questions. Questions are good, very good! They lead us to answers...eventually!


It's all about relationship...God is all about relationship! The door is open and the opportunity there to connect with Kaspars and the two others Margarite and Nicholas who are in the studio. Three lovely people with whom I will spend the next weeks until our projects are complete. I hope I can 'translate' well.

This Thursday (12 Sept) is my second time in the studio...

New Beginnings

It appears that the most recent steps in the journey are taking me down the road of technology in an attempt to better communicate the more meaningful facets of the journey of which so many of you are a part.

You are welcome to join me at any time. Whatever your pleasure to imbibe while you read, bring your cup, sit, and enjoy. Feel free to leave any words of wisdom, thoughts, questions, or comments along the way.

I hope you will visit often

I'm currently in Lativja, temporarily living in Jurmala, hoping to move to Riga soon. Truly the beginnings are new. God is leading me to 'pitch my tent', 'dwell among' and serve to translate the reality of who God is to and through the arts community here in Riga. I feel ill-equipped and underqualified, and experience poor...but isn't that how God usually works, with the likes of these? This way, He gets the glory and we get to co-operate with Him. Takes the pressure off, for sure. We just need to follow where He leads. For example...

The mud and torn up cobblestones gave every reason not to walk on and visit the small gallery who's sign was just in sight. Rain continued to fall steadily and everything in me wanted to take the train home, call it a day, and retreat with a hot cup of tea. Days of praying through the streets of Riga and in art galleries alone were beginning to take it's toll. I was discouraged!

Jesus words echoed through my head. "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" They gave me the gumption to carry on and obey God's leading to begin in prayer in every gallery, for each artist, and don't be in a hurry.

So, in I went...

Gazing at the paintings, I recognised the work of an artist Kaspars Zarnis. Acknowledging the recognition and liking of the work audibly, a man behind me confirmed that it was Kaspars Zarins that painted it. The man who spoke was Kaspars himself. Converstation opened and in the end, he extended the opportunity for me to paint in his studio one night a week, learning from him.

My first class was last Thursday...