Since last writing in April much has happened. I'm ready to write all about it,
but at the moment, I'm fighting the need to sleep. So, within the next few days
I'll be getting more information out.
Blessings,
Elise
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Update coming as soon as I'm over jet-lag
I've just arrived last night in the States after several months in Riga, Latvija.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Prayer Trip Updates...and More to Come
Sveiki!
Prayer Trips, outreaches, hosting outreach teams, defining vision - personal and corporate as YWAM Riga have all been a part of this season since the last blog update. You can read about some of these in the following blog entries about Ruba and Balvi.
From the 10th to the 14th of April, a small team of us will travel to Norway for a Missions Conference at a local church. We will share about missions opportunities here in Latvija, as well as serve the church by leading their youth meeting, speaking on Sunday morning, and leading worship at various times throughout the conference.
Putting 'feet to the vision' with the arts ministry has gained momentum. Beginning 18 April, I will restart "Art Night". Art Night is simply opening my apartment and providing materials and an atmosphere for people to come and create or share what they have created in the areas of visual arts and music. Of course, tea and some type of food is compulsory. Who can create without tea, biscuits, chocolate, or fruit? This serves as an excellent platform for discipleship, encouragement, and as a place where vision, ideas, and strategies develop to build the Kingdom of God through the arts. This will be a monthly event to begin, but I'd like to see it develop into a weekly event.
Language, Language, Language...
I found a Latvijan teacher, so lessons are up and running...and my Latvijan is progressing once again. Also, there have been some opportunities that have opened for me to teach English. In many ways, teaching English has helped me to develop my understanding of my 'mother tongue'. If I had only paid more attention to English grammar when I was in school...
There is much more coming, with which I am involved, as summer is soon approaching...outreach teams, children's art camp, art evangelism projects, more prayer projects, concerts, a kayak/art camp along Latvija's longest river - Gauja, and involvement in teaching and training.
Prayer Trips, outreaches, hosting outreach teams, defining vision - personal and corporate as YWAM Riga have all been a part of this season since the last blog update. You can read about some of these in the following blog entries about Ruba and Balvi.
From the 10th to the 14th of April, a small team of us will travel to Norway for a Missions Conference at a local church. We will share about missions opportunities here in Latvija, as well as serve the church by leading their youth meeting, speaking on Sunday morning, and leading worship at various times throughout the conference.
Putting 'feet to the vision' with the arts ministry has gained momentum. Beginning 18 April, I will restart "Art Night". Art Night is simply opening my apartment and providing materials and an atmosphere for people to come and create or share what they have created in the areas of visual arts and music. Of course, tea and some type of food is compulsory. Who can create without tea, biscuits, chocolate, or fruit? This serves as an excellent platform for discipleship, encouragement, and as a place where vision, ideas, and strategies develop to build the Kingdom of God through the arts. This will be a monthly event to begin, but I'd like to see it develop into a weekly event.
Language, Language, Language...
I found a Latvijan teacher, so lessons are up and running...and my Latvijan is progressing once again. Also, there have been some opportunities that have opened for me to teach English. In many ways, teaching English has helped me to develop my understanding of my 'mother tongue'. If I had only paid more attention to English grammar when I was in school...
There is much more coming, with which I am involved, as summer is soon approaching...outreach teams, children's art camp, art evangelism projects, more prayer projects, concerts, a kayak/art camp along Latvija's longest river - Gauja, and involvement in teaching and training.
Prayer Trip to Ruba
Ruba 2008 (Due to technical difficulties with uploading...photos will hopefully come another time)
Ruba is a small village in southern Latvija, near the Lithuanian border. A Mission Adventures team from Norway came for a week long outreach during their Easter break. Mission Adventures in a YWAM ministry that serves to give youth groups from local churches missions experiences. YWAM serves to set up, organise, and host the outreach in country. Although, I didn't attend the outreach itself, I was a part of the prayer team that went before the team arrived.
Prayer for the schools in Ruba
Prayer for youth in the schools:
For relationships to be built with the youth and maintained.
The youth have feelings of isolation, not much opportunity to make a life for themselves.
Encourage youth, pray for hope!
Prayer for the farming community:
Farmers understand the idea of seasons, sowing and reaping.
They must work hard to provide for their families.
Planting in the spring to survive the winter.
Ruba seems 'dead' all around, but the people of this community, being mainly farmers, understand the idea of 'life coming out of death' "Unless a seed fall to the ground and die, it can not bear fruit".
Prayer for the outreach team having favor with the government in the town.
We felt that the team should be careful not to litter, and to pick up litter whenever they see it.
Prayer at the ruins of the Church:
Song ‘Did you feel the Mountains Tremble’ By Delirious.
This church sits at a cross roads between Ruba, Ezere, Druvas and the Lithuanian Boarder. Though it’s in ruin a cross still hangs infront of were the alter used to be. During prayer we felt that the ruins of the church represent the heart of the people, the state the church is in. That life comes out of death, the foundation is strong and the walls are still standing, that life still growing in the midst of ruin. We felt that worship needs to happen in this church during the outreach
to Ruba, with guitars, singing, and instruments the team has.
Prayer:
God to open the gates, open the hearts and emotions of the people and heal the wrong uderstandings and ideas about God and His church. For a renewing and strengthening of the foundation of the people and their hearts.
During the prayer time, the leader of the band Xenos - a Latvijan, Christian band, felt God leading her to 'return to the small towns' and come to play; to give something to the youth, to share with them the message of truth and hope. So, we will be exploring how to help these bands do this very thing. (Xenos, Man-hu, and Jorspais, as well as others, and a part of Youth With A Mission, Riga)
The Outreach -
Reports have come back of a very meaningful time that went deep. People were open and receptive for the words spoken, the time spent with visits to their homes, and the 'breath of fresh air' the team brought. One of the translators was from Ruba and became a Christian through a previous Mission Adventures team that went there. Follow up is also taking place through Christians who live relatively nearby.
Ruba is a small village in southern Latvija, near the Lithuanian border. A Mission Adventures team from Norway came for a week long outreach during their Easter break. Mission Adventures in a YWAM ministry that serves to give youth groups from local churches missions experiences. YWAM serves to set up, organise, and host the outreach in country. Although, I didn't attend the outreach itself, I was a part of the prayer team that went before the team arrived.
Prayer for the schools in Ruba
Prayer for youth in the schools:
For relationships to be built with the youth and maintained.
The youth have feelings of isolation, not much opportunity to make a life for themselves.
Encourage youth, pray for hope!
Prayer for the farming community:
Farmers understand the idea of seasons, sowing and reaping.
They must work hard to provide for their families.
Planting in the spring to survive the winter.
Ruba seems 'dead' all around, but the people of this community, being mainly farmers, understand the idea of 'life coming out of death' "Unless a seed fall to the ground and die, it can not bear fruit".
Prayer for the outreach team having favor with the government in the town.
We felt that the team should be careful not to litter, and to pick up litter whenever they see it.
Prayer at the ruins of the Church:
Song ‘Did you feel the Mountains Tremble’ By Delirious.
This church sits at a cross roads between Ruba, Ezere, Druvas and the Lithuanian Boarder. Though it’s in ruin a cross still hangs infront of were the alter used to be. During prayer we felt that the ruins of the church represent the heart of the people, the state the church is in. That life comes out of death, the foundation is strong and the walls are still standing, that life still growing in the midst of ruin. We felt that worship needs to happen in this church during the outreach
to Ruba, with guitars, singing, and instruments the team has.
Prayer:
God to open the gates, open the hearts and emotions of the people and heal the wrong uderstandings and ideas about God and His church. For a renewing and strengthening of the foundation of the people and their hearts.
During the prayer time, the leader of the band Xenos - a Latvijan, Christian band, felt God leading her to 'return to the small towns' and come to play; to give something to the youth, to share with them the message of truth and hope. So, we will be exploring how to help these bands do this very thing. (Xenos, Man-hu, and Jorspais, as well as others, and a part of Youth With A Mission, Riga)
The Outreach -
Reports have come back of a very meaningful time that went deep. People were open and receptive for the words spoken, the time spent with visits to their homes, and the 'breath of fresh air' the team brought. One of the translators was from Ruba and became a Christian through a previous Mission Adventures team that went there. Follow up is also taking place through Christians who live relatively nearby.
Prayer Trips to Pave the Way for Outreaches & the Outreach
Balvi, Latvija
February 9th, 2008
A small team of us, from Youth With A Mission, Riga traveled 3 hours one way to the region of Latgale in eastern Latvija, close to the Russian border. Our aim - to 'spy out the land', and lay a foundation of prayer for an outreach that would take place a week later.
These are some of the things God put on our hearts that day.
Healing rain come!
Healing rain come!
Open up the heavens above Balvi!
Prayer points from our drive through town, as we observed the surroundings and listened to what God put on our hearts.
Feelings of hopelessness, uselessness… Warriors who feel they no longer have a purpose.
People don’t want charity, they need empowerment
No fear, need healing rain - new impetus to move forward.
God to open the heart of the people, restore relationships.
Through giving of food and clothes they wouldn’t see charity but see the heart and love of Jesus.
Isaiah 45:8-10
8"Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it. 9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? 10"Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?'"(Clay questioning the potter, but God wants to lead the way, show them how to live)
Prayer points from our drive through town, as we observed the surroundings and listened to what God put on our hearts.
Feelings of hopelessness, uselessness… Warriors who feel they no longer have a purpose.
People don’t want charity, they need empowerment
No fear, need healing rain - new impetus to move forward.
God to open the heart of the people, restore relationships.
Through giving of food and clothes they wouldn’t see charity but see the heart and love of Jesus.
Isaiah 45:8-10
8"Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it. 9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? 10"Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?'"(Clay questioning the potter, but God wants to lead the way, show them how to live)
Prayer points on walk through the center of town.
For family’s and the next generation.
Education and teachers.
Communications and the arts, that they would see God in the beauty around them, and the music school.
Government, more involvement with the people. That hearts would be open to God. For the Fear of God, not fear of man!
Friendliness and Kindness, that greeting your neighbor would become the norm and not the abnormal.
Just for your information, in case you are ever in Balvi...
After talking with some locals about their small but significant town, we ascertained that the best place to eat in Balvi is Nac un Ēd or ‘Come and eat’ (pictured above). Actually, it is the ONLY place to eat. The food was okay, yet very inexpensive - bonus! It was evident that THIS was the centre of activity, the height of social affairs, and simply the 'place to be'!
Prayer points from time at the Catholic Church.
Church to be seen in a new light.
Prayer points from time at the Catholic Church.
Church to be seen in a new light.
Blindness, people with spiritual blindness, that they would be healed and can see the truth.
Jesus came to give sight to the blind, cause the deaf to hear and the lame to walk! (Feeling that the church is beautiful on the outside, but what’s inside is cold and dead)
2 Kings 20:9-10
9Isaiah said, "This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps or go back ten steps?"
10So Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps."
Prayer at Balvi freedom monument 1919-1920 (pictured above)
INFO:
Latvia got there Independence in 1918, but this war monument is to recognize the fighters of Balvi who fought to preserve that freedom in 1919-1920 from Soviet occupation. Latvijan independence only lasted a short time before the Soviet's annexed it as part of the USSR.
Prayer for strength, fighting a spiritual battle is harder than fighting a physical battle.
God will be light and breath that the people live, may it spread through Latvia.
Isaiah 60:1-3
1"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2"For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3" Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
2 Kings 20:9-10
9Isaiah said, "This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps or go back ten steps?"
10So Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps."
Prayer at Balvi freedom monument 1919-1920 (pictured above)
INFO:
Latvia got there Independence in 1918, but this war monument is to recognize the fighters of Balvi who fought to preserve that freedom in 1919-1920 from Soviet occupation. Latvijan independence only lasted a short time before the Soviet's annexed it as part of the USSR.
Prayer for strength, fighting a spiritual battle is harder than fighting a physical battle.
God will be light and breath that the people live, may it spread through Latvia.
Isaiah 60:1-3
1"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2"For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3" Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Prayer for Latvia as well as Balvi!
Breaking through the bondage of unbelief, fear, hopelessness, deception, false religion, darkness, alcohol, addictions, gambling.
For HOPE. For Gods glory to come in a tangible way during the outreach, through Gods people and God’s spirit!
Song For Balvi:
Healing Rain
Michael W. Smith
Healing rain is coming down It's coming nearer to this old town Rich and poor, weak and strong It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
Healing rain is coming down It's coming closer to the lost and found Tears of joy, and tears of shame Are washed forever in Jesus' name
Healing rain, it comes with fire So let it fall and take us higher Healing rain, I'm not afraid To be washed in Heaven's rain
Lift your heads, let us return To the mercy seat where time began And in your eyes, I see the pain Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man Can take a leper and let him stand So lift your hands, they can be held By someone greater, the great I Am
Healing rain, it comes with fire So let it fall and take us higher Healing rain, I'm not afraid To be washed in Heaven's rain
To be washed in Heaven's rain...
Healing rain is falling down Healing rain is falling down I'm not afraid I'm not afraid.
Breaking through the bondage of unbelief, fear, hopelessness, deception, false religion, darkness, alcohol, addictions, gambling.
For HOPE. For Gods glory to come in a tangible way during the outreach, through Gods people and God’s spirit!
Song For Balvi:
Healing Rain
Michael W. Smith
Healing rain is coming down It's coming nearer to this old town Rich and poor, weak and strong It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
Healing rain is coming down It's coming closer to the lost and found Tears of joy, and tears of shame Are washed forever in Jesus' name
Healing rain, it comes with fire So let it fall and take us higher Healing rain, I'm not afraid To be washed in Heaven's rain
Lift your heads, let us return To the mercy seat where time began And in your eyes, I see the pain Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man Can take a leper and let him stand So lift your hands, they can be held By someone greater, the great I Am
Healing rain, it comes with fire So let it fall and take us higher Healing rain, I'm not afraid To be washed in Heaven's rain
To be washed in Heaven's rain...
Healing rain is falling down Healing rain is falling down I'm not afraid I'm not afraid.
Balvi Outreach
People from Sweden, Norway, Latvija, as well as other nations joined together to spend a bit over a week serving the town of Balvi. Leaders of the team were meeting with local government officials to co-operate with them in helping to meet needs that existed. Hundreds of homes were visited, people prayed for, food and clothing distributed, and invitations to various events were extended. Local churches were involved in order to encourage them and provide a basis of continuation of ministry to the town after the team was gone. We visited schools, doing different presentations. Each evening free concerts were given by some of Latvija's premiere Christian bands - Man-hu, Jorspais, and others. Many lives were touched, and many gave their lives to Christ. Follow-up is still continuing from outside of and from within Balvi.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
January - A Month of Conferences (Photos)
Mission's Cafe at the Mission Days Conference. Unfortunately, you can't see any of the art exhibited by Discipleship Training School students. We served many foods from around the world...all unusual for the Latvijan palate.
I was asked to teach a seminar about Missions - how to get involved and what opportunities are available through YWAM. You'll have to trust that the one they are listing to and looking at, is me.
Don Richardson, author of Peace Child & Eternity in their hearts inspired us with teaching and testimony of his work in Papua New Guinea. .
Solvega, daughter of YWAM Latvija's recently deceased, national director, gave a moving speach at a tribute to his life and work. He was one of the founders of YWAM Latvija, and a leader among Christians during the Soviet Era.
Our staff conference was held in Valdemarpils, Latvija. Here is the main training centre for YWAM Latvija - the cozy dining room.
Monday, February 4, 2008
January - A Month of Conferences
It was right from the Holiday Season to a month of preparation for and participating in several conferences...
10 - 12 January was Mission Days - A mission's conference sponsored by various churches and mission organisations in Latvija. Youth With A Mission created and ran a Cafe for the event with various interesting foods from around the world, and led worship, as well as taught in various seminars. I was involved with the Cafe and taught a seminar on Missions.
21 - 24 January a University of the Nations (YWAM's university) held a workshop here in Latvija. Connecting with other YWAMers throughout the Northern European Region, worshipping and praying together, and hearing about and discussing our direction as a region, was exciting. It was great to participate.
25 - 26 January was a National Staff Gathering. YWAM staff from the three locations in Latvija came together to pray, seek God about who will serve on the National Leadership Team, and be ministered to through teaching and coaching by Mariette Louw from South Africa. It was a rich time, and key for re-structuring ourselves after the sudden death of our national leader in mid-December.
With February upon us, I hope to get back into more of a routine...Latvijan lessons, time in the art studio, regular staff meetings, prayer, and worship, preparing for summer outreaches and hosting teams, etc.
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