Thoughts From the Garden

Sometimes it's a good thing to shake off the city dust, change your surroundings for a bit, take advantage of the sunny, warm afternoon, and head to the countryside. Dobele, home to the northernmost fruit-bearing apricot trees and an amazing garden, which hails over 200 species of Lilacs, was our destination. We headed out, leaving our cares behind.

This garden was stunning. I have never seen so many tones of violet on one palette. Indeed, each tree was an amazing expression of God's artwork. The different fragrances from the variety of Lilacs was exhilarating. It caused one to want to touch the groups of flowers, feel the texture of the small petals, and look more closely at their structure and their design.

My friend told the story how, in her childhood, they would look among the small flowers for one with 5 petals, pull it off, eat it, and make a wish. I succumbed to this notion, not because of the wish, but out of curiosity about the taste of a flower with such an exquisite smell. Odd, I will agree, but why not?

My sense of sight, smell, touch, and even taste were stimulated by these beautiful Lilacs. I could think of nothing else but the greatness of God, His infinite imagination, His awesome power...and at the same time...His attention to detail.  

Creator God is not somewhere far away, devoid of relationship with His Creation. He is outside - above, greater than, yet intimately involved with that which He has created. He is transcendent and imminent. Romans 1:20 reads, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.". If we will take the time to look, we can see things that point us to who God is, His character, His nature, in what He has created. 

Walking through this garden, I felt both the awesomeness and closeness of God, and thought, if He has taken so much care for the things that surround me, how much more does He care for us...for man...those created in His image. I was led to a place of worship, of gratefulness, of adoration for God.

Now, I'm back in the city, and life is going on as usual...staff meetings, small group, blog writing, etc. But I'm the better for getting out and being reminded anew how great is our God.  

Thoughts Through The Day

Bright sunny day, peaceful morning, God's faithfulness, the smell of chocolate in the dish from last nights small group, go to Latvian lessons or not, plans for the day, the weekend, missing my family, art evangelism outreach, good coffee, beautiful flowers, is there a good op shop in Riga, God's love, grateful for 'daily bread', must get a haircut soon, no meetings today, yay...  

May Art Night Photos Part I

May Art Night Photos Part II

Vision and Hope

For some time now, I've been processing the idea of running an art day camp for the children of Maskavas Forštate (Maskachka), then out of that have art centre open 1 or 2 days a week, throughout the year. It would become another facet of Impact Art (the name of the arts ministry in YWAM - Riga). This idea has developed through times of prayer (on my own, and corporately) for this region of the city. 

If the vision of Impact Art is to, through the visual arts, represent and translate truth - the truth of God's love, hope, redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, etc., to a broken and hurting world in order to affect transformation in communities, then this is a key to seeing the 'most reputedly dangerous neighbourhood in Riga' change. 

In my mind's eye, I imagine children and youth, from this area coming for lessons to a safe place where they would be able to 'have a go' with art, express themselves, have fun, and perhaps discover that they have a great talent. They would have an opportunity for 'positive recreation', a place to hope, to dream...a place to experience the love of God and come to know Him. 

I envision both internationals (individuals and teams - like yourself) and nationals coming together to volunteer to teach art, teach Bible stories, and serve with practical helping, pray, etc.. I would like to invite local, well-known artists volunteer some time to come and teach on a specific technique, and have the children exhibit in youth events. (These last two for the long - term).

The vision continues to grow, and now I'm taking steps to see this vision become reality. 

Here's where things are up to:

• There is a possible place available to rent, on the ground floor of my building. It used to be a flower shop. I am waiting to hear back regarding the price.
• There is some interest from nationals being interested in helping. 
• In the process of sending invitations to some Discipleship Training Schools which are focused on the arts, to come and help.

 

Needs - 

• Finances for rental of the flower shop, soon to become the art centre. (Will need a name)
• 8 Easels - $80 US each
• Art Supplies  - $350 (Impact Art already has some supplies)
• Snacks - $100

Human Resource Needs - 

• Art Teachers - you don't have to be a professional teacher or have professional training as an artist. 
  
• Helpers - to aide the teachers, assist the children, and help with practical things.
• Translators  

There are different ways you could help make this vision a reality -

If you, your church, Bible study group, Sunday School class, etc. would be interested in supplying an easel, or donating toward rent, supplies, or snacks

If you personally are interested in a little trip to Latvia just to be involved in the camp for 2 weeks.

If you would be willing to pray for the planning and details of the camp, and provision for the things needed.

Until next week...

The School of the Most Unlikely

In the recent weeks I've lived in 'Maskachka', my prayers have been asking God to 'shake' all that can be shaken; all that doesn't reflect His character, or the economy of His Kingdom. And that shaking, so that there can be rebuilding, restoration, and redemption. I've asked to have my eyes opened to see Him in the lives of others, and encourage those in whom God reveals Himself.

...my phone rang, and upon answering it, I stood up to walk around my apartment. Walking over to the window, I saw a Russian babushka lying in the street with a small crowd of people around her. Many people were on mobiles, so the assumption that the ambulance was called was safe. 

To my surprise, those who were actively helping this woman were the community of Romani people (gypsy), who lived in the little shacks throughout the neighbourhood. A young girl quickly brought a jacket and gently placed it under her head. Her hand stroked her back, as she seemed to be offering words of comfort. A man brought a water bottle and gave her some water to drink. He too offered what must have been words of comfort.

In a matter of minutes, and just as I was heading downstairs to see if I could be of help, the ambulance arrived. The man who offered her water also helped the medics get her onto the gurney and into the ambulance. (In Latvia, there are 2 women and 1 man who work in the ambulance. Only the man does the lifting of the patient. Therefore, he needed some help.) 

This man who was so helpful, also happens to be the head drug dealer in the area. How interesting that people who had just come from the church just passed by, and the 'least expected' were the ones to help. 

At that moment, I saw God's character in the actions of this man and believe that this is a reflection of who God created this man to be. 

I didn't get to help this woman, but I told him he was a very kind man, with a servant - heart. I pray that these words sunk deep into his heart...and that they would be a part of giving life and hope to him. 

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

         And those who love it will eat its fruit."  

I pray with these 'words of life', that this man in encouraged, that a he moves a step closer to getting to know the God who loves him, believes in him, and longs for requited relationship from him; and that this is just the beginning of many more words to encourage him.  

...God continues to challenge me through the 'most unlikely'. And although my 'major' focus is in the area of the arts, God is teaching me much through the 'school of the unlikely'. I also believe His is establishing a level of authority for me to run an art day camp for children in this area. He is up to big things in my little neighbourhood.