Summer is officially here in Latvia, marked by the summer solsctice celebration, which has come and gone. The summer solstice is technically June 21st, but Ligo and Jāņi ('mid-summer') are celebrated on the night of the 23 into the 24th in Latvia. Spring ends, summer begins, the days get shorter, the nights get longer. This same type of celebration happens in various ways throughout Northern Europe. I never truly understood it's significance, until living up here on the 57th parallel where the sun goes away to hide for months on end, only to come up a few hours in November and December.
Yes, the days are beginning to get shorter, but they are still very long. The sun shines and it is quite warm (for Latvia). Summer is here and it's affects are far reaching. As often as we can, we will have our staff meetings outdoors, or do outdoor activities together. If we are to meet someone, even to discuss business, it happens at an outdoor cafe., park, or whilst taking a walk. Indeed, the light and sunshine are welcomed.
Another side of the mid-summer celebration is marked by pagan traditions and practices. Instead of worshipping the Creator, the creation is worshipped - he sun, and the pagan gods. People stay up all night 'so that the sun will rise the next morning. Large bonfires are made so the wondering sun can find a light once it approaches. There are countless songs sung and dances done around the fire, speaking of these things.
However...this year brought a different way of celebrating in Latvia.
The vision of one Latvian worship leader, who owns property in the countryside, was to run an all night worship and prayer gathering on this night. So, on the 23rd - 24th, non-stop worship, and prayer went up from the nation of Latvia. People from all denominations led times of worship and were there participating. Truly a unified body of Christ. Also, this night, throughout the nation, people from all denominations gathered to pray for Latvia. 'Prayer Nights' have begun to pop up all over the nation on a regular basis, specifically to pray for Latvia.
Yes there was singing, maybe even some dancing, and there were bonfires to cook our food. We stayed up all night (well some did). However, the songs were in praise of the Creator of the universe, the Light of the World, Lord of heaven and earth. This was a most significant night in the history of Latvia, and has set the foundation of more celebrations like this.
As for me...
I did get about 45 minutes sleep...
ate some amazing barbecued meat...
got to be a guest percussionist for one of the bands...
was so refreshed in God's presence...
then, came home and took a 3 hour nap that afternoon...
Now that summer is officially here, it's the season for camps, hosting outreach teams, having our own outreaches into the city and elsewhere, and taking IMPACT ART to the streets and the countryside. It is an exciting time to be in Latvia to co-labour with God in seeing His Kingdom more firmly established here.
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