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. 

Bread, Chese, and Coke in Jesus' Name

"In the place of prayer, God allows us to co-create with Him. We are taking what is not and speaking it into being. We are creating new realities with God" - Paul Hawkins

A team of intercessors has come together from the US and the UK to join with God, following His lead in seeing the Kingdom more firmly established in Latvia.

For the last few days, we've been walking the streets of Riga praying as God leads us. Visiting different significant places, we've prayed into different spheres of influence. At the National Opera, National Theatre, and various galleries, we've prayed for the Arts, at the World Trade Centre, we prayed for Latvia's economy and righteousness in business practices, and at the Latvian University, we prayed for the education system, for truth to be the standard that would be a part of changing this nation. Why? Because according to Colossians 1:20, through Christ's shed blood on the cross, God wants ALL things redeemed.

Yesterday we entered 'Maskachka', my neighbourhood...

A group of 7 foreigners enters an intersection that is usually occupied by a few drug dealers. It's not your typical 'tour group' route. Whilst admiring the stunning Orthodox church which towers over the neighbourhood, we were soon joined by many others. One woman said, 'you have just entered a very dangerous area, you are in the wrong place'; to which we replied, 'no, we're okay'. With a rolling of the eyes and a doubtful smile, she said, 'oh, you think so?', and went on her way.

A few locals started to walk among us as we crossed the street. A young girl came up to us and began to cry. She said she was hungry. (It's interesting how, when we act as salt and light, some people are repelled and some drawn.) While some of the team went upstairs to my apartment, 3 of us stayed downstairs to talk with and help this girl. Taking her into a local shop, we bought her some bread, cheese, and bottle of Coke. (She really wanted Coke and we wanted to bless her...hmmm, a blessing???). It was enough to share with family or friends. With tears in her eyes, she hugged one of the women. In her broken English she tried to express her gratitude. 

Stepping out of the shop, we began to pray blessing over her. Tears were now streaming down her face. With another hug and 'thank you', she was off.

Did we do the right thing? Was this girl 'turning on' the manipulative tools to get something from the foreigners? Are we encouraging a welfare mentality? Or was she just a hungry, young girl that truly wanted something to eat, and we were a part of showing God's heart, His love, and kindness toward her? Only she and God know... As for me...I pray she saw a glimpse of who God is.  

I continue to pray for her and look forward to the next time we will meet. It's all a part of getting to know the people in my neighbourhood.

Until next week,

Elise

The Kingdom of God

What is the Kingdom of God? What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, 'the Kingdom of God'? I asked that question often, whilst recently teaching in Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia. Since returning to Latvia, the same question seems to pop up. However, the answers vary. 

"the Kingdom of God is where He is King" - where He is allowed to rule and reign, in our lives, in a nation, etc.

"it's already here and not yet complete"

"it's God's ways"

"it's where God has ultimate rule and things are done as He wants - with love, compassion, justice, salvation, and mercy."

One thing that was common to all that answered was that articulating the fullness of the Kingdom of God in a phrase or sentence was challenging. 

Lately, my thoughts have been focused on the Kingdom. We pray 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". I've been imagining what things would be like if God's Kingdom - His ways, His values, His economy, His love, salvation, compassion, truth...were to infuse situations around me. What would it look like, and how can I be an instrument of being a part of seeing 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'? 

Above you see photos of the my neighbourhood from the view of my new apartment (on the top, 6th floor). This is reputed as one of the most dangerous areas of Riga. However, my perspective is it's a place where Jesus wants to come in and invade the lives and hearts of those that call 'Maskachka' (the diminutive name of the regoin) home. He wants to 'dwell - pitch His tent' here and point us to the Father. He wants to do it through me and others who follow Him in this area. 

There are people I see every day. They are strangers, yet our paths cross on a daily or weekly basis. There is the elderly woman who sells small tissue packs on the street no matter what the weather; the drug dealer in an apartment in my building, the ladies that work in the shop on the ground floor, the gallery owners whose galleries I visit on a regular basis, the homeless person I may see passed out on a street in Riga, etc.  What would it look like for God's Kingdom to 'come' into and permeate their lives?

God has been speaking to me about some very manageable and possible things to do...

Keep buying tissues from this woman, but stop and talk to her. She's got the time. After some time, ask to hear 'her story'. Maybe she'll share something that I can pray for, or simply bless her. Treat this drug dealer with respect and kindness. Perhaps she should be the recipient of a random act of kindness from me. Speak to the shop ladies, learn their names, and eventually ask about their stories. Everyone has a story - gallery owners, drug dealers, the homeless person on the street, and the person who lives in that 6th floor apartment.  Each of us are created in God's image, and are therefore valuable. As the Orthodox Christians believe, because we are all made in the image of God, we are living icons...God can be seen in us...Jesus can be seen in us. "if you've done it unto the least of these, you've done it unto me" - Jesus. This is just the beginning in action, small steps that are a precursor to bigger things. However, God is going much deeper, challenging the way I think, going to what's truly at the core of what I believe to be true...to the way I see people, the way I treat people, and the way I perceive the possibilities of making a difference in seeing God's Kingdom come.

These steps may be small and a precursor to bigger things - 

Art Day Camp for Children in this area of Riga

Hosting and participating with Intercession Teams for strategic prayer not only for artists and the arts community in which I work, but the community in which I live.

Fervent prayer for the people in this area.

I'm praying that God will shake things up in this place, and that we will see His Kingdom come and His will be done in Riga as it is in heaven.

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. 

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