The Journey

Monday, January 4, 2010

2009 The Year in Pictures and a few words...and a window into 2010 (part 1)

This is supposed to be the year in pictures...but as photos were being compiled, I realised that I've done a poor job at documenting my life with photos. There are so many events that are left out...the Mission Days Conference, small groups, working with outreach teams, Mid-summer worship event, just to name a few. So, the first 'window' into 2010 that's open is one that shows I need to do a better job at documenting my life with photos.

2010 marks Youth With A Mission's 50th Anniversary. We're located all over the globe! 2010 marks my 17th Anniversary working with YWAM as a missionary. Thanks to you, your encouragement, prayers, and support - this has been possible.

Summer is always a busy time with camps, short-term missions teams, and various events. This is the children's art camp - Adventures in Art, here in my neighbourhood.

Adventures in Art Camp '09 indoor classroom...

Our outdoor classroom

'09 had many opportunities for me to teach in YWAM schools throughout the world. Here are some of the students from a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Melbourne, Australia.

Some of the staff in YWAM Adelaide, where I taught in the Christian Missionary Leadership School. We look quite smart, don't we!

The DTS from Adelaide, Australia

Wings for Wheels - a YWAM Riga ministry to adults with physical disabilities ran another camp this summer. I taught art classes during the week.

Creative genius!

Art Night remains a regular part of the Impact Art Ministry here in Riga.

Art Night

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Adventures in Art - the ArtExperiment

Maskava Forstate, the region of Riga, in which I live claims to be one of the roughest and most impoverished area in the city. I don’t believe that is the case, or maybe God has given me a glimpse of His heart, and what could be if people would see that they can be a part of the solution to this happening.

The last week in July, the dream to run a day camp for the children of this area came to fruition. With the help of several others, God opened the doors, gave us favour in the neighbourhood, provided a place to hold the camp, and threw in some amazing weather for good measure.

We had 13 children attend regularly, with upward of 25 when we took the camp to the local parks. They were from different backgrounds – Romani (gypsy), Latvian Latvians, and Russian Latvians…and me…they Yank! A bit of a picture of the Kingdom, I reckon.

Indoors, outdoors, in the yard/garden area of my apartment building, in parks, in our little studio/classroom, we were everywhere. The use of story-telling, singing, and poetry served to inspire the imaginations of all of us, giving scope for our compositions. Some of the best stories came from the kids themselves. It was an amazing time!

Now…we are faced with what to do… This could open up to a full-time ministry in an instant. If we are honest, none of us feel called to work specifically with children. So, would you join with me in praying that God would bring a person (or small team) of people that would come to Riga to establish this facet of Impact Art to minister to children.

Until that time, the ‘Little Gallery’ will be open during school holidays.

Have a look at the photos in the previous post and see for yourself what we did. Also, the photo above is the poster advertising the ArtExperiment.