WEEKEND IN CESIS

The city-wide festival was well attended and as usual, gave us many good photo opportunities. Music, street vendors, craftsmen displaying their wares all contributed to nice view of the Latvian culture. The night was topped off by a big theatrical production in the park. It was well attended (by the number of people passing by our apartment windows) but we decided to pass on this one.

Restored radios from the 1940s, 50s, 60s...all in in good working order.

 

Smoked and salted fish for sale...we are still trying to acquire the taste...

Local Cesis choral group in the native costumes...

Pictures are taken of local people, enlarged and displayed in the windows throughout town.

 

I don't think these are Texas horses...

The cat from our building ...

Picking red currants...maybe she'll invite us for a dessert?

CAMP NUMBER 3

SECOND CAMP - UZAVA

The best thing about this camp is that during the down-time we can go to the beach. For two nights, the kids are staying on private property that is about a 5-minutes walk from the sea. Laura and I got to spend some time there on Wednesday while we were waiting for the kids to show up from their 18 kilometer hike.

It was our day to speak, so we presented a short lesson on 'endurance'. We used the movie 'Castaway' as the background since the whole team had been on the beach. We zeroed in on the ending of the movie where Tom Hanks stands at the crossroads trying to decide what do next with his life. Obviously, we tried to get the kids to understand they are at a crossroads and they must make some decisions. We even had our own little 'Wilson'.

The activity to go along with presentation was pretty fun. There is a small river (the Uzava) that empties into the Baltic Sea at exactly where we were. Each team had to build a small raft and we then had a raft race from up river to the sea. They could only use natural materials. The race ended up very competitive as the current either stalled the small rafts on rocks or swept them through the narrow channels.

This is a beautiful place. Much of it is very unspoiled and it is not like the beaches around Texas at all. We have certainly enjoyed our time here. We hope to come back in the late fall.

 

This is an old wooden bridge over the Uzava River to the beach.

The great 'Castaway' raft race is about to begin...

No betting, please....

The winners!

A view of the Uzava River from the bridge and the Baltic Sea in the distance.

The stakes are fish nets to keep the fish from being washed out to sea.

Seaside cliffs....

A nearby Baptist church. Still being used today...

Laura and Wilson waiting on someone to save us...

SECOND CAMP - VENTSPILS

The Americans have left Cesis and have all arrived safely back in Texas (with just a few unexpected delays). This is always one of the hardest times for us as they leave after a full ten days of basketball camp, youth activities and just having fun.

We were glad when we were asked to work this camp that is originating Ventspils. Laura and I came over a day early and have enjoyed seeing some of the sights. This is a beautiful sea-side town and is very different from our home in Cesis.

We are staying in the Olympic Training Center Hotel with a soccer stadium, basketball hall and hockey hall within just a couple of minutes walk. It has been a good way to spend a beautiful Latvian summer day.

Here are a few pictures from the area:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

Cesis Baptist Church was filled with music Sunday as the choral chime choir made their first performance. The Latvian group has been practicing this week under the instruction of Steve Akin. The First Baptist Church-Athens hand bell choir made the donation of the choir chimes to their sister church in Cesis.

Latvians are known for their music and they have proved to be fast learners on the new instruments. They played several songs as well as Leanna and Steve performing their favorites.

The Latvians were very gracious hosts and we all celebrated the week with a strawberry and cream social afterwards. What could be better than fresh (very fresh!) strawberries, cream and waffles?

The day was finished off at a location in the country. All of Latvian and US kids had a place to run and play, fires were burning to roast sausages over and we topped the evening with some honey straight out of the hive.

What a great Sunday! God has richly blessed all of us this week. Paldies jums!

 

Steve leading the Cesis choir chimes....

Very good attendance....

Thank your to FBC for your donation of the choir chimes...

Our American friends will be missed...

Gaida (right) is one of our most faithful members enjoys the afternoon with her sister...

Rebecca, Klinta and Agnese....all three were blessed with musical talent...

The ladies sampling the strawberries before they get to the tables....

Inese getting everything ready...

Terry, Linda, Nicole, Emils and Thomas....

What a doll! Patricia...

Patricia and her dad...

DAY 5 & 6

The Cesis basketball camp finished up a great four days on Thursday. We had over 125 in the junior and senior divisions combined. The kids were very motivated and we did not have any major problems. I see a lot of these kids on the streets or in the gyms around Cesis but it was good to make friends with some of the newer ones. With the economy as low as it is in Latvia this will be the only camp many of these kids will be able to attend.

The 'Summer Slam' activities also finished up on Thursday night. Dominic, our evangelist, brought another great message. Our Latvian drama team finished up their skits in outstanding fashion along with the quartet of Latvian young singers. Steve G. and Leanna created a few moist eyes with "How Great Is Our God".

It has been a very good week for this mission team. Though small in number, they have worked extremely hard to reach out to the Latvian young people and adults. We consider it an honor to work along side of them.

Friday will be spent in Sigulda seeing some of the beautiful areas and Saturday will be in Riga.

Sunday will be a combination service of Latvian and American worship. Steve Akin will debut his Latvian handbell / choir chime choir for their first public performance. They have been rehearsing and practicing for only a week but they really sound great.

Some scenes from various activities follow:

 

Nicole sharing with the senior group...

Trying to make a point...

Latvian girls making some beautiful music...

Linda....what a great assistant she has been this week....

Sitting in the bleachers having a good talk...

Senior campers...

Singing at the 'Summer Slam'...

Autographed shirts....

Choosing up teams...

Reinis...best drummer in Latvia...

'Summer Slam'....

Focused attention...