DAY 4 & 5 -- LATVIA MISSION TRIP

Today (Wednesday) was the best so far. The camps ran a lot more smoother as Coach Terry and I are now on the same page.

We have had 91 in the junior camp and 28 in the senior division. With 119 kids, 2 coaches and 2 USA student helpers, we have definitely been busy. Some of our Latvian older students have been helping with translation and the basketball drills which has really helped. Thomas and Nicole have both done excellent jobs working with their groups.

We were extremely lucky to have Ilze Leneau to present a public performance for the city of Cesis tonight. She is a professional basketball entertainer from the United States that just happens to be also be Latvian. She has been in Latvia visiting her parents and family. Through various connections in the USA and Latvia, God worked everything out so that she could share her witness in Cesis.

After an outstanding basketball career in the public leagues in Latvia, Ilze went to the USA to play collegiate basketball. After obtaining her degree she wanted to continue with basketball so she developed an entertainment show emphasizing ball-handling, spinning, juggling and tricks of all sorts. You can see some of her video at: http://www.basketballfamily.com/

We had a great crowd of almost 400 people! We were so pleased to see that many attend. Even though it was about basketball, it was advertised as being sponsored by Cesis Baptist Church. Oftentimes, the culture here tends to not attend activities of a spiritual nature. We so pleased that these adults and youngsters alike were able to hear Ilze's testimony, her path to salvation and how God is currently working in her life.

What a blessing this event was for the people of Cesis. Ilze connected with so many as seen by their intense concentration and the line of autograph seekers at the close.

Tomorrow is the last day of camps and 'Summer Slam' activities. We hope that we will have our largest crowd of the week as Dominic brings the message to close the night services. It's been a good week and we pray the God will use the remaining few hours of this mission trip to bring others closer to Him.

Here are a few pictures of Ilze's performance and some of the other activities in the gym:

 

Ilze explaining her faith...

Crowd participation...

 

Dribbling six balls at once....

 

Coach Terry, Ilza, Evangelica, Marika, Iliana, and some old American guy...

Dribbling three balls while on balance board....

 

Three of our non-basketball helpers that have helped the week go smoothly...

Patriks from Salspils....

Thomas directing traffic with the smallest ones...

Thomas giving his testimony...

DAY 3 - AMERICAN MISSION TRIP

Monday marked the beginning a very busy week that we know will enjoyable and successful for everyone.

The junior basketball camp began at 9:00am and we had 75 youngsters between the ages of 7-13. We are working with a staff that is a couple of coaches short this year so everyone really had to get going in a hurry. We are now beginning to use more of the older Latvians that have been to the camps in the past. They were a big help yesterday. The three Americans did an excellent job of adapting to so many kids and overcoming the language barrier.

Zupa Virtuve (soup kitchen) is held at 11:30-1:00 so Leanna, Steve G. and Steve A. went over and provided music and some good cheer for the people. They were later aided by a couple of our Latvian girls. They were very well received.

Steve A. started the handbell / choir chimes instructional classes in the late afternoon and had a good crowd. It seems like we may have enough interest to organize a handbell choir that will be composed of several denominations. Another class will be added on Tuesday so things are looking good there.

The senior basketball camp began at 4:00pm and we had 27 students. Most of the these kids are repeaters from previous years and we always enjoy working with them.

The 'Summer Slam' activities ended the day. Steve G. and Leanna led the music; we had a family music group from Salspils; drama directed by Amanda and performed by the Latvian girls; drum solo by Reinis (a rising star on a TV show similar to our American Idol) and a great message by our evangelist, Dominic.

The night's theme was "Who is God?". Dominic was born and raised in Nigeria, has a head full of dreadlocks, very much a man of God and speaks perfect Latvian. It is so humorous to see the Latvian's faces when this young black man begins to speak in Latvian.

What a great day and night. Everyone is tired, ready for some sleep and excited about an even better day on Tuesday. Thanks be to God for everything!

Thomas involved in a skit during junior camp....

Campers listening to some music....

Family band from Salspils....

Some of the crowd at the Pamatskola #1 event...

Drummer Patriks...

Aivers, Gatis, Steve and Olegs....

Lugsana....

Evangelist for the week: Dominic...

Pastor Olegs, Dominic, and Olegs' wife Iveta...

DAY 2 -- AMERICAN MISSION TRIP

Today was a full-day of worshipping at Cesis Baptist Church, catching up on old friendships, seeing some of the sights of Cesis and catching a glimpse of CBC's vision for the future.

The worship service was good in that it showed the Americans a lot of different aspects of CBC. There was a full two hours of preaching, singing and testimonies followed by the Lord's Supper. We finished the day off with a business meeting and discussion of future plans for the new church site.

After a good meal of pizzas, we toured some of the sights of Cesis and eventually arrived at site of building and land that are being converted to use by the Cesis congregation.

It was a great time of fellowship and worship for all.

Next up: basketball camp, music camp and youth activities tomorrow night.

 

Termo and Tabita providing special music...

 

Amanda giving her testimony with Pastor Olegs translating...

Steve G. and Gatis...

 

Gatis and Steve explaining the choir chimes...

It was Inese's eighteenth birthday...

A couple of happy local boys...

Pastor Olegs, wife Iveta and Patriks heading home after a good day Cesis Baptist Church...

THE AMERICANS HAVE LANDED

The seven member American team from FBC-Athens arrived on their weather-delayed flight from Munich. We are anticipating a great week of working together. Five members of the group have been here before but we know it won't be long before the two rookies will learn to love Latvia as we all do.

Just a few pictures of trying to get all of the luggage into Aivars car. Olegs eventually arrived with our van and we were off to the train station for a quick bite to eat (solanka, of course!). We caught the 9:00pm train to Cesis, got the luggage transferred to the Putninkrogs Hostel and got everyone a good place to sleep.

Next up will be the church services at Cesis Baptist Church at 12:00 and then an afternoon of sightseeing and publicizing the week's events in Cesis (basketball camp, music camp, Summer Slam night activities, etc.)

The biggest shock so far to the Texans has been the weather: today's high will be 63 with the low a crisp 45! I haven't heard any complaints because these guys have been baking in 100 degree Texas heat for the last few weeks.

 

My good friend Aivars...

Loading up the VW wagon...

Amanda, Nicole and Leannna

Thomas, Amanda, Nicole...

Aivars and Steve....

Coach Terry...

Steve G.....

BUSY WEEK!

 

 

JANI CELEBRATION

Ligo - Jani Day is a huge celebration in Latvia. The country basically shuts down for at least two days to celebrate and many people leave the towns and cities to go to the country-side.

We were invited to join some of our friends at their farm a few miles from Cesis. The house on this homestead is at least 150 years old. There is a huge stone barn and lots of great gardening plots. All of it is still used and much produce, beef and rabbit meat comes from here to help feed the large families.

At the celebration we had two grandmothers, one grandfather, at least 5 brothers and sisters, their many teenagers and a few kids down to the age of three. We spent a lot of time exploring, visiting, sitting around the bonfire, watching the kids swim in the pond and of course, eating. Sasliks ( a kind of kabobs), sausages, chicken and pork were roasted over the open fire. We had plenty of fresh vegetables straight from the garden along with special cheeses and desserts.

While the true Latvians stay out all-night, these two Americans had to call it a night much earlier. It was an interesting sight to drive back to town and see all of the bonfires burning across the landscape.

Thanks to everyone for making our Jani Day special!

 

 

One of many garden 'patches'...

Rita picking some fresh vegetables for dinner....

The scooter was finally fixed and provided lots of rides for the kids (and adults)...

Stone barn...

 

 

 

It always time to gather firewood in Latvia...

Just a small portion of the goodies...

Skaisti Latvian women...

Football, soccer or futbols...take your pick.

Try as I might, I just cannot develop a taste for Kvass. It is a root beer type drink that Latvians love. Non-alcoholic. It tastes a little like drinking Worchestshire sauce after you have strained it through moldy bread.

The swing is always occupied....

Almost midnight on Tuesday...

Davis....

My man Rudi....when in the country....