Latvian Ladies Final Update

Cau everyone! Sorry we haven't posted in awhile, we've been really busy in Lejasstrazdi. These past two weeks have been some of the greatest.. Working with the team from Tate Springs in Arlington was a huge blessing, both for us and the kids. They've been to Latvia several times before in a different orphanage called Tervete, but realized very soon after arriving that God put us all in Lejasstrazdi for a reason. We put on a full week of VBS and it went incredibly well. We began building relationships right away and it was amazing to see God begin to soften their hearts to His calling. Four boys gave their lives to the Lord! We took a few trips to the beach and to visit Tervete, where some kids had transferred from; it was so great to see the kids reunite with friends and even brothers and sisters.

The kids here are indescribable. We connected with them in so many ways, whether playing sports (soccer, baseball, football), introducing them to cards, games, crafts, going on walks, buying them ice cream, or swimming. They are so talented, most of them knowing both the Latvian and Russian languages- and a few of them know English as well! We were blessed to be able to communicate with them and teach them at the same time.
One of the best things we were able to do was live in the orphanage with the kids. We all ate meals together and saw each other practically 24/7. I'm sure it means a lot to them that we would put ourselves in their shoes and spend so much time with them. It was extremely difficult to leave last Thursday. Two weeks of building friendships and loving them as Christ has definitely impacted each of our lives. And it's difficult knowing we may never see them again. We are confident that the Lord is there and will be working in that place, even when we are halfway around the world. If you would, please keep them in your prayers.

The Tate Springs team left early on Saturday morning and we've been resting since. The 23rd and 24th of June was a national holiday here in Latvia called Janis (yah-nis), so we interns went to the annual Baptist Church summer camp. It is for all ages and involves all the Baptist churches across the country. We met a team from Canada there, here on a Drama Mission called "Ageless" and it was a blessing to be able to get to know each of them, learning how God has called them here as well.
We've been back in the capital since Wednesday, preparing and serving for two days in an inner-city orphanage in Riga. We are heading back to the states early Saturday morning and it is going to be hard to leave here, though we definitely miss home. We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers, they have truly been helping us daily. Our time may be finished here, but God remains. It is His city, His country, and greater things are yet to come...