Conclusions and lots of Prayer

Reality settled in last night as I finally got around to unpacking my two suitcases and a carry-on; creating piles of clothes to be cleaned, put on the hangers, folded into drawers and knick-knacks to be stored away until a final destination is known in the next few months (at least that's the hope!).

I shed a few remaining tears, but this concluding post isn't about that. It's a tribute, both to a country I have come to love and cherish, as well as to all the many people that made it possible for me to know Latvia.

That means you.

God never ceased to amaze me with his love through the love of so many supporters: people at church that sent regular emails or letters in the mail, random packages that arrived during the holidays, never-ending support and prayers from miles away. Your encouragement and care not only made it possible for me to go to Latvia in the first place with the help of monetary aid, but it sustained me through ups and downs that are common to all of us in life. God surely surrounded me with the love of many, and I will forever be incredibly thankful to each and every one of you.

An internship shared amongst loved ones is certainly one of a kind.

The end of this post, and blog, is the prayer part: for a country that may continue to abound more and more in God's grace and love. I will never forget all the friends and faces brought into my life during my time in Latvia, and I ask that you would not cease to pray for them as well. There is so much hope and light in the young generation, that with our prayers and God's Spirit, great changes could be made to a country that has so long lived in fear and occupation. They have a bright future, and with God, all things are possible. Reading from Colossians, the following verses seemed appropriate, to hold and keep with us for the ministry in Latvia.

You will never know the depth of my thankfulness, to you and to our God who has blessed the last 18 months, and promises to go with us into the future.

To God be all Glory.

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace...

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

-Colossians 1:3-14

Final

Tomorrow I fly away.

Last view of the Baltic bay

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of."

Praise knows no bounds.

Tonight after a precious afternoon with my precious Latvian friends (who are the product of many tears, even now, after having to say goodbye for the last time), God's grace reigned at my last evening in the Jesus Church.

It was a special evening, one of worship and praise, for the first time at the church (a non-traditional praise service). We sang songs, spent time in prayer, and worshiped our God with voices raised. I could not make it through some of the songs, or prayers for that matter, but am incredibly thankful for the last opportunity I was given to say goodbye and thank you with so many special people that have truly touched my heart and my life.

God's blessings remain overwhelming, even at a time such as this. It never ceases to amaze me, the prospect of singing these songs again with these same friends to our God in heaven. Different cultures, different languages, one God and one faith. May we give Him all praise and glory.

Bursting with Joy

After completing the usual list of normal time-to-move sorts of things - closing my bank account, visiting the immigration office one last time to cancel my visa, cleaning and packing, etc - it is so nice to fill the time with people.

Which is just the story I have of last night.

I opened my apartment as a sort of "open-house" for goodbyes, watching as friends came in and ate delicious treats, laughed amongst each other, and then with hugs and a picture departed once more into the cold. As friends came and went, I was overjoyed to spend the evening with them. I was overcome at the end of it all by how much this place means to me, how much I will miss it. Such is the story when God blesses us with so much love in the hearts of people. I am thankful to have made these last goodbyes, to be content with the time that is left and the opportunity to see those whom I might not have had the chance otherwise.

I am also overcome with your support in these last days. I feel God's hand carrying me by your prayers and love and rejoice that we can share in the ministry among saints here in Latvia and at home. To God be the glory!

Sometimes...

the snow falls like glitter here.

Again, Grins

More faces from last night, because I love my friends but also because today was spent packing, cleaning, and moving things :)

One Week

Surprise!!

With the cooperation of Helene (leader of the youth team) and my co-intern and sweet friend, Julia, tonight was yet another that will not be forgotten.

Instead of walking the usual brisk jaunt to the Jesus Church for our Tuesday team meetings, I was lured to Julia's apartment and greeted by the surprise of a pizza night in honor of my leaving, my final Tuesday. We made pizzas together and everyone gathered together with laughter and happiness at the change of venue for our typical meeting.

Then I was surprised again as each Latvian got up to fetch a small something, which turned out to be little gifts to remind me of them and of Latvia. They ranged from a Latvian-red scarf to Latvian chocolate alongside inside jokes of straws and tiny stamps. The generosity and sincerity with which they presented me with these gifts -after of course saying one Latvian word each and receiving the gift as a prize- touched my heart. We had so much fun together and I am once again without words for the blessings that have been a part of my life here in Latvia.

First attempt...

Success!

I will miss our regular Tuesdays meetings, long walks, group business, and smiles. I have been shown God's love through each of them, and they will be dearly missed. My prayers will continue to be lifted for them as they encourage one another and serve the youth of the church here in Latvia.

Books of Love

God's saints are incredible examples of lives lived in love. Paul's actions and care for the people he came to know so well in Ephesus are highlighted in the book of Acts. He not only encourages the people with words before departing, but he prays with them, giving them his whole heart until the moment he leaves.

"When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship" - Acts 19:36-87

John writes to encourage his people to live in love, while for a time he must live far away from them. His words of "dear children" or "dear friends" show the depth of feeling he has for the people he knows well. Although he cannot be with them in person, his letter is one of encouragement and grace.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." - 1 John 4:7-9

These books of love have given me great examples of what it means to love while in the midst of goodbyes. Even today, as I was blessed to spend time with two friends knowing I don't know the exact hour when I will see them again, I am reminded to love to the very end.

May God fill us all with love to share with others.

Happiness