Days 3, 4, & 5--Playing Catchup!

But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. --Matt. 17:7-8

I've managed somehow to already get behind in recording the events of our Latvia journey. That's not a good thing because so much has happened in the time I took the break. Suffice it to say, the days were full and when I came in at the end of the day I was tired and wanted to fall into bed. Plus, I think I'm battling something viral, which hasn't helped--sneezing, coughing, stomach trouble, and a low-grade fever at times. Oh well, it hasn't stopped me.

On Friday morning my dear friends Arturs Kulpe and Pastor Martins Balodis drove some 3 to 3 1/2 hours from the City of Liepaja to pick us up in Riga and carry us back. Liepaja (Lee-a-pie-ya) is located on Latvia's west coast on the Baltic Sea. If you were to go straight across the sea to the west, you would be in Sweden.

It's hard to describe the love, admiration, and respect I have for Arturs and Martins. Both have the most generous spirit and are servants at heart. I've known Martins for several years--getting to know him while we lived in Latvia. Arturs (and his wife, Ieva) I've only come to know in the last two years and already they, like Martins and his wife, Ilze, are more like family than dear friends. That's the way of those who are bound together in Christ

Several years ago, as we were preparing to leave Latvia to return to the States, I had traveled to Liepaja several times to work with Martins. He continued to share with me his vision for reaching his city for Christ. When we had to leave, I felt as though I were abandoning him in that work, for I already felt committed to helping in whatever ways I could. I cried out to God to allow me to somehow be able to help in facilitating the vision He had given to Martins. God honored that request. Several years later I was back in Latvia on a vision trip--one I had not put together. One of the places we were traveling was to the City of Liepaja. I thought to myself at the time that if we were going to Liepaja I would really love to be able to see Martins. Little did I know that those who had put together the vision trip had made him their contact person in Liepaja. We drove into the city and he was waiting for us. We went to have lunch with him and Martins shared an even greater vision that I had known while here. I was amazed and greatly moved in that experience of hearing him share. I was suddenly made aware that God was making good on a prayer I had prayed several years before. He was throwing open the doors for me to become involved once again. I later wrote to Martins and said that I would be willing to help and facilitate in whatever ways God would allow. God has allowed, and I have been back to Latvia every year since. Sometimes I sense that my purpose in being there is for no other reason than just to encourage and cheer these believers on. They are up against many obstacles. I don't live in the world they do. But, I can come along side of them and remind them that they are truly "fighting the good fight," and God is using them in ways they may not even realize.

Last summer I returned with a team of youth and adults from my church to do VBS, sports camps, chronological Bible storying, and beach ministry. This spring my good friend Bob Adams has returned with me and while there, he led Martins and his set of new elders in a leadership retreat based on the Sermon on the Mount. Wow! It has been incredible. For one thing, it's been incredible watching the questions arise in the hearts and minds of these men as they struggle to own new truths that will facilitate their leading and ministering of God's people who are reaching out to this great community.

I have to say, my heart sank as I listened to the testimonies of things that are happening in Latvia during this time. Latvia has fallen into very troubled times, yet again. Their history has not been without trouble as a small nation surrounded by larger nations hungry for their land, warm water ports, and natural resources. But Latvia is in the middle of an economic depression, which is taking a great toll on its people. Though resilient in so many ways, many are finding that they do not have a future in their homeland, nor do their children, and they are leaving to other parts of Europe, and the UK. Martins said that the City of Liepaja has been reduced by as much as 20,000 people in the last two years. It took me a while to process all of this news. I felt the need to get alone and be still for a while as I contemplated a hard reality.

Later, on my last night in Liepaja, Arturs shared from his heart about the corruption in Latvia both in the government and in the business sector. He said that Latvia offers its people little of any real hope for good in the future because the mentality among so many here has become "every man for himself." It is as though they are on a sinking ship and some are diving into the life boats, taking them for themselves. He said that no one was thinking about the good of the nation, but rather the spoils they can take from it before it drowns. This news is heartbreaking!

Nevertheless, at the same time this is taking place, a spiritual renewal seems to be awakening in Latvia among Baptists and other denominations. There is a drive to take back what the enemy seems to determined to steal and destroy. While in Liepaja, we met a young couple named Marcis and Agnese Dejus. Can I just say that every part about their being just seemed filled with joy?! They left good professions in the City of Riga to move to one of the most difficult places in all of Latvia to start churches... and they LOVE it! Agnese beamed with delight as she stated that she loved her life! There really is no reason why they should be happy with where they are and what they are doing except that God has so filled their lives with the joy of His purposes and ministry. They unashamedly preach Christ and Him crucified. To be with them was to be caught up in their enthusiasm. What a great honor and privilege it was to share just a brief part of our time in Liepaja with them.

Then there was the Russian Baptist pastor, Serge. Again, a man with the zeal of Christ written across his face and his smile, as well as his cheerful laugh. He could only tell about how his church was a miracle in the 12 years it has existed. The Orthodox Church had forbid him to reach out to the Russian people in that area, yet, he would not be swayed. Consequently, many have come to know the Lord as Savior and the extent of his ministry grows wider with each passing year. All He could say was, "God is so good!"

Finally, on our last day in Liepaja--yesterday--Sunday--Bob had the opportunity to preach in Pastor Martins' pulpit, where he shared the simple, encouraging hope, that after Jesus had revealed to His disciples His intent to suffer and be crucified on the cross, plus telling them that they, too, would suffer and be put to death, He then took Peter, James, and John to the mountain where He was transfigured--displaying who He was from the inside out--a great light. These disciples witnessed Him in ALL of His glory. This came on the heels of having been told that they would suffer and be put to death! Perhaps they had felt that they were all defeated. Yet, here Christ displayed His true nature as God. Oh, what a timely message for these people in Latvia--not knowing what the future holds for them they were confronted with God's wonderful power. He is God and they KNOW Him. Beyond all of their fear and doubt lies the reality of the marvelous hope we have in Christ. Suddenly that fear and doubt is overshadowed with the grace of knowing the One who is control of everything. This is a hope we can live with! This is a hope our Latvian friends can share with those in their community who have no hope.

I had the opportunity to sing yesterday in the service. I want to share with you the words I shared with them in closing.

There is a name above all names;
let mine be lost in His.
Hide me in His crimson heart,
O, way of secret bliss!
One life alone is worth the find!
Nail mine onto the tree
till Jesus, ever shining here,
is all beheld in me.

Bring Him forth each day I live,
and leave me in the tomb.
I seek no other glory here,
make not the smallest room.
Blessed anonymity!
Count my life but loss.
Jesus, the One and Only,
tread over me, dear cross.

Jesus, the One and Only,
tread over me, dear cross.

How I pray God used us to encourage these great saints of the faith once again. They are not faint-hearted. We cannot begin to realize the persecution they have already suffered. They stand as His light in a dark world. We lift them before the Father and only ask that He use them in ways they cannot fathom for His Kingdom purposes. "Jesus, the One and Only, tread over me, dear cross."