A Week of Learning

Time sure has flown by! The week of camp has come to a close. To celebrate this wonderful week, each class prepared a presentation demonstrating some key learnings. Some classes sang in English. Others performed short skits. We saw lost sheep, the unlocking of a book of secrets, a lost coin, detectives finding missing ice cream, and unfortunate timing for using English words. The participants were awarded their certificates and thank you gifts were shared. If there was something I have learned it is that Latvians have beautiful flowers and delicious chocolates!
After the program, we enjoyed a cookout with Latvian hot dogs, vegetables, bread, and S'MORES! The kids absolutely loved them. It was a great ending to a fantastic week of camp.

After church today, we all loaded onto a tour bus and traveled to Kemeri National Park. While there, we ventured on a 1379 meter "barefoot" trail made of various materials, grilled sausages, and played a myriad of outdoor games and dances custom to Latvia. Our feet are relaxed but tired from today's festivities!

Day 3 & 4 of English Camp

Everyday we have been reminded of God's love. Whether it is from the good and fellowship from our hosts here in Latvia, the camaraderie that has nested itself in our team, or the pure joy and excitement of the students at the camp, we are happy to be serving in Latvia. Yesterday was an amazing day of "highs/lows" throughout the camp. We share the thrill of water balloons with the kids at activity time. The kids loved making tye-dye socks with Kendra. Last night we went on an excursion to eat by the Baltic sea and to enjoy a night of fellowship.  Our hosts helped us read the menu and order the finest of dishes. This was our last night with Jim Coe (who, with his wife, has been an influential piece of this mission in Latvia for 9+ years and will continue to play a role.) It was hard to see him leave early but we thank him for his service and dedication to this vision in Latvia.

Today was a little different story. The excitement of our trip and the lack of sleep is finally setting in. We made it through today and will be back to full strength after a good night's rest. And perhaps after some more Saldejums! (Ice cream)

In His love,
2014 Latvia Mission
-Ben

Day two went off without a hitch. Preparations for camp tomorrow are underway. Craft cut outs, lesson planning, and making two hundred water balloons for recreation tomorrow.

Day one of English camp

The team woke-up this morning with an anxious excitement to begin teaching. As students began to arrive from the neighbouring cities and villages, we learned new names, organized activities, and prepared the assessment that would help to decide classes based on English proficiency. We had students of young and old in attendance. After the testing, we began a shortened version of our camp schedule. The morning camp schedule includes: opening with singing and a message from the local pastor, English lessons, reading the bible lesson for the day, grammar study, idioms practice, and the occasional uno game. The afternoon is loaded with lunch for all of the children, "better-than-Pinterst" crafts, and organized group games.
More to follow tomorrow!

Here are some class photos and pictures from the day.

We made it!

On Jul 6, 2014

After our 37 hours of travel, we arrived in Sloka, Latvia and met up with the rest of our team from Macungie, PA. We were welcomed with Christian love, fellowship, and toast with jam!
Saturday was spent touring the Castle of Rundeles and learning about the inhabitants' way of life. The highlight of the day for most of the team members was "saldejums" or ice cream in English. It was so nice, we had it twice!
Sunday brought the team together in the Lutheran church of Sloka to hear the Word of God. Although we did not understand the language of the service, the message was loud and clear: "God's love knows no boundaries."
After church, the team took the train into Riga. We visited the Occupation Museum and "old Riga." This short trip was an eye opening experience to the country of of Latvia.
Tomorrow begins our mission with the English camp. Good night for now!
2014 Latvia Team

2014 Group on the way!

Our group loaded up and left church this morning on their way to the airport.  They will fly to Atlanta and then on from there.  Please pray for them as they witness to Christ this week in all they do.