See more pictures!

More pictures have been added to the Picasaweb folder!

Program

Bible studies and concerts have gone great! Here’s our program:

All Give Thanks Anonymus
Kas Vins L. Breikss, E. Esenvalds
Halle, Halle, Halle Marty Haugen
Deep River John Leavitt, arr.
Si zeme Tava, Dievs V. Bastiks
Look at the World John Rutter
For the Beauty of the Earth John Rutter
Praise the Lord Mozart, Hal Hopson arr.
Amazing Grace traditional
You are My All In All Dennis Jernigan
Perfect Praise traditional
Jubilate Deo Emily Crocker
Sveti, Kungs R. Grantovska

Thursday-Friday Pictures Posted

Check out the latest photos from Lativa on Picasaweb.

Friday notes

We received a good update on Portia, the woman from an ESL team who was hospitalized. She has shown improvement and hopefully will be able to fly home soon. Please pray for continued strength for her, strength and comfort for her team leader, Bill, and thanks that Pastor Schuschke was here and able to make a hospital visit.

Here is a list of some of the ways that we are serving this week:

• Teaching whole group Bible study

Leading small group Bible study
Participating in Bible study
Directing choir
Singing
Passing out and collecting music
Turning pages
Bass section leader in rehearsal
Accompaning songs on piano
Serving food
Helping pick up food at the store
Helping prepare food for campers
Washing dishes
Listening to the youth and discusing matters that are important to them
Giving a listening ear to the local pastors
Praying together
Making a hospital visit
Adding our presence to show we care
Making copies of school materiāls
Setting the table for meals, and clearing it when the meal was finished
Arranging an outdoor meeting area for small group discussions
Configuring indoor rooms for smal group dicussions
Recording events with the video camera and taking still pictures
Leading games like UNO and Jingo
Providing fellowship with the youth in the evenings
Preparing music in folders for rehearsals and performances
Making a few trips to the store for emergency supplies

• Just being present means so much to these lovely people. They are delighted that we returned to do ministry with them and to care for them.

Thursday News

During Pastor's Bible study this morning the topic was our motivation for service. Our motive depends upon our view of the world as well as our understanding of the relationship between faith and works. We talked about Ephesians 2:8-10 where we are told, "For by grace you have been saved by faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any man should boast." Our discussion concluded that we do not serve to feel better about ourselves; but rather we serve in response to God's love for us.

After lunch we had choir rehearsal in our usual location, preparing for our rehearsal later in the afternoon in the lovely church in Sloka where our hosts worship.

The afternoon Leadership Training class explored the topic of "Thermostat vs. Thermometer." We discussed the fact that people are either thermometers or thermostats. Some reflect the climate around them, or they will set it. Leaders develop values and principles by which they live, setting the tone for others.

We then went over to the church for the rehearsal. The Latvian choir is filled with incredibly lovely voices. The songs and hymns chosen for this concert have the potential for truly moving those who hear their messages. We recorded some of the practice and will try to post some clips from the recording in the near future.

Thank you for your continuing prayers for the team, for our gracious hosts, for the concerts and for those who might receive the message and grow stronger in their faith. Please add Portia and Bill to your prayer list. They served on another M.O.S.T mission team here in Latvia last week. Portia became ill and has been hospitalized. Her team leader, Bill, has sent the rest of his team home, staying behind in Latvia to obtain proper care for Portia. Pastor Schuschke and our M.O.S.T. team leader, Pat, have gone to Riga this evening to be with Bill and Portia. They will be back with us later this evening.

More Pictures!

Check out the new pictures on PicasaWeb.

Wednesday Notes

During Pastor's Bible study this morning as he asked us what God requires us to do, all eyes suddenly went to the window as we saw luggage being unloaded from a van. We counted 7, 8, 9 and the last bags were taken off the van. Our first answer to Pastor's question then became "rejoice." Rejoice with us. We have found our lost luggage. Latvians 15:9 With St. Paul we can say, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." Philippians 4:12.

Classes today were wonderful. In the morning it was sunny, so we had our small groups outside. We studied how to balance being a servant and a leader. There was excellent interaction and thought-provoking discussion in all of the groups. In the afternoon we studied about how God uses our talents, abilities, passions, and opportunities. Since we had several new students today who were not as proficient in English, a student volunteer translated the class for Pastor. How moving it was to end class saying the Lord's Prayer simultaneously in two languages, and ending together with "Amen."

Can these people sing! Choir rehearsals are going very well. We leaned a new song today and polished up some of the songs we previously learned. Tomorrow we will have a dress rehearsal.

Thank you for your prayers. Please say a special prayer of thanks for our luggage. Pray for strength and rest for our hosts as they work so hard. Pray for continued growth in Bible study, and pray for us to learn our music well.