Ivan the Terrific

Today we had to weave our way from Riga to Lode, literally! Our history lesson for the day was at a place where they manufactured yarn and made wonderful bed spreads, wool filled sheets and many assorted woven items. We also had another terrific Latvian lunch, with borscht soup at a reception hall adjacent to the manufacturing facility.

Praising the Lord with our voices today was made easier as Jackie had printed out words to many praise songs at the hotel business center and Kristina played her guitar as our voices raised the roof as the motor coach traveled along the rural roads to Lode. You could feel the Spirit as many missionaries raised their hands high and closed their eyes as they offered the songs to the Lord.

As we drove into Piladzitis orphanage parking area you could sense the poverty. The building, a school located on the property a short distance from the children's residences needs a lot of work. The roof was leaking on the gym floor.Our band of merry missionaries, embraced these children. The ladies are so motherly as they proclaim the Gospel and kneel at the feet of the children and put on the new shoes of peace. The young men we witnessed to today were very attentive. Their politeness during the vbs presentation and and patience during the shoe distribution truely shows that God is at work here in Lode a very isolated and rural setting. I'd heard that one of the directors of an urban school we visited felt that there was more temptation in an urban setting for the children. This seemed confirmed by the attitude of many of the children in rural areas, much more loving and open.

Today I had the opportunity to work with the boys whose average age was about 10. There were 5 boys full of the spirit of youth. As they donned there battle gear to wage war with the devil, they used their "sword of the Spirit" to ward off evil. The glow stick they received to illustate this were a big hit. As we turned off the lights the boys really got into it. One little warrior, Ivan was so creative in the way he sought attention from me. First we played catch with one glow stick, then two glow sticks then we had to count to three, then throw, then we had to throw simultaneously, each change would require him to get the attention of the tranlator to tell me what to do. The games went on and on, he couldn't get enough attention. I feel very confident that he did get attention, not only from me but most importantly from the Holy Spirit as this young boy becomes a child of God. God bless you Ivan, you are terrific.

Blessings to you,

Jackie and Mark