Treasures in Heaven

The internet was down last night when we returned to the hotel so this post is a little late. The rain did not dampen the spirits of our group today as we boarded the bus for a new adventure,

It is so nice that we have a small amount of time to tour some areas in Latvia and learn the history here. It helps to have a background of the the country so we understand where the people we minister to are coming from.

Today we toured Rundale Palace, the summer home of many dukes and dutchesses in old Latvia. The oppulance and elegance were eye catching. The guide gave us a very good sense of the history of the long line of royalty that made up Latvia's past. She also told us that when the Soviets came they made the palace into a grainery and ruined a lot of the furnishings and sent the classic artwork back to St. Petersburg, Russia.

As the missionaries walked through the palace we were overwhelmed by the restored fresco ceilings and the ornate stairs and woodwork. We had lunch in a former kitchen area and as each table prayed grace I could here many pray about helping the orphans store treasures in heaven and not on earth.

Today was a totallly different geographical setting, we travelled to an isolated country orphanage called the Tervete orphanage. The contrast in settings that Buckner orphan care has designed into our journey keeps us fresh as we go through what now has become a similar presentation every day.

Our presentation groups and shoe distribution groups have become more organized and this has made the Gospel presentation more effective.

My work is more with the presentation to the high school age young men. Tim Harper from Tenn. has a God given ability to connect with these kids, as do many of the other men but as I photograph the group my lens is directed to the outward warmth that he seems to generate. I understand that Tim and his wife have adopted children from Bulgaria. God is using Tim as an effective missionary here whether he is pumping iron with the boys or giving his testimony.

We are truely blessed to be here. Today the children were very receptive, You could feel the Holy Spirit working in the faces of the young men.

I wish I could write more but it's morning here and time to put on my Armour of God, and head to Lode, Latvia, close to Estonia and let the Holy Spirit work through me and my friends in ministry.

Mark and Jackie