Vicktors and his new Bible



Shortly after my last post we got caught in a huge rain storm and got soacked as we walked home...lol
Girls Night went really well. We had about 20 girls show up to paint nails and do hair. It was a good time to get to know some of the older girls.


Last night we how a Latvian version of Fear Factor. It was a fun time and the kids enjoyed it too. We are coming to the end of our time at Jelgeva and each day continue lovin on the kids. As the week goes on the kids are more and more open to us being there. Tonight is a Dance Party and Jessica will be presenting her testimony along with the gospel.

We continue doing VBS with the kids and all is going well with it. Everyday, with the little kids, we are doing a Bible story and craft and then čalm'them down at night before they go to bed. It is soo neat to see how quickly they will quiet down and calm down when we start to sing to them.
We had a balloon day where I got to do alot of balloons for alot of kids. In the morning I did them for the little ones and at night I taught the older kids how to do them!! It was alot of fun.
Thursday we had a movie night for the older kids. Pastor Andy brought the sound system and projector and helped us set up. The feature film was Night at The Museum. The kids seemed to really enjoy it.
The largest celebration of the year was this weekend, Ligua. It a celebration of Juanis and Liga days. we went to Riga to celebrate and enjoy the Latvian Market and music. We each got a flower wreath and wore it around. Christine made 2 of them herself. The food was amazing. It was a good place to get some shopping done!! Later that night we went camping with \the church. We put 4 people in a little tent and slept outside. we initially put the tent on top of hay on an old fire pit. When we went to get in the floor of the tent was sooo hot. To keep from catching the tent on fire, we moved over a few feet and had a nice bumpy bed. It was fun to see all the Latvian traditions of Ligua day. We all sat around the campfire and listened to Latvian. It was somewhat of an overload by the end of the weekend but was a nice experience.

We went back to the orphanage and celebrated with the kids. They were all roasting sausages over the fire and eating traditional foods. We brought out the marshmallows and showed them how to roast marshmallows. They loved them!! It was sad to see many of the kids drinking and smoking. The next day we saw the effects of their actions from that night.

On Sunday we had our own church service in our room. Then we went outside and had a prayer walk. It was neat to see the kids walk around with us. We circled the complex about 5 times and had at least 3 kids with us the entire time. Afterwards we all circled up to pray and the kids joined in. On of the boys even prayed himself. It was exciting to see. Later on Sunday we went back to Tervete to see the kids there. It was so nice to see the faces of those kids again. When we walked in they were all in the TV room watching a movie. We brought them the new DVD player and all kinds of great DVDs. I think they probably watched them all in one day. They were so excited to have them!! Thanks to Tate Springs!! We gave Bibles to Victors and Janna. They were very appreciative for them.
This week is a busy week with many things planned. From Ģirls Night to Fear Factor to A Carnival.
Please continue to pray for these kids here and our team.

Yesterday we continued toi build relationships with the kids, young and old. Playing in the sand box, coloring pictures and swinging on the swing has made for entertaining times with the little ones. The sand castles dont stay up for long. as soon as the kids see you building somthing, they come and jump on it!!
An intern Vs. interprter prank war has been going on since in Tervete. Much to our surprise, we walked into our room and found it covered in tape, chalk, and laundy detergent. It was a good prank by the interpreters.
Today is Liega Day in Latvia. Well known names have a celebration each year for their name day. Liega and Juanice days are the most celebrated!!, In celebration, the orphanage had a traditional Latvian dance and singing group. They wore thet traditional dress along with music. It was very interesting. At the end, traditional Latvian snaks were served.
Today I noticed much more violence in the kids. Please pray for a peace in their lives and protection towards one another. Continue praying for our groups unity and effectivness.
TOnight is Balloon night!! I will be teaching the older kids how to make balloons!!

We are now on our own as Buckner Interns. The Tate Springs group left us in Riga and made their trip back home to Texas. After a fun a relaxing day in Riga, we went to Jelgeva to start unpacking for anotrher 2 weeks. The rooms are big and arranged like an apartament. Saturday afternoon we took a train back to Riga for Christine's (our interpreter and Buckner Staff) graduation. She was graduating from grad school with her MBA. It is tradition here that you buy flowers for every event, from coming home to graduation. We bpught her some flowers and began our trip to Riga. The 20 minute train ride was nice to see the countryside. On our walk from the train station to the graduation, Cynthia made an impression on a guy we passed. While walikg down the road, Cynthia and a guy were looking at each other. As the boy walked across the road, still staring at Cynthia, a train/tram came around the corner. The boy did not notice the train until the train slammed on the brakes. Cynthia almost made the boy "drop dead in his tracks!!" It was really funny to see. We finally made it to graduation and had a nice time listning to the Latvian. A violin player played every few minutes. One of her songs was a techno version of Cotten Eyed Joe!! It was awsome to hear.
Back at Jelgeva, we began to meet kids. Before coming to Jelgeva we were warned of the food and the kids being distant. The first nite we had amazing foor and met about 10 kids. So far none of the rumors have come to be true!!! We went to their disco party and played games with them.
Our main priority here is with the younger kids. They are so cute!! We are getting to know the older ones also through games and hanging out. Tomarrow we start VBS and afternoon actgivities with the older kids.
Please continue to pray for the team and the kids we meet. The orphanage is in the city, which allows more opportunities for the kids to get into trouble.
Pray for opportunities and open hearts. There is a definite shadow over the orphange/ Pray for God's protection and faithfulness.

**Sorry no pictures, I left my camera back in the room.

Today was our last day in Tervete. For the last 2 days, the kids have been alot more distant than before because they know that we will be leaving. They stay in their room more and laugh less. As I see them like this, I think of how many people have come and gone in their life. Are we just another group to come to them, love them, and then leave them?? As I think about the last 2 weeks, I don't believe we are. I have seen a definite change in the kids attitudes and life since we have been there. It is not what we have done but how God has used us to show His love to the kids. He has used our team in a tremendous way that I believe have greatly impacted these kids lives. I remind myself and the kids that although we are leaving, God will always be in Tervete and always be with them!!

As we get ready to load the bus, we hug and kiss all of the kids. I think they are more sad to see us go than we are to leave then. We tell them how special they are to God and to us. They are awsome kids!!! God has blessed me to be able to know them and love on them. I got the tightest hugs I had ever gotten. Their tears reflect their love and connection with our team.
I thank God for allowing the Buckner interns to serve alongside the Tate Springs Baptist Church group. They made the Tervete experience special. I thank God for the unity of the team both with the interns and Tate Springs group. They have inspired me and taught me alot.
As the Tate Springs group travel home to Dallas on Saturday, we interns travel to Jelgava. Please pray for us as we meet the kids and begin a new adventure with the Jelgava kids.

Labels: -distant

Today was a great day with many emotions. We went to the beach about an hours drive with all of the kids, young and old. With the boy's fresh new haircuts, thanks to Cynthia, we were ready for some fun. The morning started out rainy and cold. We all prayed for warmer weather and sunny skies. By the time we made it to the beach the weather had warmed up and no clouds in sight!! The kids had a wonderful time running through the sand and waves, playing with blow-up toys, and just hanging out in the sun.
Today was also filled with much emotion. Evita and her brother left the orphanage today for Houston with a new family. This time was exciting but also sad. Evita was excited for a new begining but her friends were all sad to see her leave.
Since we have been at Tervete, we have seen 3 kids get adopted and 3 more in line with families on the way. It is exciting to see the joy in these kids eyes as we talk about a new family. Many of the girls were very sad. Rita, the sister of Guita with was adopted Monday, was very sad. She missed her sister and cried all day. The other girls cried with her as they missed Guita and Evita.
I knew how they felt in a sense. It was like Rita and Evita leaving one family for another. I had been on the end of adoptions as Rita is on today. When Jessica, my older sister, gave her baby for adoption I had many of the same feelings I am sure Rita is having now. It is sad to see them cry but is soo exciting to know that Rita and Evita have a new beggining at life with a loving family.
God has a plan for each one of these kids, some with a family and in other ways. Jerimiah 29:11 came to mind as I saw these friends and sisters be seperated. I can see God working in the lives of many of the kids here. Tonight we prayer walked the campus that the orphanage is on. We prayed that God would show himself to the kids nad will be faithful and protect these kids. Me and 2 other ladies went into Rita's room and prayed and cried with her. She is so desperate for love. I pray that God will be with her through this hard time and that she will lean on Him for his love. Although none of these kids have a mother or father, They all can have Jesus as their father and see each other again, even when seperated.
Another seperation was with Juanice and Edmonds. Edmonds lives in Riga most of the time working and studying. He is still considered an orphan under the Tervete orphanage and comes back every few weeks. He was back for a few days. Juanice and him had so much fun together. They laughed and both had a smile the whole time. Edmonds had to go back to Riga today. The minute he left, Juanice went back to being 'alone' and did not have the joy and smile he had when Edmonds was around. I pray that Juanice will find his Joy in God and not just friends.
Today was a day of seperations, new begginings, and love. Please continue praying for our team, the kids here and the Jelgava oprphanage we will be at next week. Especially pray for the older kids that only have a few months, or years left to be in the orphanage.

Yesterday was a busy and really fun day!! We went on a really long walk through the woods with the little kids. Thinking we were just going to walk with them around the building, we ender up walking trails for about 2 miles. Unknowing of the teachers plans, we thought they had forgotten about VBS since it was a Saturday. Upon our return we found out that they took the kids out into the woods so that the Americans could not find them and make the kids listen to the Bible stories. We had no idea of this when we were on the walk. The little kids ran up and down the trails looking for wild strawberry plants as the interns tried to keep up.
God works in strange ways. During VBS, the older kids were engaged more than ever and asked thought provoking questions. I think God had the little kids tro 'get away' so that the older ones would be able to listen more and learn.
The long walks to the lake continue!! Each day we walk that road 2 times; after lunch and dinner. It contintinues to be a special time to be able to talk with the kids and learn the Latvian language. It is fun to see how excited the kisds are to teach us there language. "Where are your pants?" has been one of the key phrases. The boys walk around in their 'swimsuits' and a shirts. It makes me thankful for swimtrunks on guys..lol.
Last night we had a Going Away/ Name Day Party for Guita. She will be in America on Monday. A lady from Tate Springs has adopted her a given her her greatest dream. It has been so cool to see the process of adoption from this end. We saw Guita's life in an orphanage and will see her new life in a family!! The party was filled with games, music, and balloons.
This morning we went to Jelgava Baptist Church to take part in worship with them. I love to hear people worship in other languages. It makes me realize that God is present all over the world. It was a fun time to take the kids from the orphanage and hear them sing the worship songs.
I am constantly being reminded of how faithful God is and loving He is to the least of us. Please continue praying for the team, Tervete Oprhanage kids, and Jelgava kids that we will meet in a few weeks!!

These kids love going to the lake. It is about a 1.5 mile walk there and they go at lest 2 times a day!! The long walk has made for a good time to talk and get to know the kids. I can see the kids attaching to specific people of the team as they get to know them better. It is good to see the older kids here be role models for the younger ones and look after them, much like a parent would. Today i had a chance to talk to our translator. She is 16 years old and wants to be a professional translator. Her testimony was so simple yet so awesome. She described how she did not have a father but she had Jesus as her father and thats all that mattered!!

Friday we are taking all the kids to the Zoo!! It will be a fun time to get away.

Hello from Team Latvia!! We arrived in Riga on June 2 and were able to get rested from the long flight. It was Cynthia's birthday and were able to celebrate at a delkicious resturaunt. We are here at the Tervete orphanage now and loving it already. We have the privalage of serving with a team from Tate Springs, Texas with previous experience and love for this orphange.
Upon arrival at Tervete, we were welcomed with 'Sam Bradley's Birthday Party' and a huge spread of delicious food. The freezing cold lake has been the place to hang out during the afternoons with the kids. The stairs to the 4th floor are a challenge to us all as we walk up and down from our room. The men of the Tate Springs group began construction with the 'help' of many kids, stripping the paint in just a few hours. It has been fun to try and learn different Latvian phrases and words with the help from the kids. VBS is going pretty well in the mornings, although the language barrier and energy of the kids have been a challenge.
As we get to know the kids here, I realize how fortunate I am. They have so little, but are so happy!! There humble spirit has challenged me to appreciate the little things in life, from little balloon dogs to seeing thereselves in a camera. The long walk to the lake a few times a day has given me a chance to talk to some of the older kids. I can see how hungry they are for love and attention. Just a few days into the trip and I can already see God moving in our team and in the kids. We have only been here a few days an still have much to experience.
Please continue to pray for the team and the kids here at Tervete. Pray for our humility and unity as a team. Pray that God will use our individual gifts to reach theses kids. Pray for our open spirit and willingness.