Since October, I have been teaching English to my neighbor, who is also my landlady. It is fun to do and also gives me the opportunity to work on my Latvian. A number of women from the church have expressed an interest in learning English as well, so who knows ….
Hans and Jaap, the leaders of Mission of Hope Latvia since this year, went on a preparation trip in November. The plan is to hold an outreach in Daugavpils during the week of Aug. 5-13. It is the second largest city in the country after the capital Riga. Daugavpils is relatively close to Belarus and Lithuania and about 120 km from the Latvian border with Russia. Since World War II, the city has had a predominantly Russian-speaking population, with Latvians and Poles as important minorities. The next preparation trip is scheduled for week 9 and I hope to participate in it.
At the end of November there was finally another visit to the Netherlands. It was so nice to see family (unfortunately not all ☹) and friends again. At both Christengemeente Elim and Gouda Family Church, I was attending a Sunday service, where I saw many new faces.
Of course, fitting for the time of year, there was the traditional Dutch Stew Buffet organized where I not only ate along, but was able to give a presentation about Hope for Life and on Living and Working in Latvia. As always, the Stews buffet was again excellently organized by the Let’s go team!
A week ago,with Freedom61, we held the annual Christmas dinner for the women. It was a time of good conversation, delicious food and gifts. Each woman received a bag that included cosmetics, gloves and a pocket-sized New Testament.
Just a few weeks ago we held a winter clothing collection at a local church and thanks to their donations, the women were now able to pick out a warm coat and sweater as well!
We look forward to opportunities to better reach, serve and love these women in the coming year.
Around Christmas, we as a church will be visiting various people with a gift, encouragement and prayer. This is the first time we are organizing a social outreach in this way and it is special to be able and allowed to do it together!
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