By Jaycee Jensen
ABOUT NEW HOPE AND MINISTRY IN LATVIA...
I have been working on a lot of different things over the past months in regards to New Hope and Ministry. The Lord has been showing me a lot and making me search for His will in a lot! One f the main things that has been a challenge is trying to figure out how to expand ministry yet make sure I keep my self available emotionally, physically, and spiritually to what the Lord has already given me responsibility for. Through some discussions with a few main supporters I have realized that I may not have the funds in the near future to open more apartments or a house for the traditional program for a while. It seems as if the Lord shows me each time I try to move "forward" and expand what I am already doing He shows me it is all in HIS timing. That He is asking me to stay faithful in the areas he has me for now. That I need to wait until HE gives the go ahead to move forward into more "homes" for these kids.
So I have been working on accumulating statistics and facts about teen orphans in Eastern Europe, that way I can put together some good information and video to share the need and urgency of the need here in Latvia to people around the world. My desire for this is one, to raise awareness of this problem, but also to hopefully gain supporters, and most hopefully touch the hearts of those the Lord may be calling to join the work here in Latvia with New Hope! (Which I would say is the greatest need right now, workers in the field)
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MINISTRY NOW?
I am also looking into getting ESL (English as a Second Language) certified so I can teach English here in Latvia. I would like to offer tutoring in these orphanages to the older teens getting ready fro their final English exams, and help them with their conversational English, in that way getting to know them, there life's, there dreams, and needs. Through that I can find out who really needs help and how New Hope can possibly intervene.
Another thing I am working on right now is building a curriculum for teens getting ready to leave the orphanage to give awareness of dangers, the assistance that is available to them through the government and social system (yet is generally unknown to the kids who need it most). And helping them as they start to look to what they want for a future (which is not on the majority of these kids minds, though they will be in that place VERY soon!) Once this curriculum is ready I plan on taking it around Latvia to the orphanages and teaching the older teens.
I am also working on getting a fuller knowledge of laws and rights these kids have from the government and social system here. That way I can assist them, even if I may not have the funds or ability to get them into one of the New Hope apartments, I can assist them in getting all they can from the state, so they have the best chances possible to make it on there own!
SUMMER TIME AND FUSION
So that is what is happening right now. This summer will be full of camps (as usual) But my goal is to make sure as many of the kids I know from orphanages will be able to attend these camps so I can continue to build relationships with them as well as giving them a great opportunity to be in an environment of Christ!
I am also quite involved with the Fusion ministry (a music “rock choir” outreach) here in Riga, for the specific reason that it is a GREAT ministry for these kids to connect to AFTER camp. They feel like they belong and they hear the Word every time, and are around people who love them and love the Lord! This ministry is such a HUGE need and I love watching God work in it. I will be helping lead two fusion camps this summer. (One of those two camps are with RMCC, Which I am ecstatic about!.) Click here for more more information about fusion latvia-1.pdf
UPDATE ON THE GIRLS
Another one of the girls (Endija) Is a month away from graduating from high school! This may seem like a small thing to most, but for most kids that come from the orphanages here it is not that likely that they will finish 9th grade! Endija dropped out of school on her last year, did not return for two years, and now at the age of 22 she will finish! I am so VERY proud of her. Please pray for her as she pursues a dream of art and design for her future.
Another girl (Anna) from the orphanage where the girls are from has been visiting us a lot and she started to attend church with us. She actually travels over 60 miles one way every weekend just to come to church! While I was away she attended a conference put on by our church, and through that time she was ADOPTED into the KINGDOM of GOD!!! Anna is now a Child of the King! Praise Jesus! Anna is also looking into school here in Riga for the next school year and I have offered her a place to stay.
My Upcoming Schedule
April 26 - 28-----Prayer Days (BBI/Latvia prayer conference)
April 29 ----------May 1 “IZAICINĀJUMS 2010” (Acts 29 conference)
April 30th--------Susan Paterson Arrives in Latvia for full time ministry!
May 2-4 ---------BBI Family Retreat
May 5- 10--------Spring Conference in Czech
June 4-12 -------MOM Visits Latvia!
June 25th -------Summer camp Ministry STARTS!
So there you go! That’s what happening around here. I apologize for the length, but not sure how I could make it any shorter! Thank you SO VERY MUCH for you love, your support, and your prayers. I cannot tell you in words how blessed I am for all you are and do for me!
