By Jaycee Jensen, BBI missionary
RIGA, Latvia – I have some very exciting news to share. As I have lived here in Latvia with several girls in my apartment, one of them has grown so much in her relationship with the Lord and she is ready to take the next step! I had the joy and honor of praying with Krista Matula in 2004 as she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. In May, after a long road of learning, falling, and getting back up again, she took the next step and got baptized! She has personally and publicly proclaimed Christ as her Lord! I am ecstatic! BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!
Krista has expressed a desire to go deeper and asked if she could attend a year of Bible school! We prayed about it and I started to look for opportunities. Knowing schools cost money, I was trying to find the best possible place for her to experience God and yet still be manageable financially.
I wrote a letter to the Director of Holsby Brunn Bible School in Sweden, a Capernwray School (and a school I attended in 2004-05) to see about the possibility of a scholarship. The director was excited to hear about Krista, and at the end of May we got the news that she has been offered a partial scholarship!!! Praise God!
Krista has been accepted for the next school year starting in September! She still has much to do to raise/earn the money to get there. The scholarship covers a little over half the $9,000 cost for the whole year, so she still needs to raise $4,000.
She is working hard to save every penny. The average monthly wage in Latvia is about $350. As a nanny she works hard but makes much less than that, plus I still expect her to pay rent of $100 a month and pay for her part of the food. That does not leave her with much, but she is saving all that she can. Krista estimates that she can earn and save about $500 by the time school starts! That is amazing for a girl just learning how to work and save! So now we are down to $3500 left to raise!
Bridge Builders International has agreed to allow Krista to raise support through their Latvian Student Fund. You can send your support to BBI, PO Box 4073, Salem, OR 97302 with a note that the gift is for “Krista’s School/Latvian Student Fund." Those who are unable to support financially and would still like to support her through prayers and encouragement, please write her and let her know! She would be very touched! Her email address is:
Those who would like to know more about the school, what the tuition covers, and how to help, please read this information page. BBI Latvian Student Fund.doc.
If you would like to invest in Krista’s education monthly you can sign up to participate in BBI’s Monthly Automatic Giving Plan. Just designate that your commitment is for “Krista’s School/Latvian Student Fund." Download BBI MAGP Form.
As a former student at this school, I cannot say enough about what it has done for me and my walk and me with the Lord. I went to Bible School in a time in my life when my faith became my own. I would not be the person I am today without the opportunity I had through that year to be fed richly and grow in my relationship and knowledge of the Lord.
Over the years I have created an environment designed to help teen age orphan girls transition from life in the institution to a successful Christ-centered life in the real world. I have seen Krista really develop and mature in all areas of life and she is ready to take this next step where she will have the opportunity to grow independently of the protective environment of our group home. It is a big step toward Christ and a step toward what He has for her future.
