Paula Hewitt News

On Home Assignment

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:02:15 +0200

January 2012 Update
By Paula Hewitt
CORVALLIS, Oregon – Most of you know that I have been here (back in Corvallis) for several months now. The time has gone by quickly and I will head back to Latvia on March 3rd.
While here I have been visiting with people and sharing possible ideas for future work in Tilza as well as giving reports about the past two years since I was here last. (Dee Ratch and several others from Calvin came to an afternoon tea – see picture.)
During February there will be several opportunities to visit/talk with you if you have the time. The first is this coming Sunday (Feb 5th). Join me at King Tin (11:30) for lunch and conversation. On February 26th (my last Sunday here) there will be an Extended Fellowship time at Calvin for anyone who would like to see a slide show and hear more stories about what God is doing in Tilza. This will start right after church, about 11:30 or so.
Another thing that has kept me quite busy is getting signed up for Medicare (yes, I just turned 65) and making sure I have seen all the doctors and medical people that are needed. One thing I learned is that Medicare does not cover anything done in Latvia so I will be getting Latvian medical insurance when I return.
Over the Christmas holiday I went to California to visit my family which was a lot of fun. Got to see my sister and brother and their families, including my new little niece, Alyssa. Also saw and had dinner with other Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

Partnering with
Calvin Presbyterian Church in Corvallis 541 (757-8021) and
Bridge Builders International, P.O. Box 4073, Salem, OR 97302
Email: phewitt@calvin-church.org
Blog: http://paulainlatvia.blogspot.com

Day Camps in Tilža, 2011

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 04:59:07 +0300

By Paula Hewitt
Tilža, Latvia – This summer we made a few changes and could appreciate the results! We chose to have two English Day Camps – one for young children (1st - 5th grades) with a Narnia theme, and one for older students and adults. This was classes during the day and evenings for those who wanted to get started or improve their English skills.
For the Narnia camp we had 34 kids with a wide variety of abilities. We watched a portion of the Narnia film each day using the themes to teach the English lessons. Six people (George & Angie Voss, Denise Wells, Marc, Carol and Katie Andresen) from our partner church – Calvin Presbyterian in Corvallis, OR – were the teachers and assistants. Our Latvian counterparts did the translation and organized games and activities.
Because both of these were “Day Camps”, we had the privilege of meeting the parents each day and began some new relationships in the Tilža community. 3 mothers of Narnia camp campers also came out to improve their English and many of the parents of our 34 Narnia campers say their kids had a GREAT time, couldn't stop talking about the camp, and are already waiting for our next camp :-)
The director of our boarding school came for the evening classes - and she was one of the most positive people in the whole week - loved the classes, was quite impressed by our teachers' teaching methodology, and happily participated in all our after-class activities. These other activities helped us get to know our students a little better.
We had terrific facilities for our classes - the local boarding school - and they refused to take any money for our use of their premises. So encouraging!
We all thank you for your prayers.

Bridges to the Tilža Boarding School

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 03:40:06 +0300

By Paula Hewitt, Missionary to Latvia
Tilža, Latvia – During the last three or four years we have made special requests to the Lord for greater opportunities to influence our nearby boarding school (internāt skola). There are about 160 kids there between the ages of 6 and 16 or so. They come from families who either are unable to afford to take care of them or the state removes them from their homes. Obviously the needs are sometimes great.
We began by having Sunday School for the younger ones in the afternoons, and a time of special activities on Saturdays for the older group. Sunday School is now quite well organized and we take advantage of materials in both Latvian and English (which my roommate, Līga, usually translates). We have looked at the life of Jesus, what it means to be saved and how one can ask Jesus into their heart, and many other subjects. We have found that the best days (we now meet in the mornings before church service) are when we divide into separate groups for boys and girls. The boys (we usually have 6-8 of them) love having Wes and Kaspars teach them!
For the older kids this year we followed the theme that God has created each of us unique and has given us each special interests. We gave opportunities to try new things in music, arts, drama, writing, cooking, outdoor skills, etc. Each week Kaspars (our pastor) gives a short talk from the Bible and we usually end with something good to eat (while sitting around the table and just talking).
The Lord has answered our prayer for these times together and for some of the individuals who have indicated that they want to follow Jesus. Though there are still many difficulties in their lives at home and school, we have noticed a change in their attitudes, behavior, and simply enjoying our times together.
We are also grateful that we could help sponsor a “True Love Waits” seminar at the school. And this week a two-hour (TLW) seminar was held for all the staff of the school.

Partnering with
Calvin Presbyterian Church in Corvallis (541-757-8021)
and
Bridge Builders International
P.O. Box 4073, Salem, OR 97302
Email: phewitt@calvin-church.org
Blog: http://paulainlatvia.blogspot.com

Come and See

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:56:19 +0200

By Paula Hewitt
Greetings for the New Year. I know it has been a long time since I last communicated! I am not really good with New Year’s Resolutions, but I will try to send these letters a bit more often. I love letting you know what’s going on here but I am much better in person. The stories always seem to be much more interesting.
BUT since the last time I wrote real winter set in. We’ve had lots of snow and some quite low temperatures. I didn’t drive my car for quite awhile because I’ve ended up in the ditch several times. I give much thanks to the Lord that no one was hurt – not even the car!
We are continuing our work with children and youth. Some, of course, have made a commitment to follow Christ, but it has made little difference in their every day lives at school and when they are able to go home. Please pray that they will learn to trust God even when things are very difficult.
In January, Pastor Marc came for a visit. First he was able to teach a class in Riga to men who are studying to be church planters. Then he came out to Tilža where he could see the ministry first-hand, (ask him about “dance-praise”) and encourage our team. We then went to Riga and participated in “Mission Days” sponsored by Bridge Builders/Partners. Our team was quite excited about this conference because, not only were we blessed by the speaker, workshops, worship, etc. but we also got to tell people about the work in Tilža and invite folks to “come and see” especially to help with camps this coming summer.
For Prayer
• Our ladies Bible studies in Balvi and Tilža continue. Pray that they will be faithful.
• I have begun meeting with three young girls for discipleship. Pray for wisdom and good relationships.

Partnering with
Calvin Presbyterian Church in Corvallis (757-8021)
and
Bridge Builders International
P.O. Box 4073, Salem, OR 97302
Email: phewitt@calvin-church.org
Blog: http://paulainlatvia.blogspot.com

Making Disciples in Tilza

Tue, 1 Feb 2011 20:45:56 +0200

By Paula Hewitt
TILZA, Latvia – Wow, this new year has begun with many activities, ministry, discipleship, a missions conference and some very exciting beginnings.
Pastor Marc came to Latvia to teach a week-long class at the Baltic Pastoral Institute in Riga. Then he spent 5 days with us in Tilža. He encouraged and blessed each of us on the team here and was able to observe/participate in all the ministry activities. On Saturday he joined with us as we held our "one-day camp" for the older boarding school kids. We had invited the art teacher from school to come and provide a project that they could all make. The second choice for the day was a "Dance Praise" contest.
Our team has been working through some ideas on discipleship and we are excited to see how God is giving us people to disciple.
The following week we went to Rīga for the Bridge Builders-sponsored "Mission Days" which also had the theme of disciple making.
We have begun to plan for summer camp - again with learning English as our main activity. This year we will have two camps - one for younger kids and one for older. Calvin will be responsible for the English classes at the younger camp. We need at least 4 people to come this year so if anyone is interested, please contact Marc or Carol Andresen (541-757-8021) at the Calvin office.
Our women's Bible Studies in Tilža and Balvi are going well. Please pray for those of us leading them, that we will know what best to teach at each class and how to encourage the ladies to study every day.

Walking with Christ

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:41:20 +0200

Reunion Camp, Women’s Bible Course and My ‘Grandson’

By Paula Hewitt

Reunion Camp
Near the end of October we held a “reunion” camp as part of our follow-up after the Narnia Camp in July, We invited all the teenagers who participated in camp for the last two summers.
Our purpose in this Fri-Sun camp was to bring these kids into a deeper understanding of a relationship with God. I was not here in Tilža during this reunion but I heard it was a very good experience for all. Fourteen campers attended.
Since July, some girls from the Narnia Camp have been communicating with their room leader and some have been meeting with Liga and Mo. It’s good to see the Spiritual interest.
Please pray:
We live in a deeply religious region of Latvia. Most people believe in God in some way, but few have placed their trust in Him. Pray that we would live our lives in such a way that people could clearly see what Jesus calls us to and that they would want to follow Him and obey Him.
Women's "Walking With Christ" city-wide Bible Course
We have now met twice in both locations:
• Balvi, our near-by city of ~6000; 20 women have come and meet every 4th Wed of each month,
• Tilza, the village in which we live; 9 women are coming and will meet every 2nd Wed of each month.
Praise God for:
• these women who want to grow in their knowledge and experience of God.
• women coming from several denominations, in both locations.
• such excellent, thorough, discipleship material, translated into Latvian.
Pray That:
• these women will have understood God's message. Pray that as they study the lessons, those who have not yet responded to God's offer of salvation would hear from Him and respond in faith.
• all the women, in Tilza and Balvi would work through the foundational lessons and enjoy their reading/studying of God’s Word.
Pray for Gatis (who calls me grandmother!!)
He has begun a 4-year course in cooking/food technology in a city almost 3 hours away.
• Pray that Gatis would, choose to rely on Jesus for all his needs
• Pray that he will work hard at school to prepare for his future.
• Pray for the situation back at his home - it is complicated, to say the least.
Praise God with me that:
Kaspars and Wes were able to replace the chimney pipe in the Yellow House and purchase new radiators which will be put in soon. We are now able to heat the parts of the ministry center that are needed for special events; it is only around 0 Celcius and not too cold yet. These repairs were made possible by an anonymous gift from someone at Calvin Church in Corvallis, Oregon.
Wes just put in a damper in the chimney for the stove in our house. So far it seems to be working quite well.
Thank you for standing with us here in Tilža - for praying, and for contributing financially to the ministry needs.
Blessings, Paula
Partnering with
Calvin Presbyterian Church in Corvallis (757-8021)
and
Bridge Builders International
P.O. Box 4073, Salem, OR 97302
Email: phewitt@calvin-church.org
Blog: http://paulainlatvia.blogspot.com

Aslan Visits Tilža

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:51:16 +0300

Narnia English Camp Comes to Tilža ... July 5-9, 2010

By Paula Hewitt

The church was transformed to enhance the “Narnia” experience. This “wardrobe” was built at the front entrance and all the coats were hung just inside. Each morning as we walked into the main room we could see the lamppost, lots of snow and Mr. Tumnis’ house. The story progressed throughout the week and Spring came to Narnia – the leaves turned green and light began to come in the windows. The campers were divided into three groups based on ability. The Narnia theme was carried out in class, during campfire activities and during evening small group discussions. Each day a separate idea was introduced (faith, sin, sacrifice, repentance, and acceptance). The after-noons were filled with games, sports activities, and work-shops. Twenty six campers from Tilza and other nearby places attended.
During the first evening campfire, one participants said, “I have no idea what I was doing here. I’m sure I was listening.”
Several of the kids decided to follow Jesus but this is a very vulnerable time. Please pray that they will remember what they heard and the commitment they made.

Paula’s Page - May/June 2010

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:44:55 +0300

Transforming the World One Life at a Time

by Paula Hewitt

TILZA, LATVIA – Boarding School: We seem to have gotten more and more connected with the kids at the boarding school. The main reason for this, of course, is that our pastor’s wife, Liene, works there. For the first two years she was like a dorm mother for the 6th class. She now has finished her degree and is able to work in a position somewhat like a school social worker.
It is quite often heart breaking to hear what the home lives of these kids is like. Sometimes I feel like there is so little that we can do. But we are confident that the Lord is working in their lives – even when we haven’t seen much in the way of change yet.
One of the difficulties is that most of the kids go to their homes on weekends (unless they have been in trouble at school or they don’t have parents who will take them) and during the summer break. Many go to Sweden for the summer and we pray that they find a loving environment there.
Even younger kids have started to come here to the Tilza boarding school and there has been talk that they may need to stay year round. It could start this summer but nothing is definite yet. Please pray that we will know how to develop good relationships with these kids and that they will see the love of Jesus in our lives.

Gypsy kids enjoy special attention

Fri, 28 May 2010 18:52:43 +0300

Gypsy Pastor Mareks Ignats shares the Gospel with Gypsy children in Tilza

By Maureen Blackmon and Paula Hewitt

TILZA, Latvia – For some time we have been on a quest and have offered much prayer to understand the Gypsy culture better because we have a significant number of them at the boarding school which is a big part of our ministry outreach here in Tilza.
An exciting answer came in April at the BBI/Partners-sponsored Prayer Days. There, two others on our team, and I met Mareks and Aija, a gypsy pastor and his Latvian wife. We sat for a long time with them, asking our million question about his people and thoroughly enjoying their company. They were as enthusiastic about our ministry among gypsy kids as we were about theirs.
God led them to bring another believing gypsy family and to travel clear across Latvia to join us in ministry at a special concert at the boarding school (end of May – with the whole school in attendance). They sang (in Latvian, Russian and gypsy/Roma languages), spoke about their own life lessons and shared the real differences God makes in their lives. It seemed to go over well and the gypsy kids especially enjoyed the special attention.
Our Tilza team experienced again that sense that we are becoming increasingly a welcome part of life in this school. Praise God!
* * *
Maureen Blackmon is a missionary to Latvia with Greater Europe Mission, She and he husband, Wes, specifically live and serve in Tilza.
Paula Hewitt, who also lives and serves in Tilza, is a missionary to Latvia with Bridge Builders International, in partnership with her home church, Calvin Presbyterian Church, Corvallis, Oregon.
Paula’s email: phewitt@calvin-church.org
Paula’s blog: http://paulainlatvia.blogspot.com
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