 
bit of spring has come to eastern Latvia-as well as new lambs! The Hope For Farm Families team is pleased to share these reports from our Latvian Program Director, Dr. Genovefa Norvele:
"Ewes have been lambing intensively at Talis Kopels' farm. 26 ewes have lambed and 49 lambs have been born. 4 ewes had one lamb each; 1 ewe had triplets; 21 ewes had twins."
"The overall results are very good. Talis and Iveta are trying very hard. They have learned that their profit depends on their effort."
Dr. Norvele is also busy with HFFF-sponsored seminars that provide much-needed training for beginning and inexperienced sheep farmers in Latvia:
"The winter months have been rich in sheep-breeding activities. In November, I taught a seminar about preparation of the premises for the lambing period, and nutrition of the ewes. 25 farmers from Rezekne, Ludza and Kraslava regions participated."
"In January, 26 sheep-breeders took part in a sheep-breeding seminar."
Latvia is preparing to enter the European Union this year. As a recognized authority on sheep, Dr. Norvele is sharing her expertise through this transition:
"An international conference was held on the problems of sheep-breeding in relation to joining the European Union. Over 60 major sheep-breeders of Latvia, as well as representatives of Sheep-Breeders Associations of Estonia and Lithuania participated. I presented two papers: one on the installation of electric fences for pastures, the other one on the use of meat-breed sheep in crossbreeding."
And some personal notes from Genovefa:
"Thank you for the health insurance. It gives an added sense of security to my life."
"This year, all sheep-breeders are going to receive state subsidies: LVL 6 [about ] per ewe in flocks with a minimum of 10 ewes. There is a great interest in sheep breeding-our work has not been in vain."
A significant milestone is coming this summer for the Hope For Farm Families program. Talis Kopels, the first farmer to receive a starter flock of 10 ewes and 1 ram, will pass along a starter flock to another farmer.
From no sheep and no expertise in sheep farming three years ago, Talis will finish his program commitment with his own flock of over 60 sheep. He'll be able to sell some of his ewes and rams to provide income for his family for the coming year, and have funds for winter feed supplements and medicine for the remaining flock.
These high-quality sheep will sell for 7 to 3 each. Most families in eastern Latvia live on 0 or less per month. Talis' growing flock will give him a dependable source of income.
WHAT'S NEXT?
1) Without any additional sheep purchases, there will be 3 farmers this summer in the HFFF flock program and 4 next summer, as farmers complete their staggered two-year commitments to the program.
However, seeking God's blessing and your support, we want to supply additional farmers THIS YEAR with starter flocks.
Will you pray with us for ,500 in gifts so HFFF can purchase 20 high-quality sheep from Estonia?
2) Weedy and water-hungry native forage make feeding flocks difficult in drought years. Timothy grass and birdsfoot trefoil (a legume) may be a good solution.
Planting trial acreage of both will provide the necessary information on the best forage to recommend and a practical demonstration for training farmers on forage production.
The forage development project will cost ,000 for seed and field preparation, and to hire an agronomist to consult with Dr. Norvele. Please pray for this need.
3) Dr. Norvele's personal mentoring of farmers and seminars are educating a new generation of young farmers, men and women. The strand of passed-down knowledge between generations was broken by the Soviet collective farm system.
Dr. Norvele is working hard to teach updated methods to these needy farmers.
Please pray for continued provision of Dr. Norvele's salary, medical insurance, and expenses (travel costs, phone, and internet) of ,500 per year.
4) Distributing a growing number of flocks in eastern Latvia is not the only goal. Sheep quality must also be improved through cross-breeding existing flocks with new, heavy meat-producing stock.
When Latvia enters the European Union in the spring, we believe that opportunities to import superior sheep from western Europe will finally be possible.
Will you pray for the doors to be opened for importing superior sheep, and for the reserve of ,500 we'd like to have available to quickly purchase and ship 50 sheep to eastern Latvia?
5) Each year, the HFFF team tries to send a team member to Latvia. The face-to-face contact with the program's employee, Dr. Norvele, and with the farmers being served by the program is extremely important for assessing current projects and setting new directions.
The team members who are sent share their years of agricultural experience-and their faith. Sharing Christ's love by sharing God-given skills is a powerful combination for reaching hearts!
,500 provides funds for a team member's travel and to purchase special supplies to take over for Dr. Norvele and the farmers. Please pray for this provision.
WILL YOU HELP?
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:15,16
Would you consider giving a gift today so that Hope For Farm Families can continue to bring Christ's hope through practical help to poor farmers in Latvia?
Perhaps you would give monthly towards Dr. Norvele's salary and expenses, to ensure that her assistance to farmers will not be interrupted. Or your special gift at this time would help provide additional families with starter flocks, and support the forage project.
Each and every gift is a blessing and a witness of Jesus' love to those families helped.
Thank you for letting us present these needs for your consideration and prayer; and for your past partnership with us. Glory to God for the work that has been accomplished so far and for what He will do through all of us in the days ahead!
In Jesus' Love and ours,
The Hope For Farm Families team
P.S. If you would like a presentation about Hope For Farm Families given to your church, mission board, or Sunday School class, please contact HFFF Chairman, Charlie Fischer, at 541-745-5094 or fischerc@peak.org.
THE TEAM:
Charlie Fischer - First Baptist Church, Corvallis, Oregon
Fred Frederiks - Aurora Presbyterian Church, Aurora, Oregon
Stephen Hauser - First Baptist Church, Lebanon, Oregon
Marsha Hill - Calvin Presbyterian Church, Corvallis, Oregon
James Nichols - First Baptist Church, Corvallis, Oregon
Bill Riddell - Monmouth Christian Church, Monmouth, Oregon
Dan Roth - Christmas Valley Community Church, Christmas Valley, Oregon
Chandra Waddell - Monmouth Christian Church, Monmouth, Oregon
Jack Waddell - Monmouth Christian Church, Monmouth, Oregon
Hope For Farm Families is a volunteer-initiated and implemented program inspired by Bridge Builders International's ministry in Latvia. All donations are tax-deductible and sincerely appreciated! 10% of each donation supports BBI's foundational work in Latvia, and 90% funds the HFFF program.
Please write checks to BBI and put HFFF in the memo line. Send to:
Bridge Builders International
P.O. Box 625
Philomath, OR 97370-0625
Automatic monthly donations for HFFF can also be set up. Call Crystal Kelley at 541-929-5627 or click HERE.
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