MINISTERING SIDE BY SIDE IN TWO NATIONS:
Houston Church Sends 14th Team to Latvia;
Latvian Church Sends 5 to Serve in Texas
By Mike Skinner
 
Editor's note: A unusually fruitful church partnership between the Baptist Church of Jelgava, Latvia and the First Baptist Church, of Houston, TX began in May of 1999. Since that time, the partnership has focused on numerous mutually blessed ministry projects ranging from evangelism, to construction, to counseling ministry, to leadership development This past summer the Houston church sent another ministry team. They ministered from June 29th - July 11th. The following is an account submitted to BBI by Mike Skinner, one of the leaders of the Houston team.  | The village children in Ziedkalne
loved craft time |
This is the 14th trip that Houston's First Baptist Church has taken to Latvia. Our partnership with Jelgava Baptist Church has been very special and meaningful over the years. We were able to spend a week doing Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Ziedkalne. This is a mission point of Jelgava Baptist Church (JBC). What a special week we had, getting to know the Latvian children from Ziedkalne, the Latvian youth and adults from JBC. The leadership of JBC demonstrated tremendous love and sacrifice sharing God's Word with the 78 children who attended during
the week.  | I t is so wonderful to show love to the
Lord's precious little ones!
|  | Latvian young people love to play
America's favorite past-time, baseball
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We opened with a carnival on Monday afternoon, which included many different games - ring toss, balloon and dart game, face painting, ball toss, Frisbee toss, and other games that could be done indoors since it was raining. The American team sang praise songs, performed five different skits without words, played softball and soccer, presented the gospel through testimonies, and helped the leadership of JBC in any way we were asked to help.
We were also able to spend two days at an orphanage in Jelgava doing a mini-version of VBS. We presented the gospel through skits, singing, sports and testimonies. One afternoon, we gave the children in the orphanage baseball caps, Frisbees, bouncy balls, girl's makeup, yoyo's, pens and candy. We also introduced the children to the American games of softball and football.
One evening a men and women's seminar was held. Twenty-five women and four men attended. This provided the leadership of JBC some one-on-one time with the local parents of the children. Numa was speaking in English, Juris was translating into Latvian and then Leonids was speaking in Russian. One afternoon a soccer game was held in the rain at a nearby apartment complex. Everyone had a great time laughing and playing in the mud.
On Wednesday night we were asked to join JBC for a baptism that was held at Jurmala in the Baltic Sea.
We also had the privilege of bringing five Latvians back to Houston with us for three weeks of ministry. They participated in various ministries at HFBC and a mission trip with 7th & 8th grade youth to San Marcos, Texas.
Our ten team members included; Mike Adams, Amy Agrella, Joe Agrella Christina Berzins, Numa Diano (team leader, 2nd trip), Amanda Ford (2nd trip) Chris Hokanson, Zach Mangrum, Tim Sharp and Mike Skinner.
The following are some thoughts about the Latvia mission trip from the American team.
 TIM SHARP: The thing that I think has affected me the most about the trip is what the Latvians at Jelgava Baptist have in their hearts because of all the things that they don't have in their life. It almost seems as if they have more room left for God than we sometimes do. They don't get affected as much by the hustle and bustle of the world; they are not driving around like maniacs; etc. Their praying and singing feel so real and so powerful. I think of Leonids and Gunta praying and I know that I will never forget the power of those moments. They seem to pray so deeply in the Spirit. I also think much of Elmars and his conversion from alcoholism and smoking and being in the Russian Army and how serene and peaceful and content he is now. I think that is it in a nutshell - they are so peaceful and content in their service.
I think that there is much rage and anger boiling just below the surface of so many of the other Latvian people. I think that there is a certain amount of hopelessness and despair. They don't have jobs and many probably won't have jobs for some time and they are not seeing any hope for the future.
May God show them the hope for eternity and bless them with peace and work in the present.
 CHRIS HOKANSON: My first out-of-Houston mission trip and first time overseas will be a memory that I'll never forget. I had wanted to go on a mission trip with our Youth Dept. for a while, and sometime in April, someone told me that it was too late to sign up. I was pretty bummed. Then in mid-May, Numa came to me and asked to pray about going to Latvia, and immediately I knew I should go. But I didn't want to scare him by screaming, "Yes, of course I'll go!" so I went home and prayed, which just helped confirm that I should go. When Numa told me about the cost, I was sort of taken aback, but I figured I could do it. Considering my financial situation, my parents said they couldn't help with the money. Through many hours of yard work, odd jobs, gracious gifts, and prayer, I had the money.
The trip couldn't have been better. The people of Latvia were some of the friendliest and most hospitable people that I've ever met. The trip taught me many things, but one thing stood out in particular: faithfulness. Whether it was God being faithful to provide the money, our trip leaders being faithful to get everything organized, or the Latvians being so faithful with the very little things that they had, examples of faithfulness abounded. I was so amazed that the Latvian people worked so hard. I overheard something about the church staff's salaries not being fully paid because giving was down (which happens in every church in the summer). Yet all the staff members, and those who were just volunteers, worked their tails off trying to get VBS going or trying to make us feel at home. Gunta, Peter, Elmars, Galena, Leonids, Tabita; they all showed great faithfulness in whatever their situation, and I pray the we would follow their examples. Thanks.
Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
 NUMA DIANO: O God you are my God give me a teachable spirit. Fill me with your spirit. Show me how, teach me how not to ask for nothing more than more of you?that you are sufficient, my Lord and King. You are all I need. Sweet Jesus, thank you for saving a wretch like me. For you are Holy. You are God who reigns forever and ever. Amen
 MIKE SKINNER: Wow! It is difficult to describe my thoughts and feelings about the trip. What a blessing! It truly changed my life. Part of my heart is still in Latvia. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of the trip and to be able to serve our Lord in Latvia. Praise God, I was taken out of my comfort zone and used in ways I never thought possible.
I had the privilege of going on a mission trip to San Marcos with the five Latvians, who came to Houston and some youth from HFBC. The Lord showed me a Scripture on this trip that I would like to share.
Psalms 126:5-6 "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Lord God, You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. Thank You for the privilege of serving You in Latvia. Thank you for the hearts of all of the Latvians we met. Lord Jesus do a mighty work in Jelgava and Zeidkalne. Thank you for the example of servant hood the Latvians gave us, Father. Amen.
 CHRISTINA BERZINS: I really enjoyed this Mission trip. This was the first time I was away from my entire family. I saw a lot of things that I had never seen before and will probably never experience anything like it again. The people we came across were different, to say the least. I had never talked to or interacted with drunken men. I was scared at first, but then God gave me a peace about talking to them. Even though I had peace, I was frightened when one of them threatened me. Luckily he never carried out his threat. On a lighter note, the children loved each of us, and shared all they had with us. They loved us unconditionally, like Christ loves the church. I would really like to go back again.
 JOE AGRELLA: The thing that changed me the most was seeing how faithful the Latvian team was. It was such an encouragement to see how the youth would walk every day to meet us and for me I have a car and I don't spend that much time at church. I also was amazed at the true joy that the church members had, despite their financial status they were all very happy and were rich in spirit. They were an encouragement to me to not be concerned with my financial well being as much as my spiritual well being.
 MIKE ADAMS: I have viewed the mission trip to Latvia from several perspectives. As a high school World and American History teacher, I was familiar with some of the history of Latvia. Their history is marked by their being conquered and dominated by other nations, which included Germany, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Nazi Germany, and Communist Russians. Many of these conquerors also brought with them their own state religions, which were forced on the people. Catholicism, Lutheranism, Russian Orthodox, and Communist Atheism. As an American it makes me proud that both my grandfathers fought in WWI to try and help the people of Europe win the right to self-determination. My father also fought in WWII for the same purpose. After each of these wars the Baltic States did enjoy short periods of freedom. But then after Yalta, Stalin and the Communists took over the Baltic States. Under President Bush the Cold War was won, and Latvia again became an independent nation. But freedom and the ideals that come with it have to be implemented and that can take many years.
As I observe the older generation of Latvian Christians - I see their faith. It is displayed by their constant dedication to prayer. They realize why our mission teams have come to Latvia - God's answer to their many years of prayer. I couldn't help but see that the Lord still has a strong unshakable remnant in Latvia. I also saw that He had once again called Americans to the battlefield. Yes, our mission team was on the battlefield dedicated to the recapture the Lord's ground lost to the ideals of the Atheistic Communists. After nearly a hundred years of oppression and exploitation by the Communists many of the Latvians' spirits were crushed and their hopes long abandoned.
But the elderly who had clung to the freedom of Christianity all those long years are now seeing their prayers being answered. The elder pastor of the church in Jelgava preached a sermon that pretty much spelled things out. The middle generation of Latvians are confused. Many are hopeless - the ones that believe in God blame the bad things on God and don't thank him for the many blessings they have received, the way the elderly do. The elderly see the American mission teams as the Lord sending his army in an answer to their prayers. But this is not a military army but one that demonstrates Jesus' love for the Latvians - because they come to serve in response to the Lord's call. I believe the middle- aged Latvians will be won to Christ through their children. The children have not had their spirits crushed and they are very receptive to the love of Jesus.
The Baptist church in Jelgava has been blessed with a large group of teenagers who are sold out to Jesus and work very hard to move His kingdom forward. They will have the greatest impact on the Latvian children and on their own parents some of whom are not saved.
One morning after Bible study I looked out our third story window and observed a cat sitting in a window looking out at a sparrow. I couldn't help but think of the verse where the Lord's eye is even on the sparrow. The sparrow was twittering around and enjoying it's freedom soon it was joined by another sparrow and then another. The cat sat trapped in the apartment - He could see the sparrows and their freedom - but couldn't get to them because of the window glass.
We have our freedoms as Christians because Jesus and the Holy Spirit are like the window glass that protects us from Satan who is like a roaring lion seeking those he can devour. We need to try to step out of self and allow the Lord to use us through the Holy Spirit to move His kingdom forward as we are His body.
 ZACH MANGRUM: Getting to go to Latvia and taking part in ministering to the people there, and knowing that we were there in the Lord's name and that He ordained long ago for each one of us to be there was and is such a blessing. God stretched me in several ways, and in doing so taught me a lot. He moved me to share the gospel in a couple of different ways.
First, to the people who would just "happen" by on the street during VBS and secondly to large groups of people who were attending VBS. Through sharing the gospel and simply talking to individuals God physically showed me that He goes before me when He calls me to do something. I learned that the way has already been made, and all we have to do is be faithful to do what He has called us to.
Secondly, I learned to not worry about making the one you are sharing the gospel with uncomfortable since what you are sharing is the only truth in the world. Vodie Baucham preached at HFBC while we were gone and said something to the effect of: if we just go on mission trips and take people blankets, and shoes, and water, and glasses, but we don't share the gospel with them, then all we are doing is making them a little more comfortable on their way to hell. Praise God we shared the gospel, and that His word will not return void, and that seeds were planted.
May we be found faithful to pray for Latvia.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! Col. 3:23
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