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DECEMBER 2005
LETTERS FROM LATVIA
Winter has definitely arrived in Latvia. The snow is back and so are the long, dark, gray days. Some days it's even hard to say we've had a day as it never really gets light. It's this time of year that I'm always reminded of the verse from Matthew, "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16) That's what our constant prayer is for those who live alongside of us.
From our one teachers' tea in September, we were invited four other times to give the same presentation. Once was a large English teachers' conference in Daugavpils organized by the school district. We've been to two schools in Daugavpils and one in near-by Kraslava to speak to their students and English teachers. Cathy can give that presentation in her sleep now! We've made contacts in all these places and have tried to follow up on them.
God has also brought us other contacts as well. Sheila was standing at the bus stop one Saturday when a lady her own age approached her and started asking her a question in Russian. Sheila looked at her, smiled, and said, "Angliski! English!" The lady immediately switched into perfect English and started a conversation. They stood for twenty minutes and chatted about grandchildren and other important things in life.
Sheila and Cathy organized two Christmas dessert teas, one on December 10 and the other on December 17. We had six ladies at the first tea, mostly professors. At the second tea we had four English teachers and an adult daughter of one of them. We spent time making Christmas cards, talking, and enjoying desserts. Both times the ladies ended up staying more than three hours because they had such a good time!!! From the second tea, we came up with the idea of starting a club for English teachers once or twice a month to practice their English skills with one another and with native English speakers (us).
We have a Friday night Bible study with two friends from the university. The Bible study began in English, but has since switched into Russian.
Gary and Sheila go each week with Pastor Slava to the Wednesday night Bible study in Kraslava. Thank you so much for your prayers on behalf of the people who live in Kraslava. When we wrote the last newsletter, we wrote about two ladies who were coming regularly. The next week was an evangelistic outreach in the community, a Thanksgiving type of Sunday service. The week following that, there were over 40 people who showed up for the Bible study! Praise God! That group is continuing well and they have a regular attendance of around 20 adults with up to 40 at times. They are quite an interesting group--Latvians, Russians, Poles, and Roma (gypsies). We are thankful that there are also many men among them. Children are also coming with their parents. We were there one week when we heard Pastor Slava announce to the group, "We have something special for the children. Our friends have prepared an interesting lesson and things to do." Sheila didn't understand his words, but Gary and Cathy looked at each other and realized, "That's us he's talking about!" Thank goodness Sheila had brought some coloring pages, crayons, and a children's Bible in Russian. Gary taught the group of kids (from the age of 5 or 6 to teenagers) for several weeks until Yanya started traveling with Slava to teach. Sheila is still their favorite friend and hug giver. Those who attend the adult study are learning a chronological overview of the Bible and God's plan of salvation. Please pray that they will come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Gary helps facilitate a Bible study for the Brothers' School at Balta Baznica (the established Baptist church in Daugavpils) on Monday evenings. They completed an inductive study of Colossians, along with homework each week. In January they will begin another inductive course. I always enjoy listening to Gary when he arrives home after the study. It's wonderful to see the men draw closer and closer to Jesus as they study His Word in depth.
We have also rented a room in the middle of town, across the street from the university. We call it a Christian library. We were able to locate affordable bookshelves, chairs, and several tables to furnish it. We have books in Russian, Latvian, and a few in English on the shelves for adults as well as children. We also have Russian language (and some Latvian) copies of many of the Walk Through the Bible teaching videos. We use this room during the week as well for small group meetings, Bible studies, English classes, outreach events like the Christmas teas, and prayer times.
We are also thrilled with the fact that there is now a second Baptist church in Daugavpils -- Central Baptist Church. We have never felt so much like jars of clay in our lives. We know that whatever comes of this group will be God's doing and not our own. We met as a core group for one month before we began to invite people. We have a Tuesday night prayer meeting each week, have already celebrated the Lord's Supper as a group, and are actively inviting friends and acquaintances. Our peak Sunday attendance was 13 several weeks ago. Praise God! We meet at the Christian library for our services. Please pray that the treasure of Jesus Christ will shine brightly through our jars of clay so that the people living in darkness can see a great Light.
May God bless you and your family during this Christmas and New Year’s season,
Cathy and Gary Ramey
