What has Team Relentless been up too?
Well our ministry contact, Janis, works for YWAM – Youth With A Mission. Our schedule is all over the place and no two days look the same. Here are some ways God has been moving during our time Liepaja!
English Teachers Yes I am shocked too. Growing up English was by far one of my least favorite subjects and now I am helping to lead an English class in Latvia. The good news is it is conversational style and main focus is to entertain questions from students on various topics from American culture to educational system to discussing stereotypes. The best part being able to share why on Earth a bunch of Americans would want to come Liepaja English class…..simply to love, and share Jesus.
One interesting story from this experience happened on the second day we went to the school. Before going inside I asked God to reveal what He had in store for our time in school. The answer I received was a feeling of unrest, trouble, and uneasiness. So I went in looking for something out of the ordinary and the place God was referring too. Sure enough between classes our team was talking in the hallway and behind us I saw middle schoolers playing in the hallway. Nothing too shocking until moments later one kid was on the ground with a couple other kids were hitting him. Immediately I walked over and began to break up this middle school kid fight and create some peace. As soon as I went over and separated the kids they all gathered around and started talking to me. We exchanged names, hobbies, and why I was there. I was shocked they paid that much attention to me and desired to hear my answers. Then the teacher finally came that we were waiting on and she said, “Eric, how did you get the kids to talk to you? They are normally shy and not talkative especially to new people.” God prepared the way, and I choose to walk into it. Days later I ended up teaching that class of middle schoolers and sure enough they were excited to see me again!
Lumberjack About once or twice a week we go out into the countryside to our Janis’s family farm to serve them. It is a large family farm with cows, chickens, sheep, geese, ducks, fish, and wood! Tons of wood actually since fire is their primary heating system during the winter months. By the time we got to the farm there was already a large pile of trees that have been cut down and branches removed. Our task is to saw the trees into 1 to 1.5 foot logs. This is done using an electric saw that looks like it came out of medieval times with a 5 ft blade! Once all the trees are cut into reasonable size logs, then you get to hand chop all the logs with an axe into reasonable size for firewood. The fun is almost over once you get it all stacked up inside the wood shed without the stack falling over. YES, it has happened once where after an hour or so of stacking it all came tumbling down. No joke the stack was easily 9 feet tall and 30 feet long and it came down and no one was even near the stack.
This family does not have a personal relationship with Christ. It is awesome being able to serve them in out of pure love. With no expectations to receive anything in return. Just being there being the hands and feet of Christ and able to show His love through our actions. It is awesome how a group of Americans stacking firewood can ignite conversations about Jesus! Praying for their salvation!
Fellowship with Families Another way we spend our time is fellowship with local families and one in particular is a gypsy family. In general “gypsy” has negative connotation here in the Baltic countries being stereotype as thieves and untrustworthy. You could say they are the unreached people group that most people look down upon. Thankfully Janis has a heart like Jesus and reaches out to his neighbors even if they are gypsy which provided means for us to spend some quality time with this family. Nathan and I had the opportunity to put tile in their kitchen while the Relentless women hung out with the women and children. It has a humbling experience being invited into their home, a government housing assignment.
My first thought looking around this small apartment was why on earth are we investing time in putting tiles in the kitchen? Kitchen is a loose term as the room is approximately 6 feet wide, 25 feet long with unfinished walls and ceiling. There was a couple cabinets, refrigerator, and a single burner hot plate. How they fed all the kids and relatives that stayed there is beyond me. Then God spoke to me and said, “Eric, it’s not about the kitchen tiles. It’s about having the opportunity to interact with this family on a more personal level and share my love. That every time they prepare a meal, there will be a tangible reminder of my presence.”
The best part was the following day we went back to their house with a bunch of clothes that were donated to YWAM and spent all afternoon with them! Then it happened! A planted seed of faith started to grow as the father of the gypsy household desired to know about the “why” behind our actions! He spoke with Janis, about doing a home church type of thing with his family and another gypsy family and if Janis would lead it! Overall the local church intimidated the family and he desired to be able to ask more questions throughout a teaching!!!
Overall this month has been all about relationships! Some are just for a day and others are longer but all of them are impactful. The beauty of it all is that you get to CHOOSE! Choose to share God’s love!
