Something I jotted down after ministry last week…I thought I would share
April 4, 2013
Yesterday was our first day of ministry in Latvia. We went around the “Jewish ghetto” in groups with one translator per group and passed out bags of food to the poor and homeless. One man we gave a bag of food to spoke Russian, as do most of the people we have interacted with, which is hard because our translators are not fluent in Russian. He was digging in a dumpster when we stopped to try and talk with him. He said that he lost his job at the plant and he was sorry we had to see him like that. He was very sweet and kept taking off his hat, placing it against his chest and bowing his head to us in respect. It was very difficult for me to not understand his language or be able to communicate with him one on one. I wish I could have heard more of his story, but I at least prayed over him and asked God to take him in His hands and direct his paths.
One of the apartment buildings we went in was like an old barn, full of dust and mold, smelling of cat pee, and freezing cold. When we knocked on one of the doors, an elderly woman answered. My heart broke. I had no idea there were people living in such conditions in this area of the world. It seems that most people who we encounter in this area are elderly and a lot of these people do not have family and are alone here. This is apparently an area where there are a lot of drug and alcohol addictions and I am beginning to witness that as I walk the streets each day.
This is considered to be a very dangerous and poor area with no hope. I do not agree with that. I believe that this neighborhood is a community with an incredible opportunity for ministry. These are people who are broken and in need, and God is sending people there in place of those who are not willing to go and showing people like us that there can be a light in such a dark place. The people in Riga are very stoic and there is an apparent spirit of depression, but being able to put a smile on some people’s faces today especially as we again passed out bags of food shows me that there is hope. The smiles that I was able to witness today as we offered people bags of food filled my spirit until it was overflowing. God has placed a magnet in my soul that is drawing me into this place. I have a feeling this is going to be a powerful month. I pray that the Lord will help us with the language barrier as we continue doing outreach over the next couple of weeks. I pray that He will prepare the hearts of those who we will encounter and that He will allow for opportunities that will transform this city.
There is also a spirit of independence and pride that needs to be broken here. Some people will not even accept the food we are passing out when they are clearly in need. I ask you God to break that spirit of independence and soften people’s hearts. Thank you God for the man today that was so kind to listen to us speak and explain to us that he is not in need of food but that he could show us someone who was. Please Lord continue using us as your instruments in whatever plan it is you have for Riga and especially in the community in which we are serving.
