We have arrived in Latvia!! We have gone from 80+ degree weather to almost 30 degrees with snow and ice. Most people on the squad had little cold weather clothing and planned on buying from the thrift stores nearby here in Riga. But God had another plan…
One of our squad members had been extremly sick over the past few travel days. She needed to get to the hospital immediatly after we got off the plane. We went through customs, got to our hostel, and the journey to find a clinic in a new country, environment, and new language began. After trying several hospitals they finally found one where they would see her. They only got there by the grace of someone who said they would give them a ride. They hopped in the car with strangers and off they went. They met a few people who got her settled into her room at the hospital and mentioned their dad was the pastor of a church near by and invited us to church the next morning for Easter Sunday.
After church a few people returned with a pair of shoes or a coat. I asked "where did you get that?" and they replied with "oh, the church gave it to us." When they realized the budget we live on and what we were doing they were surprised. Soon after, the church had invited us all, all 48 people, over for dinner that evening. All 48 of us walked to a small, beautiful church not far from our hostel. We were greeted with warm welcomes, a cozy dinner downstairs, and dessert of crepes! But there's more…
The church also provided us with coats, scarves, hats, gloves, clothes, boots, and shoes!! They collect things for the homeless and let us have a pick at their collection. Most everyone got what they needed. What a BLESSING!
It was AMAZING to see one kingdome serving another. All around the world kingdom is being manifested. It was also encouraging to see that we can be served too. As World Racers I think we often find that we are the ones always serving the church we are working with. But God wanted to show us that others want to serve us too. 48 people can be an intimidating number. But numbers didnt matter to this group of "Jesus'" (lets say). I say "Jesus'" because they showed me Jesus in the best way possible.
Since we are also the first squad to visit Latvia, it was also a great way to establish new contacts in the country. Hopefully squads in the future will be able to experience similar surroundings.
