On a journey...

Last night we joined with the ministry here as they reached out to the women who work on the streets. The team from here went to meet the women; we went out praying in the area. It was a powerful evening, and as we were walking the streets where the women also walk, so many things struck me and impacted my heart. This is such a stunning city in so many ways, and when you really look at the people (obviously without blatantly staring them in the face which might seem a tad threatening), they are so beautiful. They are unique and reflect the tender beauty of God, their Creator. I love that about different peoples- that each people group has different features that distinguishes them from others, yet makes them part of their people. However, as we were walking the area and praying, there were so many buildings so worn down and neglected. So much hopelessness was felt, and in some ways it felt like there is no hope for change. Yet, in the middle of the square you see the church. In...

This evening we went to hear a YWAMer speak at one of the churches here in Riga. It was such a breath of fresh air! After hearing and learning so much about trafficking and how to fight it and the complexity of it (which was what we tackled in our teaching time this morning), it was so refreshing to stop and just hear about Jesus. The speaker shared from his life and I am so in awe at how amazing God is. So much good stuff was shared, but my two highlights were: - You can lean into the character of God, and even if you’re not sure what He’s saying, you can be sure of who He is. - The purpose for why God has you where He has you is that it’s the place where you can grow the closest in friendship with Jesus. It was speaking my language! It’s all unto friendship with Jesus. It’s so simple, yet so profound. I am praying and thinking a lot these days about my purpose and role and what I’m going to be “doing” in Amsterdam after Shine ends. And so tod...

Today was such a good day. I had a good chat with a friend at a French kafejnīca (café) where I had a mug of coffee and milk and a pastry with banana and cream (which was more like a cheese texture). It was interesting. Not too convinced about the banana-in-pastry flavour, but it was nice to try something different. After coffee I strolled down Dzirnavu iela to go to the Tiger store where you can get really cheap nice things. I got a present for one of the students whose birthday it is today and then walked back slowly, taking in the fact that I’m in Riga and feeling God’s heart and love for this city. In the afternoon I took the bus to the church where the team are staying to do a time of worship and intercession there. It was so powerful to be worshipping Jesus in the middle of the area where at night women are selling their bodies, drugs are being dealt, and lives are being destroyed night after night. Powerful to proclaim the Truth of who Jesus is over the area and pr...

After almost a year I’m back in Riga. Arriving on a grey and rainy day reminded me a little bit of what so many peoples lives here in the city look like. Hopeless and with so little joy. As we were briefing the team on what it’s like here, one of the things we were encouraged to do was smile. Smile at people on the streets. Smile at people on the bus. And watch for the response, or lack of it. It’s strange to be back. Yesterday we went immediately to the building most of the team are staying in. It’s right in the middle of the area where the women in prostitution are, and at night you can see them looking for work. The building belongs to the local Lutheran church which is located in a huge church building just across the street. The area is one of the darker areas of the city. Which is why it’s so powerful to be there and be light! After dinner and the Shine teaching session of the evening I went back to the apartment where the staff live as I was staying there. What a co...

I suddenly realised how long it’s been since I’ve blogged. And so much has happened. It feels like years since my life wasn’t consumed with the “Shine Seminar”, and it’s so funny to think that when I last wrote I hadn’t even met the Shine students or felt how it feels to be full-time doing this. It’s been intense. Intensely good, intensely challenging, overwhelming at times, but I think the conclusion (at least sitting here reflecting) is that it’s been great to partner with God in this. Hearing stories and being a part of the journey. One of my highlights these past weeks has definitely been to hear stories of what God has done and is doing. Getting to know the students that have been doing Shine and getting to journey with them for these six weeks has been such a privilege. I love hearing stories and seeing where people are headed on their unique journeys. Beauty and loving. The speakers of Shine have all had different journeys- some with God, most in the area of fighti...