First Revival Steps
It is hard to imagine that we have already been in Riga for a month! It seems that it was just yesterday that we
gathered up our luggage and boarded the plane. These first four weeks have truly been busy, eventful weeks. Much has happened that will become the foundation for revival in this city!
God has blessed us with a great apartment in a very busy part of the outskirts of the main city. Our home has a very large, open living room which is very conducive to be able to facilitate house church and various other gatherings. We believe that God opened the door here at just the right time! The first week was spent in very intense cleaning, and getting the necessities to set up the house. Needless to say, that time was exhausting, but we are now so very excited at the prospect of what God will do here in our home as we reach out to people.
God has brought together an incredible team here to begin laying the foundation for the revival that He has in
store. In addition to Missionaries Mark & Robin Shutes, there are 12 AIMers (7 Long-term & 5 Short-term) along with Mark Shutes' brother Nathan, and his family, who are a part of the team as well. These people bring varied backgrounds and experiences to the team, yet we all realize that God has brought us together for this mission.
The past two weeks have been filled with a time of intense training and team-building. We have spent time learning about the country of Latvia, its culture, history and its language. We have also focused a great deal of time in
spiritual training. Under the direction of Bishop Shutes, he has instilled in us Biblical principles and understanding that he has gleaned from his experiences in this region of the world as a missionary. There have been great awakenings within each of us of the gifts that God has placed in us that are at our disposal. Many great words of prophecy have gone forward giving us the confidence and confirmation of what God desires to do.
The immediate area of Riga has been divided into sub-regions. During the next year, each of these regions will see at least one house church planted and preparations made to see additional churches in the future. Nannette & I will be planting one of those churches in the Kenagrags region. We have already been able to make some initial contacts, and look forward to the doors of opportunity that God will set before us to meet many more. Being involved at this level will help us to be better prepared for the training that we will be involved in for the future, as well as establish a base for future house church plants!
In July, the Hall (main) Church will be launched, where we will all gather together for a celebration service. We
anticipate that many needs will be met, that mighty miracles will take place, and that countless souls will find a greater revelation of Jesus Christ in these services! In preparation for this launch, we are involved this week in a week of prayer and fasting. We are also conducting prayer walks throughout our particular region preparing the people for what God has in store. We ask that you would join with us this week believing that God is getting ready to do great things.
Next week begins our main thrust of outreach evangelism. The entire team will begin to target three of the six areas each week with street evangelism and music. These will certainly be exciting opportunities to touch the lives of people as we lead up to the opening of the Hall Church and also a Holy Ghost Rally scheduled in early August.
Special Financial Needs!
As we mentioned above, we will begin holding House Church in our apartment in the near future. Beginning this weekend, we will begin holding Sunday service with a portion of the team here as well. Because of this new addition to our responsibilities, we have some financial needs that were not a part of our original budget. Specifically we need to purchase items that are a necessary component of hosting successful services. We have an immediate need of a keyboard as well as some inexpensive folding chairs. We can accomplish this task with an amount of $1,000. If you would be willing to help us with this you can donate on our support page. Thank you for allowing God to use you in the work of reaching Riga!
Transportation! Please help us pray for a vehicle! We really need a small, inexpensive car to help us get around Latvia. This will especially be a great need in our travels in the near future. We are asking you to help us pray that God will supply something that will fit our limited budget. We believe He is able!
Monthly Support
Since our original budget was set nearly nine months ago, the US Dollar has lost about 15 - 20% against the Latvian Lat. This has resulted in a budget shortfall that could hinder our ability to complete our scheduled one-year term. We would ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with us financially to help us make up this shortfall. On our support page, you can find several different donation options that we have made available for your ease and convenience. Please be assured that any amount donated goes a long way toward us being able to meet the financial obligations that we face. We know that God will mightily bless your sacrifice of partnering with us.
Note! The Elkins did not request that I make an appeal on their behalf.
Please continue to PRAY for all our missionaries around the world!
It is hard to imagine that we have already been in Riga for a month! It seems that it was just yesterday that we
gathered up our luggage and boarded the plane. These first four weeks have truly been busy, eventful weeks. Much has happened that will become the foundation for revival in this city!God has blessed us with a great apartment in a very busy part of the outskirts of the main city. Our home has a very large, open living room which is very conducive to be able to facilitate house church and various other gatherings. We believe that God opened the door here at just the right time! The first week was spent in very intense cleaning, and getting the necessities to set up the house. Needless to say, that time was exhausting, but we are now so very excited at the prospect of what God will do here in our home as we reach out to people.
God has brought together an incredible team here to begin laying the foundation for the revival that He has in
store. In addition to Missionaries Mark & Robin Shutes, there are 12 AIMers (7 Long-term & 5 Short-term) along with Mark Shutes' brother Nathan, and his family, who are a part of the team as well. These people bring varied backgrounds and experiences to the team, yet we all realize that God has brought us together for this mission.The past two weeks have been filled with a time of intense training and team-building. We have spent time learning about the country of Latvia, its culture, history and its language. We have also focused a great deal of time in
spiritual training. Under the direction of Bishop Shutes, he has instilled in us Biblical principles and understanding that he has gleaned from his experiences in this region of the world as a missionary. There have been great awakenings within each of us of the gifts that God has placed in us that are at our disposal. Many great words of prophecy have gone forward giving us the confidence and confirmation of what God desires to do.The immediate area of Riga has been divided into sub-regions. During the next year, each of these regions will see at least one house church planted and preparations made to see additional churches in the future. Nannette & I will be planting one of those churches in the Kenagrags region. We have already been able to make some initial contacts, and look forward to the doors of opportunity that God will set before us to meet many more. Being involved at this level will help us to be better prepared for the training that we will be involved in for the future, as well as establish a base for future house church plants!
In July, the Hall (main) Church will be launched, where we will all gather together for a celebration service. We
anticipate that many needs will be met, that mighty miracles will take place, and that countless souls will find a greater revelation of Jesus Christ in these services! In preparation for this launch, we are involved this week in a week of prayer and fasting. We are also conducting prayer walks throughout our particular region preparing the people for what God has in store. We ask that you would join with us this week believing that God is getting ready to do great things.Next week begins our main thrust of outreach evangelism. The entire team will begin to target three of the six areas each week with street evangelism and music. These will certainly be exciting opportunities to touch the lives of people as we lead up to the opening of the Hall Church and also a Holy Ghost Rally scheduled in early August.
Special Financial Needs!
As we mentioned above, we will begin holding House Church in our apartment in the near future. Beginning this weekend, we will begin holding Sunday service with a portion of the team here as well. Because of this new addition to our responsibilities, we have some financial needs that were not a part of our original budget. Specifically we need to purchase items that are a necessary component of hosting successful services. We have an immediate need of a keyboard as well as some inexpensive folding chairs. We can accomplish this task with an amount of $1,000. If you would be willing to help us with this you can donate on our support page. Thank you for allowing God to use you in the work of reaching Riga!
Transportation! Please help us pray for a vehicle! We really need a small, inexpensive car to help us get around Latvia. This will especially be a great need in our travels in the near future. We are asking you to help us pray that God will supply something that will fit our limited budget. We believe He is able!
Monthly Support
Since our original budget was set nearly nine months ago, the US Dollar has lost about 15 - 20% against the Latvian Lat. This has resulted in a budget shortfall that could hinder our ability to complete our scheduled one-year term. We would ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with us financially to help us make up this shortfall. On our support page, you can find several different donation options that we have made available for your ease and convenience. Please be assured that any amount donated goes a long way toward us being able to meet the financial obligations that we face. We know that God will mightily bless your sacrifice of partnering with us.
Bro. Elkins is the former Foreign
Missions Director for the state of
Missouri. They are now serving as
AIMers in the country of Latvia in
Eastern Europe. Please keep them
in prayer. They are also in need of
financial support due to the devalued dollar against the Latvian lat and would appreciate any contributions to their mission.
Please continue to PRAY for all our missionaries around the world!
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