****************************************************
This is the only way to describe what we have experienced during our first six months in Riga. Knowing that we walked into a country where the spirit of deception has bound the people for centuries, and seeing a brand new awakening has been nothing short of miraculous!
Another Awesome Month!It was hard for us to imagine that November could be more exciting than the previous months here in Riga...yet that is exactly what God had in store! Sadly, the month began with our son Korey, and another young man who had been here since late May, returning to the States. Both of these young men played a major role in the successes and impact that the team was able to make here in Latvia. we will continue to pray for them as they seek the will of God for their future. Following our House Church service one evening, a young couple was brought to us who were in desperate need of a miracle in their lives. Janis & Laura were an unmarried couple who were expecting the birth of their first  child in a couple of months. You could see the devastation on their faces as they shared the scope of their situation. Laura had tested positive for HIV and there was a fear that the child would have it as well. Our House Church group rallied around them and as we prayed, a tremendous presence of the Holy Ghost filled our apartment. We made arrangements to meet with them a few days later to teach them a Bible study. Two days later, I received a report that Laura had gone back to the doctor for a second test. This time the results showed that there was NO SIGN of any HIV in her system anywhere! The joy on their faces when we met with them the following day was incredible. We taught them on the plan of salvation, we baptized them in Jesus' Name and Janis was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost!And the story doesn't end there! The next night they were in attendance at our Hall Church service. The presence of God was so rich as Janis & Laura both soaked it in. Following service, Janis asked me if I could marry them. As we were leaving for the States in a week, whirlwind preparations began to take place in order to bring this joyous occasion together. The following Sunday evening, the first portion of our regular Worship Service was set aside for their wedding. They had several guests in attendance to share in the joy, and many of them stayed for the  duration of our abbreviated service that followed. Two of their friends were in attendance at our House Church meeting the following Tuesday, they were filled with the Holy Ghost this past Sunday, and were baptized this past Tuesday! God has truly opened the floodgates and we are preparing for a sweeping revival in Riga! By the way...in the midst of that hectic week of wedding preparations, Laura gave birth to a healthy, yet slightly premature baby boy! We can only surmise that he was just so excited that he didn't want to miss out on everything that was going on!November brought a new chapter in our Riga Hall Church. We held our last service in the old, historical Anglican Church building. In order to facilitate a more suitable meeting time, we sought a  new facility so that we could hold afternoon worship services. God opened another miraculous door in providing a wonderful meeting hall which is very modern as well as offering a place to hold children's services at the same time as we are ministering to the adults. In just four short months since we launched public services here in Riga, we have seen 16 people baptized and 12 have been filled with the Holy Ghost. When you consider the culture and the history of this country, these numbers are nothing short of astounding. We are beginning to see the foundation laid in the lives of these people that God will build a strong church upon. As we continue to teach, train and mentor these nationals in preparation for them to begin to evangelize and reach out to their fellow countrymen, God is doing mighty miracles in their lives.The team has begun holding weekly Bible Studies in a conference room that is supplied at the local Red Cross building that serves as a shelter. The first meeting had 15 locals in attendance, and the anticipation is that this number will grow in the weeks that follow. This will prove to be the foundation for another new House Church group to be birthed. Ministry opportunities are becoming abundant as God shows favor on the sacrifice that has gone forth. A Brief Pause...We have currently returned to the States for a few weeks in order to solidify and increase our level of financial support. Upon our planned return to Latvia in mid-January, we will go full force into the preparation of launching Bible School programs throughout Europe and the Middle East. Traditionally, the end of the year is a time when many people are looking for an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation. We would ask that you prayerfully consider making a one-time or partnering with us on a monthly basis. Our return to Riga is dependent upon our raising a substantial level of support. If you would like to join with us, please visit the support page of our website and find everything you need there to make a HUGE difference in the lives of many people! We appreciate your consideration in this matter. Doug and Nannette Elkins AIMers to Latvia  |
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment