Labdien!

Hello friends!

I'm safe and sound here in Riga, Latvia! It's beautiful here, but really cold. It's been down to -6 degrees farenheit, which means I've had to wear about 6 layers plus my coat! It's pretty crazy. The city is beautiful, it's incredibly rich in architecture, and everything seems to have a story. It's funny because in America, everything is so new, all the buildings are modern, the streets are perfectly paved, etc. But here, all of the buildings have been around for ages, the streets are cobble stone, and there are lamp posts here that look like they could come straight out of Narnia. We've been expecting Mr. Tumnis to pop up somewhere ;)

Ministry here has looked quite different than when we were in Sydney. Because we have a contact here now, we have a pretty tight schedule of what we're doing everyday. It's different but good. We're working with the YWAM team here, and partnering with their ministry of Freedom 61, which ministers to the prostitutes in the area. They have a cafe that allows them to invite the girls for a cup of coffee and a welcoming chat. We've been going on lots of prayer walks at night which has been really good. It's been freezing and exhausting, but I think sometimes that's where God works the most--where you're at a point in time that you can't physically or emotionally do anything in your power to change the situation, God brings you through it. We've prayed for brothels, which are under the name of strip clubs or bars, because brothels are illegal here. The interesting thing is that street prostitution here is legal, so we've seen quite a few prostitutes walking around the streets at night. They area we've been praying in we've seen a lot of sketch things, like men in taxis waiting to deal drugs. It's been really eye opening because back in the states I'm so sheltered and I don't ever see things like this happening. It's a whole new world out there really. The other really cool thing we've been able to do is go to a day center for kids that have neglected or abuse backgrounds. The day center I went to is located in a 3 room apartment and is run by this incredible woman, Leeana, a pure Latvian woman! She watches kids 5 days a week for 8 hours a day. When I went, I went with Katie and Manu, and when we arrived, we helped her finish making dinner, then we all sat down with the kids and ate a meal together. It was incredible. Such a small thing, but it made me feel like I was at home, and I'm sure the kids felt that way too. Then we helped her clean the house a bit while trading off playing with the kids. The kids spoke a tiny bit of English, but not well enough to be able to effectively communicate with them. Somehow though, I was still able to understand them and feel their desperation for love and attention. I fell in love with 3 little girls named Laura, Elsa, and Patricia. They were the sweetest things and gave us hugs when we left. I'm excited to go back and spend more time with them. When we walked to the bus station after that day in the dark, I felt a sense of depression. I think God reminded me of times in my past where I struggled with depression and anxiety, and just a feeling of lonliness even when I was surrounded by people. Then I thought, this is what these kids must feel when they walk home, when they aren't at that day center. A lot of them come from terrible homes, so the day center is really the only happy place they can be. I prayed for them all the way home. God is in the process of breaking my heart for these children. It's hard but amazing.

That's what this week has looked like, and our team is really excited to see how God uses us to reach His people here.

In other news, the food here is amazing! We get fresh bread from a bakery every morning (which is like a dream to me) and the fruit here is so cheap and delicious. Food here in general is pretty inexpensive. I love it. It's been really fun to cook with Manu here. I feel fine eating really well here because we've been walking so much ;)

Another thing I'd like to share with you guys is just how much I've noticed my excitement for life since being on a DTS. When I was in high school, I was really just going through the motions and not craving to learn anything new, or experience anything new. But since being on my DTS, I'm so excited for my future. I'm excited to get back into school again and learn new things, I'm excited to one day have my own aparment and decorate pinterest style, and I'm excited for lots more things. I've decided I want to learn how to play some instruments, and I'm going to learn German as well, and I kind of want to learn how to beat box (I know, it sounds crazy), and how to do some accents well. I'm just excited for life! And I'm excited for God to be alongside with me the whole way :)

Well, it's time for me to sign out, but I'll talk to you soon. Love you heaps.
xoxo,
Laura.