Merry California Christmas!

Hope your holidays are bright! Here we are at our home in California for a cozy Christmas. For New Years we will be with relatives in Southern California. Looking forward to the Missions Conference in Murrieta January 2-4. May the Lord continue to direct our steps to Latvia in the new year! More soon...

December Prayer Requests

1. We are waiting on God to open the door in His timing
2. Need several documents to get legal permission to live and minister in Latvia
3. Financial provision – (still need commitment of about $1500 monthly)
4. God’s provision for housing that is affordable and allows for a home fellowship

Counting the Costs

How much will it cost? According to the Latvian Embassy, foreign religious workers must be fully supported from outside of Latvia with a minimum of $900 per adult and $550 per child. Before we can move to Latvia, we need to raise $2,900 a month for ministry and living expenses.

• Latvian Language Lessons 320
• Bibles, Christian Books, Tracts 80
• Music Ministry Equipment 100
• Hospitality / Ministry Meals 100
• Apartment Rent and Utilities 1000
• Family’s needs (food, clothes, etc) 550
• Transportation / Gas 300
• Furlough Account / Airfare 250
• Medical Insurance / checkups 200
• TOTAL PER MONTH $2,900

But more than financial support, we need your prayer support to make all this possible. If you would like to support us, please send in the enclosed response card ASAP. Thank you for your care and support!

HOW YOU CAN SEND SUPPORT:
Make checks payable to “Calvary Chapel”
Do NOT write Latvia or Powers on the check.
Include a separate note that this is for the Powers mission to Latvia
Send the note with your check to:
Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay
3001 Monterey-Salinas HWY
Monterey, CA 93940

Seeing the Multitudes

Matthew 9:36 "But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd."
Latvia is a small developing country in Eastern Europe. Since the Iron Curtain fell 15 years ago, few missionaries have worked in Latvia. It was the poorest country to join the European Union in 2004. There are no Calvary Chapels and few pastors are equipped to teach God’s word. Russian is commonly spoken but Latvians are more open when speaking Latvian. Only 2% go to church. The more we learn of Latvia the more we are moved with compassion.
How did our preparatory trip go?
Our summer trip to Latvia helped us get oriented with the culture and spiritual needs of the people. We were able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in Russian with all kinds of people who did not know Him. We met Christian friends who are hungry for God’s word, worship, prayer and fellowship. We also made important contacts who will help us get official residency and religious workers permits.
What do they need now?
1) To hear the gospel of Christ in their own language.
2) To know Spirit-filled Christians who love them.
3) A Bible church that equips disciples for ministry.
Vision for Church Planting:
We hope to move to the Riga area in January 2007. While it is winter we can get settled, begin studying the Latvian language and start a home fellowship. We are called to make disciples by teaching God’s word. As the church grows, nationals will be equipped for ministry. When the weather warms up, we can do more evangelistic outreaches like outdoor concerts, and street witnessing and children’s festivals. I would love to raise up a praise band for church services and outreach concerts.

Missionaries On The Move

Powers' Latvia Video

Click here to see our short Latvia video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNFAOolQpt0

Why Latvia?

Calling. Because our Lord is specifically calling us to Latvia as missionaries, we must follow Him and preach His word as He leads. Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 16:9, 1Corinthians 9:16, 2Timothy 4:1-2
Compassion. Because our Savior is giving us compassion for the lost, we want to help them find Jesus. They need to hear the gospel. They also need churches where they can learn the Word of God and grow in their walks with Jesus Christ by the power of His Spirit. Jn 3:16, Act 2:47, Rom 1:16, Eph 4:15, 1Ptr 2:2, 2Ptr 3:18
Opportunity. Because God is opening the door, we can reach more Russian speakers in the former USSR. Christians in Latvia are inviting us to come and help plant churches. Our home church is willing to send us. Supporters like you make it possible.
Acts 1:8, Acts 13:1-3, Col 4:3, 1Cor 16:9, 2Cor 9:12, Rev 3:8

3 Key Ministries

We continue to pray for and about Latvia. I still believe that we will be moving there in January although the business of life in America has slowed down the preparation process. We need to communicate our vision and raise support to return. We are getting clearer vision about what we are called to do, and how we can use our gifts to penetrate the Latvian culture with the gospel: the keys are 1. Language, 2. Music, 3. Family.

1. LANGUAGE. We speak Russian, we want to begin taking Latvian lessons when we return so that by the time summer comes we can share the Word of God in the language most people use and build more relationships with Latvians as well as Russians.
2. MUSIC. I am called to minister through music, both to the Lord and to people. I believe the Lord loves the musical expression of his people to him. I hope to encourage other musicians to use their gifts for God's glory, form a praise band, record original Latvian praise songs and do outreach concerts in various places.
3. FAMILY. Since God has called my family, we want to be used as an example of the kindness of Christ by showing hospitality and opening our home for fellowship, Bible study and prayer. Starting a home fellowship and having friends over is a good way to build the church in Latvia.

For these three ministries, we will need to raise monthly financial support: for language lessons, for music equipment, for rental of an adequate home for my family and home fellowship ministry. Would you support us financially? Checks can always be sent to Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay, 3001 Monterey-Salinas HwyMonterey, CA 93940. Just add a note that it is for our mission to Latvia.

Finally, prayer will help us to achieve our mission, may God help us become fluent in Latvian, may God be glorified through the music of His people and draw many to himself, may God make our family a shining example of being doers of His Word. Would you support us in your prayers?

Latvia is on the forefront of our minds and prayers - so much so that God is reminding me to seek His face alone first of all. I have to ask, "What are is God trying to say to me personally?" not just, "What about Latvia?" If we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, then everything we need will be added to us. We don't need to worry or be anxious about tomorrow. We are more valuable to Him than the birds or the lilies. (Mat 6) It's always best to fix our eyes on the Lord, the author and perfecter of our faith. So, what is the Lord speaking to you?

Would you pray for us?

• Praise God for our productive trip last month . . . Several people were receptive to God's word; Christians were encouraged and the lost heard the gospel. Also, we have a few offers from Christian organizations for the invitation letter that we would need to move there to begin planting a church. Praise God that He spoke to our hearts and confirmed our calling with open doors and love for Latvia.
• Please pray for our time here in the USA . . .
  1. For our walks with God. That we would seek first God's kingdom and hear God clearify our calling that we may run in His will.
  2. For time to prepare and to present our vision to the church. We have been kind of overwhealmed getting back into our busy American lives, I haven't been able to write a newsletter or make a DVD to inform supporters about our vision.
  3. For financial provision. We will need $3000 per month for our family and all our ministry goals for 2007. Praise the Lord for already providing for our airfare and start up costs. We are hoping to sell our car here and use that money to buy a van in Latvia.
• Pray for our future work in Latvia . . .
  1. Latvian Language. For a good Latvian tutor to teach us this winter so that we can penetrate the Latvian culture in the spring and summer.
  2. Home Fellowship. That we would find an affordable house with a yard for our family to rent in Jurmala that we can use for hospitality, fellowship, BIble studies and prayer meetings.
  3. Music Ministry. For musicians to be prepared to form a praise band for outreaches and worship services. I hope to visit the Bible College in Hungary to find co-laborers in this ministry. Latvians and Russians really respond to music. Pray that God uses us to call and equip Latvian and Russian musicians to make music that glorifies Him in their own languages.
  
  

Sharing Time

For those of you who live in the Monterey area, we would like to share with you personally about our trip to Latvia. Some things happened that we couldn't write on the blog, and we'd like to update you about our vision for reaching Latvia. This Thursday, August 31, 7:30 at our house in Marina, you are invited to come, listen, ask questions, see pictures and maybe video from the mission field. Call for directions, 883-8315. If you think God might be calling you to be a missionary, I encourage you to come, perhaps God would speak to you about His will for YOUR life too. (:

Back Home

(August 21) We just returned to the Monterey Bay from our exploratory mission trip to Latvia. We believe God is calling us to move to Latvia and begin church planting as soon as possible. Lena is excited to return and loves Latvia too. For the last year God has been speaking to her about her calling as a missionary. Now that we are back in Monterey, we are getting things in order so we may leave.

Thoughts on the journey home

After four weeks, we are on our way home from our exploratory mission trip to Latvia. I hope to share with all my friends what God revealed our hearts as we stepped out in faith. He has confirmed in our hearts, that He has called us to be His missionaries and He has shown us the that He is calling us to. He has given us a love for the country of Latvia and people of Latvia. We made good contacts among Christian leaders which will definitely help to open doors for moving there in the near future. Lena and I are both excited to return to Latvia as soon as possible.

We have been reminded that we can trust Him fully and completely with our lives and He knows just how to lead us. He gently leads those who are with young. We are encouraged to follow Him, to delight ourselves in Him and he will give us the desires of our heart. It's worth it to not just be a hearer of His word, but a doer of it; we are followers of Christ, we are learning how to be lead by the Holy Spirit. What a joy it is to be disciples of Jesus!

Evangelical Connections

Last Tuesday, I went to a prayer meeting for Christian leaders from different evangelical churches. As we prayed for the different ministries of those who attended that they would be fruitful, God gave me an encouraging word from

Isaiah 55, For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Like rain the word is sent from heaven and falls down on different locations, it trickles down from the high places and off of the rocky ground into the soft soil, that is where fruit comes from. Many will hear the Word, it will roll off the hard hearted and it will soak into the soft hearted. ---------
After the prayer meeting, Vadim, the leader of the Evangelical alliance, invited me to visit him in the city of Ogre to talk about how churches can work together. ----------
Saturday, we found a shuttle to Ogre to meet Vadim at a local outreach he organised. A group of Christians from different churches were reading the whole New Testament through a loudspeaker in the public square all weekend. Vadim and his wife invited us to their offices and we talked about our common desire to see churches planted in Latvia. He isn't able to help with official invitations by the Evangelical alliance but he introduced me to another pastor who had some information about other documents needed for missionaries from the States. I will be meeting with Vadim again tommorow.
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Another day I took a 3 hour bus trip to Liepia on the west coast to meet and encourage a Russian pastor who has hosted a couple of CC mission teams, we had a good talk about the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit for ministry. He was excited that the Lord was calling us here and he said that Latvia really needs Calvary Chapels to be planted. While we were having tea at his house, he called another brother named Vitalii Andreic on the phone who is organizing a course called CP21 "Church planting for the 21 century" and recommended we meet. --------- So the next day, back in Riga, Lena and I had his family over for tea, I shared how we planted churches in Ukraine and he shared about their plan to equip new pastors to plant churches in the outer regions of Latvia surrounding Rigas Region. It turned out he still needed a teacher for the topic of evangelism. I said, "that's my favorite subject", so he asked me if I would teach it. It would require traveling 1 to 4 hours from Riga to Liepia (west), Jelgava (South), Daugavspils (South-East) and Valka (North-East). I said, I am very interested. So he is wating to hear back from me about when we will be returning, so he could schedule a month for me to teach.

Open doors?

It's amazing to see the opportunities that are unfolding as we explore and meet different people here in Latvia. I've been to a few different cities, praying about where the Lord would want us in the future, but at this point it seems things are opening up for us to move to the capitol.
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There is an apartment not too far from the center which we may rent starting in January '07. They are asking about $600 a month for a 2 bedroom/1 bath on the 6th floor (they converted the attic of an old building into a nice new apartment with vaulted ceilings and skylights). It's not the best neighborhood but there is a fenced in backyard where kids could play and space to park a car. There is a mini market on the first floor and bus stops a block away. This may be a stratigic location for our missionary family to host home Bible Studies and reach out to the Russian community.
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This weekend we are meeting with other CC missionaries who have been in Russia but they are praying about moving to Riga in 2007. If we share the same vision for starting CC in Latvia, we may work together as a team. Please pray that God would make it clear how we are to pioneer a new work here.

Update for prayer supporters

We are in our 3rd out of 4 weeks in Riga, Latvia and we praise God for how things are progressing.

In the beginning most of our energy was consumed by jet lag and finding groceries and things that were unexpected needs (crib for Lily, plastic bath tub for Caleb, cell phones for me and Lena). But we had help from our friend Dagnia from Carmel Valley and her roommate Ilze (two Latvian-American Christian women who have helped us get our feet on the ground. )

Now that we are figuring out the bus routes and shuttle schedules, we are able to get out and about more and fill in our schedule with meeting more people and getting acquainted with the cultural context that we hope to minister in in the future.

God has given us several divine appointments and are looking forward to next week being even more fruitful. I have been able to witness to all kinds of people: Russian Orthodox babushkas (Grandmas), A gypsy couple by the trainstation, teenage Latvians by McDonalds, British tourists, Mormon neighbors outside our apartment, a potential landlord, taxi drivers, people we sat next to on the bus, or met in the park. I've visited churches ranging from traditional Baptists, to hyper Charismatics, to a non denominational church somewhere inbetween. I have met with missionaries from India, Philippines, Canada, USA, Ukraine and Russia. Lena and I are praying about all the advice we've received; about where the Lord might want us to go and and how to start and who we should work with. I am learning about how to get residency permits to be able to live here year round.

We definitely see the Lords hand in preparing us for this trip and using this trip to prepare the ground for future church planting in Latvia. He is showing us that there is a need for balanced churches with sound doctrine and the power of the Spirit.

Please pray with us for

• confirmation that we are to move to Riga in January, we are all willing and believe that this is how God is leading us. The question is not so much "if" but "when" concerning our future in Latvia. We have some ideas of who we might work with, where we may live, how we may start but we need the Lord to show us what is of Him and what is not.
• about where and with whom we would start out. We were advised to be invited by a local church and work partially with them. There is a possibility to work with another non-denominational church in Riga and Jurmala for our first year as we learn Latvian and learn from them so we don't make the same mistakes they made when starting out here. We will go to meet with this missionary team in Jurmala on Wednessday. We have also hit it off with the leader of the evangelical aliance who has invited us to align with them when we start a church and possibly help in interdenominational outreach as there are open doors for the Bible teachers in public schools throughout Latvia. There are some penticostal and charismatic churches that I don't see ourselves working with because of the "word of faith" doctrine and the "toronto blessing" that we don't agree with. We need to meet with the Baptist Union to see how flexible they are with inviting others to start non-traditional churches.
• Also pray for more opportunities to preach the gospel during this next week. I will visit a couple other towns and churches and feel led to take my guitar out to the streets again.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers,

Brenten

Seeds sown in Lithuania

The trip to Lithuania was fruitful, I think. So far I thing the important things the Lord wanted to do were the following:
1. Oksana was encouraged by the Christian fellowship and with the Bible Study from Ephesians about who we are now in Christ in contrast when we were like the rest of the world.
Eph 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
2. Her father drove us to the Hill of Crosses after dinner and I was able to preach/share the reason why Jesus died on the cross. He was listened and took time to process it. 1Cr 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
3. Oksana's mother and I talked about the tension between Russian speakers and Lithuanian speakers. I was able to share about the example of Christ in humbling himself to relate to us and how following Him helps us in intercultural relationships. Phl 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"
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Hopefully I was a good example to them and the seeds of God's word that were sown will grow as they are processed in the hearts my friends in Lithuania. I believe there souls are important to the Lord and he brought me there to minister to them. Praise the Lord that I was able to speak almost completely in Russian while with Oksana's parents. She only needed to translate a few words and phrases.
On a more humbling note, I know that I stood out like a sore thumb as Oksana showed me around her city, people were staring at me because I was speaking English with Oksana, taking pictures in the interesting market place and I just plain look different.
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Check out my Lithuania photo album at http://community.webshots.com/album/552858678GLIBbo

Important trip to Lithuania

Tomorrow I am going to visint a friend in Lithuania. Oksana attended CCMB (Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay) and is originally from Lithuania and was in Monterey for a few years as a MIIS student (Monterey Institute of International Studies) and then teacher of ESL (English as a Second Language). She stayed with the Perryman family and just recently returned home to LT (Lithuania). Since we were going to be 2 hours away, she invited us to come visit her while she is with her parents in Siauliai (pronounced showlay) which is only a couple ours by bus from Riga Latvia. I was encouraged by Janet Scalice, our pastors wife, not to pass on that invitation because the Lord is going to do something important. I wrote her to encourage her about re-entry shock, which we experienced some of this when we returned to California from Ukraine. She replied:

Thank you SO MUCH for writing to me. Yes, I miss my life in America and my dear, dear friends over there, especially having NO friends here, in Shiauliai, where my parents live. I have my friends and church in Klaipeda, where I will be moving to sometime in August and starting my teaching. In the meantime, I am getting over re-entry shock, which has been quite mild in comparison with what other people have experienced. I do like being at home, but I long for some real Christian fellowship.

Lena and the kids will stay in Riga, Latvia. It would be too much traveling for them and it took long enough for our little ones to adjust to staying in this apartment in Riga. Isa 40:11 "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd... and shall gently lead those that are with young."

The plan is to take the bus Wednessday from 8:30am to 10:30am. Oksana will meet me at the bus station and show me around her town, have some Lithuanian cuisine for lunch, in the afternoon I will help her and her mom cook dinner, her dad comes home from work at 5pm. Pray for an opportunity to witness to her folks. They will have questions about why I came - that can be a great starting point for the gospel. After dinner, he may drive us to the Hill of Crosses. It's this famouse site where everyone comes and lays a cross on a huge pile of other crosses. Find out why here http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/siauliai/en/feature?id=55808 . Then I will spend the night at a hotel, breakfast included for about $50 and return to Latvia on Thursday by bus.

I am looking foward to seeing Lithuania and being used to bless others there. I know Oksana, her parents and whoever else I meet are important to the Lord, He loves them and wants to bless them. Act 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord"

New Photo Albums

We have lots more pictures posted at our webshots album for those of you interested in seeing more! While you are there, check out our other albums.

Correction about Invitations

I also had an encourageing informative conversation about invitation letters with the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) couple who took the Pittsburg team to the airport. I said "I heard only the Jews, Orthodox, Catholic, Lutherns or Baptist Union are able to invite long term foreign missionaries. " They answered, "You have been misinformed. Accually any 'registered religous entity' [a church or organisation registered in Latvia] may write invitation letters. We have done it." YWAM Latvia usually only does it for other YWAM missionaries. But, they advised, develop a good trusting relationship with an existing church that may write the invitation letter. I asked, "Would it be better if it was in the same town we would live in?" Answer: Yes because you might run into problems if you ministered in a city that was different then the one you were invited to. However, we will be asked, "Why Riga?" Is it because it's more comfortable than the villages? What about many towns and villages in Latvia where there is just an old Baptist church or Orthodox church, if they want a another kind of church, it's too far and expensive to travel to Riga." They challenged us, "Pray about going outside of Riga". I told her, "we will pray and look into other places, but in the end we have to go where God leads us." So far we are drawn to Riga because there are a million people here out of the 2.5 Million in the whole country of Latvia.

Calvary connections

More devine appointments today, I met with a team from Calvary Chapel Pittsburg and Fredricktown at the end of their 10 day mission trip and was encouraged by the YWAM missionaries that hosted them.

Background: When I first researched Latvia last year, I searched online for "Calvary Chapel" and "Latvia" and found this page about a couple Calvarys who teamed up and took a couple short trips and through YWAM to a Russian Baptist church in the city of Liepia (about 3 hour drive from Riga). So I emailed the pastor and called a couple team members, told them about our plans and found out they were planning to go about the same time. So we said, "Maybe we can meet in Riga on our last day".

This morning the Lord reminded me - Today is their last day! So, I called YWAM to find out where the team from CC Pitsburg and Fredricktown were, I found out they were on their way to the airport. So I jumped in a taxi hoping to see them there (it's a small airport). Timing couldn't have been better, I helped them bring their luggage from their van to the check in counter and spent almost an hour talking with them about what we were doing in Latvia. They had helped a small Russian church with outreach and a Vacation Bible School. Pastor John had done an Inductive Bible Study training with Sergei the Russian pastor, trying to help him to feed the sheep better, not just talking about current events and opinions but digging into the word of God. To those who had been their on previous trips, they seemed a little discouraged at the lack of progress and growth compared with 3 years ago.

They suggested I visit Liepia and encourage pastor Sergei, which I was already interested in doing, but now I see the Lord opening the door. Also seeing them off at the airport was a Russian girl (I'm sorry I forgot her name) who helped translate for the team and has been living in Liepia as a missionary sent from Calvary Chapel Smolensk, Russia. She got my email address and will, talk with Sergei about what day I could come. By the way, her pastor back in CC Smolensk Russia is praying about leading his family to Riga, Latvia to plant a church here too. Perhaps the Lord is preparing a team???

Issues for long term missionaries

Thursday, I met with Bridge Builders president Chuck Kelley - an evangelical organisation building relationships mostly between churches in Latvia and the USA. The main thing I wanted to do was make contact and ask about the invitation letters .
We had some things in common, He accually was at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in the seventies during the tent days, is friends with Thomas Kinkade, has visited Monterey and has fascilitated a sister church relationship between a Calvary in Southern California and I think a Baptist Church here.
As far as who can issue invitation letters for religious residency permits, Bridge Builders cannot. According to Chuck, only registered religious confessions can: Baptist, Lutherin, Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish. [see the next post for what others say about this issue] So, what does that mean? Latvia makes it difficult for new groups/movements/churches to come in (at least officially for a long period of time). We can be here for up to 6 months a year freely (3 months between Jan-June, 3 months between July-Dec), but to be here year round, we need a residency permit. There are other kinds of residency permits like for business and such. It might be a possibility to work (whether money can be made is questionable) but if I have a trade it might open the door year round - with strings attached.
But my desire is to be free to focus on building up the body of Christ and my family, to pour my self out into reaching lost souls and discipling new believers and still have enough time and energy for daily necessities. The Baptists have helped others with the invitations provided that they approve of the work that is being reported to them. Perhaps some relationship building in this direction would be fruitful.

Please continue to pray for God's will concerning the invitation letter and future ministry here.

If it is God's will for us to be here long term as Missionaries, then He will open the door as we pray. I believe that God has been preparing us for this place for a long time. There hasn't really been any culture shock, it feels more like home. We have some really good connections so far and there is definitely a need for pastors, church plantors and evangelists. God may be putting together a team (there is another family who is praying about moving here from a Calvary Chapel in Russia). He has given us a heart for both the Russian people and the Latvian people. It is very helpful to already be semi-fluent in Russian as most of the people we meet can speak Russian, but many Latvians want to speak Latvian (which we are beginning to learn). It is interesting that children are required to learn English in school as a second language, but they also have the choice between Russian and German as a third.
Anyway, my time is running out...

I just want to add that I have been able to bring my guitar on the street and play worship in english and Russian but mostly being friendly has opened doors to preach the gospel. It is sad how many people there are who have no idea how to get to heaven, much less how God wants them to live here. However I would encourage you to read recent news articles about how Latvians are standing up against the homosexual agenda.

More soon, and keep praying for latvia!

I started a photo collection at http://www.trekearth.com/members/brentenlena/photos/ (I can only upload one a day).

Ministry Beginnings in Riga, Latvia

Friday Morning I was wide awake at 3 am so I decided to have devotions. It was a good time in the word, I read about the temptation of Christ in the desert and the beginning of His ministry in Galilee. Comparing all the gospel accounts it was interesting to see how Jesus did not sin against the word of God as he answered each temptation with “it is written”, and when He went to Galilee he fulfilled Scripture “A light will shine in Galilee…” As we are just beginning here, I want to be obedient to the word of God, like Jesus was. I want to fulfill God’s plan for me by letting my light so shine before men and lead my family where he has foreordained that we should walk.
Later, we all had breakfast together and after Lily’s morning nap, we went out for a walk together to town (about a 30 minute walk), I took Lena to the center and we had lunch at TGIF and watched people walking by. And were getting familiar with where things were. After the kid’s napped, We found a good grocery store called Rimi, I felt like we were in an American grocery store because of the variety, abundance and organization of all the food, they even had cream cheese for Caleb.
The phone situation was kind of disappointing. We have a phone jack in our apartment but no phone, and the landlord said it will be impossible for us to have a working line there because we are foreigners. I was able to make a call from the landlords office but Dagnia was not home so I left a message inviting her to come over at 8pm for prayer and fellowship. Around 8, I went out to find a pay phone and call Dagnia to invite them out to lunch the next day, She informed me that she couldn’t come but her room-mate Ilza was on her way over to our apartment to meet us.
Ilza is Latvian-American (she grew up in the States and learned Latvian from her parents). It was good to hear her share her perspective about what is going on spiritually here, and how there is not really a church that she feels comfortable inviting people to. She was really interested to hear how God lead us here and what our vision was for church planting. It is good to have another friend who speaks English and Latvian and we are glad the Lord led her to come over to our house without even knowing us. She is a good contact and continues to show us around, help us find important things, answer questions and if she doesn’t know, she can connect us with people who do.

Saturday, we went out to lunch with Dagnia, William and Ilza at Chili Pizza, it was Latvian style pizza, but not bad. We got to know them a little more and decided to get together in the evening for our first home fellowship. It was a special worship and prayer time. I led worship, we interceded for Latvia and at the end they prayed specifically for Lena and me. God gave them each an encouraging word concerning our mission in Latvia, which they later wrote down for us to keep. Here is what they wrote:

Dagnia – Prayer and Exhortation

Do not dispise the day of small beginnings. Not only does this mean that you are
starting our here but also your children. They have been called here; watch them
as the Lord uses them. They are anointed.

William - Prophecy for Brenten and Lena

You are like a tank; strong, powerful, going into enemy territory, taking ground,
possessing the land. God is your protection – he is your Shield, when you go
through the rough ground (enemy fire) It will not harm you, you think it might
but it won’t. Trust Him. It is “not by might nor by power but by My Spirit” says
the Lord.

Ilsa - Heb 3:17-19 Amplified version

Though th fig tree does not blossom and there is not fruit on the vines [though] the product of the olive fails and the field yield not food, though the flock is cut off from
the fold and there are no cattle in the stable, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hind feet and will make me to walk [not stand still in terror but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering or responsibility]

God is putting you into turbo gear to get “up the mountain” You are (on) an all terrain vehicle. He’s called you to go on rough terrain (barren lava like, lifeless) but you are WELL EQUIPPED. The 4 wheels = all the members of your family.
Worship is the key! He makes your feet like hinds feet on high places. Meditate on the “lava terrain” I think there’s more there…

Now in Riga, Latvia

We have arived in Latvia and are getting over jet lag, getting aquainted with where things are and meeting with a few Latvian-Americans who are being a huge help as far as orientation. We don't have a telephone or internet in our apartment, so I will try to update you from internet cafes. For those of you who are praying, keep it up, God is giving us firm steps to take as we step out in faith. Hopefully I will learn how to post pictures from here soon.

I am glad we are only in London one night - they are having a heat wave. Travels are going well though. The Lena and the kids are in bed at a hotel and I am sitting in a British grocery store that has an internet cafe near the daiper isle! Can't wait to get to Riga tomorrow and begin to see the reality of what is going on there. We will be visiting some other ministries, to see what they are doing. We will be meeting with other ministers to learn what they say the needs are. We will be seeking the Lord to see what our role will be in the short and long term. And we will be looking for opportunities everywhere we go to be a blessing and minister as the Spirit leads.

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. "
Ephesians 4:15-16

Today is the day we leave home for Latvia. We are flying British Airways directly from San Francisco to London, then after a good night sleep there, our flight to Riga, Latvia. We will arrive in Riga at 2:55 pm. We have a friend picking us up at the airport, Dagna Duran (more about her later). She will take us to get the keys for our apartment that we are renting. You can see it at www.megapolis.lv/?path=1,102&detail=42

Please pray for our trip that it would go smoothly for the kids and that God would prepare our hearts for what He is about to do. Thank you all for your support! Stay tuned....

Pastor Roger has been supportive of us going to Latvia - even before he became the senior pastor at CCMB 4 months ago. He has been a mentor to me ever since I assisted him as he taught a Missions class last fall when God began calling us to Latvia. We actually had dinner at his house last night along with his fellow missionary from the Philippines, Dave Matthews (not the musician). We enjoyed sharing fellowship and stories and Janet's cooking. At the end the men went into the kitchen and washed dishes and laughed as he sang "if you want to be great in God's kingdom, learn to be the servant of all". He reminded me of how fruitfulness comes from spending time with people not just creating a storm of activity and then leaving. It takes time to see peoples lives change radically. The best method for church planting is feeding the sheep the Word of God and exampling (is that a word?) the Biblical Christian life until they get it and begin modeling it to their own people. "Healthy sheep beget healthy sheep." That is when you know you are done, but it takes years.
We are blessed to have a senior pastor who was a missionary in the Philippines for 13 years. He often emphasizes missions in a very dynamic and encouraging way. Last Sunday he concluded teaching though the gospel of Mark. The call to "Go preach the gospel to all" was made simple and practical, "Are you at least available to go, if God should call you?" And this Sunday, he started the book of Acts "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." "Acts is about first century missions," he said "A missionary is someone who is willing and trusts God to go where the Spirit leads". These aren't exact quotes but you get the idea. The timing couldn't be better as we leave this Tuesday for Latvia, God is definitely using pastor Roger to impart faith and vision for the future to us and to the rest of the gang at CCMB. In the words of William Carey, "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."

Today, during the second service, Pastor Roger Scalice brought us before the body at Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay and prayed for us along with 2 other missionaries who are going out soon. It is good for the body to be aware that God is sending people all over the world from our local fellowship.
1. Karen Morgan is going to Uganda (Africa) for 2 or more years as a medical missionary. God provided a grant for her to work in a TB lab and she will also be plugging into a local church and women's ministry teaching God's word.
2 . Jason Krach is going to an island in China (Asia) for a couple weeks to get vision for what he will be doing when he moves there in January 2007.
3. The Powers family (us) will be going to Latvia (Europe) for a month to establish contacts for church planting and to preach the gospel. We hope to build good relationships with the people and see some get saved! (:

When are we leaving for Latvia? Tuesday, July 18th. Only 2 days left to get ready and pack for our mission trip. Lena is excited, Caleb is talking about living in Latvia and building a church there (out of legos), I can't wait, Lily is ready for anything. What is God going to do? How will He work in us? through us? inspite of us? Will we go through culture shock? Will we feel right at home? Who will we work with? Who will we reach? Our desire is to be lead by the Spirit on this trip.
"For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that he has prepared that we should walk in." Ephesians 2:10
"You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you and appointed you that you should go and bear much fruit... fruit that will remain." John 15
Lord of Heaven and Earth, please increase our faith, increase our prayers, increase Your kingdom. Let the prayers of the saints undergird all we do. The effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much. Let us be a family of prayer, let us be an answer to prayer for those who you love in Latvia and Lithuania. Bring your light, your truth, your hope those in darkness, deception and dispair. Let Your Word find good soil and produce fruit that will remain. Fill us to overflowing with your Spirit. Take our lives and let them be, consecrated Lord to thee. And Thank you for the grace that you have given us, for providing all of our needs, for giving us glad hearts to serve you. You are good and your love endures!

Basic Facts About Latvia
LOCATION: Latvia is in North-Eastern Europe on the Baltic Sea next to Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus.

CAPITOL CITY: Riga (with almost 1 million poeple)

POPULATION: 2.3 Million; about 1/2 ethnic Latvians, 1/3 ethnic Russians. 1/6 other nationalities.
LANGUAGE: Latvian is the official language but there is a large Russian speaking minority too.

HISTORY: After being occupied by the Soviet Union (USSR), the Republic of Latvia became an independant democratic country in 1991. In 2004 it joined the European Union (EU).

RELIGION: About 50% of people identify with Catholic, Orthodox or Lutherin traditions, 40% are non-religios, 8% are Evangelical (Charismatic, Penticostal or Baptists) but only 2% regularly attend church. There are no Calvary Chapels in Latvia or it's close neighbors Lithuania or Estonia.