I know that many of you have been praying for us, and I am very thankful. Sorry I have not posted our usual monthly bullet points for prayer, but it has been difficult for me to know how to sum up the challenges we have been facing since we have been back in Latvia. Well, I've written out some requests with explanations so you can pray with understanding. Thanks again!
1. For our church in the summer time. Many locals scatter from the cities to the country side, beaches and forests in the summer, where they work in the fields and/or rest in little summer homes. Many churches seem "empty" in the summer and it's even harder for small churches like ours to maintain services while they are away. It feels like Acts 8:1 when "they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." So we will be changing our Sunday services at the hotel to a home fellowship for June and July. Our last worship service before the break will be May 30 and we hope to resume Sunday services again starting August 15th. PRAY: that our last service together would be a blessing and that the believers would follow the example of the early church "those who were scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:4).
2. For evangelism. Now that the weather is warm and sometimes hot, it's prime time to preach the gospel on the streets and parks in Riga. We've been going out a few times a week to share in different ways: Open air preaching, word on the street interviews, a survey using an ipod app with a gospel presentation in 11 languages (especially helpful for Spanish, French, German, English tourists that come to Riga). I might be doing some itinerant preaching around Latvia in June and July. And I also have been invited to Estonia (to the North) and the Lithuanian border (to the south). Pray the door stays open to continue preaching freely, unhindered, and effectively. Pray that many may hear and that faith may come to them by hearing the word of God!
3. Pray for our family to be encouraged. Sometimes it's discouraging getting rejected when we share the gospel, and having few attending the church. When I evangelize many promise to think about it and some say they might come to church. We know it takes time to plant a church and people need to count the cost before committing to Christ, so pray we would have patience and not grow weary in doing good. It's hard not having a team of missionaries like we did in Ukraine. We are looking forward to the encouraging fellowship at the next Calvary Scandinavia conference (the first week of August). Also we are looking forward to a short term missions team coming from Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz to Latvia the 2nd week of August!! That leads to the next prayer point...
4. Pray for CCSC members who are called to serve in Latvia in August. Pray for Ryan Petrik who hopes to lead his family here for a month and for pastor Bill Bjorkman who hopes to lead a team for a couple weeks. May God make their calling sure, provide for the expenses (about 2500 each), and give us good communication and preparation between now and then. If you would like to donate toward their mission, I believe you can make donations at their site www.CalvaryChapelSantaCruz.com, But please pray for the provision as they will need to buy airplain tickets soon.
God bless you and reward your faith as you seek His will and labor in prayer for the great commission! Thank you!
Brenten Powers
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