In Ogre, Latvia

It hardly seems real that i am here in Latvia. It kind of feels like Ukraine because of the weather, The weather is above freezing during the day. and there are piles of snow on the sides of the brown slushy roads. Many trees look dead but in Ogre (where I'm staying for 5 days and praying about moving to) there are pine trees that stay green through the winter. Ogre used to be a sanatorium for people with illnesses to get fresh air. tomorrow we are going to see the river and more of the city. You can learn more about Ogre at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogre%2C_Latvia

Its Saturday night. I'm writing from pastor Vadims office and have the apartment in the other half of the building as living quarters. So far we just dropped off my stuff and when out to dinner and got some groceries for me and then I took a 2 hour nap. We have only spoken Russian since he picked me up at the airport. He asked me to teach tomorrow for 30 minutes in Russian and play 2 or 3 songs! I told him I'm not ready to teach that long in Russian but he said he will help me translate when I get stuck! Pray pray pray. the service is at 4pm so I will prepare in the morning. pray that i can get some studing done and that communication is clear. God has been speaking to be about strengthening the church that I am visiting as Paul the apostle strengthened the churches withe the Word of God on his second missionary journey in Acts 16-20.

Traveling Through London

Hey all! I am sitting in the London Gatwick airport and have a few minutes to blog before flying to Riga, Latvia. I will be in Ogre, Latvia for the next 5 days and then Liepaja for the 5 days after that. My last day will be the day that I sign the rental agreement deciding where we will live for the next year. I am looking forward to following the Lord and seeing where we will begin our ministry and where we will live. I really don't know which city we will end up in and I am not leaning anywhere, but both Lena and I are willing to go anywhere in Latvia that He calls.

My travels have been smooth and on time. I already miss my wife and kids, who I usually travel with. Lena always keeps track of my passport and tickets and I just carry most the bags. This trip, I have almost lost my tickets twice but by the grace of God there have been no problems. I had to stuff my guitar case with items from my carry on bag because they only allow 1 carry on through London. Other than that I have no complaints and I am rather excited to have this time to pray and reflect before arriving in Latvia.

February Update - Good News

Dear friends,
We have exciting news to share with you about the mission field. The Lord is guiding our steps and providing the finances and documents needed to move to Latvia by May 1, 2007. In fact, March 2-13, I am taking a trip to confirm the city we will be planting a church in. Please read below and watch this blog for more details. Thank you for your prayers and financial support!

~ In His service, Brenten Powers (and Lena, Caleb and Lily)

STEPS TO LATVIA
March 2-13 - Brenten's preliminary trip to Liepaja and Ogre in Latvia
April 1 - Visa application is sent to Latvian embassy in the US (30 day process)
May 1 - Beginning of Powers family's long term mission in Latvia

WHERE GOD GUIDES...
Friday, I am going on a 11 day trip to Latvia to prepare a place for my family and ministry. This is an important trip because in order to get permits to live and minister in Latvia, we need an invitation letter from a Latvian church and a rental agreement showing we have a place to live for 1 year. So, I will be exploring the cities of Liepaja and Ogre, visiting pastors who want to invite us to plant more churches. They will help us find a house or apartment to rent where we can start a home fellowship.
Lena will be praying at home with our kids that God will guide me to the right city and future home. I am so blessed to have a wife that willing to follow the Lord to wherever the Lord leads.

... GOD PROVIDES
Financially, your support is enabling us to move forward. If we add the amount given so far and the amount promised monthly, it equals 100% of our Budget for 2007. Praise the Lord!
Now you can automatically send monthly support using CCMB's new credit card charge form. Just print it, fill it out and bring it to the office at Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay.

KEEP US IN PRAYER
- for God's continued guidance and provision
- for confirmation on which city we are called to: Ogre or Liepaja or another.
- for Brenten's safety, wisdom and ministry opportunities on the trip March 2-13
- for Lena, Caleb and Lily at home without dad for 12 days!

CONTACT INFO
www.powers-latvia.blogspot.com
E-mail: brentenlena at gmail . com
Home phone: (831)883-8315
Financial support: (checks or credit card forms ) can be delivered to:
Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay
3001 Monterey-Salinas Hwy
Monterey, CA 93940

Learn Latvian With Us!

Here is access to 3000 Latvian phrases! To see and hear Latvian, right here on our blog, click on an icon below. Paldies! (Thank you) --- WARNING: FOR SOME REASON, LATELY THE ICONS LEAD TO UKRAINIAN INSTEAD OF LATVIAN. MY APOLOGIES - I WILL TRY TO FIX THIS LATER... BRENTEN

---

Visit Lingosoft at www.lingvozone.com

Departure Delayed

To those who keep asking, "When are you leaving?"
Our expected departure is delayed from January to April due to finances, visa issues and family matters. Though our heart is to go ASAP, we have patience and faith to wait for God's perfect timing.

1. Financially, we are about $1000 per month short. We are continuing to build relationships with our home church CCMB and other Calvary Chapels on the central coast. God has shown us that it is not us who is raising support, but He is providing as we pray and faithfully serve Him.
2. Visa issues. We still need an invitation letter from a Latvian religious entity to apply for missionary visas. YWAM has recently informed me that they cannot invite us as they previously had hoped. So we are continuing to knock on doors, to see which church is willing to invite us to work with them and also give us the freedom to start a new church. We are exploring our options in Liepaja, Ogre, Jurmala and Riga.
3. April family commitments. Lena's brother is getting married April 21 in Chicago. As we prayed about our delayed departure, good stewardship and God's time table, we felt that it is best not to move to Latvia before the wedding. Although Lena's mom would help with airfare if we were to move sooner, to move after the wedding will give us enough time to build a care team, wait on God's provision and go through the visa application process. After the wedding we should be able to move to Latvia during the last week of April.

We have peace about the delay, knowing that God's plan is perfect and it is more needful for us to be here than in Latvia, for a season. He is still preparing us, He is still preparing our senders here, He is still preparing those who will receive us in Latvia. We are all are looking forward to seeing what He is preparing to do.

Goers and Senders Needed

As Jesus saw the multitudes, he had compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He called us to "pray that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into the harvest".As you learn of the Baltic countries, perhaps you will be moved with compassion and want to be part of the answer to that prayer. Both goers and senders are needed. If God were to call you, are you willing to go to Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania? Are you willing to give your time, talents and treasures to support those who will go? Are you a goer or a sender?

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...