Hallelujah - Latvian youth version

At youth camp we rewrote the verses to "Hallelujah" for a special performance on our last night of camp. I wrote verse 2 to suit the new faith of the boys singing behind me and they wrote the Latvian verse with Liena Pandare.




HALLELUJAH - YOUTH CAMP (c) June 2008.

I heard that there was a secret chord,
that David played and it pleased the Lord,
but you don't really care for music, do ya?

It goes like this the fourth the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift,
the prophet king is singing hallelujah!

Hallelujah (4x)

It takes guts to sing a song
In front of friends when they think I'm wrong,
but I don't really care what they think anyway.

All I want is to please the Lord,
Everything else I can't afford,
It's the word of God so let me sing it to ya.

Hallelujah (4x)

Bībelē teikts tev un man
Dzīvot būs mums kā Pestītājam,
Bet bez Jēzus vieni to nespējam.

Tik Jēzū spēks un dzīvība
Ja Vinņa vienmēr paliekam
Tad neuzveiks mūs grēks vairs - Aleluja!

Memories from Nizhyn, Ukraine 2003

Here is a slideshow from our first 2 years of church planting in Ukraine. Music "Beautiful One" by Jeremy Camp.

Memories from Ukraine 2004

Here's a video I made in 2004 when we were missionaries in Ukraine. When we don't feel like we are making that much of a difference, it gives us hope to look back and see the fruit of changed lives. O how we desire to see God pouring out His Spirit in Latvia too. Although Latvia and Ukraine share a communist past, their cultures and spiritual openness are quite different. I believe God used our time in Ukraine to prepare us for Latvia but it is also evident that it's a unique situation here which keeps us praying that we will be lead by His Spirit not just trying to repeat past victories.

Palm Sunday

Here is a music video from our Palm Sunday service at the Russian speaking church in Ogre. The words to the song in English are:

"I will praise you, O my redeember, for you are worthy of all praise.
And if I don't praise Your name, even the rocks will cry out.
If I don't praise your name, even the Mountains will shout!"

I taught about the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled on the day He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem as King on a donkey and was proclaimed the messiah. The multitudes breifly recognized him as their King saying,

"Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; even the King of Israel. BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

All four gospels record this event; Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-34. Some OT scriptures that were fulfilled on this day were Daniel 9:25-26, Psalm 118:14-28, Zec 9:9, Unfortunately, the crowds praise was shallow and they changed their tune just a few days later when they realized Jesus did not come to set up a material, political kingdom but a spiritual heavenly kingdom by giving His life for the world.

True Love Evangelism

Something about the video... this is the view from my bedroom of the main walking street in Ogre sped up 4 times. I am sharing the gospel with a few russian speaking boys around 16 years old. This is actually the third time I have shared with them since I met them in the summer. They were open but not ready to commit to follow Christ. One thing I like about the video is how you can see all the people that walk by all the time, which is a big motivation for evangelism.

true love evangelism.wmv

My Desire

The purpose of this video is to show at CCMB Sunday morning in order to encourage people to pray about joining an evangelistic team that will come in August 2008. We were asked long ago to produce a 60 second video, this is 65 seconds but I am hoping for 5 seconds of grace since I couldn't shorten the song anymore. I would have liked to share a broader scope of our ministry but with one minute I thought it best just to focus on this outreach aspect that relates more to those who God is calling to come in August. By the way, this song "My desire" by Jeremy Camp (a former Bible College class mate) has really been my hearts cry for everything I do, I live to do God's will and my desire is to be used by God. I will confess that often we do not see how God is using us to impact peoples lives and it can be discouraging, but we know we are in the center of His will even if we don't see many people coming to the Lord. Keep praying for souls to be saved. It's harder soil here and people can be cold to strangers but we see people open up slowly as they see we are trying to learn their language, music helps too.



my desire 2008.wmv

October 31 Alternative

What is there for kids to do on October 31 in Latvia?

1. Get dressed as the dead and go out with friends to get candy or do pranks on people.
2. Nothing. Sit at home and be bothered by mobs coming to your door.
3. Or, celebrate good instead of evil at the missionaries house: free food, lots of candy, Christian music, fun and games.
   

The Bible says, "Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) And "Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:2) So, we decided to host an alternative to Halloween for the kids from our childrens ministry, we called it "Reformation Day" and we explained how Martin Luther was a Christian who changed history by challenging evil in his generation and stood up for good. We encouraged the kids to glorify God not the devil and to celebrate life not death and to seek good not evil.



We provided Hot dogs, chips, cola and plenty of candy so that they wouldn't be tempted to go trick or treating. Our games included a pinjata, Uno, guess how many M&M's are in a jar, bobbing for apples and who could make their balloons stick to the ceiling after rubbing it on your head and finally. We connected our camera to a monitor so they could see themselves dance along with the David Crowder Band, singing "Your a Revolutionary Love" and "O Praise Him" and now we have this action packed video to show you:






October 31 Reformation Fun

Exploring Cesis Video

Cesis, Latvia

Family Hike in Ligatne

Once a week, we take drive to another city to explore Latvia, spend time together as a family and get more vision for the rest of the country. Here is a music video from our walk in Ligatne National Park. I am singing "Father, I worship you" in Russian.


minute in ligatne.wmv