You did what? Where?

So, attempting to follow Waylan’s advice, I’m taking a bit of typographical Imodium… well… not to say I’m going to stop writing… but anyway…

Today, I joined Ieva & her worship team, which is made up of primarily high school students. We were at the Baptist church in Talsi. Now, if you’re like me, you’re not going to expect an incredible time of worship at a Baptist church. No offense, but it just doesn’t usually happen in America. This Baptist church, in many ways, is like those in the US, in that the service is structured & predictable. And although I understood this Sunday afternoon gathering to be made up of mainly youth, I saw some stoic, elderly faces in the crowd. Oh well… God moves on old hearts as well as new.

So, I was amazed at this team. Ieva led on vocals & acoustic guitar, & then I joined in on my acoustic. A very tall guy (I’m guessing he’s about 6’6″) and a medium height girl sang backup (everyone is short next to Andis). Peteris joined in again on bass & Janis on percussion (they’ve played with me when I’ve played on Arta’s team). Lidija was on keys & Linda was on violin. All of them were incredible musicians. I’m still blown away by these guys’ musical skill level.

Aside from skill, Ieva & Peteris have really been impressing me with their genuine love for God & for worshiping Him. Ieva specifically is just so open to express how she feels about God, which I find to be so refreshing, especially in a culture that’s not prone to open communication. Peteris is just a really cool guy with whom I think I have a lot in common. We both just really wanted to play that song by Xenos!

So, yes… in a structured service at a Baptist church in Latvia, we had a free time of worshiping God in music like I haven’t experience in a long time. I like to look at it like there’s a fence around a playground. It doesn’t suppress your imagination… it just keeps you safe.

~t