Change Is In the Air

I can’t begin to put into a short blog entry what this weekend was like for me. It was some of the most fun and encouragement I’ve had in a long time.

We didn’t go down until Sunday, and made it in time for the evening service. It was so encouraging for me to see people I knew, my students, there. I’m getting so used to being “alone” that it was a real blessing. I say “alone” because, in fact, that’s not usually the case, but due to language barriers and being somewhat shy, I often feel alone. But this weekend was different. The worship and the message (so really, the whole service) was still in Latvian, this cryptic language I still don’t understand, but the feeling was different. Ieva was awesome and translated the message Sunday night for me. I could tell it was a challenge for her, and almost exhausted her English “word count” (vocabulary) but it made such a difference for me. I had some great conversations with others, in English with some Latvian thrown in for flavor. We went to the beach Sunday night after the service… I think the goal was to catch the sunset, but I think we missed it by about 1/2 an hour. It was still beautiful, and we had such fun. I had a blast hanging with these young adults and not having to be their teacher!

Of the band members, I’m married to one of them (*smile*) and Agnese goes to a different school. Otherwise, Peteris is in my 10th grade class and Ieva & Andis are in my 11th grade class. It hit me at one point that Chris and I are, in fact, old enough to be the parents of some of them, but it didn’t matter. We still had a blast, and they have a special place in my heart.

Other students of mine were there this weekend, too, and I was blessed to see them in worship and praying with & for each other… things I don’t see in class.

The highlight for me was Sunday night, though. Valdis Indorsonoks came and led worship, which was great. (It’s always fun to tell people we know him… he’s on staff with YWAM and we’ve spent time together at different times. To us, he’s just Valdis… but to others, he’s THE most famous Latvian Christian musician, and people are almost in awe of him sometimes. It’s fun!) Yet, that wasn’t the best part…

But after the message, the band got up and sang during the alter call. They sang the Latvian version of “I Surrender”.

I’m giving you my heart and all that is within

I lay it all down, for the sake of you, my King

I’m giving you my dreams, I’m laying down my rights

I’m giving up my pride, for the promise of new life

And I surrender, all to you, all to you…

Just watching them in complete worship and awe of their God… it blessed me so much. I saw them go from signing and leading others to complete abandon and focus on God. I was so proud of them and honored to be a part of them in one way or another.

Though we didn’t have a lot of extra time, what time we did have we spent with Juris & Kristine. They fed us and housed us and encouraged us. After the service (and the Xenos / Valdis concert in the city that night that they went to) we met back at their apartment. Valdis and his son came over as well, as they were staying there that night, too. We all had a fun and a relaxing time chatting and hanging out. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being in actual English conversation.

I’m so thankful for this weekend. It’s late, I’m tired and I have school tomorrow. (Just finished writing the 12th grade English test…) In spite of all of that, I’m so glad I went.

Check on the pics from the weekend on our website!