Second chances...we all need them...
Welcome to Otra Elpa, Ergli, Latvia!!
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| tons of rain left us with this rainbow - right over my buddy Dz! Hmmmm....rainbows speak of HOPE to me :) |
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| fun camp games - NHFC families, look closely :) |
Catching up a few days because of computer issues and crazy amounts of fun and challenges in Latvia.
Wednesday began with some icky issues that basically caused us to miss the bus to Ergli, where Otra Elpa (translated "second breath") camp was being held. This will sound insane to many of you, but I KNEW that we needed to get to that camp! Only options as it is far far from the city, wait for the evening bus - no way, because we'd end up with only and hour or two at camp :( Boo to that! So, yes, option two was all I had - pay a taxi to drive us about an hour and a half to Ergli! ****Note to friends who follow us to Latvia - use the green Baltic Taxi cars. They are reasonable. The others, ack! Like two or three times the price. Anyway, we made it!!! And I am sooooo glad that we did! Also had a cool connection where people we didn't know picked us up to take us to camp and back. Never met them, but someone who hosted Latvian kids this summer knows them and made the connection! Oh my, coincidences? No way!
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| full of love and courage - following Jesus - susan and jaycee |
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| arturs and v |
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| v and dz |
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| futbol with a brother on your back?? |
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| drenched nate and trey don't want to go |
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| dining area - one of two groups fed; milk soup and mini pizzas ; little squished but nobody seemed to care. they were hungry! |
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| group music and speakers - surprised how long they really listened; 18 year old anna 's story of hope after being abandoned by her mom had the place silent as she spoke of pain and grief and trouble and then the healing of God |
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| vitaly, trey, and nate |
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| typical shot of Ergli area |
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| more of Ergli - camp is a bit away from here; did i mention the taxi drove for MILES on dirt roads? oh my, bet he was wishing someone else had picked up our call :) |
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| across from the Ergli bus stop |
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| traditional breakfast - cheese, meats, egg, tomato, cucumber |
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| and fruit! ps - the jug of white stuff might not be cream. my tea didn't take too well to having YOGURT poured into it - haha! the yogurt should have gone with the fruit - oops! |
We stayed at the one hotel in the tiny and beautiful town. Felt bad for the very wet and very cold kids and leaders, but that is camp for you :P Many of you sent some of the items that they were using too. Thanks so much for that!
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| donated camp supplies |
Jaycee is coordinating the camp, with awesome volunteers from Latvia, America, England, and maybe more. It will be really hard to describe the vibe there. A place of healing and peace and hope I think, but the undercurrents of so much sadness and hardship and need too. We were welcomed immediately - to the point where Nate and his friend, Trey, didn't even want to leave! V and I left at 10pm with our ride to the little hotel, but Jaycee promised to get the other guys home later. They wouldn't leave until after saying goodbye to so many new friends. I focused on a few volunteers who were amazing, as well as two very special boys that were at camp. They had returned to Latvia from being hosted over the summer. Families in the US will get pictures of kids that they miss, as well as messages from them! The kids got hugs and encouragement from host families through me. It was such a heart-wrenching but heart-warming experience. Those boys were different - all I can say. They KNOW what life could be like in a family that loves them. Praying that they will find that to be a permanent situation for themselves and not just a treasured memory. They are in some of these pics, but don't want to go too far in description for privacy. Some of you will know though :)
Actually, no coincidence that those two boys were at this camp. God knew. He also knew how much they needed a connection to their families. He also knew how much I love these kids and families, love what Jaycee and crew are doing. So, He very kindly allowed me the wonderful surprise of being the connection between them. Something I will never forget.
V jumped in with some of the activities, knew some of the kids, tried to figure out how to be a "past orphan, here with new family" in this setting. Kind of confusing for him to know how to act. He loves Jaycee though. Enjoyed the tree house making and swimming. Think he liked showing off his new brother and friend Trey too :)
This was one of the highlights of our week. Worth every penny of that crazy cab ride. Would have paid more than that to experience what we did. Once again, don't let money stop you from what you believe in your heart needs to be done. If I went with the "responsible" option, we would have cancelled or missed most of this whole wonderful time!
Leaving was not easy - felt like we were just getting started there. But the next morning the bus arrived at 6:20 am and i prefer to be more "responsible" when I can :) so didn't want to miss the bus again. Up and at em - next blog entry for the final day in Latvia coming up!
Loving Latvia and every one of the most valuable orphans there - ever hear of the guy who sold all he had to buy what he discovered? Well, I'm letting you in on the treasure map here - there is treasure in these boys and girls right in the tiny country of Latvia! If it takes all you have, guarantee it is worth every bit!
Blessed beyond measure,
Sue
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