Chao friends and family!
I know some of you have been eagerly anticipating this blog post so I will try my best to recap the rest of the trip and communicate to you what God spoke to my heart while I was there.
I'll come back to that Tuesday night in Kuldiga. We spent the evening enjoying each other's company over some pizza and funny youtube videos. Then we came together to plan some CONNECTED nights, (what they call their youth group) and spent time in prayer and worship. This worship time was so incredible! It was only 4 of us, but God's presence was very alive and very real!! It was an intimate time with the Lord and I truly believe He heard every single word we cried out to Him! May God continue to do incredible things in the CONNECTED team and in their youth!
Then on Wednesday, I spent the morning walking around Kuldiga one last time and using the opportunity to prayer-walk. I also made a few videos for all my Facebook friends to enjoy. :) Then I headed over to the Upitis's flat for lunch and sharing of our hearts one last time. It was during this time Matiss shared his vision for my role in CONNECTED if God were to move me to Kuldiga, Latvia. I didn't respond with much but listened with an open heart and let all these things sink in. I wanted to be able to process with God and let Him lead me. It was a really good time to hear Matiss and Ilze's vision for CONNECTED and match it up with what God is speaking to my heart. This I will share at a later time :)
Then I took a long bus ride back to Riga but used the time to do some extra journaling and reading. Upon my arrival in Riga, I had to navigate an unfamiliar part of town to get to Linda's work to get her keys. I remember praying in my head, "Jesus, I have no idea where I am and which is the right direction. But I will take each step trusting you will guide my sense of direction." And sure enough within 2 minutes I was in a familiar place and headed to Linda's work. Praise God for His Spirit to tenderly lead me!!! I was so thankful! The trek to Linda's job and then to her flat was all about 45 minutes, and by the time I arrived after climbing 4 flights of stairs, my hiking bag and backpack seemed really heavy! Ha. I was ready to shed those pounds but was reminded of the burden of the cross. It just doesn't compare. I then spent the next hour resting and organizing my bag for the journey home the next day. I received a message that one friend, Valters, would be awaiting my presence downstairs and that he would lead me to Lana. :) I was pleasantly surprised when we reached Lana and there was Veronika, another dear friend I met. We went to Tokyo City (I think) to eat Sushi and Kristaps A, Kristaps K, and Linda later joined us. It was the perfect way to spend my last night in Latvia. Enjoying the company of dear friends whom I have come to love and now dearly miss. The night was full of laughs, precious moments with hugs, and encouraging conversations. There are many things about this night that I will remember but the most important and most meaningful to my heart, were the relationships that were formed, the hearts that were bonded, and the love that was shared. There is something about friendships but it runs deeper when it is between believers. :) God has an incredible way of showing His love through brothers and sisters in Christ!
The evening ended with prayer time with Kristaps, Kristaps, and Linda. (I've never felt so covered in prayer as I have before, during, and after this trip! Praise God!!) Linda and I went up stairs and spent some time talking and enjoying our last evening together for awhile. This friendship is so dear to my heart and I cannot thank God enough for this blessing! :) The next morning we got up and took our time getting ready. We shared special moments between the 2 of us as sisters and soaked up every minute we could together. :) And I did really well in not crying, almost. :) Then, with the help of an amazing friend, Kristaps K, we walked/took a bus to the airport. He was super great and carried my big and heavy bag so I wouldn't have to! He's such a great guy. Not only that, but he helped me check in to the airline and then sat at the airport with me for about an hour so I wouldn't be alone the whole time! It was an awesome time of conversation and so encouraging yet again! Even the friendship with Kristaps, totally not an expected part of the trip, but definitely a big blessing. He made me laugh many times throughout the trip, brought me out of my shell in playing the games, and encouraged me through God-honoring conversations! So blessed!
The journey home was a bittersweet one. I was sad to say "see ya later", humbled by the opportunity to return, and looking forward to sharing all that God had done. These first few days being home I have tried not saying much to God or to others, at times this is very difficult, but I really desire for only God's voice to be left in my heart. Take aside all of the emotions, some bad but mostly good, of the trip, take aside my own desires, and let God's voice resonate louder and clearer than anything else. Please continue to pray this with me as well as continuing to pray for the hearts of the Latvian people! God really is doing an incredible thing in that country and I pray His people, His children, open their hearts to respond to what He is telling them!
I think that is all for tonight, I'm tired and not sure where to go from here. :) But I promise, you keep being patient with me and I will keep sharing with you. :) It's crazy to think that I never dreamed I would be on this journey. But I know God has a plan for me and my life. A far bigger plan than I ever imagined! He has a journey for you as well. May He reveal His plan for your life. It probably won't all come at once, but step by step, listen for His voice. Watch for the path that He lights up, and trust that He is in control and His plans can never fail! :)
Much love to all! And remember, Jesus loves you! :)
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