Latvia – A Nation SearchingLatvia – A Nation Searching

Having Recently Emerged From Having Recently Emerged From CommunismCommunism

This Eastern This Eastern European European Nation faces Nation faces many strugglesmany struggles Their neighbors Their neighbors

to the east to the east frequently frequently practice “saber practice “saber rattling”rattling”

Russian drivers often display not only the license plates and international driving permit, but proudly fly the flags of Russia or the Soviet Union!

Two Philosophies Resisting the Two Philosophies Resisting the ChurchChurch

Lutheranism and Lutheranism and atheism originate atheism originate from very different from very different backgroundsbackgrounds Atheism was Atheism was

openly supported openly supported by the communist by the communist government of the government of the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

The Lutheran The Lutheran Church was Church was brought to Latvia brought to Latvia by German by German missionariesmissionaries

St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Central Riga

The Church In LatviaThe Church In Latvia

Is small, centered on the capital city Is small, centered on the capital city of Rigaof Riga

A portion of the Central Riga congregation during special meetings in May 2009

But But

The workers are eager – looking for The workers are eager – looking for any assistance they can use in any assistance they can use in teaching others about Christ and His teaching others about Christ and His ChurchChurch

Victor Barviks and Gunnars discuss a lesson on prophetic accuracy in the Bible.

The Bastrop CongregationThe Bastrop Congregation

Is sponsoring Is sponsoring the work of the work of Victor Barviks Victor Barviks with the with the Central Riga Central Riga congregation.congregation.

In May 2009In May 2009

We also supported the work of Mark Klym doing a We also supported the work of Mark Klym doing a series of apologetics lessons in Rigaseries of apologetics lessons in Riga

Future Work In LatviaFuture Work In Latvia

Currently Eric Williamson and his Currently Eric Williamson and his family from Pennsylvania are in family from Pennsylvania are in Latvia on campaign and preparing for Latvia on campaign and preparing for 2010 work2010 work

July 2010 a camp for orphaned youth July 2010 a camp for orphaned youth will be held in northern Latviawill be held in northern Latvia

How Can You Help?How Can You Help?

Pray for Victor and the congregation Pray for Victor and the congregation in Latviain Latvia

Pray for temporary workers entering Pray for temporary workers entering and leaving the countryand leaving the country

Support Victor. Currently he is Support Victor. Currently he is funding much of the effort through funding much of the effort through personal funds. For details on personal funds. For details on supporting him contact the Bastrop supporting him contact the Bastrop congregationcongregation

How Can You Help?How Can You Help?

Some of our members hope to be Some of our members hope to be part of the July 2010 work. Pray for part of the July 2010 work. Pray for them. Financial support will be them. Financial support will be needed. If you can help, contact the needed. If you can help, contact the mission team.mission team.