Gospel News — Jun-Aug 2012

18

Laying our beloved Sister Nina to rest.

However, this is our 8th day here so I need to back track a week and tell you what we have been up to! Duncan met us from Riga Airport and so began our learning curve to a completely different way of life. Our first task was to get firewood for a particularly needy group of four (2 brothers, one sister and a very interested friend). We were later taken to the hall, which was to be our home for the next 10 days. It has been warm and comfortable and provided us

with all our needs. Outside the weather is -25 or below. Saturday was a day of happenings: we delivered the wood as previously mentioned to a small apartment, and took some emergency provisions to a young married brother and sister living temporarily with a friend. This couple are in dire need, suffering from HIV and the brother from full blown AIDS. We also had to do much supermarket shopping, and to make life more complicated the car key decided it would snap off in the ignition. The day was interspersed with many prayers and this in itself was comforting.

Mike, Rachel and Vanessa delivering food and

firewood in the brutally low temperatures

Sunday was a busy day. All brothers and sisters and interested friends arrive at 11 for coffee and chess. At 12 it is Bible class based on the first two readings, with Duncan explaining or expounding verse by verse, with a bit of English thrown in for us. Another break for coffee, and then on to the Breaking of bread using the New Testament reading. At about 2.30 a hot stew is served. The hall is full of about 80- 100 people and all the food goes quickly with any seconds being eagerly received. A similar