HUNGER COMES IN MANY FORMS...

Glad and I visited The SA Commanders in Riga, Latvia last week, long time SA colleagues and recently commissioned Lieutenants (at age 55+), Peter and Rut Baronowsky.

Our hosts drove us through Latvia's capital city, Riga. It's a city of stark contrasts; soaring contemporary architecture mixed with a charming old town, and block after block of Stalin era apartment buildings still hiding the reality of poverty and ethnic tensions between Latvians and their former captors, the Russians, thousands of them born in Latvia and knowing no other home. Our all-too-brief visit opened our eyes and hearts to a number of immediate needs.

Lieutenants Peter and Rut Baronowsky, Latvia Regional Commanders, are seen together here with the Commanding Officers of the Riga II, Russian speaking Corps, Captains Andrej & Rina Konovalov. Showers, food and clothing are provided free to all nearby residents and the homeless (see in background - newly constructed shower, washer/dryer buildings on left).

Six soldiers were recently enrolled with more recruits soon to join the ranks. "The two Cadets currently in training, and two of next year's accepted Candidates, came from Riga's homeless population. Having served in very similar circumstances in Russia and Ukraine I recognized many programs / projects needing immediate and urgent support. Following several hours of fact sharing by them I learned of a need to which we immediately sensed the Spirit leading us to commit personal resources and possibly those represented by those in our fellowship, the FSAOF. Here’s a portion of what they shared with us in a recent e-mail…

“A new Sunday morning in Riga, Latvia. The autumn’s arrival is evident; darkness comes earlier as we near summer’s end. The sun no longer brings the same warmth… we will soon embark on our first winter as Regional Commanders in one of Europe’s poorest and coldest countries.

Many of our soldiers, and most of our clients, live in circumstances where water, heat, electricity and toilet facilities are non-functioning or non-existent. We visited among others, the corps' leaders in Liepa, a small town near Skangal, an estate which was given to the Army by the family of the late Prime Minister of Sweden, Olav Palme. The social work of the Liepa Corps includes a 'soup kitchen' and clothing distribution. The Corps feeds 80 persons twice weekly. Asked who feeds them on the remaining days of the week - the Corps leaders responded with some amazement at our naivety, 'there are no others helping them at all; The SA is their salvation '! There is no organized sponsorship in this part of Latvia aside from ours'. Swedish Officers and volunteers began working here just a few years ago. At our SA property Skangal, once a headquarters for the Russian army, the buildings have been restored and converted into a modern residential school and home for 20 deprived children. The farmland is once again yielding a good harvest, some of which is sold and some of which is used at Army centers in other parts of the country. The renovated property also serves as a camp / conference center. All SA work is supported from abroad and rarely sufficient, with word from THQ in Sweden that financial support will soon be further reduced. "
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THE FSAOF's role

Near Skangal lies the village of Sarkani, consisting of two apartment buildings. where, during Soviet occupation years, the military lived there. Today the buildings are abandoned and most apartments lack water, plumbing and electricity. It's in this environment that many families end up. No one would willingly seek to live in such depressing circumstance; they have no other choice. In Sarkani there are no shops and no food to purchase. The only thing available to buy is when a man in one of the apartments sells alcohol. Many of the adults (parents) are alcoholics and children are left to fend for themselves. Included in the number of children are 18 school age children.

The SA provides programs several times a week for both children and adults. In the summer of 2009 the children spent their holiday at the Army's childrens camp at Skangal; "we think we've arrived in heaven", was the immediate comment on arrival. The rapid changes that many developing countries experience can affect children more than most, as they have virtually no means to effect positively on their circumstances. Children need security, care and education in order to develop and be able to make use of their natural abilities. Unfortunately, all too many children live in dreadful poverty in Latvia and in reprehensible conditions.


We all receive many solicitations asking us to become sponsors of this sponsored charity for children or that, many of them affiliated with Christian groups, and no doubt doing admirable work. However, we don't always have or make the time necessary to examine closely the effectiveness of their work, both as it relates to the distribution of resources and the practical needs actually being met.

The FSAOF feeding program will be officially coordinated by The SA with oversight by the locally appointed officers. The project will be the sole (soul) responsibility of the FSAOF, meaning that the quality of the education and physical well being of the school children will have a direct correlation to our giving and God's blessings. In addition the children are fed spiritually in a weekly Sunday School and through after-school activities.

A recent unannounced visit to Sarkani on the Officers’ free day found them not spending quality private time, but instead providing quality time with the children of the village playing in the fresh air and sharing Bible stories followed by a nourishing snack - feeding indeed! Here is an opportunity for us to contribute directly to a project that we know in our hearts, from experience, provides solid, admirable work, with no hidden or added overheads. All monies donated will be earmarked specifically for the SA work in Sarkani and will be distributed and accounted for directly by the Regional Commanders, Latvia.

In brief, the project seeks to support school lunches for 18 children who currently attend school, but are not provided any lunch, and often no breakfast. Instead they sit and watch other children eat – are children of alcoholics and rarely have meals provided even at home - meals come in the form of leftovers found in garbage bags / cans.

In order to ensure the immediate effectiveness of this project, donations are being processed. Our current funds allow us to provide meals for up to 20 weeks. We need an additional $4000.00 to cover all costs through the spring of 2010. All donations are welcome and will be acknowledged. No donations are insignificant and all are gratefully received. AN ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILING WHERE AND TO WHOM THE CHECKS ARE TO BE MADE OUT WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY.

Some of you have asked what else can be done to assist. How about FSAOF PROJECT 2010? We are researching the possibility of a FSAOF mission trip project during the summer of 2010. To date we have no set itinerary / duration or project in mind. However, we expect it might include re-furbishing / painting SA property, camp / retreat work and leadership seminars. To that end please share in a private e-mail to me at selmoscow@aol.com your interest, possible availability, and those areas where you believe you might be most effective. It is expected that any participation will largely be at your own expense; details will follow.

You can read about the many activities at the Latvian SA's website in Latvian, Russian or English.   Bank account information: R/O Pestisanas armija Bruninieku 10a, LV-1001, Riga Office phone: +371 67310037 Reg. Nr.90000158170 Account LV31NDEA0000080011705 Bank code: NDEALV2X

Grace, Major Glad and Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Active and Former serving in the Exeter Temple Corps, UKT