LATVIA NEEDS US...

REPORT FROM THE REGIONAL COMMANDER; RIGA LATVIA

The Riga 2 Corps is growing spiritually and the social work programs consisting of, and ministering primarily to the mainly Russian-speaking population located near central Riga, are providing hope for new life. Following religious services on Wednesdays and Sundays, dinner is served. The up to150 worshipers consist mainly of homeless people from the area.

The officers responsible for the Corps’ activities are assisted by a team of twenty volunteers who are soldiers or recruits. They assist with renovation, food distribution, clothing needs, cleaning and gardening.

In August they had the third soldier's enrollment this year, welcoming four new soldiers. They also greeted an additional seven recruits (see photos). The new soldiers, as is the case with the majority of those worshiping at Riga 2, are homeless. The testimonies shared by soldiers, recruits and ‘regulars’ all focus on their abstaining and being freed from long-standing abuse of alcohol or heroin. It is a miracle that these soldiers could stay sober on the streets and hostels where the drink flows freely and needles readily shared. After a day spent at the Corps all are regrettably forced to return to homelessness: neither the SA or city government is able to provide accommodation for this vulnerable ethnic group.

If an apartment or rooms where these new Christians could be accommodated could be found, even if it is in deplorable condition, they could and would be eager refurbish it. There is no need for supervisory personnel in this apartment as the Corps Officers would have oversight. They have survived on the streets and in rundown shelters, surrounded by alcohol and drug abusers, so they will surely be able to live in a wholly sober environment where daily manna would include spiritual training and meals. The Corps has a score of soldiers and recruits with many in need of immediate help. A larger apartment costs around 500,000 USD. Winter is coming soon.

The four new soldiers, enrolled in August (pictured), while welcoming seven new recruits.

The stories below are written by the Corps Officer in Riga 2
I have written down a few stories of people coming to Riga 2 Corps of TSA. All of us are praying and asking our Heavenly Father for a hostel for these people, who have started a new life and do not have even the most elementary conditions for surviving. We, Captain of TSA, Andrei and Irina Konovalovi firmly stand in the faith that God will hear our prayers and answer them.

Sergejs went to a boarding school. When he finished this school, he had no other choice than live in the shelter for homeless people. Sergejs came to TSA in April 2009, accepted Jesus Christ into his life and expressed a wish to become a recruit of Riga 2nd Corps. Sergejs has found a family in The Salvation Army among the recruits, soldiers and officers. On 22 August, 2009 he was enrolled as a soldier in TSA. Sergejs dreams about his life changing and him living in normal human circumstances and not in the shelter of homeless people, where he can not even pray or read his Bible. God Has Set Sergejs free from drugs and smoking, and continues to change his life.

Fjodor came to TSA in a state of severe depression. His name was on the register of a narcology centre and he has also been in prison for taking drugs and acting as a drug dealer. Relationships with his relatives were destroyed. Fjodor has completely got rid of his drug addiction and was taken off the register of the narcology centre. On 21 March, 2009 Fjodor became a recruit of Riga 2nd Corps, but in July of the same year he was enrolled as a soldier of Riga 2 Corps. At the present Fjodor comes to the Corps with his mum and is actively involved in the life of the church.
Olesja and Andrejs - wife and husband. Came to the 2nd Corps of TSA in April 2009. At that time they had lost their jobs and flat due to the crisis and had to live in shelters (Olesja in a shelter for women, Andrejs - in a shelter for men). In order to meet and communicate they met in a park. In April both of them welcomed Jesus in their life and God started working in their lives. Olesja found a job and on 22 August, 2009 they made a decision to become recruits of TSA. God delivered them both from smoking. In their faith to Jesus Christ and prayers God is renewing their life. At the present they live together in a flat with no light and no gas, but they are happy to be together. They are grateful to God and are actively involved in serving Him and other people in TSA.

Alexander came to the 2nd Corps of TSA in October, 2008. Before coming to TSA his father threw him out of the house. Next two years he spent living on the street, in cellars and attics of houses. Alexander suffers from epilepsy; a severe gastritis; consequences of a severe brain concussion. In The Salvation Army Alexander got rid of his alcoholism, drug addiction and smoking. At the moment Alexander is a soldier of Riga 2 Corps. He is actively involved in church life and is grateful to God for change in his life. Unfortunately after the service Alexander must go back to being on the street, he doesn’t have a place to live. The Salvation Army operates 17 different programs in Latvia; corps, social work institutions and childrens homes.The Commanding Officers of the Riga II (in photo on right), Russian speaking Corps, Captains Andrej & Rina Konovalov .

We are asking our Lord for a hostel for these saved people, who long to change their lives, the recruits of soldiers of TSA.
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In a preceding FSAOF blog article you'll find a description of the project the FSAOF has committed to support fully. The FSAOF has already pledged several thousand dollars to support a special project in Sakarny, Latvia with more support anticipated, including a proposed mission project, summer 2010.

Bank account information:

R/O Pestisanas armija
Bruninieku 10a, LV-1001, Riga
Office phone: +371 67310037
Reg. Nr.90000158170

Account: LV31NDEA0000080011705
Bank code: NDEALV2X