LATITUDE LATVIA... 2

Against what seemed to be all odds we arrived at 12.20am to a house in darkness, a children’s home with lights on but with no response to me knocking loudly on the door. We were told they were expecting us at midnight and someone would be able to give us the key to our accommodation. Fortunately we knew where the Captains live and so we went and knocked on their door … still no answer … there was a light on next-door at the Cadet’s home and so I knocked there; much to their surprise they found a complete stranger, speaking English and asking for help. It reminded me of the story in Matthew’s Gospel of the man calling on his friend at midnight and asking for bread.

I am pleased to say our friends old and new helped. The greeting from Azain (the Captain’s wife) was wonderful as she gave me the most beautiful smile and one of the longest and strongest hugs in her delight to see me as the message of our coming had not got through to them. I found myself smiling as suddenly it was as if a whole host of people were up and awake, speaking very quickly in Russian and Latvian and running around trying to help us get into our room.

Eventually we got a response from the people in the SA children’s home who were expecting us and unfortunately we brought great excitement to some of the children who by this time were hanging out of the windows trying to see what was happening and who was calling at their home in the middle of the night. Very soon things settled down and we made plans to meet Sergei, the Captain, and his wife the next morning.

Again there was a joyful reunion no doubted added to by a sense of expectation and anticipation as they had seen the loaded car and knew the contents would be to help them in their mission.

More toys, games and gifts for the children in Sakarni and Seda for Christmas. A promised Yamaha Keyboard,

donated by Southport Citadel Corps, UKT and what appeared to be the most fun gift, donated by Brett and Chris Turvey, Exeter Temple, was a pogo stick … at this stage, not a child in sight but what screaching fun, laughter and delight was had as the adults attempted to display their skill, or lack of it.

Cadet Lena as Captain Sergei provides instructions...

Glad Ljungholm
Major DHQ Liverpool