Bittersweet
It's hard to know where to start with today's post. We're packing here, getting ready to leave tomorrow at 7:15am. We started with a rehearsal today, followed by three wonderful church services at 9:30, 11:30, and 2:00. Our prelude was
Majesty (directed by Eric), followed by
All Heaven Declares as a call to worship by the choir. The congregation sang
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty,
Come, Now is the Time to Worship, and
Open the Eyes of My Heart. It was encouraging to sing (as we had the chance) with the Latvians in English as they sang in their native tongue. We know the same songs! We have the same faith! The choir anthem was
Name Above All Names—with the narration,—followed by the congregation singing
How Great Thou Art as an offertory and
As The Deer (Eric conducting) as another special music item. Oh, and
Oh, Happy Day was in there somewhere, with Eric soloing on bass trombone.
And it
was a happy day! The congregation was excited, for their anniversary, for our presence, and in just worshipping God.
It was a sad day as well, because we had to leave the many friends we met this last week. We met with many of the orchestra members later this evening at a restaurant in Riga and exchanged gifts, as well as e-mail addresses and farewells. I spent much of the evening talking to Karlis, a 16-year-old trumpet player from Riga. He's been playing the trumpet for nine years. Instrumentalists start young in Latvia!
Paul told the congregation at Matthews that we had been ministered to as much as or more than we had ministered to them—and it's true. These brothers and sisters have treated us with a kindness and generosity that we did not know to expect. I will remember my friends in Latvia and I hope to see them again soon.
Tea, Anyone?
Yet another two-hour rehearsal today, at Matthews church with their orchestra. We are getting ready for their anniversary celebration tomorrow (three services). Following that rehearsal, we left for two concerts: one in Araisi and the other in Limbazi.
Yes, we were in Araisi just a few days ago for sightseeing, and now we were back to perform for about 30 people in the oldest building I've ever been in—the church was built in 1225. We were warned that it would be cold (it was) and we also found it was lit by candles. Our host once again was Tomar; today his younger son and his daughter translated for us. Tomar will be playing with us tomorrow at Matthews.
After lunch we travelled to
Limbazi, very near the Russian border. Our host was Janis, the music director at the Aloja music school, in conjunction with the Limbazi Baptist Church. We performed for approximately another 30 people in their cultural center and then had tea and coffee with our hosts.
Speaking of tea, I've had more tea to drink in the last week then I've had in my whole life. Every time we perform we have hot tea and coffee and some type of snack laid out for us. Although I do not normally drink tea or coffee, it would be rude not to partake, so I drink some tea loaded with sugar. Even the children drink tea in Latvia! The ladies are very diligent in ensuring that we have enough to each, pressing food upon us at every turn.
Another ritual is the giving of flowers. After our Matthews concert, Eric received a bouquet and each of us was given a small spray of blooms. I think Eric received some flowers after the Aluksne concert as well. Some time is spent after each concert with our hosts and the residents of the area who stay to visit. Many of the people can speak a little English, but mostly we speak through our hosts, who interpret for us.
A Warm Reception
Today we left the hotel earlier (9am) than usual. We were on our way to
Rundale Palace, about 70km from Riga. What a magnificent structure! My camera died today, so I wasn't able to take any pictures, but all of the members of the project who have cameras will pool their pictures so we can create a CD of our travel photos.
Then we traveled to Mezotnes Palace, where we had a lunch. Maris has taken us to lunch several times this week and each time we have been expected and our meal has been prepared and served as we arrived. Latvian food is outstanding!
When we returned to Riga, we had about an hour to wait until we had a rehearsal at Matthews. After our two-hour rehearsal, we played an hour concert at Matthews, which was very well received. Contrary to what we were told might happen, we received applause after each piece and the audience even began clapping with the last selection we played, a ragtime rendition of
We'll Understand It Better By and By.
What was more fun, though, was the reception afterwards. We were greeted by many members of Matthews and others who had attended. I had the opportunity to meet Kristine, a young woman who was a member of the local Catholic parish. She comes to Matthews from time to time for the music and I encouraged her to come more often and—since she sings—get involved at Matthews. We exchanged e-mail addresses, so perhaps I'll have more opportunities to encourage her toward that.
Rehearsal Day
Today was
rehearsal day. We started the morning off with some much needed sleep. Several of our members spent the morning sight seeing. At noon we walked to Riga with our Simona. The town is pretty amazing considering we were looking at buildings built in 800 years ago. Afterwards we went to rehearsal for the first time since we arrived. It was wonderful. We actually warmed-up and tuned! Amazing! Afterward we sat in the Student Service while Brad and Dan played. Following that Service we fellowshipped and rehearsed with the Matthews Baptist Orchestra. It was refreshing to have a day of preparation rather than presentation. Thank you Lord!
Palace Day
Today was
palace day and concert night. We spent the morning seeing some of Latvia’s more extravagant palaces. We were able to visit one that had so much beauty it was almost incomprehensible as to how someone could think that big.
After that we hand a wonderful lunch and then went to Riga to prepare for our concert. The rehearsals went well and the performance was awesome! The solos tonight were Betty and I. Curtis, Don, and I also sung our trio. The testimonies were presented by Curtis and Kathy, which God really blessed as both their testimonies worked well together to present the Gospel. Afterward there was a fellowship. In that fellowship we found severeal non-Christians who wanted to talk to us which opened doors to share the Gospel. I was able to speak to a young man from France who was a humanist or Naturalist and he was really, really, really opened minded. This means he believes in no absolute truth. Therefore, I explained that Jesus died for his sins and there was only one way to heaven. He kind of beat around the bush but at least I know he heard the Gospel. After I finished speaking with him I had the pastor go talk to him so he would have a personal invitation to Matthews Baptist Church. Tonight was blessed and I am so happy to see the musicians realizing how their music can be used.
Old Riga
Today we had a "free" morning, meaning we didn't have anything scheduled until noon. At noon we met Simona, a member of Matthews (I think), who was to be our guide around Old Riga. We saw everything from St. Peter's to St. John's, from The Three Brothers to the Occupation Museum, and everything in between. Simona was a joy to be with, and she was very knowledgable about the historical points of interest she was showing us.
After sightseeing, we had a two-hour rehearsal with our group alone, then attended the youth worship service at Matthews church (where Brad, Dan, and Paulis played). Then we rehearsed again, this time with the Matthews orchestra—two violins, a viola, cello, two flutes, an oboe, clarinet, two trumpets, a saxophone, an electric bass (Paulis), and a drummer. Four of those instrumentalists are Maris' children. We got along very well with them as we prepared for Sunday's worship services.
Afterwards, we spent some time conversing with them. I spoke at length to Arturs, the oboist, who is a member of the
Latvian National Opera. He told me that the one thing hindering young would-be musicians is the lack of instruments, particularly quality instruments. Good instruments are expensive and many teachers will not teach students when only poor instruments are available. Please pray with me that God will show us how we can make instruments available to Latvian students, perhaps to those at Aloja Music School.
Today's Wrap-Up
Out at 10am, on our way to
Cesis, about 75 kilometers northeast of Riga, where we saw the Cesis Stone Castle. I want a castle! I was amazed that we got to clamber up the narrow, spiral, stone staircases all the way to the top of its turret (what a view!), then shimmy down a ladder to the depths of its dungeon. Also on the grounds of the castle was a toppled statue of Lenin that was removed in 1990 to make way for their Victory Monument.
Our guides in Cesis, a Latvian businessman (and trumpet player in the Matthews orchestra), Tomar, and his son, took us next to the Araisi Lake Fortress, a reconstructed Latgallian settlment dating back to the ninth century. It was easy to see that our guides were passionate about their country's history as they told us fact after fact that were not on the tour placards. Finally they took us to a cafeteria, where we were informed that they had bought us lunch. We were so grateful! Paldies!
We were running late as we left for our next engagement at Aloja Music School. We showed up nearly 45 minutes late, at 4:45, to find about forty children and adults waiting for us. This was a very special time. Three young saxophone players serenaded us with a song to begin the evening, then one of their teachers, a Matthews orchestra member, introduced us. We played a concert similar to last evening's concert, and Eric and Paul gave testimonies. We ended our playing by joining five of the students in one of the pieces they were working on. They (and we) were very excited.
But that wasn't all! We filled out our two hours there by learning more about the school from our host and the school's director. The school has about 50 music students and 50 arts students; the students on hand were able to try out their English on us and also ask us questions. Eric was able to help repair a couple of instruments. Sweets were prepared for us. And 7 or 8 young ladies sang two songs for us in beautiful harmony, just before they presented us with a framed chalk drawing by one of their students.
Our evening wasn't over yet, but I'll let others tell it. I will say that we stopped by Matthews Church to drop of our instruments before dinner and some of us looked in on their choir practice. At the time, they were singing
No Other Name from
God With Us and I was honored to join them in English. I was touched to be able to sing with them even though their language was unfamiliar and I am looking forward to worshipping with them on Sunday.
Music School
One of the things we had the opportunity to do on our second day in Latvia was to visit the music school in Aloja. The music school is really an art and music school that the students go to after their regular school. One of the teachers at the school plays in the orchestra at Matejs Baptist Church. We played for the kids, they played and sang for us, and we even played one song with them. Paul and Eric each gave their testimonies about how God has used music in their lives. We had some great fellowship with the students afterwards. I sat with some boys who are around 12 years old. Their English is very good. We talked about a number of things. One of them mentioned computers, and he said he even gets on the Internet a lot. I gave them some cards with pictures of Immanuel, along with the church web site. I got a couple of their email addresses, and I gave them mine. Overall, it was a great day. It was very special because of the time that we were able to spend with the students.
Aloja Music School
Today we had the amazing opportunity to visit a music school in the town of Aloja. When we arrived, they were waiting for us, approx. 40 students and 10 adults. A sax trio, ages 11-13, played for us and we played a short concert for them which they seemed to enjoy it. Paul and Eric shared their testimonies along with their "musical history". Then one of their teachers, who is a member of Matthews Baptist, asked if we would play one of their songs with the students. We played a march by Handel with 5 of their students.
After that we had a time of fellowship with the students. We were able to help them practice their English and they helped us learn some Latvian. I spent some time with an 11-year-old girl named Diana. She played the saxophone with the trio at the beginning of our concert. Later, Diana and 7 other girls sang 2 very beautiful songs in 2-3 part harmony. After that it was time to say goodbye. The music school director presented us with a beautiful chalk drawing by one of the students. We exchanged e-mail addresses as we left. The students were so excited by the experience and we were truly blessed by them!
P.S. Mom, today was much, much better! Thank you for the advice and especially the prayer! I love you. Say hi to the boy for me!
Latvia's Music Children
What an evening! God truly used our unique gifts for a unique environment. We were invited to a music school in Aloja. It is a rural community about 180 Km from Riga. We were surprised to see that the school was not a normal school but an after-school program. Students will go to school during the day and they attend art school in the afternoon until about six. We were able to set up in a small double room, which was the biggest on their campus and perform for the students. The music director is a trumpet player at Matthews Baptist Church. Therefore, we were invited to open with our faith and Paul and I both gave our testimonies about how we saw God use music in our lives to bring us close to him. Afterwards, we were encouraged to fellowship with the kids and the music director actually paired us up with them so they could practice their English. We were able to build relationships and it was wonderful to watch our musicians see how their talents could bridge a language barrier. God was so good to us today!
