GO Project: Orchestra/Latvia 2005

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.

posted by Don @ 3:10 PM