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 wasMajesty (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.
posted by Don @ 1:03 PM
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