Latvia Mission Trip Reports

August, 2009

Karen Tinker Jessica Tinker Vicky Landry Tori Landry

Latvia Trip Report

By Karen Tinker

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for supporting us on our mission trip to Latvia and Germany . We had a wonderful experience. It was exciting for me to return to Latvia after 15 years. In many ways, this trip felt as though it were my first trip. There have been so many changes! Technology has invaded Latvia . The country that was trapped in the 1940’s because of communism has suddenly exploded with computers, lap tops, cell phones, and ipods. It was remarkable to see colorful clothing, new houses, and grocery stores. Some things haven’t changed. The people are still hospitable and generous. They open their hearts and make you feel as if you have always been a part of their family.

Our team of 9 led a ladies retreat at New Generation Church in Ventspils , Latvia . About 50 ladies attended the 3 day event. Our theme was based on a garden, with specific teachings on how to cultivate and guard our spiritual gardens. We each wrote our own message, independently of each other. It was great to see how the Lord was leading each of us to deliver His words through us. We prayed for many women, perhaps all of them, during our ministry times. Lives were changed by God’s revelation and love.

Some of the women who attended the ladies' retreat

Another highlight of our time in Ventspils was ArtReach. New Generation Church has never had a children’s program or outreach for the children. This was an exciting event for more than 40 kids. We shared the creation story, the story of the prodigal son, and salvation. It was a 3 day event, followed by a presentation for the parents.

Kids waiting for ArtReach to begin

We shared parts of our retreat at two other churches in Latvia . The last church where we ministered had an incredible hunger and desire for God. There was an awesome time of ministry; women were delivered, healed, and encouraged.

Our time in Latvia was followed by visiting one of Calvary ’s missionaries, Pam Holechek. Pam is in Germany , living and teaching intercession. She has connections with Youth With A Mission, which allows her to teach intercession at their schools. She is serving at a church called the Jesus House, and is overseeing the beginning of a healing room. It was great to see her at home in Germany .

Having Jessica on this trip made it especially memorable. At the ladies’ retreat, she spoke about how important it is to carefully choose our friends. She was a part of a drama that our team did to show how Jesus wants to redeem us and repair our broken hearts. She ministered to the kids at ArtReach, and left with more e-mail addresses than anyone on the team. She helped out wherever she could, doing whatever was asked of her. We became a team as we ministered in prayer. What an awesome experience it was to hear Jessica pray scripture and words of life over women and children.

Thank you for being a part of this trip. Without your prayers and support, we could not have done it. You made it possible for many families, through the women and children, to be touched and blessed by the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Love,

Karen Tinker

Latvia Trip Report

By Jessica Tinker

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you so much for supporting me on my mission trip to Latvia and Germany . This was my first trip out of the United States . It was a great experience for me.

The first day we were there, we ministered at a ladies retreat. The theme was "Cultivating the Garden of your Heart." Each member of the team was asked to write a teaching based on our theme. I spoke to the ladies on the importance of choosing your friends wisely. During ministry time we saw lots of deliverances, healing, and restoration. It was amazing to see all that God had done.

We also conducted an ArtReach for New Generation Church in Ventspils , Latvia , where about 40 kids attended. I led drama and games and had my own group of four kids. Some of the kids were as young as four, but wow, they were great artists. I came home with about 32 e-mail addresses from the kids. The kids in ArtReach were so full of love; it was easy for me to love them. Even the guys weren't afraid to give you a hug or a "high five." "Next year," we were told by several kids, "you have to come back." I'm really praying that I can.

Jessica with two girls from ArtReach Youth Group from Ventspils, saying good-bye along side the road

In Germany we spent some time with Pam Holecheck, a missionary from Calvary , and the staff at Jesus Haus. I made friends with the pastor's daughters Anna and Nadia. We had a couple of times to pray for Pam.

Anna and Nadia in Herrnhut , Germany

As much as I am glad to be home, I miss Latvia and Germany . If it is God's will, I am ready to go on a mission trip again.

Thank you all for praying and supporting me.

Love,

Jessica Tinker

Ventspils, Latvia: Missions 2009 was awesome!

By Vicky Landry

Thank you so much for sending me and my daughter, Tori, as a part of a team of nine women to this Baltic country…in a city by the sea. They are in an economic crisis, but the church is alive and vibrant. They thoroughly blessed us with their open hearts and doors. Get a cup of tea and prop up your feet as I share a story whose complexity is still being revealed:

The ministry times at the end of our speaking sessions were so impactive. After the second day of the women’s conference in Ventspils, Debi Buckles and I prayed for a visiting pastor’s wife from a nearby town of Talsu, Latvia. We could see the burdens she carried for her church and watched respond to the Holy Spirit speaking to her wounds. When we gave to her out of unmarked resources the Lord had prompted us to take, we got to watch as she soaked in the love of our caring Father.

She invited our team to speak at her little church. They welcomed us with unmerited hospitality– dinner and activities at Talsu’s community center.

During our teaching sessions I was prompted to share with the women the words of one of my intercessors, Carlene, who said, "Vicky, you’re going in 2009 with 9 women. Nine is symbolic of the Holy Spirit." Our team could feel Him stirring their spirits for His good purposes. Immediately the ladies reminded me that we had taken our pictures in front of 9 big buttons at the community center symbolizing the 9 Hills erected by God in Talsu. Their 9 hills are what put them on the map and what they are celebrated for! What an awesome God-appointment!

Ministry began and we saw people with depression break out in laughter, women overwhelmed by the love of God, and even a demonized woman breaking agreements with a demon that had put her in a trance every time someone began praying for her. For the first time in three years she remained lucid and in agreement to the Father!

You’ve heard this about missions: you receive so much more than you give. I received in the form of a lesson. Satan tried to put an offense between Debi and me the first day of ministry. We recognized where it came from and addressed it immediately. Had we not, it’s quite possible that none of this would have unfolded! We knew we had a job to do and we couldn’t let any offense get in the way of what God wanted. Our time was short! Guess what, our time on this earth is short as well! God has something He wants to do in and through the Church, and holding offenses only deters His purposes. (Bonus: I have a new good friend in Debi :)

Perhaps what happened in Herrnhuter, Germany where Pam Holecheck is stationed with YWAM will happen here: We were privileged to visit there and learn the story of their Count Zinzendorf of the 1700s who received a Spirit of Repentance and went door to door in his village mending offenses with the townspeople. The people then gathered to worship and were surprised by the Holy Spirit catapulting them into the following movement.

As I’ve learned it: The Moravian Brothers were drawn there from the now Czech Republic to be a part of this movement, study the word, translate it, and begin the very first missionary journeys. They took the gospel to Latvia. Long before Communism broke 20 years ago, the foundation had been laid. We did this same trek as the Moravians but in reverse: Latvia; Hernhuter, Germany; and then the Czech Republic. Inesa, the pastor in Ventspils, had shared their Christian origins before we left her. Thank you Lord that we are your children of destiny!

Join me in my current mission of repairing hurts and wounds in the Church. Let’s prepare the way for an awesome move of the Holy Spirit! Thank you for your financial and prayer support. You are Awesome!

God Bless You,

Vicky Landry

God Is In the Details

By Tori Landry

As I reflect on these past few weeks, I realize that God was in all of the details of our mission trip to Latvia . As soon as we started our women’s retreat, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit more strongly than I ever had in my life. Even when the team was exhausted and had nothing to give, God worked through us in miraculous ways.

I was also surprised by the youth in Latvia ! I had come prepared for women’s and children’s ministry, but there was an entire youth group present, ready and waiting to be our friends and helpers with ArtReach, translating, and anything else! Our youth became incredibly close with them in a very short amount of time. As we were on the road to leave, the Latvian youth stood on the highway with signs on their backs spelling out “I love you.”

I was so impressed by the beauty of Latvia : the white sand beaches, the natural forests, and the wildly colorful flowers. Yet nothing compared to the open and beautiful hearts of the people in the church of Ventspils. Each individual was so willing to serve, to love, and to be a part of the community.

On this mission trip, we were able to sow seeds in these people’s lives and see the fruit. There will now be a children’s ministry in a city where there has never been one. There are many women who were blessed for following God’s heart. There are young men who are rising up to take the rightful place as leaders in the church.

God’s desires and purposes for the Latvian people are for His kingdom. I could feel it as soon as I began to speak to them. I fell in love with them within hours of meeting them. I am so grateful for the opportunity that you gave me. Thank you for your prayers and support. I hope to be able to sit down and talk to you more about the great adventures that took place in those few short days!

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