Dear Family, friends & partners in Prayer,Greetings from Striki School in Striki Latvia.!!
Yes the Lord open the door for me to extend my 3 month visit to a whole year . I want to say a big thank you for all of you who have teamed up with me in prayer concerning my staying longer in Latvia. I was greatly encouraged by all the emails and facebook message and for those who have given financially in the past.
I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for me as I serve Him in Latvia and beyond.
I am also looking forward to spring and summer were we can enjoy the longer days. This has been one of the coldest winters I have ever experienced in my entire life!! Now I know why Eastern European people dress up with big coats and furry hats. They keep you warm. I'm looking forward to not having to wear many layers of clothing!!
My Latvian Family
In Psalm 68:6 it reads "You find families for those who are lonely" ( Contemporary English Version)
I have found this verse so true in my life and ministry. I can't believe how many "mom's I have across the United States or older brothers and sisters in the Lord that I look up to.
Well the Lord has done that for me again here in Latvia. Meet my Latvian family Kristaps, Liga, and mama Maija(not pictured). Kristaps was one of my former students from the English Bible camp in 2008. It started when the heat went out in St Gregors mission center in December. It was way to cold to stay there. Daina the head master arranged for me to stay at Maija's home for a few days. During the course of time, I became apart of the family. It has been some what of an eye opener for me. At times I find myself as a friend to Kristaps & Liga, sometimes the "big brother" and at other times "Dad or father".
I have so much respect for their mom Maija. It isn't easy being a single mom raising a a growing teen who is active, hyper and if you let him could get himself into trouble or a 9 year old girl who is so bright for her age you think she was already in her twenties. Click here to see pictures of my Latvian family as we celebrate Liga's 9th birthday.
So what is it I do in Latvia??
I am excited as the Lord open the door for me to stay longer in Latvia. In many ways I feel like I'm the one in "school" as I slowly learn a new language, adjust to a different culture, and being open to be taken outside my comfort zone at anytime.
So what does the Lord have me doing in Latvia? Here is a break down in how I am serving in Latvia.
1) To be an example of a Christian to the students by being among them.
For many, Striki school (which is not a "Christian School"), is the first interdiction to Jesus Christ and Christianity because of the English Bible camp that East European Mission Network host in the summer and the school director, Daina Zandberga who has a deep desire that the children would at lest know about Jesus by offering Christian education and morning devotions. I have the honor to lead the morning devotions on Friday.
2) To Serve Striki, Druva & St Gregors Schools.
In Striki School,
I serve the kids on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. On Monday I teach English using drama. I also offer a guitar class after school. On Wednesday I am there as more of a support for Daina or the teachers that may need help. On Friday I work with fellow teacher Aniti Zandberga as we team teach again using drama and games. I teach from 1st to 9th graders so believe me it is never boring!
In Druva School
On Tuesday & Thursday, I teach a group 1st,2nd & 3rd graders of "home schooled"kids that meet at Druva Jr High school. This home school group is Christian based so they encourage me to really share about Jesus in any and every way. I recently met the director of the Druva Jr high school (which is not a Christian school) after they met me at a conference in Striki. They have asked me if I'd be willing to come and share at their school as well. I'll keep you posted.
In St Gregors
I have the honor to live here at St Gregors, (when I'm not at my Latvian family home). I serve under pastor Raimonds Mezins who is the director of St Gregors. He has a big heart for out reach. Here at St Gregors, I have given Bible studies/ Lectures and offer guitar class. And at times, join them for ministry outreach.
Speaking & Singing Ministry
Many have asked me i
f I ever speak/preach or sing anymore now that I am in Latvia. Well the answer is yes.Since I have been here in November, the Lord has open up doors of ministry for me to preach and sing at different churches and ministry conferences. Of course unlike in the states were I have many contacts and I am known, here in Latvia the doors open as people get to know more about me.
In many ways it almost like "starting over again". Press kits, past achievements or music awards really don't mean a thing here. But having a strong witness and knowing "the right people or they getting to know you" is what the Lord has been using to open doors.
I look forward to see what other doors will open as the year unfolds.
English Bible Camp
As a missionary on behalf of East European Mission Network , one of my prayers is to be used not only during the English Bible Camp that we host in late June/July here in Striki & Riga, Latvia, but to hopefully do follow up with the kids who may come to Christ during the camp. Would you begin to pray that the Lord will soften the hearts of both the kids and the teachers? In many ways this is one of the biggest outreach to the kids at Striki & Riga Latvia.
One of the biggest change I notice is having a sense of stability. While in the state's I pretty much lived outside of a suitcase traveling all over the states doing ministry events. The Lord has always been faithful in supplying for all my needs through my ministry events.
Now for the first time in years, it has been different to be at the same place every day and invest in the lives of the kids in Striki and Saldus. The one thing I always missed out when traveling on the road, is not seeing the fruit that the Lord may have brought forth from my ministry event. Now as I have been here in Latvia, to see the Lord move among the hearts of the kids has been exciting. It is almost like being a farmer who plants and now waits for the harvest. But unlike the states, I am not supported by my ministry events.
As with any missionary ministry, it does take funding. As an official missionary with East European Mission Network, I must at lest raise $500.00 per month the minimum required by the Latvian government to stay here as a missionary.
Any love offering of $5, $10, $25, $50 or $100.00 per month or as a one time gift does make a difference to the lives of the children and the families we are reaching here in Saldus & Striki Latvia.
If you feel lead by the Lord to make a donation, my friends at East European Mission Network has a special page on their web site (www.eemn.org) where you can send your donation.
You can also send your donation to GentleWind Ministries International (gentlewindmusic.com)
All love offerings and donations are tax deductible.
Possible Missions & Music Tour in the making.
Feeling a strong desire from the Lord to serve the people of Latvia and beyond, I am planning to come back to the states for 6 to 8 weeks in the late summer/early fall. During that time I will be raising support through my speaking/singing ministry, as well as representing EEMN and its mission to churches, and to share about EEMN's short term mission trips that take place in the summer and fall.
Would you prayerfully consider having me come out to your church or Christian event? I would love to share what the Lord is doing in Latvia. For information please contact me at gentlewidmusic@yahoo.com.
Well that is it for now. Stay in touch with me at Facebook. You may also email me at gentlewindmusic@yahoo.com or call me at 317 641-3600. It is our Indiana number that works even here in Latvia. I love hearing from you!
Thank you for praying for Moya the cat, we found her a good home (Thanks to Paul Mitchel) Till I get back.
Have a great month!
Love & God Bless
You’re Musicianary
dmc
David Michael Carrillo
East European Mission Network 1443 Southfork DR NE Hutchinson, MN 55350
In Latvia
David Michael Carrillo
St Gregors Christian School of Ministry Liela iela 26 Saldus, LV 3801. Latvia
In the states
David Michael Carrillo
GentleWind Ministries International PO Box 44601 Indianapolis, IN 46244
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