Pastor Janis' Comments

Pastor Janis of the Limbazi Baptist Church says...

Hey!
It was really good to see all the kids that showed up for AWANA. Even though it was raining. But God stopped the rain right before we had to play games outside, and right before kids had to go home.
Of course it is just beginning, but we are hoping that God will use this program and leaders of the AWANA to bring many to Christ, also the parents of the children. It is new thing for the church, to go outside its walls, but I believe that God will work and bring many into the Kingdom.

Once again I want to express my gratitude for all your efforts while here in Limbazi, and for your continues prayers and support.

Janis Kalejs

Follow Up Service this Sunday

This Sunday, July 31st, we are having a latvia mission Sunday in both main services at Arizona Hills Church. Make sure you don't miss it as the team shares what God did during their time in Latvia.
God is continuing to work even now as we are home and we will share what God has been doing in the past weeks since we've been home. Don't miss it!

Jon Hatch

20 kids at the first AWANA!!!!

Janis, the pastor at the Limbazi Baptisit, church reported today that there were 20 kids at their first ever AWANA program. PRAISE GOD!

For those of you who do not know, AWANA is a weekly Bible club for kids of all ages. There are games and Bible lessons along with a ton of scripture memorization. Be praying that God will raise up plenty of leaders for the Limbazi program. I will be talking to the Desert Sun AWANA club about the adopt-a-club program. This is a program where one AWANA club sponcers a new club to help it get going. Pray that God blesses this ministry and uses it to further transform the town of Limbazi.

Curtis

First Limbazi youth night

Praise the Lord! Our family just got back from Limbazi and are just amazed by how God continues to work. There were 25 students at the youth meeting from the two camps. I wish I could remember all their names, but I'm sure you will hear about it through others. I don't think this church has seen this many young people in it for at least 50 years, it was great.

There was music (David from camp played with Eric), we played games and Janis spoke on "what is eternity". Lasma, who just gave her life to Christ last week, gave her testimony! After the program people hung out, I don't think the people of the church were ready for all the young people. There was even a few smoking outside after the service, I'm sure people will be talking.

Thanks again Az Hills God used you to make it all happen, please, please keep writing those new friends you made, and pray often for us here in Latvia.

Scott Runzo

From your missionary in latvia

This is Scott Runzo one of Az Hills missionaries in Latvia. I just wanted to connect you to our web-site so you could hear in more detail about the summer in Latvia. The team from AZ Hills was amazing and served God well and we saw great things happen because they came and served. We could not do the work that the Lord has called us to here without the support of quality groups like the one from AZ Hills. Please read more at the following site, if you would like to continue to receive updates about the work in Latvia please e-mail me at the email address on the following site, Thanks and thanks for supporting our work and sending a team to help. We hope Az Hills will be a big part of the work happening in Latvia for many years to come.

http://slrunzofamily.typepad.com/the_runzo_family/

On the way home!!!!

The team left London today and is heading for Phoenix...this email terminal is terrible so I will be brief.
Everyone on the team is fine, but tired. God has used some powerful and dramatic events to forever change the team and the town of Limbazi. Our last evning will nver be forgotten, but God added even more people to His kingdom because of it.
We will post details after everyone is home and has a chance to rest, but we just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers. I am so proud to have been associated with such a fine group of young peoople whoo aree oonn fire for God.

Leaving was one of the most emotional times I can ever remember. We will all miss our Limbazi family, and are looking forward to seeing our family back home.

We will continue to blog our after thoughts and postscripts to the trip so keep checking tthe blog.

VBS in full swing!

Today we are starting the last day of VBS in Lambazi, Latvia. It has been an incredible week! Our az hills students have done a great job hanging with the kiddos and being there for them all day. They are tired but some how they push through with God-given energy! Last night we had a parents night and lots of parents came. It was so fun. The pastor of the church here talked about kids programs they are starting, inluding awana. So many connections were made between the parents and the pastor. We are praying that many people begin to attend the church here and their lives are changed. So God is working all over the place... in kids, teens, adults. Wow!

Tomorrow we are leaving this town and heading back to Riga, Latvia and then on Saturday we will be going to London. The trip is coming to a close, but pray that maybe some more ministry happens tonight and tomorrow as we leave. God works all the time! Also, pray for traveling safety. I have called and checked on all of our flights and hotel stays and everything is okay and secure, but please pray. We will update you tomorrow on the effects of vbs. Until then look at some more pics below.

In Christ,
Jon Hatch

Latvian kids having a blast during big meeting! They love the songs! 

Girls in the Anna bannana group. 

Brett and Brennan at VBS. 

This is a latvian hedgehog. Cool huh?! 

Some latvian teens and our team. 

VBS Has Start at Full Speed!

After a weekend of a little R&R the team went full speed ahead into vacation bible school on Monday! We had close to 40 kids show up excited about the week! Our azhills students had tons of enthusiasm and energy for them and it made the day for the kids. The first day couldn't have gone better and everyone did a great job making sure the kids had a good time!
We really need prayer for energy for the rest of the week. Slowly each one of us is feeling the exhaustion of the past days. We want to really make the kids here enjoy this week and we are all pouring out everything we have to make it happen. Please pray for us!
Also pray that God would use us to reach these little kids for Christ. Pray for decisions to be made that last forever. Pray for little hearts to find Jesus!

Thanks again for the encouragement. We love it!
A few pics below...

Jon Hatch

First Day of VBS. 

BBQ after church service on Sunday. It was the church's 97th year anniversary! 

R&R on the beach at the Baltic Sea. 

Pray for some missing gear...

Friday morning a computer and video camera came up missing. Pray for the return of these items. The computer belonged to one of the interns and had her first year of seminary work on it. Pray also that this fact does not seal the joy from the wonderful week we have had.

Curtis

English camp is over... 10 came to Christ! Many others are getting closer!

Wow! That's all I can say right now! God is incredible! Last night He changed hearts and lives of 10 latvian teens right in front of us. They all began relationships with Christ that will last forever. Many other students have taken serious steps closer to coming to know Jesus. God is good!
Yesterday morning our az hills kids were tired like never before. They all talked at our morning meeting how they felt that they had poured their lives into the latvian teens and they were heart broken for them. They all wished that all the teens would understand how muched God loved them and that their lives would change. So as a team we called on God to specifically change hearts during the last evening program. And he honored our request! Awesome!
Every single student has given 100% of themselves to make a difference in the world. And because of that committment 10 more souls have been won for Christ! Woo Hoo! Your prayers have been a big part of it. Thank you for all the spiritual support.

On another note... we know of the attacks in London and are working on making sure our hotel is still available and flights are okay too. Right now everything looks fine for us, but as we continue to communicate with everyone we will keep you updated. Everyone here is safe and secure. So no worries but please keep praying for safety.

Today we are resting and getting ready for VBS next week. Thanks again for being a church body who loves God, Christ and us. Keep up the prayers!

Excited about changed lives,
Jon Hatch

Until the next update here are some pictures below...

Fun at our very own coffe house after evening program. 

Ryan talking to Jack, a latvian student, after the evening program. 

Mark's small group. 

Zack and Jon leading small group after evening worship. 

Big meeting during english camp 

A latvian student with a funky hairdo! 

3 Days of English Camp Down... 2 to go!

I wish I didn't have to write this and instead you all could experience what is happening here because your faith would change in huge ways if you could only see how God is at work. But since you can't I will tell you the amazing things that are happening.
We decided as a team that one of our goals would be to do everything we could to move latvian teens closer to the cross and closer to making Christ a part of their lives then let God do the rest. Well guess what?! It's happening! Last night, the 3rd night of camp and evening program, the room was packed with teenagers. There literally was not an empty seat in the room. We were looking for chairs anywhere we could (latvians don't really like sitting on the floor). God moved in huge ways throughout the service like he has the previous 2 nights. After the service we give the students a chance to get into small groups and answer and ask questions about God, Christ and church. I wish you could have heard the conversations! Every group was into heavy talks about Christ. And afterward many latvian students told us that this is the first time they ever were able to talk about these topics and how much they loved it.
Last night, during our team meeting our az hills kids were so pumped and excited about the conversations they had that they couldn't sleep. Everyone of them talked about how they felt God using them to reach out to the latvian teens they have built relationships with. There have been no complete decisions for Christ yet... but nothing like what we are doing has ever been done in this town! So inch by inch teens are working their way to Christ changing their lives forever.
Again I must tell you how incredibly bold our az hills kids are! I have been challenged in my own faith because of their boldness. Every single one of them puts themselves on the line for God everyday just to build relationships with the latvian teens here. They share their testimonies and personal life experiences all the time. They are so consumed by God and how they see him working in peoples hearts. I get goose bumps just writing about it.
The english teaching has started to become fun for all of us. And the latvian students are really having fun as well learning the english. They especially like american idioms like... See you later alligator, It's raining cats and dogs, or Catch you on the flip side!
Thanks for all the responses on the blogs. The kids do get a chance to read them, but not much time to respond. So please know that your encouragement is getting to them and they love it.
Pray! Pray! Pray! That God continues to do amazing things here. Tonight we are really talking about Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. Pray that lives are changed tonight!
Until tomorrow there are pictures below for you to look at.

God Bless you all!
Jon Hatch

Kids singing and dancing during english camp. 

Latvian students engaged in the evening program. 

Fun times at the lake. 

Curtis talking with Richard, a latvian teen, after the evening program. 

Road to the town lake. 

The crowd from the first night. 

The Latvian kids love mark. They are taking pictures of him with their camera phones. 

Dancing at a town party 

English Camp Has Started!

The first day of English camp was awesome, but very tiring and draining. The az students and jv interns poured themselves into the english teaching, the recreation, the programs and into the kids at camp. They had a blast and we were even up late talking about what happened that day.
One of the amazing things I've noticed is how bold our AZ Hills students have become for Christ. They are quick to explain why we are doing an english camp and why we are here because of God. Every single one of them is stepping out of their comfort zone and reaching out to the latvian teens here in this town. And because of their boldness latvian teens are questioning their own lives and beginning to ask about the Christian life. I never thought they would take hold of the mission they are on as passionately as they are.
There have been some frustrations teaching english and communicating, but they are minimal compared to the awesome things God is doing.
Please continue to pray because we can definitely feel your prayers and know that they are working! Pray for continued energy and strength as the days come and go and the team becomes more tired. It has been hard to go to bed for some of us because it is only dark for a few hours.
We are still online at the internet cafe and the students have all figured out their phone cards so there will be more communication from here on, but know that we are all throwing our entire hearts, minds and bodies into this mission so our time is limited because it's a 24/7 thing. The blog will be updated often so you can communicate there no problem. Keep the encouragement coming!

We love you and miss you too!
Jon Hatch

There are pictures below from the first day.......

The Band 

Big Meeting Time at camp 

English Camp