CEE Story From The Mission Field
Prayer Walking in Kraslava
March 10, 2006
Kraslava, Latvia, situated in the eastern part of Latvia, is home to 11,000+ people, the majority of whom are Russian speakers. Kraslava has the usual mixture of Orthodox, Old Believer, and Catholic churches as the other towns in this Latgale region of Latvia; however, there has been no significant evangelical presence in this community ever. In 2002 we took a volunteer team of 5 Americans along with national translators to Kraslava for a day of prayerwalking. They were given a map with instructions on where to walk and specific things to pray for.
"Just before Lacplesa Street you will see the sports school. Pray for the students and instructors there to have their hearts softened to God's word. Pray that someday perhaps sports ministry can be used to reach these students there."
In July, 2005, we had a team of American volunteers from Second Baptist, Houston, come to Kraslava for a week of sports ministry. They taught about 100 children and teenagers to play baseball and introduced them to Jesus Christ. Many of them heard this name of Jesus for the first time in a context that wasn't one of cursing. One teenager told one of our volunteers, "Before you came, I didn't believe God existed. Now I know that He exists because I've seen Him in you." Our Ukrainian missionary, Vitaly, has been going back to Kraslava to meet with these young people. We've played more baseball and brought them several steps closer to Christ.
"Stop when you come to the intersection with Skolas / Siena Streets. On the left corner is the county government building. Pray for these government officials to have wisdom in their work, and to be willing to allow Baptists to work in the town and district."
As we planned for this summer's volunteer team, Sheila and Cathy looked for a place for them to stay. We were directed to a small hotel in the middle of town and met with the owner, a lady named Vanda. She was so gracious and accommodating and her small hotel was very nice, so we arranged for the volunteers to stay there. Several weeks later there was an election in town for mayor. A new mayor was elected - Vanda's husband. We arranged to meet with him a few weeks after the election to secure his approval for the volunteer work and ask for the use of the city sports field. God paved the way ahead of us.
"Pray that this area will thirst for the Lord. Pray that God will start a Bible study and a church in this area that will reach many people for Jesus Christ."
Last night we sat in a Bible study that meets weekly in Kraslava. Pastor Slava began this week night Bible study a year ago. It is still small, but those who come are learning. Two women began attending soon after it was started, Olevetina and Antonina. They have been regular in attendance and now consider this "their church." Neither of them were Christians and have not yet made that decision, but God is at work in their hearts as they open His Word for the first time.
"As you pass the information center, pray that Kraslava will not be known for just nice old churches, but also for real Christians who know and love the Lord with all their hearts, souls, and minds."
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16.
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