Our God Is An Awesome God

Since the last entry on the blog amazing things have happened.  The mission trip to Latvia surpassed all expectations.  Prayer surrounded every step of the way!  Fund raising exceeded our goals. The work on Steve and Natalija's home and new spaces for community gatherings took a giant step forward with work still to be done but we trust God's faithfulness to provide.  Every member of the 14 who made the trip were impacted in their own lives by their time in Latvia.  We also were able to make new acquaintances and relationships during our time in Latvia.
The devotion and sacrifice of the Janz family to follow God's will for mission in Latvia was never more evident than during the time spent in this Eastern European country that works every day to gain a footing in our rapidly changing world.  Their three young sons were active participants with their warm and spirited engagement in the work that 14 Canadians came to  perform.


There is a lot more to this short term mission story but here is a snapshot.

Before work began the team attended church with the Janz Family.

Before building there must be unbuilding.

The old leaky roof with no insulation and scrunched bedrooms

The new top floor with dormers and there will be an upstairs washroom

The crew on coffee break

Latvia Mission Trip Takes Steps Forward

Dates are set.  Tickets are reserved. People are committed to an 11 day short term mission trip
to support the Janz family in Latvia. A team of skilled trades are planning to rebuild the roof on the home where the family resides.  Other work on the secondary buildings which will be used for mission activities including leadership building retreats will be performed as time permits.
Minimum fund raising commitments are being taken on for those signing on to this mission.  Fund raising plans will also be undertaken at Maple Ridge Baptist Church.
There have been years of prayers from many supporters that God would open the doors for this work to happen.  At this time it seems that He is opening doors for this work to be accomplished by people who are being called to be His hands and feet. With the September dates for this travel seemingly still a ways off it is so important to not to let complacency set in or to stop doing the work that is being laid before us.  There is much planning and preparing and each and every day must be used to execute the goals Our Father is setting before us.
As the word goes out to those who support the Janz family it is important to recognize the financial needs for this work.  For those that may wish to take part with gifts to the Janz's it would be prudent to contact them directly.  Also there is support information elsewhere in this blog.
Most critically, this work needs prayer warriors around it to see it through completion. 

Your Time Their Future

The Lord is at work.  A journey to Latvia by a construction work mission  team to the  bless the Janz family has taken positive steps toward reality. Critical repairs needed to their residence  in Latvia and a secondary building that needs significant renovations to become a space for retreats and leadership building will hopefully be completed. A team  led by a group of men from Maple Ridge Baptist Church are working toward a trip in late September.  A core within this group are experienced in other international trips doing similar work.
Steve and Natalija Janz  have committed their lives to bringing Jesus into the lives of  young people and families in Latvia.  They are relentless in the work that the Lord has laid on their hearts.  During their years three fine sons have been added to their team.
Through Camp In A Box, the camping ministry they began a number of years ago and their passion to build young Jesus powered leaders under the banner of Your Time Their future the Janz's  have worked tirelessly.  As well they have engaged families with in their area to learn the word of God and build trust and relationships.
Their housing needs and their vision to build a permanent, strong foundation for growing the Kingdom of God need hands and feet and financial blessing.  It is hoped that this short term mission
can bless them and provide answer to many years of need and prayer.
There will be updates posted here as this prayerful undertaking moves forward.

A Mission To Latvia

Recent meetings by the Global Outreach Team at Maple Ridge Baptist Church produced positive feedback towards a mission trip to Latvia.  There are two main areas of interest.  There are a group of skilled construction men that could take on one or two projects.  The roof on the Janz home is in need of urgent replacement.  Architectural drawings are already completed for renovations to the second major structure on the property.  The vision is to create accommodations that could provide a retreat setting for developing and strengthening Latvian Christians who are taking on leadership roles in bringing families, children other young adults into relationship with Jesus.
Among the MRBC congregation are other folks ready to organize and conduct an ESL program.
Both projects could be carried out at the same time.  This opens up the door for families or couples to be involved.
This would be a strong and amazing encouragement for the Janz family as they pursue the Lord's calling. MRBC has been a strong supporter of this mission for many years. The prayers of many and the will of God can be an unstoppable force. Let's be strong in prayer Lord that the people and resources needed will be assembled in the coming weeks.

Plans for 2016

The Steve and Natalia Janz mission in Latvia brings new challenges every day.  Their hearts for bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to this Baltic Country have never wavered. Even when dwindling support forced a return to Canada there was always a vision that God way open the doors enabling them to return one day.  During that time in Calgary, the blessing of a third son, Joshua, joined his brothers Samuel and Simon.
In 2015, the challenge of returning to fill time mission in Latvia came with the added burden of knowing that Steve's father was slowly losing his battle with cancer.  The strength provided by an incredible loving Saviour was never more evident as friends and supporters followed the return of the Janz family to Latvia and the news shortly after that Steve's Dad had graduated to heaven.
As the family worked to provide care packages for needy families in their area, and engage friends and supporters there in knowing Jesus and being encouraged on their walks, they also dealt with some of the harsh realities of  winter that comes to this region of Europe. Their house is poorly insulated.  Snowfall is a source of extra exercise. The bright side is told in photos posted by Steve showing a small skating rink and the boys playing a little hockey and giving lessons to Josh.
There is much that can be done to help this mission.  As we begin 2016, there are plans
 unfolding that may provide a team to travel from Canada to Latvia in the coming year.  In the coming weeks new information will be provided to update this prayerful endeavour.  Much will be needed. But most of all we need to be strong and incessant in prayer for the Janz family. 

Their devotion to the Lord and obedience to His conviction on their lives is not without purpose and plan.  There will be a call to be a part of this mission in a country that richly deserves and desperately needs the spreading of the Gospel within its borders. It will fall to those that hear this call, to answer.  The first call is to surround this strong family in love and prayer.