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.
