It has already been three months since we left to serve in the Baltic Mission. Overall, we love our new life and responsibilities here in Latvia. Our time at the MTC has replaced anxiety and worry with optimism and assurance. Our missionary work is the best of all possibilities as retired individuals. The Lord provides healing, smoothing, and confidence for those recently called as missionaries. We see this transformation in the young missionaries too.
We have been busy learning, observing and performing to best fulfill our mission duties. We are blessed with much to do, as we like it this way. We live less than 200 miles from the Russian border. About one third of Latvia is ethnic Russians and a growing population of Ukrainian refugees. The older population speaks only their native language and waves you away but there are many who speak English, and we love that. We have not found ourselves in a situation where someone nearby cannot help communicate with us. Almost all the rising generation speaks some level of English. And many very well. What a blessing!
One of our responsibilities is to find humanitarian projects. This sometimes requires travel to another country. So far, we have had the pleasure to visit non-profit organizations in all three Baltic countries and Finland. Travel within the European Union is so easy; it's like driving into a neighboring state back home. We love to travel, so we are happy. This part of the world is so beautiful and picturesque.
We have the opportunity to be aware of all the humanitarian efforts going on in Ukraine and Moldova. We report the Church is helping in huge ways. The amount of money that is spent on relief efforts is enormous. We wonder how the Church can afford such funding and we remember the miracle of the "loaves and fishes" in the Savior's day. We love knowing the Lord is aware of each of us individually and wants to comfort our sorrows through the efforts of others. If you feel inclined to help with humanitarian relief, donate to the Humanitarian Fund through the Church - every single dollar goes directly to relief aid around the world. This, I am sure.
There are several ongoing humanitarian projects here. We are diligently working to develop projects in the Baltic Mission. Yesterday, we visited a Ukraine Help Center here in Riga. Locals donate gently used items for Ukrainian refugees to select clothing, baby items, and household goods for themselves. Hygiene items are rationed. The large warehouse is helping on both sides of the Ukraine border. Loaded trucks deliver much need items to the border and return with refugees seeking to come to Riga. In one corner of the warehouse, volunteers make "trench candles" which are sent to Ukraine for light, warmth, and heat to cook food for those left without power. We spoke to the branch president about service project involving hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste/ brushes, diapers, and other personal item. A collection drive is being planned.
We are impressed by the young missionaries here. We are surrounded by valiant young men and women prepared to serve this very mission. One such missionary is Elder Artem Petryakov. Early last year, as a young seventeen year old, he was living in Kiev, the Russians started bombing his city. It was a terrifying and frightful experience for everyone. His whole country was under attack. His father and mother moved their family to Riga where they would be safe. While in Latvia, a leader asked Artem about his future plans. He didn't know and hadn't put much thought into it. The leader understood that his future could be involved in the military of Ukraine. He asked Artem if he wanted to serve the army of his country or be part of the army of God. Artem thought about this and knew what he must do. He was set apart as a full-time missionary on his 18th birthday assigned to labor in the Baltic Mission. With no MTC training, he serves the Russian speaking people here in Riga.
On Sundays, we attend the Russian branch and this Elder translates Russian into English. We are so appreciative of his gift. He is an inspiration to us and everyone. We admire his ability to forgive the Russians who invaded his country and killed many people he knows. Regardless of his circumstances, and with the healing power of the Atonement he continues to teach Russian speaking people the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is one of our most effective and productive missionaries.
The Spirit of the Lord guides us and helps us find joy and peace in small ways. Everyday we pinch ourselves to see if we are dreaming. We have a greater appreciation for amazing people who, like us, want to fulfill a life of purpose and service. We learn new cultures and find different ways of doing everyday things like air drying clothes on a drying rack. We experiment with unfamiliar food and find new favorite flavors like sauerkraut and pork. We see beautiful buildings and amazing landscapes. Our eyes are opened to new understanding involving past and current history and the impact it has on tens of thousands of people; refugees crossing the border with just the clothes on their backs. We're getting pretty good at surviving without a vehicle and appreciate the challenge of arriving using public transit, the walk does us good. We worship with members halfway around the globe and testify the gospel is the same here as it is back home. We are saving money left and right as the food prices are much lower than they are back home. Yesterday, I bought 10 eggs for two Euros. We also save on fuel prices, car insurance and auto repair. We are delighted and thrilled that the Lord assigned us to the Baltic Mission. We couldn't have picked a better place ourselves.
Although, the Baltic Mission has only branches and districts. We fit right in and feel at home. We feel love from many members. Our meeting house is the size of a small temple and owned by the Church. The chapel is on the second floor and has large window panes that overlook a beautiful deciduous tree and busy street below. We sit on long padded pews. Green hymnals are available in Russian and Latvian, but we open our Gospel Library and sing in English. From our short time here, we have observed the member's convictions to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as powerful as anywhere in the world. Our desire is that we may be an instrument in the Lord's hands and to set a righteous desire for all to follow.
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