Short-term Mission to Estonia and Latvia, July 8 – 21, 2009
The IDA and the CEC Churches of Estonia and Latvia are planning to bring a team of Brazilian and American CEC youth for two weeks to Tallinn and Pärnu, Estonia and Riga, Latvia. Members of our churches in these beautiful countries will join the team as well.
The three goals of the mission are:
Training
Experienced outreach teams from Brazil and the US will train the team in evangelism and outreach
and, by God’s grace, inspire all participants to be actively involved in proclaiming Jesus’ Name.
Evangelism and Outreach
In Riga, Latvia, we will conduct children’s ministry during the day and street
outreaches at night. Our Prayer is that some will hear and be saved, and many
will be drawn to the local parish, Holy Spirit CEC, to learn more about Jesus. The
outreaches will also provide practical experience for the training.
Relationships
God often does powerful things through the relationships built during these
missions. We are praying that God would encourage us all as we befriend our Estonian and Latvian
brothers and sisters and work with together to make Jesus known in this spiritually difficult
environment.
Candidates
Anyone who loves Jesus Christ and knows Him as their personal Savior and Lord is welcome to apply for membership on this team. Because this mission is under the IDA and our hosts are CEC churches, CEC members will have priority in team member selection. It is also necessary to have the blessing of your rector and, if under 18, your parents.
As with all missions trips, it is important that you be physically fit, able to walk long
distances, carry your baggage through airports, city streets, up stairs and on
public transportation. You should be eager to help out in any way needed
during the mission and willing to try new things.
Creative Outreach
We are also looking for individuals and small groups who can perform creatively in the streets. Dance, Drama, Mime, Magic, Music, Xtreme Sports, you name it. The Brazilian group is experienced in creative street evangelism and we want to bring others to perform so we can draw crowds with whom to share the Gospel. Performances must be well done. Europeans are generally used to quality in the arts.
If you are part of such a group or have these talents, please email Fr Scott Howard at the IDA.
Costs
Estimate: $800 per person + round trip airfare.
This is only a rough estimate of the costs which include lodging, food, transportation,
ministry expenses and some sightseeing expenses. Costs do not cover meals
during travel to Estonia and back, souvenirs, snacks and other personal purchases.
Round trip airfare to Tallinn from JFK of Atlanta currently ranges from $1,200 to
$1,700. There is no way to predict what it may be next year, but the main reason for
the cut off date for applications is to let us take advantage of early booking rates.
Updates Coming!
As we receive more information from Dean Heigo Ritsbek and Father Thomas Erisle in Estonia and Father Janis Danielson in Latvia, we will post it to this web page.
Where to Go From Here?
If you believe God is leading you to consider joining this mission, seek Him in prayer regularly, discuss it with your family, trusted prayer partners and your rector or bishop. Next, complete an application (click to download) and send it to Fr Scott Howard with the IDA. Feel free to call or email him on the number printed on the forms. Completed applications must be submitted by December 15, 2008, but the earlier the better.
Then read about Estonia and Latvia to get to know these beautiful countries. Below are a few links to web sites about them. More will be added soon.
An excellent site by the Latvian Institute
Latvia’s low birth rate threatens “the very survival of the Latvian nation.”
(Breakpoint with Chuck Colson)
Contact
If you have specific questions, please email Fr Scott Howard, Communications Director of the IDA, at frscott <at> idacec.org.
