There is always a way out…it does not matter how tight your “rock and a hard place” is.
Freedom from the rubble!
When the window is closed…God will make a way out…we just need to look around a little.
What does your path look like…and who will you meet along the way?
Today we spent the day visiting other areas of Latvia. First we headed north to visit an area of the city called Karosta. It is an area where the Russian army occupied for 50 years. The army families occupied building after building…which are now over 50% empty. It’s a tough area of town that looks like it may have been destroyed in the riotous celebrations after the Russian army pulled out…at least that is what I think in my mind. The housing complexes are much like some of the toughest project areas of American big cities. Beyond the project homes is building after building which is made of beautiful dark brick which may have housed the Officers…but are now vacant with the windows and doorways bricked closed. There are manufacturing facilities which are vacant as well…and the windows and doorways are bricked closed. I am sure the area was beautiful about 70 years ago. In the midst of all of this sits a Russian Orthodox Church. An ornate symbol of a man made gospel. With the community around it falling in shambles, the place of religion offers a list of rules. As we walked through the gates to enter the property we were reminded not to enter the property with an evil mind or thoughts…and we must be dressed properly. We made our way to the building and climbed the huge marble steps to the doors of history. Once inside we were once again reminded of our thoughts and attire…and a few other rules such as NO CAMERA’s. There were a pile of head shawls or scarves for the women to cover their head…but most of the ladies inside were not wearing one so our party did not either. As I walked around looking at all of the pictures of the “saints” and the prayer candle altars in front of each I couldn’t help but get frustrated at the blinders which religion has created to the gospel. This was not a gospel of freedom. As I walked around this huge room looking at everything I noticed a little old lady had made her way to the back of the room where Aleks was and the ladies of our group. She was talking to Aleks and it was clear he was not happy. We left the building while the lady was telling Cindy and the girls (In Latvian or Russian) that they needed to ask God for forgiveness since they did not have their head covered. Once outside I found out that she had told Aleks that Jesus did not love him and would not accept him because his hair was spiked! WHAT?!? She proceeded to tell him that he needed to ask for forgiveness as well. Once again my frustration at the blindness to the True Gospel just grew. No wonder these kids want to have nothing to do with church. Its a gospel of condemnation…and not the gospel of the Bible I read or the God I know. Its sad, but we need to understand that when we are dealing with these children. Reminder number one for the day….we need to share the Gospel which Jesus shared…one of love, forgiveness and freedom.
We left the religious property and headed to the sea wall outside the port area. It was amazing to see the power of the sea as it beat on the wall, yet the relative calm on the inside of the break. While there we could see a storm rolling in on the horizon. As we watched it work its way toward the shore we had the opportunity to witness it drop a water spout down out of the clouds. Pretty amazing but it made Aleks more than uneasy since we had just watched a show on tornados on the Discover Channel just two nights earlier. We left the sea wall and headed to the old Russian military base on the shoreline just north of where we were. There was row after row of underground bunkers. We got out and began to explore these buildings which were three stories deep in the ground. It was pretty clear that this was where many troops slept and kept a vigilant watch on the sea. Time and the power of the sea had taken its toll on many of these barracks and some had split and fallen to the beach below. The brig still looked to be in working order with bars and all across the front. A symbol of restrictive dominance over those who would dare stray from what they were told to do. Reminder number two for the day…no matter how powerful the forces are around us, God is bigger than all of that. He can destroy those forces and crumble them to mere ruins.
After leaving Karosta, the area where Aleks lived much of his life till now, we headed south of Liepaja toward Lithuania. We could not cross the boarder but we headed that direction. As we left the city limits of Liepaja things changed almost instantly. It was like we had entered and area of the country which was alive. They still had hope and lived a life which would be closer to what we would experience in America. There were new homes, well kept properties and businesses which still had the doors open. It was pretty amazing to see the contrast of life just outside of the city walls.
We stopped for lunch at a great little resort south of Liepaja. It was more good food and a pretty cool place on the coast just over the dunes at the edge of the beach. After some nourishment we continued to head south to a little park along the shoreline. It was incredibly beautiful and once again reminded me of northwest Michigan near Lake Michigan. There were wild blueberries carpeting the forest floor as tall majestic pines towered above creating a canopy. Birch trees added contrasting white streaks of color against the deep green forest vegetation. This was also the first place where we actually walked on ground which was not flat. We climbed to the top of a large hill as we made our way through the forest which opened up to show us a view of the Baltic Sea over the treetops of the valley below us. Reminder number three of the day…God has created some incredibly beautiful places…even in the midst of a depressed and forgotten place.
Please don’t read my blog wrong, Latvia is an incredibly beautiful country with a history that we as American’s can’t understand. But Liepaja is a city that needs hope and the freedom that Christ offers. The people need hope and purpose again.This city could be restored to a magnificent charm and beauty to match the countryside and history this country has to share. The last reminder of the day…I am thankful for God brining us to Liepaja, Latvia for Aleksejs Zachary Tuttle!
This morning I awoke to the sun shining again. The past two days have been a bit cool and rainy. We have not ventured out too far except to the market or to go eat. Tuesday night we headed across town to Cili Pica (aka Chili Pizza). Its a great thin crust pizza that has become Aleks favorite pizza. It is only about a 15 minute walk from here if we stay focused, but you know the two who I am traveling with and also that the camera backpack is with us everywhere we go. On Tuesday it was a bit cool (about 60) and then it started to rain so we made pretty good time getting there. It’s also a good place to people watch since it is in a small mini-mall type complex which has everything from a grocery store to a pet store in it.
Before we headed out for pizza on Tuesday we had our first “check-up” with the Orphanage Court Director (Tiga) and Ginta. It was a nice visit where we were just asked basic thing about how we are spending out time here in Liepaja, have we had any problems and what are we going to do about school back in America. Nothing we couldn’t answer easily. Our time here together has been great but it shows on everyone’s face that we are all ready to go. I think Tiga saw that as she commented that “there are no problems with this family”. After about 15 minutes they left….and we prepared to head out for pizza!
Yesterday it rained most of the day. We played games and watched movies together. American movies in Russian…a different experience. Our DVD’s won’t work in the DVD player here and the ones from here won’t work in the US. We decided to venture out and have lunch at the Rock Cafe’ and look for another map of the city, since we left ours at home in America. It poured on and off while we were out but we had fun ducking into several small shops to see what treasures they contained (and wait for the rain to ease). While we were out this time we also ventured through the indoor market…Wow…what a cool place. I love just walking through the market and smelling all of the fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. It is a great place to just watch people…and get some great food. We found that the indoor market is where the bakery, cheese and meats are located with a handful of fruits and vegetable vendors. Downstairs is the fresh fish market….okay it was the end of the day and maybe it was just a fish market….not really fresh fish.
Last evening we had the pleasure of having Ginta fix dinner for us here at our apartment. It was a simple potato dish but it was wonderful! I could eat this every day. Mashed potatoes with a cream sauce full of ham and some spices. The potatoes acted as the boat for the ham and sauce inside….I could eat this for breakfast now, but we ate it all last night. After dinner we quizzed Ginta about all of the children we have seen from the orphanage while we have been here. We wanted to know the stories behind each of them. There are so many lives just longing to be loved, to have a smile to be affirmed that they are acceptable just as they are. No mask, no front, no positioning….accepted just as they are – and loved.
Please continue to pray for these children. Please pray for this city…that they would find “The GOD of this City”…because greater things are still to be done here…
Yesterday was another milestone in this journey…we went with Aleks to visit the orphanage which he called home for the past few years. As you might expect, it was bitter sweet for each of us, but unique for each as well. The day seemed to start slow as we each prepared to go but none of us was in a hurry to get there. Aleks was excited to see his friends again and we were looking forward to finding more pieces from the puzzle of his past.
As we left the apartment we decided we should grab a quick bite to eat so we stopped at a little cafe’ by the bus stop. It looked good but none of us finished our plate….and the latte’…YUCK! We left the cafe’ and jumped on the bus which would take us to the orphanage. As we jumped on we were greeted by the bus security to make sure that we were actually going to pay for our ride…which we did. The ride was hot…no A/C…but if they could only open the windows. We reached our destination and jumped off. As we walked down a dusty dirt road to the side of the orphanage property we were all quiet. A million things running through our heads but each keeping them inside. We walked along the property to the front of an old two story building. It looked to be maybe an old military building from days gone by. There are also two underground bunkers on the property which each person had a different explanation as to what they are for. We were told the building was only 19 years old…but it was much older. We believe that it may have been converted to an orphanage only 19 years ago….but there is much more history to that building and the property it sits on.
Aleks quickly found his friends as we entered pod 7 where Aleks had lived with his friends. They buzzed with excitement as they reunited but it was clear also that there was some tension with the new “leaders” of the group as the old and respected “leader” entered and took his former position. Once the children left the building on their adventures Ginta brought the Orphanage Director, Inara, to us. We sat at the dinning room table discussing Aleks and answering questions about our previous six weeks together. It was clear, Aleks had played a much different role in the orphanage than he did with us in America. After about 30 minutes together Inara excused herself so she could tend to other issues. Ginta left the room as well to go and get Aleks files. She returned with two binders that contained pages of documents, events, incidents and reports. The wonderful boy with the warrior heart and the tender heart…he had lived a life which very few would understand. My respect for Aleks was taken to a whole new level yesterday. I love my son and ache for his past at a whole new depth…yet I understand his heart. There is no doubt that God has protect Aleks and prepared his path…my prayer is that he will come to understand the depth of Gods love and embrace it with his life. Pray with us…
We left the building Aleks called home…and walked toward our new life together. Each of us longs for the place Aleks now calls home in America! Just 13 more days…and we will be there.
Yesterday was Sunday and it was a pretty low key day. There was a small celebration at the promenade where there were several military ships in port which were open to the public. We walked down there after lunch and met up with some of the children from the orphanage too. It was interesting to see the kids when they saw Aleks. The kids were on one of the ships when they saw him and immediately started yelling Losa! Aleks! (Losa is Aleks in Russian) The kids came running off the ship to greet Aleks, then in an instant they were gone, running back on the ship. They all played and teased each other, but there was a clear pecking order among the children. Aleks had been gone for six weeks and others had moved in on his leadership role, but it seemed they expected him to take it back upon his return. Aleks was a bit perplexed trying to balance his new life and his old. The other children clearly look to Aleks for direction…and affirmation. Affirmation is something that I have not seen anyone give to the children….or anyone now that I think of it. It is just not part of the culture. As we talked with the children yesterday and on Friday at the park it is clear that they long for love….for just a kind word of affirmation. A smile is something that is not shared much in this town but it can light the face of a child.Cindy’s pictures at the park show just how beautiful these kids are when they have a smile on their face. I am encouraged that there may be five more children from Aleks’ orphanage who may be going to their “Forever Family” in the coming months…but there are still so many who long for a touch, a smile the security of a forever family. Aleks wants us to take pictures today of his friends and help to find them families too. Once again his leadership qualities are kicking in as he wants to make sure those he cares about are taken care of.
We finished the night at the park and then on the beach watching the sunset. The fear of many is that the sun may be setting on the orphanage as money is running out. Where will the children go then…
Yesterday we had the opportunity to travel about an hour and a half north of Liepaja to a small town called Ventspils. Ginta, one of the caretakers at the orphanage, and one of her friends took us to Ventspils for the town celebration. Each year the town celebrates the anniversary of its founding. Ventspils is 719 years old yesterday! That is nearly impossible for us to comprehend as Americans. The town is a beautiful quaint coastal port town which most of the Swede and Dutch sailors choose to use rather than Liepaja. The homes look to have been kept up for hundreds of years and still carry much of the original architecture and feel. It is also evident each time a family expanded and they added on to their home because the brick or stones vary from the original. Another common thing is that the streets are made with either cobblestone or river stones. Both are very beautiful though I must say I like the river stone streets the best. With years of driving and walking on, they have a polished look which shows the stones character. For the most part it is all granite stone but rounded shapes and sizes.
When we arrived we went to a small home a few blocks from the water where we met an interesting lady who spoke no English nor do I think she understood it either. Through a gate betweens the homes we followed a brick path to the back of the building where we walked into a small garden that contained varied vegetables and flowers. Scattered along the fence and pathway were fruit trees as well. I really wanted to pick the last ripe cherry I saw on the tree…but I didn’t figure that would be too polite. After a few minutes of Latvian conversation we left the home and headed to the promenade along the waterfront, this is where the festivities were taking place. Music, dance, beauty contests, booths with the handiwork of local artisans and food all lines the promenade. Yes, the center of it all was an area with a large crowd…this is where the “strong man” competition was taking place. Aleks and I would have stayed and watched the whole thing but the ladies wanted to keep moving and see the art as well. I have no idea what the food we selected was called but I do know that it was good. We passed on the pig snout and opted for the cooked pork on skewers with potatoes and shredded cabbage. Dill is a favorite herb to cook with here. A flavor which brought back a lot of memories and a taste which I had nearly forgotten. It is used with sour cream to make a cream sauce for potatoes, fish, chicken or whatever else happens to be on your plate.
While in Ventspils we also found another amazing park. This one was filled with families…unlike the park in Liepaja. Granted, it was the weekend but there were families everywhere and smiles on the faces of most of the people. Ventspils seems to be a happy town which is weathering the financial crisis of the country well. They have industry there, and active port as well as both an oil refinery and electric plant. Latvia has also figured out that wind is a viable source of energy. They have huge wind turbines throughout the countryside.
After leaving Ventspils we headed back to Liepaja but made a slight detour into a small fishing village where we had a wonderful meal. Not the quickest service but the food was great. Unfortunately due to the not so quick service, we missed the sunset on the water. Sunset is about 10:00pm and sunrise is about 5:30am right now. If you plan to visit Liepaja, make sure your room has black out curtains or you have one of those classy face masks to cover your eyes.
The last few days have been somewhat of a blur, mostly due to lack of sleep. We are here in Liepaja, Latvia now and trying to just settle down and rest while we wait for our next court hearing in two weeks. Here are some thoughts on our journey so far:
The plan ride was long…and the plane ride was long. We arrived at Hartsfield Atlanta Airport about 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday and arrived at our room in Riga, Latvia at about 9:30am EST on Wednesday. Riga is a very beautiful city if you enjoy old architecture. The buildings are old for the most part but the ones that are being refurbished are really beautiful. Like most any country outside of America the scale of affluence changes dramatically. The unemployment rate in Latvia is nearly 25% of adults are without a job. There are only about 2.5 million people in Latvia so they try to report numbers very accurately…when it is convenient for the news they are trying to share. The countryside is beautiful with the landscape reminding me very much of western Michigan. The trees and plants are pretty much the same as the Michigan, Wisconsin area. Most everyone leaves their yard natural unless they are planting a garden or fruit trees. Liepaja…a city trying to survive. The economy in Liepaja is much tougher than Riga and it shows most anywhere you go. Many businesses have left the area leaving vacant buildings. There are incredible homes and buildings here which are 100+ years old. With some money and time this city could be restored to a beauty not seen in America.
Yesterday our drive from Riga to Liepaja for court was interesting as we were able to see the countryside. Edgars, Daina’s husband, was gracious enough to drive us. I think he may have been a little aggravated with the road construction since we had to take several detours which slowed us down…but he was determined to make that time back up…enough said. We arrived in Liepaja as Aleks began to tell us about different things we were seeing in the city. Which direction the orphanage was and where his friends lived when they were not at the home. Upon arriving to the Orphan Court we quickly went inside to sign some last minute paperwork and took a seat in a large empty room. It had only a very long table in it which was made up of many smaller tables. The room reminded me of a Grand Jury room in the old Atlanta courthouse. Once everyone arrived the secretary who was taking notes walked over to the door and locked it from the inside and sat back down. The ladies conducting the court were very polite as Daina translated most everything for us. Aleks was a bit nervous and at one point leaned over to me and said “faster, faster I just want to say Yes and then we can go”. The ladies went through a series of questions which seemed to be merely a formality but necessary to do. At the end they said they were granting us permission to spend the next two weeks with Aleks here in Liepaja and then return to a follow up hearing on the 20th of August. During our time here we would have three visits from the Orphan Court Director to check up on us. Finally we could leave what seemed to be the hottest room we had found since leaving America.
We then went to our apartment where we will be staying the next two weeks. It is the apartment of the previous Orphanage Director where Aleks called home. Anita was very happy to see everyone as we arrived…especially Aleks. She loves him very much and is very excited he has found his forever family. When we reached the little apartment on the 6th floor (yes, we carried everything up the flights of stairs) Anita had a cake and flowers for Cindy’s birthday. It was a very gracious thing to do. She even had Cindy’s favorite flowers without knowing….the Gerber Daisies were beautiful. After a short time everyone left…and the city of Liepaja began to set in. We walked to dinner than headed to a park that Aleks wanted to take us to. It was a beautiful family park the kind we need in America. The long walk there was an eye opener into the pain of the city. There a little kids wandering all over the city, for the most part they stay in groups of three or four. Children as young as 5 and 6 are by themselves. Many buildings are boarded up and appear to be empty, but may house some homeless. Many of the people in the stores are very unhappy, but unhappy with their circumstances in life. They want a break, a chance to make a life for themselves.
