Today at camp, we crossed a river.

It was not a literal one—though the Daugava (a large river that runs past Rīga) comes to mind, or for me, the Mississippi (my wife and I live less than four miles from its banks). Like the Israelites in Joshua 3 and 4, students and leaders took brave steps into the unknown—new classrooms, words, relationships, and roles. It was a day full of tiny victories and joy.

We opened the day with the story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River. The lesson centered on a simple but powerful truth: “God can give us courage when we face something new.” That’s exactly what this second day of camp required—from everyone.

The Bible tells us the Jordan was at flood stage when God told the priests carrying the ark to step in first. It was only after they obeyed that the waters stopped and the dry path appeared. “The priests stood on dry ground in the middle of the river, and all the Israelites crossed to the other side” (Joshua 3:17).

That image stuck with me throughout the day. Teaching English through Scripture isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a living act of faith. Our students, ages six to twelve, are not only learning a new language but experiencing the truth of Holy Scripture through the story of Joshua, Rahab, and today, the miraculous river crossing. Some Christians understand the biblical truth that God’s faithfulness unfolds as we obey his Word. Much like the Jordan River parted as they took steps to cross it.

And they’re doing it with courage.

Let me tell you, it takes guts to speak a second language in front of others, especially when you’re unsure of the words. When the American team arrived in Riga last week, we planned on greeting them in Latvia, “Laipni lūdzam Latvijā” -Welcome to Latvia! The only problem, of course, is as the team leader, I only have a very rudimentary understanding of the language, so I had to look up the right words for the right setting, practice it several times, and then, even as the first bleary-eyed Americans walked through customs and I greeted them, I still felt butterflies in my stomach from trying to speak a foreign language- and we were already friends, who has spent months meeting via Zoom to train for this trip. I can only imagine how it feels for our Latvian students to practice English, both in front of one another and in front of their American guests. 

Our English class leaders are guiding their students through new vocabulary like baptism and powerfuland covenant—big ideas in any language! But these kids are stepping forward with curiosity, laughter, and trust. We’re seeing real growth, not just in their English skills, but in their sense of joy and confidence.

One of the strategies of how this team is staffed is that as the team leader, I’m not in a classroom or rotation. Still, I stand available to fill in and put out the occasional fires that come up from logistical snags and miscommunication. I also have the privilege of having one-off conversations about a frequently deep, spiritual nature with other people on the property connected to the camp and the school. These impromptu conversations are God arranged appointments –  sometimes they are brief and lighthearted, but frequently they carry a lot of spiritual weight.

In the craft rotation, students receive a small journal for them to decorate. Some write the theme verse for the day and continue using it throughout the week. We found that students in this culture respond very well to this kind of craft. We are excited to see what comes of it.

Our team is also crossing rivers of its own.

A few of our first-time team members are teaching in a classroom for the very first time. Others are leading activities in an unfamiliar cultural context. Some have had to improvise or adapt plans mid-stream. But that’s what courage is—it’s not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward anyway, trusting that God is with us. We saw that today in every classroom and every conversation.

One of the most powerful reminders came at the end of the lesson: just like Joshua set up 12 stones from the riverbed as a memorial to God’s faithfulness, we’re seeing our own markers of God’s provision. Every hug from a child, every shy “hello,” every song sung in two languages is a living stone reminding us that God is with us wherever we go.

Some of the kids here may have never heard that before. It’s true that some of our kids come from supportive Christian homes. But quite a few more come from homes that are far from ideal and very far from Christ. But they are all hearing about God’s love now—through our words, our presence, and the Word itself. And I believe it’s taking root.

So we give thanks.

Thanks for your prayers, for your support, and for walking with us in spirit as we serve these children. The mission of Spiritual Orphans Network—connecting spiritual orphans to the global family of Christ—comes alive in days like this. It’s happening in smiles, in shared meals, in translated stories about river crossings and covenant promises. And we’re only just getting started.

Would you continue to pray:

• For courage—for our team and our students.
• For the continued good health of our team members.
• For connections to deepen across language and culture.
• For moments of clarity where God’s presence becomes unmistakable to these young hearts.

Today, we stepped into the river. And God made a way.

Tomorrow, we march toward Jericho. Who knows what walls may fall?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9

Grace and peace,Latvia Team – 2025