There’s a moment at the end of the book of Joshua when the faithful but aging leader gathers the people and says something that echoes across time: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” After all the battles, wanderings, and miracles, Joshua doesn’t offer a victory speech—he extends an invitation. A challenge. A fork in the road.

That’s where we found ourselves today.

Not in ancient Canaan, of course—but in a school building in Strikí, Latvia. Surrounded by construction paper, the smell of fresh-cut watermelon, and the sound of children singing “Do Not Be Discouraged,” a song written by our very own David Michael Carrillo. Over the past week, these lyrics—straight from Scripture—have become an anthem of sorts, a gentle but powerful reminder: “For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This final camp day focused on Courage to Serve God. And what we witnessed wasn’t just courage—it was clarity. The kind that comes when people look back at what God has done and decide they want in. That they’re ready to serve, not just receive.

Our team members shared personal testimonies in each classroom. Nothing flashy. No theatrics. Just the honest truth about what Jesus has done in their lives—how He’s brought peace where there was pain, how He’s shaped their identity, how He’s never walked away. And something beautiful happened.

Students leaned in. Translators got quiet. And in the stillness, seeds were planted.

A Covenant to Remember, A Question to Answer

In today’s story from Joshua 24, God’s people have finally settled into the land that was promised. And Joshua doesn’t let them forget how they got there. He reminds them of Abraham and Isaac, of Egypt and freedom, of battles won not by might but by the hand of God. Then he asks: Now that you’re here—whom will you serve?

That question still stands. Because entering the promised land wasn’t the end of their journey—it was the beginning of living in the inheritance God had given. They weren’t just called to live in Canaan, but to live for the Lord in Canaan.

It’s no different for us.

As we wrap up this first camp week, the children here at Strikí have crossed a threshold of their own. Some have heard the Gospel for the first time. Others have seen what it looks like to follow Jesus in real life. They’ve been loved well. They’ve been listened to. They’ve been shown—through stories, through play, through presence—that Jesus is not far off.

And now, they too are standing at a crossroads: Whom will you serve?

The invitation we offer here is the same one Jesus gave by the Sea of Galilee: “Come, follow Me.” Not just to believe, but to belong. To walk with Him. To grow into a life that brings joy, purpose, and a legacy worth leaving.

That’s the heartbeat of what we do.

The Mission Continues

We’re not done yet. Tomorrow we shift gears and prepare for Week Two of camp—this time in the town of Sabile. Different children, different rhythms, but the same calling: to connect the spiritually curious to the global family of Christ and to the One who calls them by name.

If you’ve been following along—praying for us, supporting us financially, donating craft supplies or snacks—we want to say this clearly and sincerely: Thank you. You made this week possible. You were with us in every classroom where a quiet student started asking deeper questions.

You were with us in every verse sung, every tear wiped, every silly game played.

Your partnership with the Spiritual Orphans Network (www.sonetwork.org) isn’t just logistical—it’s deeply spiritual. You’ve helped create sacred space. A space where lives are being changed, stories are being rewritten, and the next generation is being invited to follow Jesus—right here in the post-Soviet world. It takes generations to unravel the damage done by authoritarian governments. You have been part of that, along with us.

As for Me and My House…

Joshua ended his farewell address with a declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” It was a line drawn in the sand. A choice made not once, but daily.

That choice is still before us.

As we look toward Sabile, we go with expectancy. We know there will be challenges, but we also know who goes before us. And as we head into the weekend, we ask you to keep praying—for open hearts, restored energy, and continued opportunities to point children to Jesus.

And maybe—just maybe—you’re reading this not as a team member or donor, but as someone feeling the weight of Joshua’s question for yourself.

Whom will you serve?

We all serve something. But only One can offer you peace for today, forgiveness for yesterday, and hope that stretches far beyond the borders of this life.

Choose this day.

And may you find, as we have, that when you follow Jesus, your story becomes part of something much greater—something that echoes into eternity.

Mark | Latvia 2025 Team Leader | Spiritual Orphans Network

Day Five Photos…