As we stepped out of our cars into the small town of Sabile Monday morning, we entered not just a new week of camp—but a new chapter in a story God has already been writing. That’s right-  remember that no matter what, Jesus is already going ahead of us in the mission field. So, when we finally show up, He is there waiting for us. He has already prepared the soil of our mission field with us in mind. 

Hint- Jesus is doing the same thing in the mission field of your life as well. 

Are you asking prayerfully each day what He is up to so that you can join Him there?  We are on a short-term mission trip to another country. You, our supporters and friends, enter a local mission field every morning of every day.

Monday, the air was quiet, the buildings humbler, and the surroundings more rural than our previous location in Saldus. And yet, the moment we arrived, it was clear: this place matters. These children matter. This community matters to God. And we get to be part of something new here.

This week, our team is launching just the second-ever Latvain English Bible Camp in Sabile. The vision for this camp began with a local Latvian pastor and his wife, who dreamed of bringing light and hope to a smaller, poorer town that was often overlooked. Their church is small, but their faith is large. And their hospitality has been generous and joyful. 

Today’s lesson in class was about Joshua stepping into leadership after the death of Moses. That moment in Scripture speaks volumes to what we’re living out in real time here in Sabile. God said to Joshua, “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) That’s not just an ancient call—it’s the invitation for each of us today, especially when God leads us into unfamiliar territory.

In the classroom, we taught about how Joshua sent spies into Jericho and how God used someone unexpected—Rahab—to help them. Our vocabulary words for the day—desert, home, miracle, guide, travel, encourage—echo what we ourselves are experiencing as a team. This week, we are very much travelers in an unfamiliar place, depending on God’s guidance, trusting His plan, and discovering courage in unlikely ways. We also had a hilarious actor play Rahab.

Some of the children at camp were understandably shy at first. Sabile doesn’t have as many English-speaking visitors as larger towns. A few students barely whispered when we asked them their names. But by the end of the day, we saw them begin to come alive—smiling, playing games, answering questions in English, and singing “Do Not Be Discouraged,” a camp favorite written by David Michael Carrillo. The message of that song—anchored in the words of Scripture—rings out even more clearly in this quieter, more rural setting.

Courage, we reminded them (and ourselves), doesn’t mean never feeling afraid. It means trusting God enough to take the next step—even if it’s small, even if it’s hard, even if you don’t know the whole path ahead. Joshua probably didn’t feel ready to replace Moses. The spies probably weren’t thrilled to sneak into Jericho. Rahab certainly wasn’t on anyone’s list of likely heroes. And yet—through obedience and trust—God worked through each of them.

That’s what we’re witnessing this week in Sabile. A small group of volunteers, a humble church, and a few dozen local children are writing a chapter in a much bigger story. Some of the older students have already begun asking deeper questions about what we believe. Others simply light up when they learn a new word or finish a craft or hit the ball in sports. But in every interaction, seeds are being planted—seeds of language, yes, but more importantly, seeds of faith, friendship, and courage.

Sabile may not have the infrastructure or energy of a larger city, but it has something better: it has a readiness. There is a hunger here for connection, for joy, for something eternal. And we’re honored to be a part of what God is doing.

Like Joshua on the edge of the Promised Land, we are learning what it means to follow God into unfamiliar places. Not because we know what will happen next—but because we trust the One who goes with us.

To those who have prayed, supported, and sent us—thank you. Your encouragement fuels our courage. And to those reading this who wonder what it might look like to say yes to God’s invitation to follow Him—maybe the story of Joshua, Rahab, and this little Latvian town will help you take that first step too.