Coming to Latvia again was great. I loved catching up with friends and learning new Latvian words. :) I know God changed some hearts thisweek and I just might miss the pizza. Atta – Nicole Graham

July 2009

Mission Newsletter of Activities in Cesis, Latvia Mission Newsletter of Activities in Cesis, Latvia Mission Newsletter of Activities in Cesis, Latvia Mission Newsletter of Activities in Cesis, Latvia

Mark & LauraMark & LauraMark & LauraMark & Laura

Wimberley First Baptist Church Wimberley First Baptist Church Wimberley First Baptist Church Wimberley First Baptist Church- -- -Athens, Texas Athens, Texas Athens, Texas Athens, Texas

What a great ten days in Cesis, Latvia! It has been our honor to host seven Americans from our home church of First Baptist-Athens, Texas. This was thesmallest group that we have had to travel to Cesis but ultimately theyaccomplished as much as any group that has worked here.

BASKETBALL CAMP

– For the seventh consecutive year, the young people of Cesis were offered the opportunity to attend a free basketball camp. The CesisSporta Skola (Sports School) allows us to use their very up-to-date facility and wecould not offer the activities without their support.The junior camp began each day at 9:00 am and we registered 91 students fromthe age of 6 – 13. Assisting us in the camps was Terry Short, girls’ basketballcoach at Cayuga High School along with Thomas Moore and Nicole Graham.Thomas and Nicole are recent graduates of Athens High School and this was theirsecond year to participate in the camp. Alongside of the Americans we had atleast three Latvians that helped out each day, especially working with the youngerstudents that know very little English.The basketball skills portion of the camp was important but we also wanted toshare the Gospel with them. Our coaches shared their testimonies, Dominic (ourevangelist for the week) spoke two days, and a Bible story drama was performeddaily. At 4:00 pm each day the senior basketball camp tipped off. We had a high day of 37 campers registered. These students ranged in age from 14 – 20 and mosthave been in one or more of the Cesis camps in previous years. Each day we triedto have one of our American team share their testimony. Dominic also spoke tothis group several times. Laura and I see many of these campers around town, inthe gyms and at the basketball games. The camps are a way we can reinforcewhat has previously been taught and we can continue to invite them to the youthand church services.

Our senior group of campers...

Nicole sharing with the older group...

Junior campers...

Matching to choose up sides...

I had a great time in Latvia. I enjoyed the experience of adifferent country and people. I appreciated working with thekids and using my basketball knowledge to open a door for them to have a relationship withChrist. I look forward toreturning to Latvia to see thefruits of our labor and see our new friends. – Coach Terry Short

What a great week. We had great friends, great food, great music and great fun. We love coming to Latvia but hate leaving. Everyone is so

warm and friendly, not to mention talented. We will always cherish our time together. We can’t wait to return. Steve and I love all of you. – Leanna Gowan

These young ladies did everything from registering campers to singing at the night activities...

Thomas directing traffic at junior camp...

ILZE – BASKETBALL ENTERTAINER –

Through a God-connected set of circumstances, we were able to partner with Ilze and have her bring herbasketball-based Christian presentation to Cesis. We hosted her in the SportsHalle on Wednesday night and we were excited that over 400 people attended.Ilze is a dynamic young lady that has performed at numerous NBA, NCAA andWNBA games. She uses a combination of dribbling, juggling and basketball tricksto present a lively performance.

The week went by entirely too fast! We had a great time at camp, and everything went extremely smoothly for having such a small group. I met a lot of new friends, and got back in touch with some friends from last year. I believe God moved powerfully through the people here. I can not wait to come back again next year. – Thomas Moore