I'm sitting at JFK airport in New York City waiting for my flight to Helsinki. The good news is that I get to Helsinki at 1:30am. The bad news is that it will be 7:30am in Helsinki. The good news is that it is only a one hour flight across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki to Riga, Latvia. The bad news is that, once in Riga, I don't get to sleep. The good news is that we immediately start a walking tour of Riga so that I get a total immersion experience with the people of that wonderful city. The bad news is that I forgot my sneakers. The good news is that I will eventually get to sleep. The bad news is that it won't be for another 24 hours. I guess life is full of good news and bad news. The Latvian people sure have experienced their fair share. They are a people who have endured hardships that I can only experience in my worse nightmares (if I ever get to sleep again). Oppressive rule after oppresive rule have left them in a state of national shock. Forty years of forced communism (Russian rule) has left them economically bankrupt. They made great strides in the 90's, but even under a fairly new democracy (since 1991, unitary parliamentary rule) they have struggled economically. Through it all the people press on. Inspiring, to say the least.
The good news is that I will learn a lot from them. The bad news is ... well ... I think I've run out of bad news. The best news is that we are going there to share Good News ... and, hopefully, to get a little sleep.
Praying it's a wonderful trip for all... and that when you do get to sleep you will get good rest. What I remember most is the gifts of flowers the people so graciously gave for every ocassion. The Latvians are a lovely people! Prayers to everyone!
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Praying for a successful trip! When we went as a choir & orchestra, plus building, business, etc. liaisons, it was a memorable experience. We were privileged to sing in the churches and we sang on the streets where we were able to connect with both the Russian and Latvian people. The Latvians are musicians and they love flowers...so don't be surprised if you are handed a bouquet or two of flowers.
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