Greetings from the Apinis family,
In this letter all of our family members will speak of our Sabbath Year!
Evelyn
A year or actually 9 months of Sabbatical has gone really quickly. It is hard to explain shortly what it has given to us. We needed rest and quality time with family and this we definitely got. I hoped to study and to have more regular visits to Tallinn, but not all dreams came true. At the same time I got to do some things I did not plan, but definitely enjoyed. Children did great during this year. Their Estonian is much better (as fluent as it can be in their ages). Rasmus did well in school. We had some worries about his Estonian, but we were wrong. Children lived close to their relatives and could visit them regularly for the first time in their lives.
In the middle of June we will move our stuff back to Riga. We will spend time in both countries equally during the summer, but in the autumn we will be back at our Latvian home. A lot has changed. We will go back to mission work, but some changes are ahead. We will speak more of it when everything is clear. We have always known that we will do mission work till retirement or till God will tell us something different. Right now it looks like we will stop mission work before retirement. During this year we also understood that we do not fit in our small apartment on Hiiumaa anymore, and we have begun to dream of a house on Hiiumaa. Let see what plans God has.
Our next plans: in the beginning of July, Rasmus will perform with his choir at the Estonian National Song Festival. The “Challenge” camp in Latvia will take place on 23-30 July.
Kaspars
During the last nine months I have spent in Estonia away from active ministry, God has revealed me some things that were hard to notice while being busy with numberless ministry duties. During this time I realized that we are not to do things for God (as if He was incapable); instead, we are to work with Him. My depression and burnout was just consequences of my constant discontent with the current situation and desire to achieve something greater to be proud of my God and His works. God doesn’t need to be cheered or clapped on His back as if to say „Good work”. What we need is to truly seek His presence and guidance. Easy to say, but hard to do.
My burnout / depression has decreased by 50%. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen as fast as I want, but now I understand what I did wrong. After our coming back to Latvia, the ministry should be performed in a different way. We need to change our thinking and strategy, otherwise I will return to the former situation.
Thanks to all who have prayed and keep on praying about me and my family.
Please, pray for our financial situation. Several of our supporters have stopped supporting us, so causing a huge shortfall in our family budget. If you feel God prompting you to take action regarding this, we would be very grateful.
Rasmus
What you like to do on Hiiumaa?
Spend time with cousins
What you did during this year on Hiiumaa?
I went to school, visited relatives, and went to Sunday School. I was also a part of folk dancing group, athletic training and choir.
What did you like in the Estonian school?
That we had robotics and I also liked my English, robotics and sports teacher.
What did you miss from your Latvian school?
Friends, teacher
Did you get new friends in Estonia?
Yes, many!
What do you like in our Latvian home?
Playground, house, my room, all rooms, I like to be outside
Do you like Estonia or Latvia more?
Estonia and Latvia
What language you speak better?
Estonian
(Note: During the last week we have had lot of conversations with Rasmus’ teachers, classmates’ parents and hobby group leaders. All of them have asked if we really need to bring Rasmus back to Latvia, because he has impacted so many and they are going to miss him)
Karola
What you like to do at Hiiumaa?
To colour books, draw on paper, watch books
Where you like to go?
To ferry, to baby school, to visit granny, to church
Who is your friend?
My school (baby school). I like to play with Rari (cousin) and Ethel (aunt)
What do you like in our Latvian home?
To sleep in bed, Rassu (Rasmus), to ride by ferry, to ride by runbike, climb on the slide (playground). Kalola likes outside
What or who is cool?
Ferry, granny
Do you like more Estonia or Latvia?
Estonia and Latvia
What language you speak better?
Mommy’s
Do you speak daddy´s language worse? Yes
Would you like to go to kindergarten in the autumn? Yes
Would you like to dance hip-hop? Yes
Blessings,
Evelyn, Kaspars, Rasmus and Karola