We are safe and sound but longing for spring and the end of the lockdown (seems like spring will arrive earlier). Last weekend we got at least 25 cm of snow and I (Evelyn) am not a big fan of snow. But spring is not too far away (hopefully), and the thought of it gives hope. Fortunately, we were able to spend 2 weeks in Hiiumaa with my family during Christmas, and this gave us energy to keep going.
Compared with lockdown during last spring, it is a bit easier for us, because kindergartens are open. Sadly, schools are not open, and Rasmus struggles during distant studies. He is having a hard time focusing, and not every task is understandable for him, or gets done in time. Fortunately, I still understand 5th grade math (kind of), but math terms in Latvian are a bigger challenge.
It has been over a year since Wings for Wheels had its last event. During the summer we met as a team, but all other events were cancelled or moved online. Every year, we celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities with a banquet in a restaurant, but last December we held it on Zoom. I have to say that food was not on a par with what we used to have (it was non-existent 😀 ), but spiritual food and fellowship were even better than what we were used to. Read more here.
This year, we are planning to continue with the online small group. It has been working well. Here is a short testimony:
Madara has been a part of all our Challenge camps. She has severe mobile disability, she uses a wheelchair and is not even able to use her hands properly. She needs help in every detail. People who do not know her can have a hard time understanding her. Madara lives with her elderly mother in an apartment building and gets out only if they have help. She has a tablet and is able to use it when it is prepared for her. Starting from last March, she has taken part in every small group meeting, the three-day seminar in the summer and the banquet in December. She is active and shares her thoughts. When we asked everyone to share a highlight of the year, she said that she has never been able to take part in a small group Bible study or anything regular for that matter. Thanks to Covid-19 it was made possible for her. She is very thankful.
We are planning to continue the online small group also when meetings are allowed again. People with disabilities are really happy for possibilities to take part in online church services and small groups. They were locked down to their homes long before the pandemic, and no one brought services to home for them. We also would not have thought of doing online events before. Of course, it is not suitable for everyone, but it is a new great opportunity.
To use this opportunity well, W4W is planning to have a Zoom course: introduction to Christian leadership (we call it IVAP for short, from the Latvian name). We start on February 10 and hope to finish in April. At the moment, we have 6 participants from different parts of Latvia who have not been in mini DTS or Morning Dew camps. We did a similar program in 2014 at our home. Distant course was not even thought of that time.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We are very thankful and will continue our work in lockdown as best we can.
Blessings,
Evelyn, Kaspars, Rasmus, Karola, Rebeka
and the Wings for Wheels team
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