Dear Friends,

          We are preparing for the longest day of the year here in Latvia. Everything shuts down as people head for the countryside to celebrate "Ligo," which is the summer solstice, and the following day is called John's Day. The sky never really darkens, and the whole occasion is like a 48-hour barbeque. Our church has planned to spend the time together at a member's country home enjoying singing, preaching, eating, and playing some games, maybe even baseball.

          The school year has ended, and we are thankful for the opened door of ministry to the students in Latvia's schools. Pray for the hundreds of children who heard of God's love and of the Savior. Every year brings in a new tide of first graders reminding us of a new generation needing to be reached. Every year, graduating seniors are leaving school to influence Latvian society for God or for godlessness. Pray for Latvia's school teachers who are believers and for continued freedom to share God's Word in school.

          Pray for souls to be saved in Latvia. The young men in church are organizing informal soccer games for the youth in town. There will be a halftime message from God's Word with time afterward to speak one on one with the neighborhood people. Please keep this in your prayers; it is hoped to go on all summer. Pray also for the Summer Bible Clubs and camp. Pray for our church to have good success. Our regular Sunday school teachers all seem to be discouraged and want to quit while others members are ready to charge forward. Seeing some souls come to Christ and into the church would be the refreshing we all need.

          We really need the church building finished. Renting a room for Sunday morning is getting harder to do as we see the building progressing. After service last Sunday, the congregation gathered at the building site to pray. We are building at the pace that offerings are coming in. Thankfully, God has moved on the hearts of believers in Latvia and America. Lately, we have experienced answered prayer of the "just in time" type. My faith and the church's faith in God's provision have been stretched and have grown. Progress is being made. Praise the Lord we have hooked up to the city gas and the front doors are in. A Latvian electrician has volunteered his time to install the wiring. Pray that the money will come to finish up so we can use the building for His work. See it at Briggsinlatvia.homestead.com.

          Thank you for doing your part. Keep praying. Just recently, a 79-year-old woman trusted Christ hours before going into eternity. After her funeral, her husband made a profession of faith as well. Pray for souls to trust Christ as Savior. Thank you for giving to the work. Because of your giving, we are able to preach, witness, disciple, and build in Latvia.