It was truly a God ordained evening. When we got to Ieva’s apartment, she was waiting for us outside, obviously nervous, but that excited nervous. After we prayed together by the car, we started in and her dad walked out. He said he wanted to go to the store. Ieva was afraid he was going to go buy beer and didn’t want him to go. Of course, we couldn’t stop him and he left. She was crushed & started crying. We all said it was just an opportunity for us to pray more. He walked back in the apartment a few minutes later. No beer, but bananas. :-) Chris was already playing his guitar. Ilgonis (her dad) walked in the living room and sat down. Chris, Ieva and Andis started singing, worshipping God. Ilgonis immediately recognized one of the songs as being off the worship CD that he’s fallen in love with. After a couple songs he just completely opened up. We talked for about 2 hours. We shared God’s love with him, told him the only way he could have real, lasting joy is through a relationship with Jesus, told him how much God loved him and wanted a relationship with him. We attempted to answer his questions. It was hard since most everything had to be translated. Ieva was so overwhelmed; she tried to translate for me what her dad said, but was so overcome most of the time. When I spoke Andis translated for me. I was amazed that Ilgonis opened up to us like that. He did not pray a prayer of salvation last night, but I know he made huge steps in his journey to Christ. None of us were disappointed at all.

Ieva was so thankful that he had all come over and had spoken to him. It was a joy. I haven’t spoken with that much confidence and passion about my Savior in a long time. I was blessed by something he told us, though. He said he worries about Ieva, where she is and who she’s with. (Very natural for a father.) But then, when he calls her and asks her where she is and who she’s with, whenever she says “I’m with Lydia & Chris,” he’s not worried anymore. He trusts us with is 18 year old daughter. Wow.

It was a really good night for the 4 of us as friends, too. Sharing the love of God like this draws people together, knits them into one. Andis expressed how he’s the only Christian in his family and his family isn’t very close at all anyway; absent father, overworked mom, brother who hates him.. But God has given him a new family, us. Wow.

It was all so amazing. Thank you for your prayers, and when you think about it, please continue to pray for Ilgonis. It won’t be long. :-)