Carl & Becky Chaplin, missionaries to Latvia

BLOG ON VACATION

2012-01-04T18:49:00.009+02:00

The blog is taking a well earned vacation for the month of January. It hopes to have a new look when it starts again. In the meantime, please pray for Becky & Carl as they begin speaking in churches, meeting with individuals and for Carl as he works on his doctoral dissertation. We hope to get in our permanent-temporary housing the middle of January.

Contact info: 423-987-1390; 601-724-5728
e-mail: carlcr@yahoo.com

Blessings to all of you!

GRATEFUL FOR OUR FAMILY

2011-12-28T22:06:00.001+02:00

God's blessings to all of you in 2012.
Our blessings include our family--left to right--
Kristen, Evelyn & Ellis Chaplin
Becky & Carl Chaplin
Carolann Chaplin
Rob, Lucka & Andrew Chaplin

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WE'RE HERE!

2011-12-18T05:09:00.002+02:00

At Riga airport with Martinsons

After 23 hours including an extra 3.5 hour rental car drive (because Delta cancelled our last flight--never use Delta!) we arrived in Jackson, Mississippi. God provided a traveling companion to help us drive to Jackson.

The sun shone so bright today! I just kept staring at the sunshine.

The book lady

2011-12-12T17:56:00.002+02:00

That's how some people think of Becky these days. But in truth, she is just trying to get into the hands of the Latvians the books that God has given them. The final parenting seminar was this past Saturday--ALL PRAISE & THANKS to God for His work among Latvian families. Here is Becky & Jeanne with Gundega at the book table at the last Parenting Seminar.

Rejoice with us that the three booklets are out!! Carl presented the books, and gave praise & thanks to God at Riga Reformed Church. Becky and the Smiths did the same at Riga Reformed Bible church. Here is Robert presenting the 3 books to Pastor Alvis.

Becky, with Martins' translation help, is elaborating on the benefits of using the Children's catechism. Biblical Christianity was given as a Christmas gift to church members. Children will receive the catechism. Sales of additional copies and sales of the marriage booklet were beyond expectations--most are gone. Pray God will use this material for His glory in Latvia.

PRAISE - new granddaughter, Evelyn Sophie Chaplin born Dec. 12 to son, Ellis, and daughter-in-love Kristen!

COUNTDOWN to our final days in Riga until June 2012. Pray God will guide us to pack the right things. We are to fly to the states on Friday.

It's kinda unsettling . . . .

2011-12-12T17:30:00.003+02:00

. . . when you're the only one putting money IN the bank & everyone else is taking money OUT. There was a run on our Latvian bank, Swedbank, that started on Sunday. The first run on a bank I have ever seen. Long lines at Swedbank ATMS all around Riga--people withdrawing money. But today we deposited money at Swedbank, because we must have money in the bank for our end of the month expenses before we leave this Friday morning. Swedbank declares it is all a false rumor. We pray so--it is how our national co-workers get paid.

2011-12-08T21:27:00.001+02:00

Some lovely, lively ladies (Moms' group) met today at Becky's new apartment for a special "last meeting" before Becky leaves for the U.S.
The miracle is that the apartment was ready!

Carl & Robert left for 4 hours to get all business straightened out :).

Not a week-end I want to repeat anytime soon!

2011-12-05T00:01:00.004+02:00

We are moved!! We now live in apartment #14, instead of #4. PLEASE DON'T SEND CARDS OR LETTERS. WE LEAVE IN 10 DAYS! Pray God would remind us that He meets our every need & that He will sustain us.
Praise God that He gave us strength much needed helpers! Here are Zane & Elija helping me pack the kitchen. Big thanks to Martins, Oskars, Raivis, Robert, Jeanne and Lasma who also helped!!

Other events of the week-end:
~The beautiful wedding of Anete and Janis. We took time out from unpacking to attend on Saturday and were so glad we did.

~Finalizing the 3 booklets we are working on. There were last minute changes and formatting problems that we hope are fixed. Pray with us that God would cause these booklets to be printed correctly and used for His glory!

~Pazit Dievu (Knowing God) is "queued" at the printer. Due to Christmas delays it won't be ready until after we are gone :(. Praise God for Ungars' work on the project and for Kristine & Robert who will work on distributing the book. Pray that the book will be printed as soon as possible and that God would also use this book in people's lives here in Latvia.

PRAYER & PRAISE Nov. 28 - Dec. 4

2011-11-28T13:38:00.005+02:00

moving again :/

~Praise for all who attended the Parenting Seminar this past Saturday, 26. Nov.--great people!
~ Praise for Housing during our 6 months in the states (at least most of the time)!! Thanks to God & Hixson Baptist Church letting us use their mission home in a suburb of Chattangooga, Tenn.
~Praise for a new, smaller apartment here--but that involves moving this FRIDAY, 2. Dec. Please pray for wisdom for all moving details and for people to help. Pray we can settle in quickly as we leave for the states 2 weeks after that, 16 December.

PLEASE SEND NO CARDS & LETTERS TO RIGA!

Not only do we have a new address, we will be gone by the time they get here. Our stateside address (can send cards there :):

Carl & Becky Chaplin

4707 Old Mission Road

Chattanooga, TN 37411

~ Many praises to God for providing funds for the printing of Knowing God! And, for a person to help us distribute the book. Pray it can be printed this week.
~Praise to God for the completion of smaller books--Biblical Christianity, Marriage talks, and Children's Catechism. All ready to go--pray they can be printed this week.
Biblical Christianity is now on luxmundi.lv

PRAY GOD WOULD USE ALL THIS PRINTED MATERIAL FOR HIS GLORY & THE SPREAD OF HIS KINGDOM IN LATVIA.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-22T21:05:00.007+02:00

What is this FISH doing here? WHERE is the turkey? We don't have Thanksgiving here, but if we did, we'd be eating fish. It's the meat of choice--and for good reason--there is lot of it! Fresh smoked fish was delivered to some friends--caught that morning. I just had to buy one also. Delicious--but I don't like a fish looking at me as I eat it :(. Think of us eating fish as you're eating turkey . . . and a blessed, happy Thanksgiving to you all!
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the lord. Psalm 27:13-14
P.S. And we're eating our pumpkin raw--Latvian style!

November 14 - 20

2011-11-14T17:30:00.003+02:00

New Post time! What is going to be exciting about this week?
~We are packing, weeding out, etc. in anticipation of the move at the end of the month to a smaller apartment
~We'll be working with Ungars Gulbis on plans for printing and distribution Knowing God in Latvian.
~Meetings, meetings, as we turn over responsibilities and look ahead to plans when we return
BUT . . .
the biggest event is Latvia's Independence Day on Friday, 18. November. This celebrates the independence in 1918 after WWI. Many special events around town. On the back of this billboard (mēs = we) is a listing of the events.

Praise:
~Light Cafe on Thursday evening is going well. Here is a photo - Ieva is singing.
~Robert is learning to put articles on website, luxmundi.lv

Defining Marriage . . . Interview with Dr. Tim Keller Nov. 4 on Fox News about a 72-day marriage and premarital sex.

2011-11-10T22:35:00.001+02:00

PRAYER & PRAISE November 8 - 14

2011-11-08T19:05:00.001+02:00

PRAISE:

Another blessed Parenting Seminar on 5. November
Carl & Robert were able to meet with several seminary students in Lithuania! (Pray for Jonas Z., Jonas J., and Julius)
We have a new apartment! We needed to move--God led. It is in our same building--just smaller. We hope to move on 3. Dec., two weeks before going to U.S. for home ministry assignment
Our car died and we must junk it (why a praise--because we are to 'give thanks in all circumstances')
We got our Latvian resident permit last week for the next year
For needed funds to print Pazit Dievu (Knowing God)!!

PRAYER:

Seminary course on missions this week
that Knowing God can get to the printer next week
wisdom on how to distribute Knowing God
housing for home ministry assignment in Chattanooga
all many details to be done before leaving for states

NUMBERS

2011-10-31T18:11:00.008+02:00

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

For all you number people--Nov. 1st will be 11/1/11. And, Nov. 11 will be 11/11/11--and it doesn't matter whether you write it the European way (dd/mm/yy) or the U.S. way (mm/dd/yy) Think about it :)!!

Carl is numbering his days, because he has few days left to get in his doctoral papers! He'd appreciate your prayers!

We cannot count the number of times we should be grateful for the reformers & the reformation, which we celebrate today, 31. October. Here is Carl by a statue of John Knox in Edinburgh, Scotland this past year.

The number of hours in our day this past Sunday was one more than you in the states--we went on regular/winter time.

Number 3 of the Parenting seminar comes up this Friday (out of a total of 5). Please continue to pray for it!

2,000 is the number of dollars we need to print, Knowing God (Pazīt Dievu). Pray God will supply. People can donate online at: https://www2.mtw.org/donations/donate/AddDesignation.aspx?No=93510

My dear mother can number 86 years on Nov. 1st. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Wednesday (Nov. 2) will be the 6th number of times we have gone to the Immigration office this year for our Latvian visa. PLEASE pray we can get our visas on Wed.

PRAYER & PRAISE October 24-31

2011-10-24T20:06:00.006+03:00

Martins & Elija leading us

Robert & Carl passing out headphones

PRAISE that God is teaching us many things through the Parenting Seminar, Kā īlens no maisa. Next seminar is 5. Nov.

More photos on sidebar courtesy of Guntars Ozolins.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Carl's talk Thursday at Light Cafe on Reformation
That Carl can finish a paper for his doctoral studies
That God would show us His will about some booklets we are working on in Latvian
For Jeanne to have a blessed birthday this Friday, 28. October
For God to bless the women's retreat this week-end with Riga Reformed Bible Church
For God to strengthen Alvis & Ungars who are at a Church Planting conference this week in Berlin

PRAYER & PRAISE October 18 - 24

2011-10-18T18:29:00.012+03:00

PRAISE: Very helpful meetings last week with Ken & Tammie Matlack!
We have our air tickets to the states for our home ministry assignment! Lord willing, we fly out Dec. 16. We still have many unresolved issues--like housing while in the states. We praise God for working out the details.

PRAYER:
~Jeanne Smith needs prayer about her visa (resident permit). Update: Jeanne should get her visa on Thursday.
~Pray for the website, Lux Mundi, and booklets we hope to have printed by December. Pray God will help us get this done--seems to be various obstacles.

~The second Parenting seminar is this Saturday--October 22. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD TO WORK.

~Pray for the Preaching Conference this coming Thursday & Friday. The wives will be meeting on Thursday evening here in Riga.

I like the verse for today--Psalm 27:14

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

2011-10-15T20:28:00.000+03:00

Ever feel like this?!?!? Or maybe the better question is--do you ever NOT feel like this?
That's the topic of our newest article on lux mundi - End of the Struggle. Check it out! http://luxmundi.lv/

Also, the introduction & first chapter of Kā audzināt bērna sirdi are still available for reading on Lux Mundi. If you would like a copy of the book, you can order it there.

PRAYER & PRAISE October 11 - 17

2011-10-11T19:04:00.004+03:00

Click to enlarge and READ

PRAISE: our first parenting seminar went well;

Light cafe got started; pray for God to reach people through these programs in October https://www.facebook.com/#!/LightCafeRiga

PRAYER:

We have meetings this week with our Mission to the World boss, Ken Matlack and his wife, Tammie.

We're looking forward to this time--a great time to evaluate and look at visions and goals for the future. Pray for our time together.

Another try on Visas this Friday--pray all goes well. Update: we only turned in the needed document on Friday; we go back Nov. 2 for, hopefully, the visas!

A Glorious Week-end

2011-10-09T22:51:00.003+03:00

Ligita, Elija, Anda, Timotejs & Becky

God gave us a wonderful first parenting seminar on Saturday (Oct. 8)! 68 people were there for the talk on "What Is A Family?" Next seminar session is Saturday, Oct. 22.

Sunday night (Oct. 9) was a surprise birthday party for Becky's 58th birthday. So much fun!! Thank you to Anda who planned it.

The birthday cake is the very special Latvian "pretzel strudel-type fruit dessert" called, Kliņģeris. Delicious!

Prayer & Praise Oct. 3 - 10

2011-10-03T16:10:00.000+03:00

Prayer requests for this week--

PARENTING CONFERENCE which starts this Saturday. The conference will be over 5 Saturday mornings this fall. Pray God will work in families in Latvia.

Praise to God for sending our maximum registration of 70.

LIGHT CAFE resumes after summer break--Thursday, October 6th. Pray God's name will be lifted up and He will bring people to Himself as a result of Light Cafe. Here is Martins speaking last year.

Pray for visa resolutions for Jeanne Smith and the Chaplins. Both need additional documents.

Many praises to all God has done!

Praise & Prayer Sept. 28 - Oct. 3

2011-09-28T11:01:00.005+03:00

Praise: Distribution and sales of the book, Kā audzināt bērna sirdi are going extremely well. To read the introduction & first chapter go to: Lux Mundi

Praise & Prayer: Registration for the Parenting Conference, Kā īlens no maisa is almost at the limit (70 people). For more information and to register go to: Kā īlens no maisa

Pray God will use the book & this conference (over 5 Saturday mornings) mightily in people's lives. Pray we can get all details finished. First Saturday is 8. October.

Praise for a beautiful autumn. This is the tram stop near our apartment.

Pray we'll some get our visa (resident permit). When we went to pick it up on Monday, we were told we needed more documents :/.

Pray for the Smiths & Martinsons who are both feeling sick this week. Pray that the Smiths can get their visas this Friday.

Martins participated in a panel discussion for college students on Tuesday evening. Praise that all went well.

Praise that the talk Becky had with Kindergarten parents last Tuesday was very well received--thank you, God.

Pray for Carl's work in Lithuania, especially with the seminary students there. He is working out his plans there for the fall.

Beautiful Fall Market in Old Riga, Sept. 24

2011-09-24T19:21:00.001+03:00

After taking the Smiths shopping for more furniture items, Carl & I enjoyed the Fall Market in Old Riga. The day was beautiful! There were so many pumpkins and gourds! So festive with lots of decorations and folk dancing. Can you guess what Carl is eating? (answer below)

answer: a potato - stretched out!

PRAYER & PRAISE Sept.. 19 - 25

2011-09-19T18:26:00.005+03:00

Carl is spending the week in Izmir, Turkey at MTW meetings. This meeting is for ALL MTW's team leaders around the world--many guys will be there!
Becky gets a break from cooking :), but not from other things.
Please pray for a talk for parents of a Christian Kindergarten on Tuesday evening. Here is Becky with Diane, the director of the kindergarten.

The introduction and first chapter of Kā audzināt bērna sirdi is now on Lux Mundi--plus information on how to order the book. Check it out! www.luxmundi.lv

Also pray for Moms' Group which starts back with Thursday morning. Here is Jeanne with Elija--one of the moms!

Sunday teen group has started back. Pray for these teens! Young Adults continue to meet on Tuesday evening.

Praise that the Smiths are adjusting so well. They got their shipped goods last week. Pray for them as they study Latvian this fall. Pray that both of us get our visas next week.

Praise & Prayer - September 5 - 11

2011-09-05T19:49:00.006+03:00

Praise for a wonderful book celebration Sunday at Riga Reformed Bible church. We thank God for this book; we thank Alvis, pastor, and RRBD for their support; and we thank Anda for her hard work on translation. Carl is presenting Alvis a complimentary copy & Becky is presenting Anda an orchid.
Pray that God would enable us to publish Knowing God, Biblical Christianity, Children's Catechism and eventually Pilgrim's Progress--all have been translated and we're working on the publishing.

Praise for the first teen meeting, back from summer. We praise God for several new teens from summer outreach. Here are some of the teens--Undina, Gabriela, Jekabs, Anda!

Prayer:

Our biggest prayer request is for God to greatly bless the Marriage Conference this coming Saturday and Sunday. Pray for all details.

Click here to read these two new articles on Lux Mundi

2011-08-29T14:33:00.004+03:00

Dieva Griba . . . Dziedātāja Dorisa Deja reiz izpildīja kādu labi zināmu dziesmu ar nosaukumu "Que Sera, Sera" – "Kas būs, tas būs." Pirmajā brīdī šī frāze mums liek domāt par tādu kā nomācošu nolemtību. Savukārt Islāma teoloģijā dažkārt par kādu konkrētu notikumu tiek teikts: "Tāda ir Allāha griba." (R. C. Sprouls)

Svēto Rakstu Iedvesmotība un Autoritāte . . Runājot par Svēto Rakstu autoritāti, jau no paša sākuma stingri jāizšķir pati Rakstu autoritāte un mūsu doktrīna par Rakstiem, to autoritāti, nekļūdīgumu un citiem ar Svētajiem Rakstiem saistītajiem kritērijiem un jēdzieniem, kas gadu gaitā radušies teoloģiskas apceres un diskusiju rezultātā. (Hermans Riderboss)

Paul's Letters, Theology & Life - Classes Aug. 29-Sept. 1

2011-08-24T18:32:00.002+03:00

Aicinu Tevi paklausīties 4 interesantas lekcijas vairak informacijas

Gordons Kempbels: Pāvila vēstules, teoloģija un dzīve Jēzus apustuļu vidū Pāvils ir tas, kura ietekme ir vislielākā ga uz pašu Jauno Derību - trīspadsmit vēstules nes viņa vārdu - gan attiecībā uz agrībās kristietības attīstību. Četras dienas no 29.augusta līdz 1.septembrim Dr. Gordons Kempbels vadīs nodarbības par Pāvila vēstulēm, teoloģiju un dzīvi.

Pirmdien 18.30-20.30: Antīko vēstulu izpratne; vēstue Filemonam

Otrdien 18.30-20.30: Pāvils apustulis-misionārs; Filipiešiem 1:1-2; Filipiešiem 1:3-11

Trešdien 18.30-20.30: Pāvila pievēršanās; Filipiešiem 1:12-26; Pāvila mācību par cilvēku (Kas ir cilvēks?)

Ceturtdiena 18.30-20.30: Pāvila mācība par Kristu; Filipiešiem 2:5-11; Kristus Filipiešu vēstulē

UN

29. August - 6. September (9:00 - 12:00 daily) will be a seminar course going deeper into the above topic! Lectures will be in English (the above lectures will be translated into Latvian)

More information on the seminary course can be found at: BRTS Seminary

WHAT A BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY IT WAS!

2011-08-22T22:05:00.002+03:00

I guess if you are 810 you should have a big party. That is exactly what Riga did this past week-end--celebrated its 810 birthday with three days of non-stop (literally) activities.

We started off the week-end Friday evening with Ungars & Gundega. We saw a concert from the "balaconies" around Done Square. (And played darts--see photo on sidebar.)

We concluded the week-end with a wonderful service at church followed by fireworks on Sunday evening. We enjoyed watching the fireworks over the River Daugava with the Martinsons, Smiths, Oskars, Liga, Raivis and Jekabs!

Marriage Seminar - Ko Tad jus Gaidijat?

2011-08-17T17:39:00.002+03:00

DAŽKĀRT PAVISAM DRĪZ PĒC KĀZĀM PARĀDĀS NESASKAŅAS, BET -

KO TAD JŪS GAIDĪJĀT?

10-11. SEPTEMBRIS VELTĪTS LAULĪBAI!

Galvenokārt paredzēts laulātiem pāriem (bērnus līdzi neņemot). Semināra mērķis ir ne vien dot iespēju pāriem dzirdēt vērtīgu informāciju, bet arī patīkamā atmosfērā pavadīt laiku kopā. (Tāpēc nav iespējams, ka tikai viens no laulātajiem piedalās seminārā, ja vien tam nav kāds īpašs iemesls). Katram laulātam pārim tiks nodrošināta atsevišķa istabiņa, kur pavadīt laiku kopā. Laipni aicināti arī neprecēti cilvēki, kas vēlas uzzināt, ko Bībele māca par laulību.

SEMINĀRS: KO TAD JŪS GAIDĪJĀT? (PIELŪGSMĒ BALSTĪTA LAULĪBA) - piecas Dr. Paul Tripp lekcijas (DVD formātā ar tulkojumu latviešu valodā, kam nepieciešams) un diskusiju laiks, kad pārim savā starpā dzirdēto pārrunāt

VIETA: VIESNĪCA UN HOSTELIS „BALTVILLA” (www.baltvilla.lv)

Viesnīca atrodas Baltezerā - skaistā vietā pie ezera. Viegli sasniedzama arī ar sabiedrisko transportu.

REĢISTRĒŠANĀS UN VAIRĀK INFORMĀCIJAS: reģistrēšanās notiek samaksājot skaidrā naudā pie zemāk minētajiem cilvēkiem. Aicinām nekavēties ar reģistrēšanos, jo dalībnieku skaits ir ierobežots.

Gundega Gulbe – 26670638 vai rakstot: gundegan@yahoo.ie

Maris Dupurs – 25534953 vai rakstot: marisd@apollo.lv
Sveta Dance – 29400491 vai rakstot: sdance@inbox.lv

Anda Martinsone – 25994448 vai rakstot: anda.martinsone@gmail.com

MAKSA: 30 lati pārim, nakšņojot hosteļa istabiņā (gultasveļa nodrošināta); 50 lati pārim, nakšņojot viesnīcā „Baltvilla”. Tiem, kas seminārā piedalās vieni dalības maksa atbilstoši ir puse no iepriekš minētā. Cenā iekļauta nakšņošana, ēdināšana un izdales materiāli. Līdzi jāņem sava tējas krūze.

Iespējams finansiālais atbalsts – par to konsultējaties ar iepriekš minētajiem organizētājiem.

Semināra sākums sestdien, 10.septembrī 10:00 un noslēgums svētdien, 11.septembrī 14:00 (pēc pusdienām). Daļēja piedalīšanās nav iespējama. https://sites.google.com/site/gimene2012/citi-seminari

PRAYER & PRAISE August 15 - 21

2011-08-15T20:08:00.006+03:00

Johnsons in Tallinn

Chaplins in Helsinki

PRAISES:
~Thank you, God for a nice vacation with Tom & Leslie Johnson & for the great weather you gave us
~Thank you, God, that Robert & Jeanne Smith found an apartment!!! They sign a lease later this week & hope to move in on Saturday. Pray all goes smoothly.
~For a wonderful cook-out for the BRTS Seminary & the Johnsons--Tom has taught several classes at the seminary. We also celebrated Martins' birthday! (see slideshow on side bar)

Happy Birthday, Martins!

PRAYER:
~that our Latvian Visa renewal to go smoothly this Thursday, 18. August
~Becky's computer would continue to get repaired (Carl worked hard on it!)
~That God would draw couples to the Marriage Seminar Sept. 10-11. Pray for God to work in the lives of families in the Reformed Churches (starting with us)
~For the Smiths' continued adjustment; for a planning meeting on Tuesday
~For the Martinsons on vacation--for renewal in the Lord
~For several families having major difficulties (God knows who they are)

Bible Festival; Prayers for Week

2011-08-07T10:02:00.000+03:00

We are so pleased to have our good missionary friends, Tom & Leslie Johnson, from Prague, Czech Rep. here with us this week.

ON SATURDAY (6. Aug.) we enjoyed the BIBLE FESTIVAL here in Riga sponsored by many Christian groups. We praise God for it and all who participated.

Elija (center) sang during the Bible Festival. With her are sister, Evija (left) and friend, Aija (right)--all sisters in the Lord and great ladies!

We enjoyed spending time at the festival with them.

NOT TO GOOD: When I got home from the festival my computer had a black screen (and I about screamed :) )--it had crashed! NO HARD DRIVE. My dear husband is trying to replace with an extra hard drive we have but I'll have to reinstall everything. (I'm working from his computer right now).

PRAYERS FOR WEEK:
~My computer to get fixed :)
~We are taking some vacation with Tom & Leslie; pray we can all get refreshed & encourage each other
~Continued prayer for Smiths' apartment