The heroes in Seda

Report from Sven and Glad´s visit to Latvia:
It was early Sunday morning when Igor, our Russian-speaking guide and translator, greeted us in the hotel lobby. We had a 2-½ hour drive ahead of us and wanted to be on time for the Holiness Meeting in Seda, a village located on a snowy rural road a small distance from a major thoroughfare in northeast Latvia. As we took our seats in our Toyota Corolla van Igor remarked how strange it felt to have the driver seated on the right and appeared a bit apprehensive as we set off. (Traffic in Latvia drives on the right and which I handle well, Glad however doesn’t and therefore does little driving outside the UK) To make certain we didn’t get lost in the wintry wilderness Lt. Peter Baronowsky had loaned us his satnav which included every SA destination in Latvia and more, a unofficial road map of Latvia (vintage unknown) and his own hand written cartography detailing where in the village the unmarked SA was located including the color of the houses and the make and model of the Corps Officers automobile. Peter shared ‘it will probably be the only car in the village’. The satnav was programmed in Sweden and consequently gave directions in Swedish, Igor seated behind me gave directions in Russian and English and Glad prayed! We all took credit for arriving some ten minutes before the meeting began.

As we stepped out of the car both Captain Sergei and his wife, 2nd year Cadet, Aizan Konovs came bounding out of the side door of the building through the deep snow and bid us welcome. The Captain’s wife Aizan can only be described as the epitome of the joy filled Salvationist Officer. No interpreter was needed to translate the joy and exuberance of spirit expressed by the Cadet. We were brought into the small hall were every seat was taken and then led into a smaller part of the building where the Sunday School was meeting. We were treated to coffee, tea and cookies and introduced the children and Senior Soldiers. Among the children were the twins Signe and Sogne, wheelchair bound due a series of back operations her mother told us that they wont know if the latest operation was successful until rehab has begun; there is no assurance that the government can provide such assistance any time soon.

We heard the strumming of a guitar and soon the strains of ‘As the Deer’ being played expertly by Captain Sergei, and so we were led back to the main meeting room where a bench had been carried in for us to sit on. As I looked around I noted that many people were sharing a chair seat or stool with others, some 28 or so in total. Throughout the service more adults and children squeezed in. It was an interesting mix of people consisting of some quite elderly, many in their mid years and also young families; a few of the men seemed a bit worse for wear. All followed the progress of the meeting with great interest, some perhaps because they knew it would be followed by a delicious hot meal.

Musings …

Two years ago no one in this remote part of Latvia had ever heard of The Salvation Army. And, had they taken the time to Google TSA in Russian they would have learned that The Salvation Army was a branch of the USA; Central Intelligence Agency, or, a western (cult) created to infiltrate the former Soviet Union during the confused era following perestroika. This area of the former SU, however, had learned the truth about the army’s mission.

The Salvation Army pays no rent for the meeting rooms provided them by the local government, their only cost is in paying for the heat in the space provided them. In two months the health clinic that occupies the majority of the well kept and centrally located building will move to new quarters and the entire building will be provided for the free use of the SA outpost. Meetings are held twice weekly and social services are offered as well.

A husband and father, a well known local criminal in town, began attending meetings shortly after the Army’s arrival. He had been arrested, charged and convicted of a crime and was awaiting sentencing. During that time both he and his wife were saved; she is now a soldier. When the day of sentencing came the Corps Officers accompanied ‘Andre’ to the trial sentencing requesting the opportunity to speak to the court on his behalf. The judge heard the story of Andre’s conversion and positive new lifestyle and decided to, instead of sending him back to prison, to release him to the custody of the local Salvation Army. The impact that these officer heroes are having in this small part of Latvia is remarkable and speaks to their commitment and God’s faithfulness.

A key element in the morning meeting was the enrollment of three more recruits adding to the already impressive number. We shared with the Captain that we had delivered 47 uniforms to regional Headquarters in Riga he joked and said we are having a bit of a revival as you can see. Is there any chance half of them can be delivered to us?! From what we witnessed the Captain may well be prophetic.

God bless The Salvation Army in Seda!

Sven Ljungholm
(active) Former