Church

Our host kids were fortunate to attend church with us three Sundays for this hosting period. They seem to enjoy it. Unfortunately, there is a huge inconvenience in that they don't speak or understand much English. This was magnified on Sunday, when there was a church-wide Communion.

Oops. I forgot to translate to them what this meant. That's kind of a big, bad, horrible move on my part. So, as the pastor was talking about Communion, I thought I'd type out what they should know about the entire church getting up and going to the front to partake in the Holy Eucharist. 

Here's the thing: I typed it in the Latvian side. Here's what that means: All the words I typed out were not translated, but translated into English. Here's the bad thing: Even though my phone was completely in silence mode, it started saying these 2 paragraphs very loudly! I tried turning it off. All eyes were on me, as the pastor was praying before Communion. I apologized and said, "Translating", as I tried to shove it between my two legs to stop the sound {I guess this is when some "thunder thighs" come in handy!}

I was immediately red faced. I could feel the heat in my entire head. Then I just wanted to give up. I couldn't explain to these 2 kids that we were going to walk up front and get a piece of cracker/bread and a tiny cup of juice, and they aren't allowed to have any. I could only imagine what they thought... especially Iceman. Their lives used to consist of living on the streets and begging for food. Iceman has, as my husband says, "a negative amount of body fat". But, let's all "eat" and "drink" in front of him... all 500-600 of us. {yuck} If he only knew we weren't "eating and drinking", but actually remembering all Jesus has done for us, it would be less painful.

Of course, there is also pain in knowing that there is no way to communicate to them ALL the God has done in their lives and this adoption. We must tear down these communication barriers! I'm hoping to connect with YWAM Latvia when we get there and see if someone there might offer some guidance in explaining to them what our family believes. 

I took my Texan boys up for Communion while my husband stayed with our host children.
 
p.s. The pastor preached that if you've entered 2016 carrying disappointment... GET YOUR EYES UP! (I constantly need that reminder. Still waiting for our adoption news....)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42