August 14, 2000

VOLUNTEERS Gary Kennedy (left) and Dave Harless of First Baptist Church in Richardson hold boards to be sawed by construction coordinator Uldis Sicenieks for the new floor of Vilandes Baptist Church. (Photo by Orville Scott)

Texans sing and swing hammers in Latvia
___By Orville Scott
___Texas Baptist Communications
___RICHARDSON--The work of 75 Baptist churches in Latvia was advanced in July by the ministries of nearly 140 volunteers from First Baptist Church of Richardson.
___Overflow crowds witnessed the "Saviour" oratorio performed by members of the

MEMBERS of First Baptist Church in Richardson choir sing during the church's trip to Latvia.

Richardson church's adult choir and orchestra at the Riga Philharmonic Hall and during the Baptist Song Festival in the Fisherman's Cultural Palace at the port city of Ventspils, Latvia.
___Lending their talents to the choir were one of America's foremost young tenors, Scot Cameron of Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington, and 13 members of the Latvian Baptist orchestra, called Crescendo.
___Also the choir sang in Latvia Baptist churches, and Touching Latvia music groups from the choir sang and shared their faith in the streets of Latvia.
___Twenty-three Richardson volunteers installed a new floor in the sanctuary of Vilandes Baptist Church of Riga.
___The Texas church has launched a five-year partnership with the church, assisted by Bridge Builders International of Philomath, Ore.
___The Texas Baptist volunteers enrolled more than 172 people in English classes, 230 children in Vacation Bible Schools and 70 teenagers in baseball and basketball camps led by coaches from the Dallas area.
___Business forums, conducted by the Texans on ethics and marketing, drew about 170 participants, and women's forums drew about 50 people.
___A Latvian student wrote to his English teacher, "Before you came, I believed in God little, and now, because of your great faith, I believe in God big."
___Another student wrote, "Remember that Latvia is praying for Texas."
___Latvia's interest in Texas and the United States was stressed in the business forums, which were organized by Richardson Baptists with support by Guntis Ulmanis, former president of Latvia.
___"The Latvian Christians, who still live under the shadow of Communist occupation, also made an impact on us," said Brian Harbour, pastor of First Baptist Church. "We were encouraged by their faith and challenged by their courage."
___

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