This spring has brought many exciting changes to Freedom61 as we continue to grow in our ministry. The Women’s Center officially opened April 18th, and we welcomed our first girl to the center May 28th. We also started up our outreach in Old Town again reaching out to sex tourists.
Women’s Center:
After we opened the center our team went to a conference in Romania for a week, which was such a refreshing time. We were able to step back and breathe and gain fresh perspective on all that God is doing as we prepared for the next steps with the center.
We came home ready to go with the center, then had to wait a month for the building to pass inspection. In that month though so many good things happened. One of the girls whom we have known on the streets for four years now accepted Christ and told us that she was ready to change her life. Even now she made the commitment to go through a ten day detox program, and will move to the center once that program is done. We also were able to see so many finances for the building come in, now we only have €7500 left to raise! Once the building passed inspection, doors really started to open for our girls as more were able to start to show interest in getting off the streets. We welcomed our first girl to the center, and we are so excited to see how God is already starting to work in her heart. She came so quiet and timid, and even in the short time that she has been here, she has begun to open up, so willing to help out with projects and jump into life.
Riga Team:
Because of the transition to working from one to two locations, we are currently low in staff, especially in Riga. Due to a number of factors, we decided that for a season we will be stepping back from working with Dignata. Of our two girls that were working with Dignata, one found another job, and another will be doing a DTS in the fall and joining staff with us afterwards. She will be raising support for the DTS as well as when she joins staff, if you feel led to support her, please let us know.
Old Town Outreach:
This summer we are starting to do ministry in Old Town in Riga again. We have a group of male volunteers who will go out on Fridays once a month to reach out to sex tourists, in order to understand better what is happening in Old Town, as well as to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking to men who come to the city.
Prayer Points:
With our staff being spread to two locations, please be praying with us for more long term staff, as well as for this summer when we will only have two staff in Riga.
With the trips between Riga and Valdemārpils our car is starting to get worn down, and we really need a new reliable car. Please be praying that we can get one soon.
Please also be praying with us for the Old Town outreach, as well as for the Women’s Center as we start investing in the girls in these new ways.
For the center, please pray for the remaining €7500 needed. We are so grateful for all the ways God has provided for us and we are trusting him now for the remainder of the funds.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers,
we are so grateful for you!
Much love, the Freedom61 team
To make donations mail checks to:
YWAM Slavic Ministries P.O. Box 4213 Salem, OR 97302
Note: Make check payable to YWAM Slavic Ministries for a tax deductible receipt. Attach a separate note for: *Freedom61 Riga or Transition Center YWAM Latvia*
Or for online donation through Slavic Ministries CLICK HERE.
