Bēbīšu Māja (Baby House)
It is funny how God places you in places that you would never think to choose. I am not typically known as a ‘baby person’ and I would usually be the last to babysit or hold babies. So He sent me to live at the ‘Baby House’.
I have been in Latvia for almost 3 months now. The summer has been a whirlwhind of events and activities.
For the next month, I am living in Tukums as 'House Mom' with the primary goal of cultural and language learning. The 'Baby House' is a ministry of Mission Pakapieni, founded by William and Donna Shultz in 1992. It is a refuge of hope and love for at-risk mothers-to-be that have no where else to turn..
Just prior to writing this, a 16 years-old with a two month baby girl, Elizebete, and a 20 years-old with a baby girl due mid-August lived in the house.
It is a challenging atmosphere in many aspects beyond the language barrier. It is more responsibility than I had accounted for. I am learning to cook typical Latvian meals: variations of meat and potatoes. Although these girls act-out and sometimes use the language barrier to their advantage, I can't help but love them. Their poor decisions, past and present, are much due to their poor home life. I hope that through the language barrier, they will be able to see God's love in me, expressed to them.
A few nights ago, the 16 years-old mother ran away and abandoned baby Elizebete. She leaves without any care for her baby and turns her back on any hope of having her in her life. Social workers were called the next day to arrange an orphanage stay. But within a few hours, prospective adoptive parents came to see Elizebete. I realized then that God has a plan in everything, even when I can't see it. My heart aches for mom and what her future holds. She has no family support to help her see a better way. I rejoice that Elizebete will have a family that loves her the way she deserves to be loved. In about a week Elizebete will be adopted. Until then, I am baby Elizebete's 'Foster Mom', giving her all the love and attention I can. (More Details)
Although these girls, act-out and sometimes use the language barrier to their advantage, I can’t help but love them. Their poor decisions, past and present, are much due to their poor home life and lack of positive family support. I hope that through the language barrier, they will be able to see God’s love in me, expressed to them.
The purpose of me living in the ‘Baby House ‘ was to get a full-immersion experience of the Latvian language and culture. Both girls speak very little English. I had big plans on implementing a structured language learning schedule, using the girls as teachers. But as usual, my big plans are not always what God has planned. Once I moved in, I quickly decided I did not want them to see me a coming to ”use them” only to learn latvian. Instead, I have decided to soak in as much Latvian language as I can through daily activities and relations. I am trying to memorize 10 new words/phrases a day that are being used around the house on a regular occurrence. The girls made me a list of ‘Baby House’ phrases and words. So far, this has worked pretty good. My biggest problem is being brave enough to use the little that I know. This will come in time and I am determined. Latvian is a very hard language, but I know with a lot of practice and patient helpers, I will be able to increase my latvian language vocabulary.
I have had a few offers from Latvian friends that want to help me learn in a more structured setting. After my time in Tukums of tuning my ear to the sounds and culture, I will arrange more structured language learning sessions. I think both are very valuable. With the constant sound of Latvian language around me, I am tuning my ear to what sounds correct and learning how words and phrases are used in context of daily living.This experience, although challenging, will prove invaluable to my language learning and cultural acquisition.
