The year 2007 seems so distant and yet so present. I was working as a volunteer in Thailand with a multinational faith organization. I remember clearly the conversation with my friend and colleague from Russia when one day I asked her - what do her friends and family members back home talk about? She answered,…Read more When Ceasar wants it all – especially our fears
Fear
Genie out of the bottle…
The summer in Latvia is beautiful but it is difficult to take my mind off the UK news. On June 23 Latvians celebrated the most popular holiday called Ligo when people enjoy the shortest nights of the year. Being in the nature with lots of good food, singing, dancing but mostly good time with friends…Read more Genie out of the bottle…
30 years later I still cringe at the name of Chernobyl
They say it was a beautiful spring day. What did I do on April 26, 1986? Since it was a Saturday, I must have gone to school in the morning (we used to have school on Saturdays) and then had a weekend to enjoy. I was 12 years old and did not worry about too…Read more 30 years later I still cringe at the name of Chernobyl
This one goes out to Brussels
So, this week I was away from the Internet for a few days and quite enjoyed it. No Donald Trump, no Apple and FBI, no crisis, no war, no bad news... actually no news. I was teaching in a remote place on Thailand - Myanmar border, surrounded by farms, villages and beautiful mountains. I enjoyed…Read more This one goes out to Brussels
Tale as old as time: My tribe against yours
So, I was thinking about our tribalism in Europe and elsewhere and suddenly remembered one of my favorite children's stories, "Ronia the Robber's Daughter" by Astrid Lindgren. It is truly one of my favorite books and I have read it many times. I can still experience the same emotions I had when I read it…Read more Tale as old as time: My tribe against yours
Enough of Supersize Fear
If there is universal word and emotion in 2015, it is Fear. Phobia. Anxiety. Paranoia. This is nothing new for humankind even if we somehow think that the challenges are unique to our times and situation. Just study history, autobiographies, ancient literature like the Bible and see that people and nations have always struggled with…Read more Enough of Supersize Fear
Freedom from fear in Myanmar
"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it." This conviction by Aung Sun Suu Kyi, a Burmese leader and former political prisoner, highlights an important truth. It also describes a life that…Read more Freedom from fear in Myanmar
Latvians and our blind sides
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world". The more I reflect and the more I try to practice it, my experience tells me that these words are very true. I cannot change situations and attitudes around me if I am not willing to do some deep…Read more Latvians and our blind sides
Asylum seekers should know us by our love, not our fear
To begin with I want to tell my friends who are of different faith or no faith; this blog is mostly directed to those of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ. Some parts may feel like an internal family debate, but in reality these are crucial questions for everyone. Also, as I write this,…Read more Asylum seekers should know us by our love, not our fear
Part Two: Unfinished business with our neighbors
We had a wonderful visit to Cambodia and one of the stops was Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. This ancient Hindu/Buddhist temple is one of the most famous landmarks in this part of the world... an amazing monument of history, craftsmanship and art. It is impossible to take a bad photo while visiting these beautiful…Read more Part Two: Unfinished business with our neighbors
peaceroads 