Advent to Epiphany

Liena comes from the beautiful country of Latvia, Eastern Europe. Her faith sprouted during the time of oppression and religious persecution under the Soviet Union. She was part of the great spiritual awakening after regaining freedom from Russian occupation in the 1990's. She started ministry at age fourteen, when her mother opened their little house to a newly formed Christian church. Liena's bedroom was turned into a worship space for this community. The church is thriving to this very day and now meets in a remodeled garage located in the garden next to the house. Liena received her bachelor's degree in Theology from Christian Academy in Latvia and came to America in the late 1990's to continue her education. She completed her master's degree at Denver Theological Seminary. Liena is an ordained minister, chaplain, and spiritual director in Colorado. Her present vision is to raise support and build a Christian retreat center in Latvia. Jacqueline grew up in a Marine Corps family. Living on both coasts and in Hawaii, ignited her love of the ocean. She remembers God first speaking to her heart as a five-year-old during a week of vacation Bible school. He took her hand then and has been her constant companion on a journey through family hardships and joys, professional trials and triumphs, breast cancer and the delight of becoming a mother later in life. The Holy Spirit dazzles her with the simple complexities of loving and walking with the Lord. She conveys her love of French and the French-speaking world to high school students. Her passions include discovering new recipes, heart-to-heart conversations over a cup of coffee, being outdoors, reading, crafting, dancing and traveling. She makes her home in Iowa.