The farm is located in a region that is in one of the most economically depressed areas of the newly free Europe. Under previous Soviet rule, the area was considered extremely communized, resulting in almost total rejection of God and the loss of personal initiative. When Latvia regained its independence from communism, this region was devastated both economically and spiritually. Today the area has primarily subsistence farming - the farmers only grow enough to survive. They have difficulty understanding agri business and individual initiative. Because churches and spiritual centers were dismantled by the Soviets, this has contributed to the spiritual depravity that is evident today. Alcoholism and narcotics use are rampant. The despair is evident by realizing that up to 1% of all deaths are by suicide.

 

 

A young couple lives on the farm on a permanent basis.  The husband graduated from the Latvian agricultural university in 2004, specializing in organic farming and is very active in Christian children’s outreach in the area.

 

A nonprofit church-based missionary organization from Finland is very involved in the outreach. They have experience with outreach projects in Estonia, Russia, and North Korea. A number of exploratory visits have occurred, and preliminary building plans have been developed on how to supplement the buildings already in place.  They have access to missionary farm and forestry specialists, architects, as well as others, and have started helping with initial renovations. The organization has donated tractors and other farm implements. They also have access to specialists in organizing children’s camps, camping materials, as well as an building materials.

 

The owner of the farm has formed a nonprofit organization within legal frameworks in Latvia to provide management structure for the development of the project, and has given control of the land to the Repini Center board.