A shoebox leads to a ‘royal' visit

Evelyn Howell/Herald Staff Writer

ROANOKE RAPIDS - For 20-year-old Agnese Tilinde, home is Riga, the capital of the small Baltic nation of Latvia. Personable, energetic and full of dreams and goals, she has envisioned visiting the United States since she was 10.

On July 11, her hopes came true when a 24-hour trip ended with her plane landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

But she wasn't a stranger. She ran straight into the arms of her “American family,” who were waiting with a “Welcome to the USA” sign.

Her dream began when she received a shoe box packed with toys, socks and underwear from the Franklin Graham Samaritans Purse Shoe Box Ministry with names of a Roanoke Valley family - Evelyn Doughtie and her daughter, Ann Cleveland - enclosed. The ministry is run by the Rev. Billy Graham's son and distributes life's basics to people in poorer nations.

A lasting friendship developed when Agnese began sending artistic, decorated letters and sending gifts to Doughtie made of amber. (Latvia is well know for its amber and brown bread.)

Each year, they would send each other Christmas items such as jewelry made of amber and socks with traditional ornaments.

Doughtie said that the first letter she received from Agnese was written in broken English and difficult to read.

“As time went by and the more letters she wrote, her written English got better and better,” said Doughtie, holding a clear box, the size of a shoe box filled with letters.

Doughtie is a member of the Rosemary Methodist Church in Roanoke Rapids. She said this year her church has sent 350 shoe boxes filled with needed items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toys for children in poorer countries. “You will be surprised of how many items you can pack in a shoe box,” said Doughtie smiling. “We want to let them know that other people care about them.”

Agnese said she really likes it in the U.S. “People are more friendly in this country,” she said, adding that she likes the way Americans greet each other with a warm hello even if they are perfect strangers. “The people here are so courteous.”

In Riga, Agnese is in her second year at the Higher School of Social Technology and wants to continue her learning at East Carolina University in Greenville, and major in foreign languages. “I want to be an international interpreter and translator,” said Agnese, adding one of her dreams is to work in Washington, D.C.

Currently she works as a nanny and rides the train and the bus two hours to get to work each day. “My mornings start at 6 a.m., and I get less than six hours of sleep each night.”

She has a twin sister and a younger sister.

Doughtie said Agnese is into healthy foods. In North Carolina, she had potato salad mixed with sausage and carrots for the first time.

Agnese said she likes fruits, vegetables and mashed potatoes and what she joys during her spare time is reading novels. “I likes novels that have bad endings,” she said laughing.

While a guest at Doughtie's home in Roanoke Rapids, Agnese has visited many places in such as Bush Gardens, Greenville and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. “The atmosphere is so nice here and they treat me like a princess,” she said.

“She is our young princess,” Doughtie responded. “Look what we got in exchange for a shoe box,” Doughtie said smiling.