Designed to Live seeks to empower those influenced by disability to live a life of meaning and significance, to live beyond their disability. We seek to share Hope and the message of Jesus Christ to those who face the daily challenges of life with a disability.

15% of the world's population is influenced by disability. Only 5-10% of these people are reached for Christ, resulting in one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. Designed to Live is driven by the conviction that everyone, regardless of ability or disability, is entitled to be introduced to Christ and the love He has for them.

Every person is created by God in His image. We are all ‘designed to live’ the life God has planned for us to live, using the gifts He has blessed us with. Just like a fingerprint, every person leaves a unique mark on the world and the people they encounter. God has uniquely designed each of us, having specific skills and talents that can be used to glorify Him.

Psalms 139:13-16 | Genesis 1:26-27 | John 9:1-3 | Ephesians 4:15-16

Ministry Team

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Prosthetic Care

The quality of life for people with disabilities can be greatly improved by improving mobility. The main purpose of providing prosthetic care is not just practical; most importantly, it is about building relationships, showing them God’s love, and bringing them the good news of Jesus Christ. Although the need for a prosthetic limb initiates our connection with patients, our primary goal is to intentionally share the love of Jesus Christ with every person we encounter through prayer, encouragement, faith conversations, and authentic relationships.

Business is Mission

In 2022, Designed to Live established its fully licensed and registered prosthetic care center in Latvia, Designed to Live Ortopēdija. Latvia regulates the profession of Prosthetics and Orthotics, so in addition to meeting government regulations, the business of Designed to Live Ortopēdija is mutually beneficial in supporting the Designed to Live ministry . Operating as a ''Business as Mission'', it reinvests profits to support the ministry of Designed to Live to be a sustainable and scalable ministry to make a greater impact for Christ in Latvia and beyond.

Designed to Live Ortopēdija utilizes the most cutting-edge technology in prosthetic care, utilizing 3D design and industrial grade 3D printing. As a fully digital prosthetic care center, we can quickly, accurately, and efficiently provide prosthetic care to our patients. Our digital workflow and services are establishing our business as a hub for healthcare innovation in the EU and Baltics.

The relationship between our business, Designed to Live Ortopēdija, and the Designed to Live ministry is mutually beneficial. We are able to quickly provide the patient with their first trial prosthetic limb, within an average of 1 month following amputation, as a donation from the Designed to Live ministry. This expedited care enables the patient to more quickly regain their independence and mobility. Once approved, the patient returns to Designed to Live Ortopēdija for a new prosthesis, compensated by the Latvian government. Unfortunately, this funding does not always cover the full cost of a new prosthesis so ministry funds are many times combined with the government funds to provide the most appropriate prosthetic for the patient.

If a candidate for a prosthesis, we provide care to anyone and do not turn anyone away based on government approval.

The prosthetic care process is never finished. We continue to see the patient and invest in their lives deeper than just prosthetic care. Each visit we share God's love, pray, and encourage the patient.

Ukrainians in Latvia

Every week, Designed to Live holds a Sunday worship service and Youth meetings for Ukrainians living in the area. These services are open to everyone and are a time of encouragement, prayer, support, and learning from God’s Word.

The Sunday worship service originally began in March 2022, when the full-scale war started, and many Ukrainians arrived in Cēsis. Latvia was providing tremendous help to Ukraine and to the Ukrainians who had come — housing, humanitarian aid, and financial support during the first months. But no spiritual support. This is when our Ukrainian ministry began, meeting with Ukrainians every week.

Sunday Worship services are a wonderful time to support each other, learn about God, and study the Bible together. Even far from home, Ukrainians in Latvia can grow in faith and know God more deeply.

David and Kristina Yarmoshik lead the Ukrainian ministry.

Worship service:
Every Sunday, 14:00
Valmieras iela 11, Cēsis (Designed to Live Studija)
Bilingual service (Ukrainian and Latvian languages)

Youth meeting:
Mid-week, 18:00
Valmieras iela 11, Cēsis (Designed to Live Studija)
Ukrainian language

Special Services:
Christmas, Easter, and Harvest Day.
Bilingual service (Ukrainian and Latvian languages)

Svētki Tev

On September 16, 2018, we had an amazing event to celebrate people inﬂuenced by disability. It was a formal celebration at a beautiful palace in Rīga. The guests of honor were people with disabilities, celebrated together with friends, family, and people of Latvian society. The purpose of this grand event was to honor our special guests and to show them they are valued, loved, and respected. We told them how beautiful they are, highlighting God’s special love for them and everyone!! Red carpets, retro cars, live music, photography, food, sand art presentation, God’s story, and 220 guests made for an unforgettable time!!

Svētki Tev will happen again September 19, 2026 in Cēsis, Latvia!!

ParaFit is personalized fitness training that is specifically adapted for people with physical disabilities. It is based on Functional fitness principles, goals, and techniques, designed to improve fitness and overall health. ParaFit was developed to combine physical, personal, and spiritual strength. These are all interdependent; as one becomes stronger, so does the other.

Functional fitness is training that focuses to improve strength, stability, and mobility through full body movements. Functional movements are those used in daily life to complete daily tasks. Functional fitness utilizes compound movements that require multiple joints and muscles to complete. The primary movements focus on basic tasks like squatting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, and rotating.
Adaptive functional fitness challenges athletes with these movements adapted to them so they can strengthen their full body, safely achieve goals, perform daily tasks, improve overall health and live beyond their disability.
The meaning of ‘para’ is to be beside or alongside. ParaFit seeks to walk alongside adapted athletes, providing an opportunity for them to use the strength God has given them. ParaFit aims to provide a way for people with disabilities to improve their physical strength, health, and most importantly to enhance their spiritual life.
‘‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’’ (Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5)
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29)
On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me. (Psalm 138:3)