Kids will be kids

This week has been regional children’s camp in Estonia. Our own SA camp facility at Loksa is closed as it is in need of essential repairs.  The cost of renting an alternative placed the camp in jeopardy but a local firm generously donated around €2,400 which covered the cost of hiring rooms at Nelijarve camp. It is a wonderful facility in beautiful surroundings (Neli = 4, and jarve = lakes). The 18 kids and adult helpers drawn from the Region’s 5 corps gathered excitedly on Monday. Some were old hands at camp, others newbies attending their first. There was the usual nervousness as they introduced themselves and discovered who they were rooming with.

The Region has the challenge of working bilingually. Children from the east are largely Russian speaking; those from the south use Estonian and those from Tallinn are mixed. This means that translation is always needed for united sessions (2-way translation when Lyn and I spoke with them). The theme for the week was journeying with Joseph and Captain Ave had produced wonderful materials, games and craft activities to help the children learn this Old Testament story.

Having dropped the children on Monday it was great to return on Friday and sense the change in mood. The children had clearly enjoyed a wonderful week. The usual mix of late nights, lack of sleep, fun and games and meeting new friends was just what we have experienced at every other camp we have witnessed anywhere.  Kids will be kids – and when the final worship session and prize giving was over and they were released for one last swim in the lake it was great to see the smiles and hear the laughter. That wonderful sound crosses all language barriers and needs no translation. It was great to meet the children (and their adult helpers) and our lack of language skills certainly didn't prevent them from befriending us - and sharing with us their prize sweets and cookies! (Thank you)

Having spent much of the week in the office discussing financial matters and the challenges of property

projects it was a wonderful reminder of the real reason why The Salvation Army exists here in Estonia. It’s the same reason we exist anywhere – to share the love of Jesus with boys and girls, men and women; to demonstrate His care to the in practical ways and to help them on their journey with Him.

It’s been a good 2^nd week here in Estonia. The car has started (eventually!) every time we have used it; our Estonian ID cards (confirming residency) have been issued; we now have local bank accounts so can receive an allowance (and pay bills!); and have managed to get around and about without getting lost; we've made some lovely new relationships and discovered beautiful areas of Tallinn and the wider Estonian countryside!

God is good, all the time – all the time, God is good.