I'm told that it's good to share. There's nothing startling here, just a few random thoughts and insights into my little world. If you've visited this site deliberately - thanks for coming. If you've stumbled upon it then I hope you find something of interest. Welcome to my world!

Saturday, 14 September 2013

Introducing Estonia (part 2)

Thank you for joining me again this week and for the helpful comments that you post each week. It’s nice to know that through this little blog we sense your support and encouragement on our journey. It’s good to travel together!

The Sunday congregation at Narva
Last week I introduced you to Narva and Voru, our most remote corps. Facebook followers will have read that we visited Narva last Sunday for our first experience of Sunday worship there. The 3rd floor worship hall was quite full (see pic) and the singing was enthusiastic and loud. Having worshipped mainly in Tallinn so far, it was interesting to see the different style of worship here in this Russian community. Songs were not translated adaptations of internationally known praise and worship songs but songs birthed in Russia – often in the minor key but always sung with gusto. The corps are working through a ‘Bible in a year’ reading plan and Captain Mihail invited testimonies of how this week’s readings have helped. A number stepped to the front readily to share how much they had learned from the readings. I confess, I had never realised how interesting the book of Chronicles and the story of King Manasseh could be!! During worship I shared a short word of introduction and Lyn preached.
Lyn shares the Word (assisted by Tanel)
It was lovely to see people coming forward to the place of prayer – a very simple wooden bench having as much significance for those particular seekers as the most ornate mercy seat. After worship we joined with the corps family for sandwiches and cake and learned more about the people who make up that fellowship; communion in every sense of the word.

We then travelled to Johvi, about 70kms back on the road to Tallinn. This small town’s population of approx 11,000 has an ethnic Russian majority so is predominantly a Russian speaking town. Candidates Evgeny and Arina were appointed as corps leaders a few months ago but with the change of Regional Leaders they had not been formally installed into their roles. It was our privilege to conduct the ceremony. One thing we have learned here is that with not a single local officer, many corps programmes rely heavily on corps leaders and officers and when leaders change this has a significant impact. This has been felt especially at Johvi and Evgeny and Arina are struggling to regroup a congregation. So as Evgeny stood to lead the worship Lyn and I were joined by Tanel (who
Candidates Evgeny and Arina (with Leon)
had accompanied us as translator), Arina and 3 others.  When it came time for the installation ceremony I asked if we could change the seating from formal rows into a circle. After the ceremony and the promises of commitment we invited the small corps family to gather around their new leaders and place a hand upon them as we prayed. We do not underestimate the challenge that Evgeny and Arina will face as they seek God’s wisdom and direction for their ministry. Your prayers would be valued, too.
I think we British Salvationists sometimes take for granted the commitment of our local officers. I was reminded last week how blessed I have been in previous corps appointments to have reliable, caring local officers who have maintained programmes, ministry and witness despite the comings and goings of Corprs leaders.

Yesterday we travelled to Tartu (the last stop on this blog’s tour!). We had visited Tartu twice before but , due to family holidays, had not had the privilege of meeting Captain Anna Kotirkadze and her children. David and Anna are overseas officers, serving here from the Eastern Europe territory and their homes in Georgia and Russia (respectively).  Tartu is Estonia’s 2nd city, a really beautiful town hosting a large university, the Ministry of education and the country’s Supreme court.  Under David and Anna’s leadership the corps is in fine form. Whilst blessed with only a handful of soldiers (and no local officers) this small group meet every Wednesday for Bible study and planning meetings. The corps programme has a positive mix of worship, discipleship and social service. A partnership with  ’Toidaank’ (Estonia’s food bank initiative) sees food parcels distributed
Tartu corps (installation of Cadets Maksim and Dzina)
from the corps every week; clothes distributions take place simultaneously.  The corps has one problem – the hall is no longer big enough. We own a small worship hall and rent adjacent rooms for the social services programme. But we need more space – and that’s a good problem to have. Fortunately, David’s previous appointments include Territorial Property secretary (Moscow) so he has the skills necessary to identify suitable options. We look forward to working together on this, developing a project proposal and praying for generous donors!


These few weeks are very much about ‘journeying’ – thanks for travelling around Estonia with me during these last couple of postings. Tomorrow I travel to London for a budget conference at IHQ. Lyn will be in Finland midweek and then heads to the UK next weekend to join me as we return to Portsmouth to celebrate the life of Anne Sumner – one of those faithful local officers I referred to earlier.  Wherever your journey takes you this week I pray you will ‘go well and go with God’.

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