Introducing Estonia

Thanks for joining me for this week's blog - a virtual tour to visit the extremities of the Estonia Region. Come with me and we will visit Narva (east) and Voru (south).

Narva is not only our easternmost corps but the country's easternmost town. The town's 65,000 population are almost entirely Russians. It's literally a border town, the bridge at the end of the main street crosses into Russia. Salvation Army ministry is conducted in Russian and the corps is currently led by Captains Mihail and Ludmila Baglai, Moldovan officers on missionary service from the Eastern Europe Territory. The corps celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year, a milestone that was marked by moving into a larger, owned building. Courtesy of a very generous gift from with USA Western territory the corps is now housed in a 3 storey (plus basement) building, offering great scope for future development. Check out the pics in the slideshow to see how it has already been put to use. The ministry is a strong mix of social services, worship, teaching and evangelism. Every day crowds of dozens queue from early to receive a simple donation of bread. Food parcels are managed on behalf of the Narva Foodbank; together around 3,500 people receive support each month. Once a week the corps run Alpha - and the hall is packed to overflowing, with people sitting in the corridor to hear the teaching. There are many opportunities but moving people through to commitment to Christ and Christian discipleship is a tough challenge and many of those who have earlier committed to Soldiership in the Salvation Army have fallen by the wayside. Plans and designs are being considered for renovating the building and making it suitable to serve the needs of the programme.

If the slideshow (below) doesn't work - check out the pics here: Narva corps



Heading south towards Latvia and you pass through Voru, about 25 miles north of the border. The delightful little town (population 14,300) is a lovely mix of 19th century wooden buildings and rather less attractive Soviet-era ones. Set on Lake Tamula the population is predominantly Estonian speaking. Opened in 2006 the corps occupies a lovely, rented 1st floor facility. On entering the SA hall you are immediately impacted by the care given to make this small property a real haven of worship and service. Envoy Inge is amazing! Her personal testimony of coming to the Army having given years of service leading children's homes is fascinating. Inge has a background of theology study but hers is no faith of 'head knowledge' alone. Her huge heart for the vulnerable led her (and husband Timo) to adopt 5 small children (in order to keep a whole family together), despite being in her 50's and already having a grown up daughter and grandchild of her own. The corps' small worshiping family of 12-20 meeting in a lovely worship hall, the ante rooms house a delightful dining area from which a feeding programme operates twice each week. The 'Get dressed for free' programme allows families to receive good quality clothes in exchange for their old ones. Inge is supported by Candidate Natalia who is preparing for service as an officer in The Salvation Army with the support and backing of her husband and 2 small children.

If the slideshow doesn't work you can access the pics here: Voru corps

Both of these centres are 3 hours' drive from Tallinn and Regional HQ so the leaders (and corps members) might easily feel a little isolated. They represent the very different blends of community in Estonia (the Russian and Estonian) but the expressions of worship and service are impacting their communities. If you have a moment to remember our friends in prayer we would appreciate it.