Surprise, surprise!

Forget Holly Willoughby, I am old enough to remember 'Surprise, surprise' when it was presented by Cilla Black. People found themselves sitting in the audience next to family members they had long ago lost contact with, or learning that their actions had caused an unknown but life-changing impact on someone else. They invariably left in tears, overwhelmed by new discoveries.

This week we gathered for our March 'Ready for mission' day. The day was hosted at Johvi by Yehven and Arina and it was good for some of our leaders to visit the corps for the first time and see the radio studio from which Arina broadcasts for Family Radio.

During the afternoon we had asked a couple of leaders to update us on new activities -

Johvi 'Project Planet' - new mother and baby group

programmes that have recently started. It was wonderful to hear Arina share of the new mothers and baby group now running at Johvi. She felt led to start a small group - she decided that 5 mums was the optimum number - so that they could really build close relationships. After advertising on the radio, 5 mums now come. If more are interested then new groups will start (a bit like the house group multiplication principle). David then told us about the new sport ministry programme at Tartu. Last week 10 people attended. Lyn and I met two of the guys last Sunday when we visited the corps. Each sport club concludes with devotions - and it is wonderful that people are already making the transition into the corps worshipping community.

Narva corps leaders Captains Mihail and Ludmila

The 'surprise, surprise' moment came after Ludmila shared us about the relationship that Narva has with Tootukase (the unemployment office). We had asked her to describe how long term unemployed people now engage in a voluntary programme at the corps. When she finished sharing the benefits of this partnership, she asked if she could share something else. She described how, after learning about baby song at the last Ready for Mission day she had gone back to the corps and discussed it with corps members. A babysong group was started and already 12 mums with almost 20 children are regularly attending! Wow! We had no idea - it was a complete but wonderful surprise.

It was a real joy to hear leaders sharing encouraging comments and rejoicing in successful ministry. When day to day life is often focused on ensuring that the financial resources are somehow teased out and juggled to meet demands, it was so encouraging to be reminded that we are about finding ways to build relationships, supporting young families and introducing people to Jesus. We thank God for this week's 'Surprise, surprise!' moment.

A chord of 3 strands.............

Having someone to share the ‘journey’ with is a huge blessing. I’m not talking about my wife - although I couldn’t manage without her J - but those partners and friends who provide help and support. This week has revolved around partnerships and has led to some interesting possibilities to help move our mission forward. 

 

When we arrived in Estonia our predecessors passed over to us a positive contact they had established with a Norwegian businessman, Tronde Brecke. With huge commercial enterprises in both Norway and Estonia, Tronde has a real admiration for the work of The Salvation Army and has been a great encouragement to us. Last year he helped set up a contract with the state forestry commission that guaranteed a regular supply of wood for our firewood project and a small line of credit to help pay for it.  

Lieutenant Alexey Burunov takes delivery of his new vehicle

This week we completed part 2 of his support for that project and picked up a new (2^nd hand) Ford Transit truck which will be used for delivering firewood to customers. Currently we have had to utilise our minibus by removing the seats each day after taking the guys to the wood yard. As this vehicle is also used to collect donated food this has been far from ideal. The new vehicle is large enough to carry firewood supplies but small enough to cope with the narrow city streets around Tallinn. Costing just over 20,000 Euros this is a most generous donation. So a big ‘thank you’ to Tronde!

 

 

The second half of the week was engaged in preparing for a potential mentoring project. The Harju

Economic and Development Centre (HEAK in Estonian) recently launched a Swedish funded training and mentoring project to help NGOs achieve greater economic independence and financial sustainability. The project will provide a series of training courses, but the key element of the programme is the link with a mentor who will meet regularly with the CEO, walking alongside to help them stayed focussed on objectives. After making our presentation and meeting with the project team we were delighted to be selected to participate. Our first mentoring meeting starts next week. Our goal is to develop trading programmes during the next 3-years aimed at solving our 500,000 Eur per year funding deficit. With so many other daily pressures and practical matters to attend to at Regional Headquarters it is easy for us to be distracted. The mentoring programme will help  us stay on track and the monthly trainings we attend during the next 6 months will provide practical learning and development. 

 

We thank God for partners – whether they are the prayer partners who regularly hold us before the Throne of grace or those secular partners who believe in the services we provide and stand alongside us in practical ways.  The word of Ecclesiastes 4:12 come to mind ‘A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken’.

Out of the old - into the new

Colonel Kleman cuts the ribbon

The 'congregation'

February 18th 2014 was one of those 'red letter days' in the life of the Estonia Region. Territorial Leaders Colonels Johnny and Eva Kleman were guests of honour at the official opening of the new Regional Headquarters. They were joined by the cadets of the Messengers of Light session, RHQ staff and representatives of the officers and soldiers of the Region. After a few words of welcome Colonel Kleman shared thoughts from scripture and reminded us all that the office was not just a place of business but a place of mission, support and encouragement before cutting the red ribbon and declaring the new office 'open for business'. After crossing the threshold the small congregation joined in a rousing rendition of 'To God be the Glory'.


Board room and Leader's office

Having searched for some months for a suitable property this rented facility offers significantly improved working space. It comprises a large central office - large enough to host Management Board meetings - plus 2 additional offices - each large enough for 2 people - and a room which will initially be used as a prayer room and informal meeting area. Along the corridor we have a toilet and a small kitchen/dining room, so staff can now eat their meals away from their desks.




Evelin and Kerlin's new office

Situated in the busy Narva mnt, we are just 100 metres from the Methodist church and seminary, so ideally placed to support the cadet training programme which meet there each month. It is also walking distance from the Ferry terminal and easily reached by visitors from THQ when they travel from Finland.

The office allows us space to grow. With property schemes

Reception area

in the pipeline and the need to develop a trading programme, we look forward to welcoming a business/property officer. The recently commenced training programme also marks one step in developing a wider training focus for soldiers and local officers. We also hope to introduce specific support for youth work with the Region. Finding this new office is a positive step towards these goals.

And what of the old office? Plans have been approved to renovate and return it to use as a 2-bedroomed apartment. This will be home to trainers who visit to conduct sessions for the cadets each month and will also be available for officers and leaders making necessary visits to Tallinn. With plans to equip and decorate the apartment to a high standard, we also hope to market this as a suitable holiday let for friends visiting Estonia. This will generate some much needed income and cover costs of the new RHQ.

Having been stationed on IHQ I was privileged to be there when the new, glass building was opened at '101'. The vision for that building was, amongst other things, that it would be evangelical in nature. That mirrors our prayers for Narva mnt. We might not be so transparent and visible as the glass building in London but we are easily seen from the busy main road. It gives us a presence in another part of town and allows us opportunity to build new relationships. We pray that the office might be a support to the Region's current programme, an extension of our mission and a place of vision and leadership for the future.