Estonia summer campaign - day 4

Saturday 5^th July was scheduled as a free morning – a chance to catch up on sleep or take a wander around the city. Most chose the latter and headed out fairly early to make the most of the wonderful surroundings. The sun was shining and the Old Town beckoned. The hunt for souvenirs and presents was high on the agenda, although the KGB museum was the target of a large group (sadly, fully booked and inaccessible).

The early afternoon rendezvous back at the hall gave chance to change into uniform and prepare for the shuttle service back to Hope House. This was Estonia’s biggest day of the year – the major day of the Laulupido. With the huge procession starting at 2pm all trams and many buses were halted, so songsters were ferried by mini bus to the Paljassaare music festival.

It was good to be greeted on arrival by Colonels Johhny and Eva Kleman, the territorial leaders of the Finland & Estonia territory. They had travelled from Finland to share in the songster visit and warmly welcomed every member of the brigade as they arrived. After a welcome speech from the Colonels and a short preparation for programme selection, the songsters started the festival’s 3^rd day with a short programme. The small crowd were really appreciative – about 40 people who had made their way back to enjoy more music.

The tea break of a couple of hours gave chance to relax, listen to some of  the other musical guests, and then enjoy a wonderful meal of spare ribs, sausages, and a full accompaniment of extras prepared by Arne and Andres in the Hope House kitchen.

After the meal a number of songsters joined Arne (currently resident in the centre) for a sing-song around the piano.
Returning to the tent for the 2^nd slot of the day (the final act before the last youth night event) the tent was much busier. If songsters were tired and drained after a really hectic few days, no one could have guessed – Julie had the crowd clapping and dancing and 3 encores were called for at the end of the programme.

Lieutenant Alexey Burunov, who had worked so hard with his team and our mission partners to organise the event, fittingly brought a massage from God’s Word. Spoken in Russian, we were unable to understand, but when the appeal was made about 12 people stepped forward and prayed a prayer of salvation. Obviously local residents, this small group were a powerful reminder of the purpose of the mission campaign and a clear sign that the Army’s mission to some of the poorest and marginalised in this city is so significant and needed.

Returning ack to the Guest House at about 8.30pm a group of 16 hardly songsters decided that the

night was young and the opportunity to experience Laulupio (a 5-yearly event) was too good to miss. We headed out by mini bus and public transport and eventually arrived at the Festival Site at about 10.15pm. The night was still bathed in bright light and – as we entered the Song Festival grounds the sight of dozens of thousands gathered respectfully for the Festival was almost breath-taking.  As the Festival drew to a conclusion the songs became increasingly significant to this patriotic Estonian audience who rose, quietly and almost reverently, to sing songs proclaiming their love for their country- incredibly moving and an event that was not to be missed.

Returning a midnight, the daylight was just beginning to close in and we retired for a night’s rest – looking forward to the final worship meeting at Kopli corps tomorrow.