Progress Report 2_03

Tallinn, April 18, 2003

He is Risen Indeed!

I want to take the opportunity and greet you on the most special holiday of the year! May His resurrection power be with you and with us for the rest of the year!

The things at the Lighthouse have been like a whirlwind. Shortly after my last letter I had a privilege to sign the contract with the city. Since then, many other contracts have been signed for we need to take the full responsibility of the facilities—the two buildings, featured on the front page of our home page www.lastekeskus.ee/lighthouse. We think it is a very special privilege and responsibility that we have been trusted with these buildings. We will try to do everything possible to jusatify that trust. We are really grateful for the support from the city’s social workers who all took part in our opening ceremony on March 25th where brother Olav Pärnamets preached a sermon and asked for God’s blessing on this work in the new situation.

We have been blessed by visiting friends—an Oengo group led by Jana Tali from the Methodist Seminary (BMTS) were visiting us this past Wednesday. The children enjoyed the attention that was so abundantly lavished on them. Today, we welcomed a Methodist Church gospel choir from Norway. I guess the most enjoyable part was the time when the choir and the children could sing together. We are also grateful for their gift of the table tennis table and other sports goods. I have posted a mini-gallery on the front page of our home page of some of our doings. The cross on that page was made by Heiti Aulis, a church member and is in our prayer chapel, which can be used for prayer and mediation.

It is so good to have friends all over the world, especially those who support us with their prayers and otherwise. We are about to experience partnership on a completely new level as Ms. Nancy Strong from Bartlesville, OK has expressed her desire to come and serve with us come this June. We are praying that she and her 4-year old son will have a good experiemnce with us.

As to the challenges we are now looking for workmen who could put gutters on the main building so that the rain would not spoil more of the facade and cover the chimneys of the smaller house to stop the leak. We will try to do that as soon as possible so that both houses would be ready for more extensive repairs if and when the volunteer in mission (VIM) teams arrive.

I would also like to thank the people who by supporting us have ensured that there is still enough “oil in the lamps” to keep them burning. Special thanks to Chapelwood UMC for their gifts we received when Doug Cheves was visiting us; and for the contributions from the Genesis Sunday School Class. Thank you also for the manifold gifts from First UMC in Lexington KY, Canterbury UMC, Birmingham, AL, New Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Jasper, GA, Calvary UMC, Nashville, TN and First UMC, Pulaski, VA. It touched my heart deeply to learn back in September how much effort the confirmation class of the Canterbury UMC was planning on putting in their fundraising. The youth are very involved also in Lexington FUMC to raise funds for someone they do not even know. We truly are indebted to you all who keep this work going. Thank you!

May the Lord Bless you in this Easter time and beyond!

In His Service,

Kersti Raudsepp

Chairman of the Board