Progress Report 3

Tallinn, June 25, 2001

After the week in the camp the children center has resumed its daily routine of sports, play and study, picnics, outings, museums and other events. In July, Bible Camps in camp Gideon will begin. We are approaching the end of our third month of operation. Many good things have happened, I'd like to highlight just a few.

On June 6th , during the inauguration service the renting contract with the UMC in Estonia was signed by Dr. Olav Pärnamets, the Superintendent and myself. We had a privilege to welcome the following guests to this service: Dr. ad Mrs. Eddie Fox, Mrs. Urve Pärnamets, Dr. Randy Frye and Dr. Tom Harrison. There was a feeling of a new beginning for a house that has witnessed the major milestones in the Methodist history in the post war Estonia. While Dr. Fox was praying for us, he mentioned the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and that were surrounding us that day.

We have been blessed by other guests as well in the month of June. On June 1, after a long day at the zoo, the kids as well as the board members had a fellowship meal with a group from Dunwoody UMC from Atlanta, GA, led by Ted ad Kay Reissing. The group was touched by the stories of children and we at the center were touched by their interest and love that was poured out that day.

On June 18 a group from Virginia, led by Jeff Talent and Steve Carter took 60 kids from our center and that of "Guardian Angel" to the amusement park to ride various machines. For all the children it was the first time at the park because the prices are prohibitive. The group also treated us to a lunch at a burger restaurant and after the meal the children had an opportunity to share what they had learned at the centers. May the Lord richly reward of those friends of this group who sponsored a child to the park. It was memorable day that will remain with us for a long time.

After the day in the park it was time to head off to the camp. We made a sleepover stop in the town of Haapsalu where we received a royal reception in the local Methodist Church. Early the next morning it was time to catch the ferry to the island of Vormsi and begin with the camp.

To sum up the four days in the camp I think the children got to know each other better, they learned to respect each other and also other people. There was also a breakthrough that the staff were especially grateful for and pleased about. So far, singing grace in two languages has been an inseparable part of every meal. At the camp, the children were introduced to the world of prayer on a deeper level. What's more, they could actually experience answers to their prayers. One of their greatest prayer concerns had been that "it would be sunny and there would be no rain". And indeed, it had been raining the whole week in the mainland close to the island, but we only got the rain at night, if at all. Let us pray there will be a growing awareness of a God who is in charge of not only the weather but also of all the other life situations.

One night we had a grill-party and a talent show. It is amazing how talented some of these kids are. There is so much potential in them and they just need a little more security and some people who would believe in them. Occasionally, throughout the camp there was some use of bad language or other manifestations they have grown so used to, but all in all, our counselors thought they were better behaved than any other kids would have been, because they were very appreciative of everything that was being done. Being with these kids, you forget about their difficult family situations and challenges they have to face daily. The reality hits you hard when a 10-year old girl shares about her stepfather's denial of his drug problem or if while chauffeuring kids home two brothers cannot quite decide whether they want to be put down "at home" or "at Mother's". While at the camp I took "a day off" and decided to catch up on my paid responsibilities and proceed with a translation I've had in my hands for too long. Still, on that afternoon I couldn't help dreaming of the kids just a couple of years from now-finishing school, smart, happy and confident, and all that because someone had decided to invest in their lives a couple of years before.

We are grateful to those who have already invested in the work with these children-Dr. & Mrs. Harry Turner of Kingsport, TN; Calvary UMC of Nashville, TN; UMW from Mt. Bethel UMC of Atlanta, GA; and Mr. & Mrs. Ted Reissing from Atlanta, GA. Despite these generous gifts, finances remain a challenge. Will you consider becoming a Partner (with a gift of $1,000 a year) in this new and exciting ministry!

On Wednesday we are expecting a group from Calvary UMC to visit us and share a meal. If you are ever in the region, please make plans to drop by or let us know if you even want to have lunch or dinner with us. We would be happy to welcome you-"consider yourself one of the family!"

And last, but not least, please continue to pray for us. We have seen the mighty hand of God at work in the lives of the children as well as everyone else connected with the center. We know we owe it to a large degree to the prayers offered for us all around the world. Thank you!

In the Love of Jesus,

Kersti Raudsepp,
Chairman of the Board