Progress Report 4

Tallinn, August 12, 2001

As I was walking up the stairs at Apteegi the other day I could hear a sound of someone upstairs sweeping the floor. Great was my surprise when I got there and saw it was not the custodian…rather it was our little Valter, a 6-year old, also known as "Prince Walter I” for he never loses his royal poise. I was even more surprised to see other kids helping in the kitchen, washing the dishes and putting them into cupboards.

Much has happened in these young lives since the center opened in April. The hyperactivity of some has been replaced with confidence and being matter of fact. Kristiina, an 11-year old was just weeks ago much like a little stray kitty, ready to attack whenever some danger, however slightest, appeared to present itself. Now she is loving and caring, someone we can always count on if we need a helping hand.

Another great improvement is their prayer life. We try to hold a devotional time every day before they go. Our Father’s prayer is cited by heart every time we conclude our prayer time. Heartfelt and earnest prayers are offered for even the most burning issues in their lives. Minor health problems are lifted before the Lord and often such prayers receive an answer. Some challenges are bigger—many of the kids are threatened by the loss of their homes. The region where they live (Kopli) is in a beautiful region at the seaside, yet has quite a few houses, which are more like barracks. Most of our kids’ families live in these barracks illegally for they can’t afford another place. Now the city has decided to tear these buildings down, so for many children, their future is uncertain. Often a family will get a dormitory room in exchange, if anything at all. Wouldn’t it be great if we could move a magic wand and provide for the basic needs of all these families?! Since that is impossible, it is important to do the little we can. One heart at a time…

We have also been face to face with a harsh reality of true street life. The other day about three weeks ago four glue-sniffers came in. The next day they brought the rest of the “gang”. In a couple of days it was clear they were all living in a deserted house that they climbed in through the window, so that no neighbors knew of their being there. Even most of these kids have homes but they are the kind where for example, the mother is entertaining her lovers and they only have a one-room apartment. So the girl prefers the ruins in Tallinn to the mother’s company and home. The other day when one of the girls came back for more sweaters, Meelis, our director asked her what she had done with the ones she got the day before. It then turned out that they had been used for bandages for one of the girls had cut her veins. Meelis then took the injured girl to the doctor and they couldn’t even do any stitches because the wound was so bad. Yet she got the appropriate care and was taken in for treatment. We are working together with the police and other authorities to find foster homes for these children. Meanwhile, they are given clothes and are fed at our center every day.

As you can see, there are many challenges. For a new ministry, getting the funding at the needed time is another major one. The Lord willing, I will come to the States in a week to promote “Lighthouse” in the churches. I will be in Atlanta from August 19-21; in Nashville, TN from Aug. 21-27; in Knoxville Aug. 27-29 and from there work my way towards Pulaski, VA and Roanoke where I depart from early in the morning of Aug. 31st. Should you want to meet with me, please let me know by e-mail Kersti Raudsepp(Kersti.KCR@mail.ee) or phone:011-372-506-9203.

There are so many things that we can be joyful about. Over the past six weeks we have been blessed by many friends who have dropped by and “joined in the dance”. A group from Calvary UMC from Nashville, TN, led by Peter van Eys, a group from Mt. Bethel, Marietta, GA led by Candy Tourtellot, a group from First UMC from Lexington, KY, led by David Bratcher, a group from Asbury UMC, Tulsa, OK led by Dick Read, a group from Mississippi and Alabama led by Earl Greenough have visited us and seen the activities of the Lighthouse. I was also very pleased to welcome old friends from my “home church” in Pulaski, VA who were passing through on a cruise ship. All of these groups have also left us craft materials, toys, sports equipment, etc for which we are very grateful. We have usually asked our guests to play games and dance with us. Peter van Eys writes in his article:

With a boom box perched above us on a window sill, we were dancing outside on a concrete slab surrounded by the buildings and spires of the city. It was fun to be sure, but it also struck me as metaphorically powerful. Here we shared in the movement of body and soul. I thought of the psalmist describing how God turns mourning into dancing, and of Paul describing how in Christ strangers become brothers and sisters, and finally of Jesus weeping for the city he loved.

There is a hymn in the United Methodist Hymnal entitled Rescue the Perishing, and the third verse came to my mind as I left the Lighthouse: "feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that were broken will vibrate once more." I can attest that chords that were buried or broken are not only vibrating again, they are dancing because of Lighthouse.

We know we couldn’t do much without the help of the Lord and your support. We are especially grateful for your prayers. We know there are people in the States, in Europe and even in Australia who are constantly lifting us before the Lord. May He reward your labor of love.

Kersti Raudsepp
Chairman of the Board
Children Center Lighthouse
Tallinn, Estonia