Progress Report 5

Tallinn, September 26, 2001

It is with mixed feelings that I begin this letter. We are still shocked and grieved at the events of September 11. The children and staff have been praying regularly for the people and leaders of the USA. It is a country that has given so much to us by way of new friends and has helped build up our little country, a dot on the world map, about the size of South Carolina.

I myself was privileged to experience the American hospitality once again, when I was on the trip there in the second part of this August, meeting old and new friends in Atlanta, Nashville area and Holston Conference (East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia). Thank you very much to all of you who made that trip so special.

Here in Estonia summer has given way to fall and one indication is that kids are back at school. On September 3rd we had a "back to school" party where all the kids got a backpack with some school supplies. I have never seen anyone before being so happy about a rubber eraser. I sometimes forget how little it takes for some people to be happy! It was an emotional experience to watch these kids on their way to a brighter tomorrow.

One other emotional time came when Chuck and Jane Killian from Lexington FUMC, KY visited us later that week. They gave us $250 from a 9-year old Nathan in their church who had heard about the ministry and decided to do fundraising for the Lighthouse. He himself gave up among other things half the quarters in his glass jar he had been saving for his Mustang, a real car. What a testimony to love of God in this little heart!

We have also been blessed by many others who have sacrificially given this past month. The generous contributions from Dunwoody UMC, GA, Brentwood UMC and Belmont UMC from Nashville, TN, Paul and Germaine Guarke from Bellevue, TN, Celia Gulbenk from Nashville, TN, Phil and Peggy Brownrigg, Atlanta GA, Hal and Sandy Henderson and Richard and Candy Tourtellott from Marietta, GA, UMM from Central UMC in Radford, Memorial UMC in Clinton, TN and many others have helped to keep the ministry going. The budget for this year is $30,000 US dollars. We have received or have been pledged a little over $19,000 dollars. That means we have about one third to go before the end of the year. On behalf of the children I would like to thank each and every one of you who has been involved in any way contributing to this ministry-praying, giving, visiting. We continue to be amazed at the fact that even now that your country is in difficult times, there are still people and communities reaching out to help others. May the Lord Bless you abundantly! Click here for a list of our partners, sponsors, and contributors.

When I was in the States I had a video with me, which shows our activities at the Lighthouse. There is a scene on there where some of the kids join hands in Our Lord's prayer. When I came back, I learned that some of the kids have taken a step further-five of them come regularly to Sunday morning services at BMC and have now begun attending the Sunday School there. The silhouette of the BMC is often the picture they draw and as I used to mention jokingly-whenever they draw a cross there is the flame as well. It has been our desire from the beginning to work very closely with the Methodist church and in a small way to serve as an opportunity for ministry for the Methodist people in Estonia. So far, it has worked very well. It is also the Methodist church where we look for our new employees. Oksana Labanova has taken a maternity leave and we have asked Olga Nikitina to take her place. We are excited about Olga's many talents and her heart for God and His children.

Let me conclude by quoting Dr. Chuck Killian thinking back on his visit in September: "I left that Lighthouse meeting at Apteegi that evening challenged: first, recognizing the difficulty of doing such a work; second, realizing that such a work is sacrificial and self-giving; third, only as we enter into the suffering and pain can change ever happen. They are doing that at the Lighthouse, and they deserve our support.... I got the feeling that the Lighthouse ministry is at the strategic point; that is, for any continuation on a sustained basis, they will need our continued prayers and financial assistance. And once you see those kids; needing a warm meal, a hug, and the Word; a place to meet where they are greeted with warmth and care--you get the picture. Well, the Lighthouse casts a beam of light in our direction. If you see it, follow it to Apteegi and you will see ministry in the name of Christ that is affecting change."

God Bless you!

Kersti Raudsepp
Chairman of the Board
Lighthouse, Tallinn Estonia