Progress Report 5_03
Tallinn, December 20, 2003
Greetings from the Lighthouse on this Christmas Season! Like everyone elsewhere
we are keeping busy here and in all the other areas of our lives. School is out
for this year and there were many happy faces this past Friday showing off the
improved grades on their report cards.
Christmas is a time to give gifts as well as receive. We have learned a lot with
children about the greatest gift ever received. We have continued with a written
Bible course from Child Evangelism Fellowship where children fill out
worksheets. There is a lot of interest in the course among the children. David,
the Stringman from Oklahoma visited us in November. He brought a lot of strings
with him and taught us several stories where the message of Jesus and salvation
came forward. The youth pastor of Oleviste church, the tallest Baptist church in
town, came and shared the word with the children and also demonstarted the horn
of salvation. In early December our Russian teacher Alla Gluhhova supervised
children in a skit about the constructive and godly ways of solving conflicts.
Alla was also instrumental in setting up an almost full size Nativity set in the
corner of our multipurpose hall.
Our chapel with a big cross and a mural of Jesus with lambs continues to be used
for moments alone and activities needing more quiet time. We have also tried to
teach children the beauty of giving back. This year, we made candle holders and
Christmas ornaments out of clay for the elderly and shut-ins in the Tallinn
Methodist Church. A picture of the process and another one of the wrapped gifts
is on the front page of our web-page. I consider it
very important that these children are given an opportunity to become givers and
not to be reduced to receivers for all their lives.
There have also been other activities going on. Tiina Peterson organized the
children to the City Museum as well as to the Doll Museum where the children
could not only see the history come alive, but could also be involved in several
hands-on projects. There was also a visit to the skating rink with lots of fun
and fellowship. Ellen Lindau has been working with children individually in
music therapy and and we are already seeing some results there as well.
Before the New Year we will have a Christmas Party on Dec. 23rd with a lot of
food and several planned programs including songs by the children they have
learned in music therapy as well as a skit picturing the holy night in
Bethlehem. Pray for the success of the evening and the reduction of stress
connected with being in limelight that some of our children have. Thanks to
Harald Dysjeland and Jorgen Lollike from Norway we can make nice presents for
the children. Thank you also to Lauri Siljoranta and the Christmas Project
Julefluget from Norway for humanitarian aid that can be distributed in addition
to the presents.
New Year is just around the corner with its new blessings and challenges. We
want to continue to develop and find ways how we can better serve the community.
We are continuously aware that this work could not continue without faithful
supporters, both prayerfully and financially. Thank you all for doing it for you
are really thepeople who keep us going behind the scenes. Special thanks to
Carole Mangrem/Clarksdale, MS, New Lebanon Presbyterian Church/Jasper, Georgia, Mayodan UMC/Mayodan,NC
Chapelwood UMC/Houston, TX, First Farragot UMC/Knoxville, TN, John/Barbara
Lundberg/Jasper, GA and Larry Hesketh from Houston TX. Please continue to pray
for the work in Tallinn and for the influx of funds which we are struggling with
at the moment.
One opportunity we in Estonia get to interact with many of our supporters is the
Friends Of Estonia meetings which are annually held in different Methodist
churches in the States. This year Lighthouse will be represented by Enn and
Kyllike Laansoo. Enn is a founder and board member of the Lighthouse. They are
both actively involved in giving the Lighthouse vision and leadership. God
willing, Enn and Kyllike will have with them craft items made by children which
can be purchased. We are also planning to print a set of 4 postcards to sell as
a fundraiser. These postcards were drawn and painted by Eedik Samasson, who has
been our client child since the very first month. The cards feature the Garden
of Eden, the Hill of Calvary, the Heavenly City and a Christmas scene. Please
let me know if you are interested in purchasing them in bulk.
On behalf of the staff and children of the Lighthouse I would like to wish you a
very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. May this Christmas be a very special
time for you and your family! May the Lord Richly Bless you and reward you for
your labor of Love.
Kersti Raudsepp
Chairman of the board
lighthouse