Progress Report 7
Tallinn, December 23, 2001
Greetings from a cold and snowy Estonia! It is real winter again, with temperatures in 10-15F (-10C), something that we used to have, say 10 years ago. That alone takes us back into the times past, just as the Christmas season in general-time to look back at the year that has passed and make plans for new adventures, "to step out into the Irresistible Future with Him," as O. Chambers puts it.
2001 will always be very special for the Lighthouse, as it is the first year.
I am grateful to the Lord for the many people, children and grown-ups alike that
He has led me to meet and to know through this project. We have those immense resources
within each other, which we sadly often miss if we are not united for a common cause.
Lighthouse, I believe, is a place to be united and work together for the glory of the Kingdom.
Our last progress report left off in early November with a note about the upcoming meetings
for all staff and volunteers involved. Since then, we've even had two of these meetings, one
in November and the other in December where we struggled with a vision and a course of action
for the ministry. We realized that our motto is Every Child Needs Attention and that
our Mission Statement is as follows: Children Center is a professional Christian help
organization that offers the children at risk a safe environment for growth and development
and equips them for life.
In December meeting we did a SWOT analysis and set even more specific goals, how to best provide for the 30 children who come regularly out of over 100 children that have come by and how to
find ways to the kids that used to attend and don't any more.
The months of November and December were busy with preparing for Christmas, we made stockings
and hung them on the wall. Each child had to embroider his own stocking an then they were sewn together
by a volunteer. It was amazing to see, on the one hand, how artistic some of the children are
and on the other hand, how some don't have the basic skills, when a 17-year old sees embroidering
for the first time in her life. Lot of other handicraft projects were going on as well- a star
of David out of twigs, advent calendar, little sheep as Christmas decorations are but a few.
On top of it, there were rehersals for the dance with the candles (taught by Kaidi Nommik)
and for a Chrismas play Who is the most important one during Christmas (taught by Meelis Priimets).
You can get a glimpse of it in our Christmas gallery. In the gallery, the little girl in blue dress Hetili is often featured. She is a precious 8-year old who has just gone to school and in September, could only write her first name.
Hetili is also very special in this respect that she has remained faithful since the very beginning. She is one of the six kids at the opening of the center, thus providing a tangible continuity for us.
The Christmas party, as you can see from the pictures, was a lot of fun. The Santa who
officially works on the Town Hall Square, agreed to come and distribute the presents, the ones
that we gratefully received from our Norwegian friends Jorgen Lollike and Co. The Mission Group helped with the songs and games and children themselves did the rest, performing the pieces they had rehearsed. Once again, I was amazed and stunned what a difference one year can make in relationships. A year ago I didn't know any of the precious children who are now friends.
All of this could not have happened and could not be happening without your support. We are
very grateful to Fred and Lynn Hanna, and Mount Bethel UMW from Atlanta, Georgia and
Calvary UMC from Nashville, TN for their contributions and their partnership with us.
We were also very specially blessed with the gifts from our European friends-Biep and
Evelyn Durieux from Veenendal, Holland and Ake and Lise Wallmann together with Betelkyrka from Vagnhärad, Sweden.
Thank you all who have contributed all through the year! Together, we have made it through
the difficult first year, even despite the international tragedies. Yet, another year is about
to begin and the only thing that is sure is the Lord's faithfulness. Will you please prayerfully
consider extending your partnership with us even through the coming year!
Since Christmas is a time to think about new beginnings, our plans are being made for the new
year as well. There will be a winter camp coming up right after the holidays (January 2-5). Our children will perform their little Christmas play on December 30 at the fellowship night of the Tallinn Methodist Church. Please keep these events as well as the rest of the Lighthouse in your prayers. We owe the success of this ministry to the faithful prayer warriors.
Thank you again for your manifold support of this ministry! May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Kersti Raudsepp,
May the Lord Richly Bless you!
Chairman of the Board