Estonia VIM team arrives safely

Hello All! Our team has made it safely to Estonia and everyone is getting ready for a much needed night of sleep. We are all working on a little over twenty four straight hours. Thursday morning we flew into Chicago and from there to Stockholm, Sweden. Because of our six hour layover the team decided to venture into the city and take a look around. It was amazing! We all road the train into town and arrived there just in time to watch the changing of the guard at the royal palace/administrative offices. The city is beautiful and surrounded by water. Along the shores were all these boats for touring and eating dinner. On our way back to the airport we shopped for a little in the streets and then headed back for our short flight into Tallinn. I think everyone slept for that hour. The Lord has truly been watching over all the transitions we have made thus far. Our luggage all arrived at the same time and a man was waiting right outside with a sign for Joe Spence. He had our two vans we had rented ready to go. The hotel was prepared for us as well, and after we got settled we headed into Old Town for some dinner. In the morning we will visit the Baltic Mission Center and then in the evening drive to Camp. Your prayers for safe travel and convenience have certainly been answered and we are all resting up tonight because it’s more than clear that the Lord has more great things in store! Please keep praying! - Emily

Estonia update from Dick

Glad you received Emily's note. Fun day yesterday and most everyone slept very well last night. Just returned from Baltic Mission Center with Toomas and his wife Heidi for a wonderful tour. Toomas spends greetings to Mary Ann, Tom and the entire congregation. We will head to Camp Gideon this afternoon!

Everyone is well! We will send greetings and updates as we can from Camp Gideon. Thanks for your continued prayers for health, safety and effectiveness. - Dick

Estonia VIM team arrives safely

Hello All! Our team has made it safely to Estonia and everyone is getting ready for a much needed night of sleep. We are all working on a little over twenty four straight hours. Thursday morning we flew into Chicago and from there to Stockholm, Sweden. Because of our six hour layover the team decided to venture into the city and take a look around. It was amazing! We all road the train into town and arrived there just in time to watch the changing of the guard at the royal palace/administrative offices. The city is beautiful and surrounded by water. Along the shores were all these boats for touring and eating dinner. On our way back to the airport we shopped for a little in the streets and then headed back for our short flight into Tallinn. I think everyone slept for that hour. The Lord has truly been watching over all the transitions we have made thus far. Our luggage all arrived at the same time and a man was waiting right outside with a sign for Joe Spence. He had our two vans we had rented ready to go. The hotel was prepared for us as well, and after we got settled we headed into Old Town for some dinner. In the morning we will visit the Baltic Mission Center and then in the evening drive to Camp. Your prayers for safe travel and convenience have certainly been answered and we are all resting up tonight because it’s more than clear that the Lord has more great things in store! Please keep praying! - Emily

Greetings from Estonia!!!

Hello All! Our team has made it safely to Estonia and everyone is getting ready for a much needed night of sleep. We are all working on a little over twenty four straight hours. Thursday morning we flew into Chicago and from there to Stockholm, Sweden. Because of our six hour layover the team decided to venture into the city and take a look around. It was amazing! We all road the train into town and arrived there just in time to watch the changing of the guard at the royal palace/administrative offices. The city is beautiful and surrounded by water. Along the shores were all these boats for touring and eating dinner. On our way back to the airport we shopped for a little in the streets and then headed back for our short flight into Tallinn. I think everyone slept for that hour. The Lord has truly been watching over all the transitions we have made thus far. Our luggage all arrived at the same time and a man was waiting right outside with a sign for Joe Spence. He had our two vans we had rented ready to go. The hotel was prepared for us as well, and after we got settled we headed into Old Town for some dinner. In the morning we will visit the Baltic Mission Center and then in the evening drive to Camp. I am attempting to attach some photos of the team in Stockholm, so hopefully that will work out. They will be in a following email. Your prayers for safe travel and convenience have certainly been answered and we are all resting up tonight because its more than clear that the Lord has more great things in store! Please keep praying! - Emily

VIM Estonia Lighthouse 2006

With Dave Meilner leading our team, eight volunteers soared over the "big pond" and landed in another world. Our prayer was to glorify God at the Lighthouse Children's Center in Tallinn, Estonia. We developed "missionary durability" after dragging our belongings and suitcases up four flights of the steepest and narrowest stairs known to civilized man.

Our agenda from June 2-12 was extensive with many events on the schedule and several goals to meet. Church at the Baltic Mission Center included confirmation. We were blessed to witness this on Pentecost Sunday and inspired by these young people who made this day in their lives so reverent. On Wednesday evening, our team attended graduation at the BMC. Smiles and joyful noises abounded as each graduating student came forward. The presence of the Lord was surely in that place.

From Monday through Thursday, music filled the air at the Lighthouse as Kay Hayes taught the children how to bang out a tune with the "boom-whackers" and toot out a song on the recorders. Assisting her on piano and all other instruments was Lauren Howard. The musical instruments were a gift from the Asbury Music Department, a gift that made a dream a reality for Mall who wanted so very much to add artistic programs to the curriculum at the Lighthouse. Puppet training was taught by Jan Meilner with her assistant, Jennifer Rowe. We surprised Mall with another gift of five puppets, two CDs, and a book of scripts. Edie Clark, Nancy Maddin, Jennifer, and Lauren handled crafts. Dave Meilner and John Colbert worked feverishly to prevent a bathroom shower from leaking. On our final day with the kids, they gave each of us a signed handmade card and then we all went bowling and out for pizza.

The Agape Methodist Church in Parnu was our next stop from Friday through Sunday. Dave drove the "beast" with Mall at his side and the rest of us still squashed together. Kulli and Tonu Kuusemaa made us all feel so welcome and right at home...especially after taking us to of all places...a Tex-Mex restaurant. Saturday was spent on the island of Kihnu where old customs, traditions, and attire are maintained. What a cultural experience! But another highlight of the day was Lauren's eighteenth birthday as she opened card after card from her church family in Tulsa. We sang "Amazing Grace" for the congregation on Sunday morning and headed back to Tallinn after lunch. - Missy Sistrunk