and now with a delighted Aunty and Uncle - Lorna & Gareth 

Jessica with proud Mum and Dad 

Jessica's walkabout at her Dedication Luncheon 

Veronika Sundin, Bernhard Granholm, Capt.Mikkonen with TC, CS and Derek & I at the opening of the new Corps Hall, Tartu 

Tartu in 1931 

Junior Soldiers in Estonia 1931 

History 

Estonia 1931 

Early Estonian Salvationists selling Bibles 

Afternoon with General Eva 

63rd Wedding anniversary celebration 

Some pictures from graduation and summer 

Undaunted

Undaunted
I know it is a week since I posted my blogspot and I wanted to add this extra item at the same time, but I'm afraid the time restraint overtook and now I am able to add this last section covering the summer happenings in Estonia.
The 6th August was a very special occasion in the Region as we met in Tartu for the opening and dedication of our new Corps Hall and the installation of the new Corps Officer. Until this time, we had no hall and the small programme was run from the officers' home. However, the officers - Capts. Timothy & Evelyn Clark and their 3 children were appointed to Kopli Corps in Tallin on 1st July and were now succeded by Capt. Pirjo Mikkonen from Finland. Capt. Mikkonen responded to a pastoral letter from the TC to officers in Finland as to who may feel a leading towards serving for a period in Estonia. Capt. Mikkonen replied to that letter with a real sense of willingness, even if like the rest of us she does not speak the language. She duly arrived in July ready for her installation and the dedication of the new building. We had also identified a new quarters ready for her arrival. Both of these properties have been purchased by THQ and technically belong to the Salvation Army Finland. We pay a rent to THQ - which THQ gives us the money to pay!
However, the most amazing sequence of events occurred during this time. Through the Finnish War Cry editor, contact was made in Sweden with two older Salvationists - both of whom had strong connections to Estonia through their parents. Veronika Sundin's father was the first SA Officer sent to 'open fire' in Estonia in 1929. She still had the hand-written diaries of her father's work and experiences here in Estonia. We read of 4,000 people present at the Open-air meeting in Tallinn. Then a second gentleman - Bernhard Grenholm contacted us with amazing archive information. His parents were the first Corps Officers in Tartu in 1930-31. He also had a detailed account of their experience here as well as a wealth of photographic information of the SA in Tallinn and Tartu, including information regarding the address of the first quarters and hall etc. Both these people came for the opening of the new hall along with the step-brother of Bernhard. Bernhard was a small toddler when in Tartu with his parents, but his mother became very sick and they returned to Sweden where she subsequently died of tuberculosis. His father then remarried. Veronika told the story of how at the Sunday School in Tallinn a little girl attended regularly and became quite a favourite with the YP Workers and the officers, including her father. Consequently, when her parents were blessed with a baby daughter, she was called Veronika after this little Estonian girl. We have now traced that little girl who is 83yrs old and a member of the Methodist Church. Her photo and testimony is on the Methodist Church website here and she speaks freely of how she came to faith through the Salvation Army Sunday School. One of the secretaries in our office - Teele Tiks - became a soldier last June and when she discovered this story, she recognised the old lady and knew her family. She had married a man who became the pastor in the village where they lived and it transpires that one of her relatives is the Godparent of Teele's daughter Sandra. This was such an exciting discovery for Teele who was a member of the Lutheran Church but felt a strong conviction to soldiership in the Salvation Army. Teele has since discovered that her Grandmother was also a member of the Salvatiion Army in those early days. It is a miracle that so much of the history of the Salvation Army and of the Christian faith has survived the turbulent years of the occupation of this little country. When visiting an elderly Salvationist this week, I learned more of the horrific circumstances of the life of our people during these dark days. I know that there are historical accounts of these events, but you will never understand the reality of it all in terms the life of the people themselves. God has graciously brought these people through such dreadful circumstances and their witness today is astounding. Now you will understand why I had to leave this story separate from the other news. I will try to add some interesting pictures to this report. This will give you more understanding and substance for your prayers for our work here. Next week Teele and I have planned to visit little 83yr old Veronika, so I am looking forward to that encounter. So till the next time - God bless.

Undaunted

Undaunted

Dear Friends,
It has been so long since I have given you any news from Estonia that I don't know where to begin.
I guess since my last blog was in April then I need to start from May.
We travelled to Australia for a month's furlough during which time we caught up with all our friends in Brisbane (The Greenies!), Melbourne (The Waterworths, LaMotte/Begleys and General Eva) Perth (the family on all sides) and Sydney (half the rest of the world). It was so good to see so many people and enjoy so many happy experiences. In Sydney Helen attended the University Great Hall with all her colleagues from the College and received her degree at the Graduation Ceremony. It was a lovely day and it was very special to meet up with so many friends that had started out on the same journey a number of years ago, as well as those who had joined en route. It was a grand but uniquely personal experience. The other event in Sydney was when Derek conducted the wedding of Stephen and Meisha. Steve was one of our youngsters at the Corps - his mum was Derek's secretary. It was a great privelege to be asked by Steve and Meisha to do their wedding. We spent some really 'quality time' with them and it was lovely to get to know Meisha who is a lovely girl and has managed to 'tame' Steve. Time spent in Melbourne and Brisbane is always special as we have dear friends in both these places. Karen and Bram and the children in Brisbane are like our second family and we had some great fun with them - especially Derek in the pool every day with Hannah and Tim! Helen and Karen had their usual tearful farewell - but more about that later! Our time in Perth was very special. It was great to stay with Barbara and to catch up with all Derek's cousins. Then we had a lovely time with Aunty Wyn and Uncle Bern and Barbara as we all went out to a 'posh hotel lunch' to celebrate A/Wyn and U/Bern's 63rd Wedding Anniversary. And they both looked fantastic! Our visit to Perth gave us time to spend with our extended family as all Pamela's family live there now. Also we had supper with the Blackpool Outpost! Helen also did a special presentation of our work in Estonia to the Women's Breakfast which is a quarterly 'Ladies Only' event at the Corps - organised by Barbara. When we arrived home at the end of the month, we planned to spend time with the family in Norwich and have a small celebration for Helen's 60th Birthday. However, Derek and Lorna had been busy on the internet and had organised a huge surprise party at the Corps at Norwich with all Helen's brothers and sister and their families, our own children and so many people who have been part of Helen's life over the years. They came from everywhere! One of the girls was one of Helen's nurse friends from her time in London in 1967!!! But the biggest surprise was a 'this is your life' týpe of introduction to some of the guests who had a special story to tell. Two of them were close friends who had 'rescued' Helen during our stay in Dundee, then believe it or not but her good friend Karen Green who had just said Goodbye in Brisbane two weeks before walked through the door. Helen's jaw just hit the floor. And then came two of the girsl who work with us in the office in Estonia. It was just so much fun as one by one they just kept coming in! But it was a great night with real party atmosphere and fantastic food prepared by Major Ray Begley and a group of workers from the Norwich Citadel Corps. It was the surprise of the century. Helen didn't want any birthday presents, so many of the friends and family gave a donation for the work in Estonia.
Back to work in Estonia began the summer programme with camps etc. The Mums & Tots Camp this year included mums who really needed some time out. Two of them had been contacted by the Officer at Narva and by ourselves during our HIV visitation programme. It was such a big thing for these girls to come to camp with their children, but what a rewarding experience as they expressed their fears and then said that they had received so much support and acceptance that they didn't want to go back! The specially chosen Bible Studies gave them all a new understanding of their importance to God who loves them and to their acceptance within our own community. The next big highlight of the camps was the Youth Music and Brass Camp. This was the first time that we had especially scheduled a Brass component into the Music Camp and the Corps Officer from Helsinki who was at the Training College with us both came over as the Brass Instructor. We also had valuable help from two young Bandsmen from Norwich Citadel. Nicholas Giles and Alexander Gibson are both second cousins to Derek and they were so challenged by what they had heard of the work in Estonia that they offered to come over to help and paid all their own expenses to do so. They were able to give individual help to our little group of brass learners, as well as be a great model of young salvationist musicians themselves. The music camp was a real success both in improving musical skills and deepening the faith and commitment of the young people. There were some life-transforming moments during the camp, especially in our devotional time.
Throughout the summer we also had two pensioners' camps, a Junior Soldiers Camp, 3 Corps camps and in August the second Regional Home League Camp. Last year was an experiment with a 'Women's Camp' but this year Helen arranged an authentic Home League Camp and the special guest was Major Mary Capsey from the Overseas Development and Resources Dept. in the UK THQ. Major Capsey spoke about the Home League Helping Hand concept and also gave a presentation on the topic of Human Trafficking which is the Salvation Army internation project for 2007. Sadly Estonia is strongly implicated in this dreadful trade in human beings and to raise the awareness was an important issue for the ladies. Also Helen organised a small 'auction' of new and nearly new items to start the very first Helping Hand Project in Estonia. The ladies entered into the event with great enthusiasm and 500 Estonian Kroon was raised from just a few items.
But I think it is not exaggerating at all to say that the highlight of our year was our holiday in August. We travelled to Blackpool in the UK where again we had the privilege of conducting the wedding of two young people who had become very special to us during our time as the officers in the Corps. It almost felt like our own family - which it was in a way as the bridegroom is the brother-in-law of Pamela Jonathan Langley, and the bride was Jennifer Powers and Helen had become close to her and her family during our time there. Of course Jonathan's family we have known since our Swindon days and many of our friends from the corps were at the wedding. But the crowning glory of the year was when we had the joy of conducting the Dedication Service for our wonderful little granddaughter - Jessica Mae. Grandma Helen did 'the job' and she was a little star. She is so wonderful, that I don't believe any of the stories her mum and dad tell me about all the little 'naughty' things she gets up to. But then you can't blame the child when you know her two Grandads!!! It was so wonderful and such a special day and the Singing Company sang a song 'Welcome to the family' while lots of photos of Baby Jessica were shown on the screen as she met all different members of her family. The highlight was when her Grandma held her to pray and Jessica unceremoniously removed her Army hat!! I don't think anyone had their eyes closed for that prayer! It was lovely to share a huge buffet lunch with lots of family and friends on a perfect day.
We have really enjoyed a long and hot summer this year and as we entered the early days of Autumn, we were privileged to host an Inter-European Conference on Integrated Mission from IHQ. We had 56 delegates representing 15 countries. This was a lot of work in organising and preparing as well as co-ordinating the many travel plans from everyone. Capt. Daniel Henderson from Narva undertook the accommodation bookings, and with Derek planned the programme. Derek was left with the running around with all the travel arrangements. But the event was a great success and IHQ were more than happy with the response as many of the territories involved are planning to develop the concept in their own environment.
With the Integrated Mission Conference, our attendance at the Congress in Denmark, the Home League Camp and other Regional responsibiities, we literally spent no more than 8 nights in our own bed during the month of September - they were not consecutive! It was as if the whole month was wiped off the calendar. We couldn't look up until it was over. Then in the first week of October, we had the visit of the Chief Secretary to the Region in visit all the Corps and to conduct a review of the corps programme and progress. This is in anticipation of establishing a 'proper' system of recording and book-keeping in accordance with the rest of the SA world. We have not had 'official' record-keeping books here since the Army began, although all records have been properly kept and audited. But in the last two years we have more than doubled the Army's presence in the country and we cannot work as a little outpost anymore. So things are moving fast.
We are about to celebrate our Anniversary Celebration at the end of October when we will have the visit of the Hythe Band and Songsters from the UK. That will be the beginning of the next 'blog' - so watch out for the next instalment. And since it is so long since I did this blog thing, I can't promise that I will remember how to add any photos. So if they appear, then that is a bonus.
It only leaves me to say a huge thank you to you all for your continual love and support. The kindness and the practical expression of support from friends in Bedford, Blackpool and Norwich continues unabated and we are eternally grateful.
God is good and when He moves across our path, He leaves us all changed forever - and always for the good.
God bless you all and our thanks again.