In 1907 the first Methodist revival was held in Estonia - (the 100th year will be here soon). During the years of Russian Occupation (1940-1991) many pastors were sent to Siberia. The Tallinn and Tartu buildings were bombed in 1944 and church land became government "owned". The first superintendent, Martin Prikask was martyred, and with all church properties taken away, congregations were forced underground if they met at all.

In the late 90's, the new government recognized the great losses the church suffered over the years. When the privatization process started, the Methodist church was given the current Baltic Mission Center (BMC) property. Yet, prior to building of the BMC the government wanted back the very property due to its prominent location! Today, the BMC houses the Methodist church, the seminary and the conference headquarters.

Now as the free winds have started to blow many new churches have been planted. The Viitka church is one of the newest Methodist churches in Estonia. It was officially started in 2000. In 2004 the church got its own building! Since fall 2003 Tea Land has been the pastor at the Viitka church. All in His time............

July 6th -18th of 2005, I was able to represent the Body of Christ by traveling to Estonia as a Volunteer in Mission (VIM). This was a 16 hourflight (one way)! There were 18 members of this VIM team who traveled with the sole purpose of roofing and refurbishing a building that was purchased at auction for the Viitka community (as their church) AND to assist in a 2 day Vacation Bible School for an undetermined number of kids and ages! This would be the third time in Estonia for me. Thanks to those at FIRST UMC whose Faith Promise dollars purchased the building AND to those who sponsored me (us) as missionaries for that purpose.

We flew into Tallinn (the capital city) where we stayed 2 nights. While in Tallin there was a Medieval Festival in the Old City. Walking along the cobblestone streets we saw many of the traditional crafts (charcoal printing, wool dying etc) exhibited by their makers in period costumes. A pig was roasting and dancers were dancing. The city of Tallin dates back to 1100, it was as if we were transported back in time! We also (re)visited the Baltic Mission Center. Positioned by the Baltic Sea, its steeple stretches towards the sky. What a presence!

We traveled by electric train to the Lighthouse Children's Center to meet with Mall Tamm, the Executive Director <mall.tamm@mail.ee> . The Lighthouse is like a beacon for the kids in one of the poorest areas of town. Many children have homes with no electricity and no indoor plumbing. Many live with alcoholic parents where there is no peace, no food and no love. The Lighthouse offers bible lessons, help with homework along with shower, two meals a day and love . Funding for each child per year is about $1200 with 20% coming from the city (as this IS their social services!) and the other 80% coming from the Methodist Church. Mall was telling us of a young man (15) that was baptized recently. He was a "street kid" that started smoking at 6 and drinking soon there after and had little to no schooling...... but nine years later, the Lighthouse was there for him.

Saturday we left Tallinn and traveled in the blue and red bus - our "tour" bus! We were headed southeast of Tallinn, about a 3 hour drive that would take us by the Big WindMill, a building that has walls 6 feet thick, stands 4 stories high - and was the location where Estonian leaders met to talk about freeing their country during the Occupation. The Windmill stands tall and strong and is a symbol to me ( perhaps others) as the Estonians themselves. A Windmill - it uses the wind to make it strong - like the Breathe of God.......

We traveled through the countryside and stopped to see many of the communities along the way. We saw St John's cathedral, which was bombed by the Russians in WWII just reopened in June. This structure contains the most terra cotta carvings than any other church. Traveling on we stopped to see the University of Tartu. Grete, one of our youth (that I met in 2001) will attend there this fall, majoring in English (there is a group seeking funds to support her!). This 3.5 hour trip across Estonia showed us a countryside that looks much like our own with rolling hills and very rural. We ended our drive that day at Setomma - our home for the next week.

On Sunday morning we loaded the bus and headed to the Voru church for worship. This is Kaupo and Thea's church. We were met with much enthusiasm and expectation! Testimonies were given and songs sung (in different

languages) and we worshiped as one. Among those attending that morning was a group from Memphis. Our neighbors from Tennessee were in the area hosting seminars in the Baltic region to start AA and Alanon groups.

Traveling on, our second stop that Sunday was at the church in Viitka! Yeah, the building we had come to work on - this was our first time to see it! It was wonderful and we worshiped together again giving testimonies with singing and praying. That evening we traveled back to Setomma.

The camp has cabin-like sleeping facilities with a pond for swimming and a lodge for eating meals (Setomma style) along with a camping area complete with campfire and gazebo.

Monday the whole team was up and on the bus by 7am eating a Setomma breakfast which had SOO much food ranging from oatmeal to meat and cheese. We headed to the Viitka church with great anticipation! As we arrived each member of the group found a niche that could use each ones time and talents! There was much to do - painting, cleaning, sweeping, stacking chairs, sorting documents and papers, to taking down chimneys and yes a roof to replace. It was amazing to stand in the very place that just a short time ago was the area's Communist City Hall.

At meal times we cleaned up at our hand washing station and our lunch was served on makeshift tables. We were so hungry (and so dirty)! I stacked wood to the ceiling in the wood shed (and I truly understand the meaning of a wood shed!). Water came from the public school that is next to the Viitka church as the plumbing is not in place there. Dinner that night was back at the Setomma camp and it was wonderful - many many MANY bowls of food.

Tuesday and Wednesday we split into two work crews - those that went to the Viitka church and those that were preparing for the two day vacation bible school retreat. For the Bible school we planned crafts and skits and songs etc for all ages as we really did not know who would be there! BY mid morning we had some 70+ kids and about 5 adults to work with us. Many of the kids had not camped out before and had not had this type of Christian opportunity (like Aldersgate!)

For campfire that night our American group did a Good Samaritan skit. It was told in English and then translated into Estonian. We were all in good humor as Dr. Orr and Hazel Chappell were robbers and Hannah Bryant was robbed! We all laughed as David Bratcher walked by and as Kathleen accepted the robber at her Inn. It was a fun filled evening where Jesus was our common thread. One youth accepted Christ that night - awesome. On Wednesday afternoon (even after the bus broke down!) the youth group prayed and sung at the Russian border. Circled up with hands joined there were voices lifted for Jesus' love and freedom for all His people.

Thursday and Friday were spent back at the Viitka church. There was still much to do on the roof and the time was short. We continued to clean, paint, sort, stack etc to the highest extent knowing that our time was drawing to a close while Steve's group worked many 12-15 hour days. We left on Friday with most (but not all) the roof complete. We arrived at Setomma for our last meal. It was a bittersweet evening as our Setomma hostess had made us their "Festival Meal" yet we were not able to help Steve's crew to complete the roof - what we came for.

Saturday morning we loaded onto our favorite blue and red bus to travel back to Tallin, to the airport. Yet our first stop would be to the Viitka church to see, for one last time, the final product. We were so excited to see many of the church members there AND that Steve's crew were able to complete the roofing job - amazing - We left with many tears and smiles and a timeline to travel the 3.5 hours to make an afternoon flight - in the red and blue bus!

Making our Tallin flight we arrived in Amsterdam to stay for the next two days. A time to wind down and take in a sight or two. For many of us it was to EAT American food - we sought out a pizza! Mmm What a place to visit! Coming from the rural country of Estonian into the urban setting of Amsterdam was amazing. The many water canals and bridges, bikes with seating for 4 or 5 or 6, and shops to sell everything. We walked everywhere and prepared ourselves for the long flight home.

thoughts from the Team -

Thea, Kaupo, Joosep, Joel and all the friends from South-Estonia (Viitka,

Võru, Varstu, Ruusmäe, Tabivere)

Dear First Church family and the TEAM!

We would like to indicate on behalf of Viitka and Võru churches and of our family our deepest thanks to you all! Thank you for loving us and loving Estonia. We never are worth it, but we appreciate and need it very-very much!

The greatest that you have done is being consistent. It is all that the true friendship means: to be there for each other. Knowing that other loves you even you are silent, in times when you do not know how to receive love, in times you need it so much. Love is: (1 Cor 13)

Without this kind of love, I believe Viitka church would not exist, Võru basement would not be ready, wild street-boy Rainer would not be a Christian, Viitka would not have the building and roof. Young leaders would not have the experienced they did, children camp etc...

This year mission was a miracle! It was the sum of many miracles: the number of people came, the number of things got done, the weather we had, the love that was among the team, the camp we had... We are just amazed of you: you had servants hearts, you said the words we needed, you saw what was necessary to do and you did it. And it would never been possible if you had not the kind of church behind you, that you have! It was all church mission and much more after that. So, one more time: we love you and just many-many thanks. And we are praying and waiting what more the Lord will do through this kind of friendship (John 13:35)

Yours in Christ,

Hannah Bee (Bryant)

I remember the summer before my eighth grade year when the youth group began to plan their mission trip to Estonia. I was so bummed when I found out that I was one year too young to go and that if I ever wanted the experience, I would have to wait until I was older. After the youth group came home and finished telling their stories, I stopped thinking about taking a trip. Then, in the middle of my Junior year of High school, I was asked if I would be interested in going. I wasn't an eager eighth grader anymore, so I was a little hesitant. I didn't know how I was going to pay for the trip, and the furthest away from home I had ever been was Florida! I was blessed tremendously when someone anonymously donated the rest of the money that I needed for the trip, and by then it was too late to change my mind. When we finally arrived in Estonia, the people we were with were a lot like many of the people that I know from our church; they were generous with all that they had and they gave us everything we could ever dream of. The kids gave us hugs and played games with us. We chased them and gave them piggy back rides. I even had one girl tell me, "You are like, my sister." The adults that we worked with seemed to disregard everything that they personally needed in order to serve us. This meant getting up at 5:00 in the morning to cook us breakfast and keeping it warm for us if we accidentally slept a little too late (oops!), even if we didn't ask or expect them to. They brought us hot lunches while we worked and cold drinks and even ice cream to cool us down. When it seemed like they couldn't possibly have anything else to give, they spoiled us with even more. Millions of blessings were not the only things that our team was able to bring back from the trip, however. The most important things were the friendships that we made. We made friends with three-year-olds and thirty-three-year-olds. We made friends with children who spoke almost perfect English and adults who couldn't speak more than ten English words. We even (believe it or not) were able to make better friends with each other. We all missed our familes while we were gone, but we youth and the men on the team had plenty of talented mothers to take care of us for two weeks when we ate something that didn't quite agree with us, or slipped on the dock running into the lake and scraped our leg up. This trip to Estonia was wonderful and I, personally, can't wait to go again! END

Hazel Chappell

I am embarrassed to admit that previously, I have said "two-week mission trips do no more good than band aides on an open wound." God and David Bratcher showed me how wrong I was. What I saw when I went to Estonia was ten years of outcomes. I met young people now attending college who would not be doing so if it were not for the support of the people at First United Methodist Church, Lexington, KY. In addition, I met four people who are attending or who have completed Seminary, and are now working for Christ. Their education also has been supported by the people at First Church, Lexington. In addition, I saw many beautiful smiles resulting from thousands of dollars worth of dental work. These smiles spoke loudly of improving health and self-esteem that came from the generosity of First Church, Lexington. First Church has tremendous givers. Steve McKinney did not give just his time but paid three men who work for him to help him complete the building project. I saw others in our group giving the clothes off their backs. David Bratcher and Glenda Creech, devoted Christians who are passionate about Estonia and the work there, provided the necessary leadership, and attended to all the details of getting the entire group where they needed to be when they needed to be there. They gave of themselves and their time to make all of this happen.

I saw God working in all the First Church providers who traveled to Estonia. The young people, Jim Nally, Hannah Bryant, and Paula Shafer, all stepped forward and provided encouragement and mentoring to their Estonian peers. Paul and Kathy Sullivan, Kerry McKinney [who worked like the men and kept her dad calm], Sandy Shafer [who kept the young people happy], and Jim Orr [who related so well to the children that they were climbing all over him by the time we left] were each wonderful examples of how God uses missionaries to spread His Word.

I also saw God working in those we left behind. Even now they are providing a tremendous ministry as they meet the day to day basic human needs and support spiritual growth in their community.

Finally, the constant prayer needs include children going into their teen years, some with rebellious attitudes; young children whose parents are willfully absent, leaving children alone; and those children who have lost their parents to the use of alcohol.

I wish to thank David Bratcher and all the "gang" for allowing me the privilege to travel with them to this distant - yet very near - spot in the world. And particularly, I thank Christ for opening my mind and my heart to the wonders of his world and his work.

Sandy Shafer

How great it is to be able to see God's people around the world. The Estonia people and their country have ministered to me in my times there. The Faith that I saw first hand and their reliance on the Lord showed me His abundance in His time. Being able to take youth from my family (and church family) was awesome. Those youth were like sponges soaking up the Love, the languages, the commonalities and the differences. What a privilege serve the God we have here and there - I will go again till I can not go anymore.