language update

So, I'm back from Women's Camp, exhausted but happy. It was my first time being in an all-Estonian environment for so long (well, also Russian, but I don't understand that so it doesn't count for me). My ears and brain hurt by the time I got home! It is really hard to concentrate so hard for so long, straining to hear and understand.

I also led the Sunday morning meeting all in Estonian. I probably made a thousand mistakes, but everyone said they understood me, and the translators seemed to understand me as well (translating from Estonian into Russian).

It was a huge blessing to our Region to operate in only two languages and not three (which means you have to pause after every sentence and wait to be translated into two other languages!). There were a few three-language times when Major Muikku (our new RC) spoke in Finnish, but by and large we had only Estonian and Russian and it was GREAT!!!

I remember hearing Mrs. Mortetz talk about preaching in Spanish, and just being in awe and also pain wondering if I'd ever be able to do that! My goal is January, to speak ONLY in Estonian when I'm at the corps. I don't even want to contemplate the hours of preparation this will mean, especially when I preach!

But we have a recurring theme: ÄRA KARDA, JUMAL ON SINUGA! Don't be afraid, God is with you. And my sisters (and brothers) are with me too. I felt quite teary talking to Captain Anya Henderson about it (Russian native, commissioned in USA West, now serving here in Estonia also). When I speak in Estonian, my people act as if I have given them the greatest gift you could imagine. So much love and support pours out of them, it really is a great encouragement to me.

Of course grammar and vocabulary and pronounciation are all difficult. But my greatest hurdle was FEAR. I am a perfectionist at times, and to make even one mistkake is like torture to me! I hear all my mistakes when I make them, and then when I sit down they all replay through my mind. Each one is like a knife to my heart.

But of course this is all grounded in pride, and I am trying to set myself aside for the time being and just get on with the task at hand!

Only a few, if any, of you will understand how truly exhausted, but proud, I feel from this weekend. It is unlike anything else, the effort this required.

Anyway ... sorry this is so long. Yes, I am bragging! But I'm also asking you, please (palun, ma palun teid!), keep praying for me to improve in Estonian language. Speaking, hearing, understanding, thinking, reading out loud.

God is good. And He is with us. We need not fear.

Evelyn