deportations

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090328/ap_on_re_eu/eu_estonia_obit_meri_2

The Soviet Red Army occupied the three Baltic countries in 1940 and began a program of deportations before it was driven out by Nazi Germany in 1941. After recapturing the Baltics in 1944, Soviet authorities resumed their deportations to Siberia.

Between March 25 and 27, 1949, more than 20,000 Estonians were rounded up and shipped to Siberia by train.

Estonia this week staged several commemoration ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the mass deportations.

start!

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St. Francis of Assisi

give up sinning!

“He who does not give up prayer cannot possibly continue to offend God habitually. Either he will give up prayer, or he will give up sinning.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori

languages and tongues

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! (Acts 2:11)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 13:1)

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Rev. 5:9)

I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." (Rev. 7:9-10)

Opportunities

“Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.”
(Mark 15:47)
Opportunities
These women could do very little – they couldn’t speak before the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ defense; they couldn’t appeal to Pilate; they couldn’t stand against the crowds; they couldn’t overpower the Roman guards. But they did what they could. They stayed at the cross when the disciples had fled; they followed Jesus’ body to its tomb; and they prepared spices for his body. Because they used the opportunities they had, they were the first to witness the Resurrection. God blessed their devotion and diligence. As believers, we should take advantage of the opportunities we have and do what we can for Christ, instead of worrying about what we cannot do.
p. 966
Student’s Life Application Bible
New Living Translation
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Wheaton, Illinois

I read this from Elizabeth's Bible this week, while we were in Finland for Officers' Councils. I am still so much in shock that after almost 5 years of studying Estonian, we are moving to a Russian-speaking city and corps. It seems so overwhelming! But this was such a good reminder, such a strong encouragement, such a word straight from God, to stop thinking about what I cannot do, and focus on what I can do (as insignificant as that seems!).

Please continue to pray for us, friends, and ask everyone you know to pray!

We are slowing adjusting to the idea of this move, which seemed so crazy at first. We believe that God has good things planned for us as a family and for the Narva Corps (and also the Tallinn Kopli Corps!).

Pray that we will do what we can, and use the opportunities we do have, instead of worrying about what we cannot do.

It seems simple, but it's really what we need right now. And peace. :-D

Thanks for praying,
Evelyn

"Who gave man his mouth? ... Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

read this: http://www.xanga.com/lifeisjoy/694642104/stretching-out-for-home/

which made me think of this:
EX 4:10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
EX 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
EX 4:13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
EX 4:14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.

Estonian-language Lasteaed in Narva

http://lasteaiad.narvakultuur.ee/punamutsike/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=50

http://www.narva.ee/ee/linnakodanikule/haridus/koolieelsed_lasteasutused/page:890

http://ohtuleht.mobi/index.aspx?id=317246

"he gives to those who ask his grace for every task"

Today was a long, tiring day:
pastors' prayer meeting (got anointed with oil and prayed over, so can't complain!)
first day of candiate starting practicum at the corps
Peter's 5th birthday
pensioners' club
2-hour Russian class
band practice

So in band practice, we were playing over some wordless tunes (wordless in the sense that they haven't been translated into Estonian) to choose something for Offertory this week. I could hardly believe it when I heard these words going through my mind:
"he gives to those who ask His [strength] for every task"

Hallelujah! God can even speak to us in band practice! :-)

The tune was "His love remains the same" SATB 668, by the way.

Here are the full words to the song:

Don't assume that God's dismissed you from his mind,
Don't assume that God's forgotten to be kind;
For no matter what you do, his love still follows you;
Don't think that you have left him far behind.

For his love remains the same,
He knows you by your name,
Don't think because you failed him he despairs;
For he gives to those who ask
His grace for every task,
God plans for you in love for he still cares.

Don't assume that God will plan for you no more,
Don't assume that there's no future to explore;
For your life he'll re-design, the pattern be divine;
Don't think that your repentance he'll ignore.

Don't assume you cannot give what he'll demand,
Don't assume that God condemns you out of hand;
For he gives to those who ask his grace for every task;
Don't think that God will fail to understand.

John Gowans

Amazing, huh?

Evelyn

õppime ülikoolis!

Chris is in his second semester at Houghton College.

Today I registered for my beginner Russian class at Tallinn University.

Now we have two "college students" in the family!

love and pray

You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’ But I say
to you, Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute
you, so that you may be sons
of your Father who is in heaven;
for he makes his sun rise
on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust. — Matthew 5:43-48

Estonians, love the Russians! Russians, love the Estonians!

do not be anxious

Therefore do not be anxious,
saying, ‘What shall we eat?’
or ‘What shall we drink?’ or
‘What shall we wear?’ For the
Gentiles seek all these things;
and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them
all. But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be
yours as well. — Matthew 6:25-34

Do not be anxious! "How shall we learn Russian after having studied Estonian for four and a half years?" Your heavenly Father knows!