Greetings from the university center of Estonia. We began today in Parnu, and drove to Viljandi to have lunch with Pastor Ammo Remmel. We toured the church which continues step by step with construction. The newest additions were beautiful wood doors. Pastor Remmel read Haggai about going to the woods, so the people went and harvested Elm trees, dried them in the church and had them made into doors for the church. Ammo says they need 100,000 dollars to buy a heating system and electricity. He said he hopes to live to complete the work–he is 72.
We drove on through fields where we saw a deer and a fox, and came to Tartu. We walked around town for an hour, then went to a tour of the Seminary and the Saalem Church. Meego Remmel told us that there are 1,000 people in Tartu who don’t speak Estonian, so they are starting a new English language worship service each week.
We ended the day at the newly reopened Wilde restaurant. We were with Peep and Anna Saar, Toivo and Eineke Pilli, Meego and Eelika Remmel, Meles and Catarina (EKB CFO), Atwoods and us. We had a great evening together from 7 to 10:30. Now back at the London hotel, we load up and prepare to fly tomorrow. The Atwoods leave first on their way to Paris to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. We head on to Bournemouth, England for a few days to recover. I feel like we have run through Estonia. Significant driving every day over rough roads, too many meals with people, yet it has been more than worth it all.
Everyone here is so kind, because they know the “Whittier People.” I sat at the “Summer Days” listening to a church worship team doing their impression of Bryan and Laura and the WACC band. The sound system looked familiar, it was the one we brought over three years ago, still working great. I spoke to Yani, who told me how much he missed Mark Boalt and the tech crew (while using our sound board for the meetings). The sang and spoke from the microphones we gave them, all working great. Margus Mahmets was the surprise of the conference as he spoke with humor and conviction. We paid for his seminary education. Then we heard Peter Tom lead the worship session, a pastor we are currently supporting for seminary. Everywhere I look, I see how what you have done has affected these people, and how they try to imitate you. What a Godly honor. You have changed this country more than you know, and the result? God only knows, but there were over 800 people at the conference, and Peep spoke and BOB played twice, and I started to cry because we have made a difference here. We really have. God is so amazing. That He would choose to use a church in LA to change a whole country. He really is amazing.
Love you and really miss being in church. I’m sure it was a joy to have the baby mama back on stage. I know Chad did a great job. God watch over you and bless us with a glorious reunion soon. See you on the 23rd.
Bill and Arlie
PS I fly from 2:30 to 6:30 tomorrow, about 4:30 in the morning your time. So say a prayer for us as you wake up. Ön Angels’ wings….
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