Dec 13 -
What a day! I don't really know where to begin. It's after midnight here and I have just sat down by myself for the first time today.
I "stood up" (Viktor's way of saying "get up") around 8:30ish this morning, ate breakfast with everyone, and then left for church around 11:15am. It is about an hour and a half drive to Aseri from where Viktor lives. We arrived at church early and Christina began singing with the kids while people began to come in. Church starts at 2:00pm. I am with the Russian speaking Estonians.
Maxim came to interpret - and I was glad to have him for it during the service. Something that really impresses me with the Russian congregations is they fellowship all day! It reminds me of the first churches set up in Acts. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" Acts 2:42. Russian churches worship for 2 hours - singing, praying, giving testimonies for that week, and preaching. THEN they eat a meal together at the church... they fellowship like that almost every Sunday! They truly love being with each other and I don't need to know the language to see that.
Something I "took away" from the sermon was 2 questions. Before giving the questions we were talking about the birth of Jesus and the gifts the wisemen bring. It was stated (and remember this is Rachel's rough translation from a translator) that this is where we get the Christmas celebration of Christmas - from God's gift of Jesus and from the gifts brought to baby Jesus. But, maybe we should look at it differently this year - and this is where the questions come in. At looking at what gifts were brought to baby Jesus, we should ask our self (1) what can I bring to Jesus this Christmas season? Obviously we cannot give to a baby, but we give to our Lord! What can we bring him?
The second question is: (2) with the gifts that God has given me, what can I do with that? We look at Matt.25:14-28 (the parable of the talents). God has given us gifts - are we using them? We may not see them 'doubled' here on earth, but we will see it in heaven when God says: "well done my good and faithful servant." The opposite part to that is that we do not use the gifts God has given us. Are you using what God has given you? Are you doing what God has asked of you? Are you listening to Him? If not, His will be done. Your talent will be taken and given to another. So, again, addressing the 2nd question: what are you doing with what God has given you?
My friends, we serve an amazing God! These questions are as real to us as they are our Estonian brothers and sisters!
I gave the church the letters from our congregation and they all were so happy. At the end Viktor hugged the letters and in his best english said 'expensive!" Those letters with your signatures means the world to them that you would think of them and love them that much. I also gave the childrens gifts. That brought many smiles! Thank you to Karen and the children for all you do - they loved your cards! I will present them with the money gift from our church and our children either Wed. night or Sun.
I also walked around with Viktor and Maxim to see what the vision is for the after school program. There is much work to be done and it will serve a great need! I will explain more in another letter and when I am back home - I feel it would be easier for you to see pictures and hear about it at one time.
After the many hours at the Aseri church,a group of us drove about 30 min to go and fellowship with another church (Artur is the pastor). They had already had their church service and were eating afterwards when we came in. They had many teenagers (well about 7 or so). We sat around and fellowshiped with them - then we had a snowball fight just before being called back in for a prayer service. Since we were there - and another pastor from a 3rd church was there too - Artur wanted us all to pray and listen to all 3 pastors speak. There is a young woman there who speaks wonderful english and interpreted for me (Maxim had to leave). It was a good time!
Well, I need to go to bed now. What a grand day. And tomorrow will be an adventure on its own: I go back to Aseri. That's pretty much all I know except that I will stay in a flat (a.k.a. An apartment. I don't know whose apartment. I don't know any details except that I've already been given a key. Hmmm... Guess I'll know more tomorrow. :)
Good night all. Thinking of you!
- Rachel
