On Thursday, March 13th, a team of 16 young adults from Northwest Bible Church traveled to Tartu, Estonia to put on an English camp. The 70 students attending camp had the opportunity to practice English—which they need to be proficient at in order to graduate high school.

Many Estonians have never heard the message of Christ. In this high-energy environment, our team spent long days and sleepless nights interacting with students, building friendships and challenging them on where they are in their relationship with Jesus.

FIELD UPDATES:

Saturday, March 22, 2008
It will be hard to sum up the week that God has given us in just a few short paragraphs. God has done some amazing things in all of our hearts and lives this week that will be forever remembered. My first thoughts run to the nation of Israel crossing the Jordan river and the Lord commanding them to take a stone for the river to build a memorial so they don’t forget what God had done for them. I think that English Camp 08 will be one of those “stones of remembrance” for all of us. God truly met with us this week!

As I write this, we are on the bus from Tartu to Tallinn. Tired from a long night of goodbyes and making of the most of the last minutes together. Many were at the bus station to see us off and after more tears, we boarded and pulled away physically but not in our minds and hearts.

God was at work this week and there will be long lasting fruit not only here in Estonia and Risttee Church but also at Northwest. There are sixteen people coming back changed by the work of God in their lives. Sixteen people who have seen God work in the hearts of kids that have moved closer to God through their willingness to minister and give themselves totally to the opportunity that God had given them. Sixteen people who have met with God and have been transformed by His work in their hearts and lives. Sixteen people who have been broken by the Spirit of God.

God was truly at work at camp this week. The Estonia team said that this was the greatest week they have experienced for their ministry. New kids have been contacted and will be followed up on to get them plugged into the ministry at Risttee.

I could probably fill several pages of names of kids that have been touched by camp this week. Allar is a young man who was in my small group. He got to camp a little late because of exams and was invited to camp by his girlfriend’s best friend who is a Christian. He was quiet and didn’t speak English for the first two days. Wednesday night was the talk about having a personal relationship with Christ or to at least start to think about the claims of Christ. Allar has opened his heart to start to investigate the claims of Christ. His girlfriend Merili, is beginning her walk with Christ. Allar told Craig that this week changed his life! PTL!

We prayed for God to do a great thing this week and he answered in an amazing way. We all feel humbled at the fact that God would use us and visit us in the way he did. It started Sunday night with tears as God broke our hearts and it ended Saturday with tears of joy as we said goodbye old and new friends. There were also plenty of tears in between!

Thank you for the privilege of leading this team. I am so proud of each one as they allowed God to be seen through their lives. Thank you for allowing us to represent God and Northwest at English Camp this week. God was honored and glorified by the lives that have been touched. We love you all and thank you for praying!

We can’t wait to get home! We are looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

He is risen!

Pastor Tom

Friday, March 21, 2008
And in the blink of an eye they were gone. Today was the last of English Camp 2008. Camp wrapped up with breakfast, small groups and an energetic “Main Meeting”. It was then time to pack and say our goodbyes. The bus soon arrived and we were able to send the students off with hugs and blessings. There were some tears but they were born out of joy and hope. As the students drove off the team couldn’t help but reflect on everything God had done for camp, the Tartu Team, the American Team and the students.

God has answered prayers repeatedly on this trip. One of the most amazing things He has done is soften the hearts of the students before camp started. It has been wonderful to see how God has been working in Estonia. Almost every student at English Camp had visited LIFT (The student ministry of Risttee Church) or attended a GoingUp event. God had been preparing the students for camp long before we arrived!

In years past, as camp concludes, it’s wonderful to see 6-10 students who have been affected by Christ’s love from the camp and the team members. This year something special happened. God has given the team a sense of excitement over “something” that He has never given us before. That “something” is that in months to come this camp will bare fruit like never before! And; not just 6-10 students but all 40 students that attended camp. There’s a peace that many of the students will attend LIFT or Risttee and that God will be a part of their lives like never before! PRAISE GOD!

Please continue to pray for our team and that God will order our steps, as we’ll have one more opportunity to connect with the students at LIFT tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support, prayers and love!

In Him,
-Cory

Thursday, March 20, 2008 (Pt. 2)
Today was our last full day of camp. Tomorrow we have to wrap things up and say our goodbyes. That won’t be an easy thing to do. It has been such an exciting week. The time has gone so quickly, but has been packed with many blessings. It is so exciting to know that God is using each one of us in some way as he continues to pursue each one of these kids. Of course, He always seems to go exceedingly and abundantly beyond anything we can ask or think. Not only is He working in the kids' lives, but He is doing a work in ours as well. He is allowing our time spent as a team and with the kids to enrich our lives and He continues to refine each one of us.

The bond built between the campers and leaders has been something that can only be described by God at work. In Craig’s talk this morning he mentioned 1 John 4:18 where we are told “perfect love casts out fear". It is God’s love for each of us and the love He gives us for each other that allows for such deep relationships to be built so quickly. As we are writing this we can see numerous groups of kids and leaders interacting by playing cards, guitar, singing, or just talking. The inhibitions and fears have been totally erased by God’s perfect love. So many of the kids are opening their minds and hearts to the serious question of what Jesus means to them. God is clearly doing a work here.

Our opportunity to minister here is an extension of you back at the church and we know without a doubt that many of you have been praying for us daily. We thank you, and ask that you continue to intercede for us and for the kids.

-Cody, John, and Josh

Thursday, March 20, 2008 (Pt. 1)
Some of us stayed up way too late last night, but we’re having a great time! It’s great to have so many options of things to do with the students. You can always find someone swimming, playing in the gym, playing card games, watching Estonian TV in the lounge, or just talking.

Our main meeting this morning was good—several of us were part of a skit that ended with me getting soaked with water. Good for a laugh, but bad for me looking like I wet myself! It was a lot of fun though and I think that God is using the meetings and our small groups to influence these kids. Tonight in our small groups we discussed having Jesus as our hero. I know some of the kids are thinking about that and will continue to mull it over in the next few days and weeks after camp is done.

We are so excited that God has given us a chance to be used by Him here in Estonia!

-Mike

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Several hours playing games with students allowed for little sleep, but we were energized with “Good Morning Sunshine” with Pastor Tom. All the leaders and a great turnout of students enjoyed praise and worship and a message about David and his heroism.

We started out the “Main Meeting” with Ken and Barbie (Cody and Brittany) waking us up with stretching and the YMCA. Bob and Cory’s skits entertained us during the meeting. Craig then shared a message on clarity and seeing a situation for what it really is, allowing you to act appropriately. This allowed great conversations for small groups and students really seemed to open up during these discussions.

During free time, while some girls played sports in the gym, others enjoyed bonding over manicures. We learned that both Estonian and American girls love a good manicure. We have been able to make some good relationships with the girls. We are hoping through more of these experiences we can build lasting friendships.

The second meeting of the night centered around the theme of doing the right thing at the right time. We learned about David’s encounter with Saul and the tough decision he faced in the cave. Later in small groups, students shared personal experiences in which they had to make the right decision at the right time.

The evening ended with multiple Slap Uno games and a movie night. We are excited to see what God has in store for us for the next two days.

In His Power,
-The Girls (Jill, Kristen, and Brittany)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It’s Tuesday, just after lunch and it’s been an action packed 24 hours. Yesterday, from the moment they stepped off the bus they were jumping up and down, giving high fives, clapping their hands, and acting like kids at the first day of camp. And, I’m not talking about the students, I’m talking about the leaders!

After getting to know our small groups through the “Great Game”, it was off to a quick lunch, then right into ”The Main Meeting”. This is where Superman and Spiderman (a.k.a. Cory and Bob) got the party started with our Superhero themed camp! Once the camp was pumped up from learning this years song and playing a couple of rounds of Knight, Horseman, Cavalier, Craig Hamer began his series “What is a Superhero”.

Following the meeting was small groups, then some free time to do swimming, cards, games in the café, and the icing on the cake, some Estonian Folk Dancing with Paul (pronounced Pow-wool)!

It’s hard to believe that only 24 hours have gone by, and already we are seeing the kids smile more, take a more active role in small groups, and forming relationships with the Estonian and American leaders. I can’t wait to see what the rest of today holds!
Yours and our prayers are being answered!

-Bob

Monday, March 17, 2008
It is early Monday morning and the anticipation of the students here to camp is growing. They will arrive at camp at 11 am, and start the week with the “Great Game”. The “Great Game” is designed to get to know the students, especially those who are assigned to our small groups. After the “Great Game”, it is non-stop until Thursday.

But what I am really stoked about, was our time last night. What was to be just a time of prayer to get our hearts and minds focused, turned out to be a 2 ½ hour time of God doing a work in a room filled with people who are ready to be spent for Him. It was a time of prayer, getting alone with God, weeping, confession, and brokenness.

God is at work and it is so awesome to see Him preparing the soil for a mighty movement of His Spirit. It is also a blessing to hear that God is already laying a burden on the hearts of this team to use what He is teaching us back home.

Thank you again for praying, we love you all!

-PT

Saturday, March 15, 2008
After 22 of hours of travel, 4 airports and 2 hours in a van we finally arrived at the Viinalass' in Tartu, Estonia at 11:00pm Friday night. After a quick sauna it was off to bed to get some much needed rest.

Waking at 7:30 am we prepared for a day of meetings and briefings in preparation for English camp. At 9 am we met with the Estonia team. It was a time of renewing friendships and of making some new ones. Going over the camp schedule and small group material added to the excitement that has been building.

Some exciting news that will bless your heart—On the ride from Tallinn to Tartu, Craig received a call that Daniel's girlfriend had accepted Christ Friday night. She has attended English Camp for the past 4 years and Friday night was her day of salvation! We are so pumped as many of us have been praying for her salvation. We are anticipating what God has in mind for us this week.

Please pray that God would give us an open door of opportunity to share the love of Christ this week at camp.

We love you all—thank you for your prayers!
-PT