You wouldn’t normally think that tearing down one house would result in fixing up rundown homes, helping a community in need, building relationships with neighbors and supporting a missionary overseas. It doesn’t seem to add up. But, then again, we serve an all-powerful God who is unlimited in His thinking and His resources!

This door, of service projects and countless community interactions, began to creak open a year ago in the small Eastern European country of Estonia. A team from Northwest Bible was assisting with a yearly English camp—designed to help the Estonian teenagers with their use of the language while presenting the gospel. While there, the team had a chance to connect with Estonian missionary Linden Viinalass, whom Northwest supports, to hear more about his ministry of over ten years.

The people of this country, which is nestled between Latvia and Russia, are not readily open to new relationships or the gospel. Yet Linden’s ministry has been productive, and major breakthroughs have occurred. While sharing openly his concerns for the ministry, our missionary requested prayer for the openness of the Estonian people, as well as continued financial support.

John Smith, one of the team members, felt a strong urging to help out in some way and began to pray for clear direction on how to get involved. Over the next few months, emails and phone calls ensued and an idea for helping to support the Viinalass family, even though living 4,500 miles away, emerged.

Years ago, Linden purchased three properties in the Columbus area to rent out as a means to supplement support for his work in Estonia. Over time, these houses became run down and in desperate need of repair. They weren’t being rented on a regular basis and, therefore, were not providing for their intended purpose. Two of the properties are located in the neglected Hilltop area of Columbus, where John had previously felt God leading his heart to somehow minister to the people of that neighborhood. And the door inched open wider.

Throughout the summer and into the fall; minor work began on the Viinalass properties. A few people would volunteer time on the weekend to work on painting and little projects in attempts to get the homes in living condition once again. The steps were small, but the heart and passion for the work at hand was immense and only continued to grow. The fall also marked a huge opportunity as God provided the sale of one of the homes alongside our church's driveway—swinging the door of opportunities wide open!

Salvaging the home (one that Linden had worked on over twenty years ago) began immediately as the group, which had been working on the other homes, sprang into action. Supplies such as cabinets, sinks, countertops, windows and other usable materials were taken to the various homes in order to recycle them for the repairs. The majority of the recent renovations have been done on the vacant house in Galloway. The goal is that within a few months, it will be rented in order to re-establish the rental support to Estonia.

In His infinite wisdom, God has had more in mind than the restoration of homes. It was more than additional support for our missionaries in Estonia, and far more than an expansion for our church body. What God has in mind, as He always does, is the restoration of souls. Since work began on the properties in the Hilltop area and in Galloway; relationships have started to develop. Neighbors have noticed people in and out of the homes, have asked about the renovations and have even given tools and other resources for the group to use!

This entire process has far exceeded what anyone ever thought possible. The way in which God continues to open doors, continues to move in the hearts of the people of Northwest towards service and is allowing the community to see first-hand the body of Christ working together is amazing. Not only are these projects building into the people of each area, but God is using this time to strengthen our church. Many from various ages and ministries have been banding together for a singular purpose, and the relationships that have developed are invaluable to our Northwest body.

God is so clearly involved in this story as only He could have orchestrated all that has transpired. The opportunities to grow as a church, to reach out into our communities and to develop further relationships as servants of Christ are numerous, and it is building an excitement as to what God has in store for the future!

There are still many needs and even more ways to get involved! From prayer, donations of supplies, giving of your time and skills, to other various areas—there is a place for you. This is a great chance to get in on the ground level of an exciting ministry opportunity!

For more information or to get involved—please contact John Smith or Jon Herman.