The gathering crowd. 

Involved in activities! 

Marion enjoy the edible Gospel! 

The Tiimes they are a changin (Dylan!)

This morning we all got an extra hours sleep, as we turned our clocks back! Here that means that we begin the descent into the very short days of winter, where the sun is seen less and less. But there is a beauty in all this...a deeper appreciation for the brief glimpses of light....they become more precious and treasured. Indeed, the times they are a changin. Enjoy the picture below, this sunset, Gods gift to us on this first short day! May the changing winds, tempratures, etc remind us all of Gods faithfulness....and of course that Spring is coming.

The times they are a changin (Dylan). A picture from our back porch towards the sea....on the first night after the time change. 

Our new place! Gods chosen sanctuary for us. 

A wonderful link!

I (phil) love museums! Tallinn has some wonderful, and wonderfully inexpensive, museums! Too be honest, I think too many toursist come here to drink and party and not for the history, architecture, etc...they are really missing out! I recently had the gift of some private time and went to the Occupation Museum...it cost 10 eek..about 80 cents to get it...a very well done, simple museum about those dark days of Estonian history. There is a wonderful web site for this that has free English Language videos about this period....go to www.okupatsioon.ee/english/ and under "useful links" click movies. let me know what you think!

The Wittenberg Home!!

Yesterday we signed a lease on a new home! For over two years we have lived in about 85 square metres...I dont know the formula but it is like 8 or 9 hundred square feet?! We have done ok, the kids have been patient and resilient..but we felt the time had come to ask our leadership for a bigger place....We have wonderful leaders, they recognized the need and said "yes"!! We move into a second floor apartment of 150 square metres! It is outside of town and a short walk to the Gulf of Finland.....It is such a God thing....by far the least expensive property we looked at, yet our favorite! And it comes complete with a dog and cat that belong to the owner...Jacob has already adopted "Cliff" the dog! We would love for you to come visit and see God's new place for us!

Its been awhile!!

Hi, yes, it has been awhile! We havent updated since the Congress in Helsinki in September....Our apologies! It has been a busy and eventful month since then....let us fill you in just a little!!....Congress was certainly a catalyst in many ways....In our delegation of about thirty there were many for whom this was their first "exposure" to the larger Army...and it was wonderful for them!! In this new energy we have begun a new Soldiership (membership) class with 6 people...all of them in their teens or twenties...our own Sarah included! We have had our share of heartbreak in our work here....Satan has won some battles (but not the war) with more than a few...so this comes as a great encouragement to us personally! We have begun our fall "programs" (not too fond of that word..but what else do you call "them"?). Our emphasis is to reach out to the many 65 or so, new kids that were reached with outdoor evangelism this summer and fall....this has started well, with 6 or so of the new children coming, and our people are always following up with phone calls and letters! Keep praying!! We have also begun a work in "Lasnamae" in the Armys youth center there. This is a heavily populated Russian speaking part of Tallinn...notorious for some pretty awful things....that is o.k., the Light always shines brighter in darkness....Pictures soon to follow!

Helsinki Congress 2005!

This past weekend was The Salvation Army's Congress in Helsinki, lead by the General of The Salvation Army. 28 attended from the Kopli Corps (church). For many of them it was their first exposure to the larger Army. We thank God for all He did in our midst. We sense His moving, that we are on the brink of a great move of God. We see how so many Finnish salvationists believe in the power of prayer! That even in the lean days they were faithful in prayer! We are beginning to see God, in His perfect timing, honor their faithfulness and tenacity. On Sunday morning something like the first four rows of seating had to be used for the expansion of the altar...the place of prayer! Yes, Lord, we believe, help thou our unbelief! Enjoy the pictures of our fellowship together.

There were baloons everywhere on the Sunday afternoon of the Congress. 

Some of the Estonian delegation on our way back from Helsinki. 

Susan and Reio sing "Friends are Friends Forever" at the Karajoke! 

Carolina, Meaghan and Sarah listening and enjoying at the Karajoke onboard the ship. 

Our Emma enjoying the view of the Gulf of Finland from the boat! 

Everyplace has some way in which God shows His Glory in a wonderful way...here in Estonia the sunsets are second to none. This is also taken from the boat on the way back from Congress. 

On the way back from Congress on the Boat...A wonderful sunset...following a wonderful journey with Gods people! 

Taken from our apartment window.....a beautiful reminder!! 

The Indians are only half a game out!!

This is a difficult time to be an Indians fan...and to be living 5000 miles away! On the one hand...last year the Red Sox curse was broken...that only leaves the Cubs and the Indians...and these things come in "threes". But, do I really want the Tribe to win it all when I am not there?? Would they win it all BECAUSE I am not there?? Have I been the cause of all their demise?? On the other hand...I want them to win it ONCE in my lifetime.....so I can't be too pickey about WHEN. So, yes, I will take this year....I will be up in the middle of the night watching them live....and their will be a shout in October here that has never been heard before!! Then of course...there is the possibility of a Phillies and Indians World Series...who will cheer for? I have loyalty towards both...well, sorry Uncle Dan...I would have to say "Indians"! Despite all those great memories from Veterans Stadium, I have to say "Go Tribe". If some of you reading this have no idea what I am talking about...ask me...I will spend an hour talking to you about Gods Team!!

God is Blessing...indeed...pray for the Congress

This weekend almost 30 people from our Church will be travelling to Helsinki for the Annual Congress. This is a yearly celebration that brings all of the Salvation Army churches in Finland and Estonia together for a weekend of instruction and inspiration. The General (International Leader) of The Salvation Army will be our guest. For many in our group, this will be their first exposure to the larger church known as "The Salavtion Army"....So many have been faithfully attending our local church for weeks and months, but this is the first time they will see the "bigger picture" of the Ministry and Mission of our Church. Be in prayer for this weekend, and we will get some picture posted after the weekend!