A Firm Foundation...

Breakfast was quick, and the children were back out in the sunshine enjoying the trampoline and swings before heading to the chapel for songs with Siiri and the counselors.  The team joined in the singing before our slideshow reviewing Thursday's fun and activities as well as a powerpoint about Texas and Houston.  As Tallinn only has six tall buildings, the campers were very impressed with the Houston skyline and all of the lights.

Composer, singer Siiri Sisask leads the children in song

One of the most inspiring moments of the morning was listening to the young people of Estonia sing their national anthem with a great deal of pride.
After a last trip to the beach, several of the students returned with a rock that they had painted and signed as a gift to the camp and Artur and his family.

As the bus driver began preparing the bus for departure, the hugs and tears began to flow.
One young girl handed me a rock that she had painted and said, "I love you."  These students were simply hungry for the touch of a caring      adult and the joy of singing about the Lord.


After a brief meeting with Artur and his family, we headed to Sillamae to meet Galina and Lilja who run the soup kitchen for the church. These ladies lovingly prepare meals each day for women and others in crisis.  After coffee and treats, we toured the kitchen, the chapel, and a sample bedroom suite for women in need of shelter and help.

Siiri and her teachers and chaperones
have breakfast on their last morning 

At six o'clock, everyone went to the chapel for Friday evening services where Artur shared the message of the importance of building one's faith on a firm foundation.  Wick introduced the team, and Ted Desforges our team leader and April Halberdier shared moving testimonies of how God has worked in their lives through forgiveness and healing.  At the end of the service, Wick invited those in the congregation to come and pray with us and to allow us to pray for them.  Many stepped forward in tears after hearing the testimonies as they also had experienced similar pain and darkness.  It is such a blessing to be able to pray with others in a different culture and country and language, and yet, know that we, as beloved children of God, are all the same.