Estonia
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Stuart & Jane Chalmers, Jubilee and Joel who recently came into fellowship at the Water's Edge have known Pastor Steve and Lizzie Sheppard for over fifteen years and are very thankful for their support whilst leading a work in Kinson but also for their encouragement in the growth of Hopestonia. Hopestonia; a work birthed out of a heart of Isaiah 61:1-4
Estonia began it's journey into membership of the European Community in August 1991 after fifty years of the Communist regime. With this massive change this small country with a population of approximately 1,690, 000 people has rushed to climb aboard the fast moving train of European legislative procedures. This has brought change, after change, after change, and whilst there is no doubt that the economy is growing and blossoming trade takes the lead and social infrastructure follows some distance behind. The poor which are many still need Good News, the broken hearted still need binding up and somebody needs to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Tallinn the capital city is less like Estonia, than London represents England. The rural areas are low in population, high in unemployment and short of housing. Many of the poor live in small, cramped conditions with multiple children often by multiple fathers. Hopelessness is common and alcholism high, certainly among men but often now among women too. Many of the Estonians that Stuart and Jane have now found the Lord has led them into networking with, are local church and Children's leaders who have been very open to talk of the difficulties that people in these areas are facing. They have encouraged the ways in which Hopestonia has been able to bring hope, to facilitate and encourage local individual family based aid initiatives. From schools and churches, childcare organisations and others in the UK, gifts of everything from puppets to toiletries, clothing, shoes, hats gloves and scarves have found their way to open arms in Estonia. Hopestonia is now moving into a new phase of hope bringing and encouragement by drawing local leaders and children's workers together to network, and October 2007 saw the first one day mini conference at Libatse in Halingavald. (The photograph below shows one of the tables at the fellowship meal at the Mini-Conference with a good mix of UK representatives and Estonian Church leaders and Children's workers.)
The need for networking to co-ordinate aid and help, to reach out to those in need with a planned and thought through approach is not only helpful but essential where resources need to be focussed and maintained. Hopestonia would wish to thank all those who have made it possible for the packages of aid to be collected not only at Christmas time but right through each year. In the period leading up to Christmas not only the Father's Children's House, but also the St Barnabus Charismatic Episcopalian Fellowship and the Shalome Help Centre have all received gifts and would want to give encouragement and thanks to all who have given. In February 06 Stuart & Jane brought a 16 year old Estonian young lady to Bournemouth as the guest of their family, in the ongoing months they have seen how that has cemented relationships with that family and the wider community. In August 08 Stuart & Jane through Hopestonia plan to bring fifteen young people who have experienced hardship, fear and rejection to Bounemouth for a "Holiday to remember." They will be accompanied by six Estonian leaders and will be accommodated in Kinson by five to six host families three of whom have already been found. Funding for this venture is already growing and the plans for each day to include a trip to London, Corfe Castle,a boat trip possibly to Brownsea Island and the beach are already underway. Other events are in planning, subject to negotiations with local children's play and entertainment venues. For such a new organisation, this is a huge venture but already the feeling that God is making plain his plans is becoming evident in both the provision and the smooth drawing together of both plans and resources. For further information please contact Stuart on stuartec123@aol.com
Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance. Registered Charity 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland) |
As a church we have committed to pray for the people of Estonia, and support the work of 
