Sabbath in Tartu

Saturday, June 17, 2006
Tartu, Estonia
Today begins with Lithuanian elder Henrikas Klovas arriving at 9:30 am to our hotel after a 15 hour bus trip from Lithuania that takes him through Latvia to Tartu. It's always so good to see Henrikas. Henrikas is an elder in this area challenged by so many nuances of Soviet past, current nationalism and simply just a much harder life to live than I have to in the United States.

We head down to breakfast to carry on our animated conversation as we meet Basil and Liza Kopey again .

Church services are at 1:00 PM at the hotel conference room. There are 17 of us today! The attendance is a excellent for a non-Feast event.

It was so wonderful to see our Estonian members come together. Present were Helga, Helgi, Leile, Elle, Andrus, Imbi, Katrin, Bev, Katherine, Kassy, Toomas, Andrus, Henrikas, Victor and Helmut. We carried on an animated conversation before Church services. Katherine Rowland and Liza Kopey sang four hymns in three sessions to add life to our services. I then showed and gave everyone a copy of lesson one of the Bible Study Course in Russian and explained how it was printed and will be sent out by the Sabbatarians in Western Ukraine. I spoke about the trip we were on and all the things being accomplished. My sermon was bout the greatest miracle of all: Conversion to God's way of life. It is made possible by the Holy Spirit. Of all the times that I have gone to Estonia, this is the most comfortable I have felt in a while . This is a good group that is seriously seeking the Eternal God and is genuinely interested in the word of God. Andrus is a special example with question after question about biblical verses. He had questions before and after services. It was an inspiring service!

Afterwards we went to the Vanemuise Theater café for a dinner. We sat outide on an ideal day. We spent two and a half hours eating, talking and bonding with one another. I was so pleased by the spirit. Tomorrow our plan is to go out to Leile's home for a picnic.

Estonians are not the most outgoing and hospitable people. Maybe that's a harsh statement, but after being in Ukraine, it is so DIFFERENT. They have deep thoughts...simply a different nature.

After dinner Henrikas we went on a city walk for about an hour and a half and then ended the day at the Big Ben café at our hotel for a few drinks.
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Comments

victorkubik
2006-06-18

Said hello
I have passed on greetings from our American friends. We have outing at lake all day today....it's so good to be with our brethren

khoffart
2006-06-20

Old friends
Vic,
It is so good to read your travel journal.
David and I will be attending the wedding of Mr & Mrs. Kreidich's grandaughter Nila, my niece, in Montana this weekend. Hopefully, we will be able to make internet connections and show Mrs. Kreidich your travel journal.
Thanks again for taking the time to write - and find internet connections!
Kathleen Hoffart

2025-05-23

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