Why English Camp...

This week a group of studnets are gathered in Vinni for the annual March English Camp. This camp is for the 8th straight year done in conjuction with Northwest Bible Church in Ohio, the same church that I came from before I moved to Estonia.

People often ask, why do English Camps and what is so special about them. I wish I could explain it, but its really a miracle of sorts. The camp is very simple, we take a group of studnets who want to practice and learn English and match them with a group of young Americans who can make that a reality. The camp is full of large group meetings with videos, games, skits, music and someone sharing about a particular theme. The students then spend time in small groups with the Americans and some local estonian leaders. The camp also has lots of free time, sports, movies and a lot of hanging out.

From a ministry persepctive, this is one of the most effective tools we have seen in Estonia. The camp is 100% relational. We are all together, eating sleeping and having a lot of fun. The leaders have a chance to spend time with the students and invest their lives. During these camps we see students take significant steps in their faith and in starting a relationship with Christ. For years many of the students in our church first started a relationship with Christ at the camp, or it was the first place they really started to think about it. English Camps year after year after year continue to be a huge funnel for not only our church, but other churches in Tartu and others around Estonia who have participated in them.

Of course, English Camp is just a tool, but I think its a tool that has been blessed and for now one that we will continue to use and even help other churches around Estonia to use English to reach young people with Christ amazing message.

Good Exam

This past Sunday I took my Estonian Beginners exam. Upon completing this, I will be able to apply for a long term living permit. I hope I pass, and I feel pretty good about it, but you never know. The exam was pretty difficult. It took about 2.5 hours to complete all 4 disciplines. First I had to fill out an application and then write a letter. In the letter had to explain what I did at my new years eves party. After that it was the listening section of the exam. This was probably the easiest. Then the reading which was the most stressful and longest. I didn't really get to a point that I didn't know anything but sometimes it was a little confusing. I was able to make it through, but I hope I don't have to do it again. There were several exercises that were very difficult to complete including finishing the second half of a sentence. I started this section and then I realized that it wasn't just a sentence but a complete story and then I had to go back and change everything. It was with that I learned a part of the Estonian education system. If you change your answer on a test, you have to write "õige" next to the last answer, the one you want them to grade. I found it funny that I get to write correct on my own exam. I asked the administrator if i could write õige next to all of the answers, she didn't get the joke, or even that I was joking and took the paper from my hands and proceeded to walk me through the whole why we need to write "õige" process again. The conclusion of the exam was the oral portion. This was probably the easiest, but most stressful. I had to introduce myself, tell some interesting facts and then I got to have a conversation with another person taking the exam. My partner was Jegveia, a 70 year old retiree from Ukraine. The hardest part was she didn't speak or understand Estonian very well, so I would ask her a question and then there was a really long pause, followed by a few words, then another long pause, then a word or two more. The administrator was very helpful and told us both we did very well. I will find out in about 30 days how I did. Not sure why it takes 30 days to grade the exam, but it does. I will let you all know how I did.

First Pictures

Just got the first picture from the homework competition. Hanna did a good job with this. I have heard there are other pictures but I haven't recieved anyt yet, so if you don't get on the ball, then you need to become quick friends with Hanna cause she will be the bigger winner!

Abiks eesmärkide püstitamisel

Craig on teinud juba 2 postitust teemal, mis puudutab eesmärkide püstitamist. Mulle väga meeldib tema üleskutse leidmaks lahendust, kuidas seatud eesmärke paremini meelespidada ja seeläbi ka paremini neid saavutada. Lisan sellele veel mõned täiendavad materjalid:

- kuula Risttee podcasti eesmärkide püstitamisest (jutlustab Peep Saar)


- loe Craigi postitust eesmärkide püstitamisest ja võistlusest, mille ta välja kuulutas


- vaata Craigi postitust, kus ta poseerib oma eesmärkidega Viini lennujaamas



Kui sul on soov kasutada sama näidislehte eesmärkide püstitamisel, mida pühapäevasel jagati, siis võid aluseks võtta alltoodud vormi.

Picture #1

So, if you haven't heard, we are having a homework competition. If you were at our Sunday Service, or you have listened to the podcast, you can hear Peeps sermon. Basically, you need to fill out the goals sheet Peep distributed on Sunday and then take a picture with it showing where you will keep it or store it or even something creative for it. Currently I am in Austria for a few days to meet about Summer English Camps. I couldn't leave home without my list so, here is a picture of mine with me in the Vienna airport. You can get an idea of what I am talking about and the best picture gets the 300eek gift certificate from La Dolce Vita.

Homework Contest

This past Sunday Peep shared a great piece of homework coming out of the sermon. He challenged all of us to think and pray about the next year and try to make some goals for our lives. Everyone was give a piece of paper with different categories on it and all we have to do is fill them in and keep the paper handy the next year and then try our best to make those goals a reality.

I love homework from services on Sunday. I believe that each Sunday every person that passes through the doors of a church should come out with something they are going to do, or change in their life the very next week. This is so important that we quickly put into practice what God tells us, otherwise we forget it and then it just becomes a nice memory.

Could you imagine that people that were at Risttee on Sunday, everyone of us, was to seek Gods guidance, complete the paper, then keep it handy and make these things happen in 2008; what kind of a church we could be. We would become a group of people who are seeking Gods face, listening to his voice and move when he says so! Risttee could become a major agent of change in Tartu. Through this maybe people would come to Christ, become better husbands, wives, fathers mothers, become more generous, more prayerful, more faithfully studying God's word, do you see where this is going, it could be revolutionary. I am getting goosebumps (kananahk) just thinking about it.

So here is the deal, we are having a little competition. The prize, a gift certificate to La Dolce Vita, great Italian pizza restaurant in Tartu. How do you win the prize? Take a picture of you with your list from Sunday showing off where your going to keep it. The best picture and location, as voted by me will win the 300eek gift certificate. I believe in this homework so much a simple prize is nothing and maybe just maybe you will give it a try and see what God wants to do in your life in 2008! I will post all the pictures as I get them here on the blog. The competition runs until 20.jaanuar.2008 17:00, so you have some time to do it. If you missed the service, it will be soon on the Internet, you can listen and then get a copy of the assignment from me. Just email me at craig@goingup.ee with any questions and most importantly your pictures!!!!!

Can't wait to see who wins!!

Details make the Difference

I had a chance today to visit the Kaubamaja in Tartu. I was out shopping for a Christmas present, rather presents for my wife. I have so send a shout out to Eleri for the recommendation, I didn't get the exact one you mentioned, but picked the one directly above it! Anyway, after shopping with Oskar and visiting the children's area we grabbed some ice cream at Da Vinci. This is a little cafe on the second floor. I have found the "Bisquit" ice amazing. Anyway, while was sitting there I noticed the way they had their napkins on the counter and then I noticed how the girl was cleaning the counter the whole time I I was there. I like their decor and their decorative elements in the area.

Now this got me to thinking about Risttee. Details made a difference for me at Da Vinci, but what about on Sunday? Do we put the time in effort in to have all the details all figured out. I was this past weekend impressed by Daniel V, who is leading a lot of our youth department. He made some awesome flyers that he passed out for the auction they were having. He put lots of time into details and when the whole night was over, they had a huge success and raised more money than they ever imagine and I hope create a lot of momentum for the future at LIFT. This Sunday night, we have our Christmas service and its our first time to meet at Atlantis and a chance to get to work on the details. Atlantis is a big place, it has a lot of doors, a lot of different entrances, different rooms and we hope this week we have lots of visitors. Maybe our attention to details will make the difference in someone coming back the next week. It seems silly to me to pray and invest in someone for so long, then the day arrives when they finally come to church and we sit back and pretend like they have been here their whole life.

Details make a difference! Got any ideas about some details for Risttee, Christmas and this summer. Lets talk about it!

Great Sermon

Today I was heading back from Tallinn and decided to pass the time by listening to a sermon. I had the privelage of listening to a 1:30 sermon\lecture about worship and idolatry from Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I haven't been listening to many different sermons but I was too tired to read anything. I really felt like this was a great talk and something that I encourage others to listen too. This is one of the first times I heard someone talk about the idea of worship in a way that was convicting. I was able to think through my life and see a few things that I need to change. I found the most helpful thing was the discussion on idolatry and how its the opposite of worship. I am not sure of what you worship in your life, but I believe in most of our lives its not God at all. We have all created different things in our life that resemble God or resemble Christianity, but if we follow these things through, we will realize that its not about God at all.

The final challenge of the talk was Who do we worship. The answer, was Jesus. This differentiates Christianity more than any other religion. The speaker shared so many challenging statements that I have to listen to the sermon a few more times.

If you have time, check out Mars Hill on Itunes and then download the special:Worship and be prepared to be challenged.

Parenting Advice

Do you ever wonder at the timing of life? I don't mean the big things, like getting something right when you need it, but rather smaller, somewhat trivial things. I had an experience this past weekend that made me laugh. On Friday night we had our Going UP event title, "Elu Vanemateta" The event was great and all the students that put it together did a great job. On Saturday evening, I was out with my family in town, walking around enjoying the fresh air. We made our way over to the playground for the boys to enjoy for a little while. There is one large jungle gym that you have to climb up onto via a steep ramp and a rope. With the temperature around 0 degrees, the ramp was very slippery and it was impossible for anyone to climb up on their own, so I was helping Oskar, my 2 year old son, get up and around the equipment there. I was just there beside him and one place as a very big step for Oskar and he can't get up it, so I use my hand to make a small step. He then can push up and get to the top level where the slide down is. While I was helping him, a small boy, around 4-5 years old was there staring at me. His body and eyes didn't move for about 10 seconds. I was a little freaked out by it, but after all he is 5. The boy then says to me, "He needs to do it by himself." I answered "What" He said in an even more definitive voice, "HE NEEDS TO DO IT BY HIMSELF". Of course I can't let a good fight pass me up, so I said back, "But he is too little to get up here and its slippery" He said one more time for me, "HE NEEDS TO DO IT BY HIMSELF" With that, Oskar made it down the slide and Reena said lets go, so I said good bye to the little boy and started to think about what just happened.

How is it possible to get parenting advice from a 5 year old boy? How could it be happening just 24 hours from the Going UP event where we talked about respecting parents? After I went through this for a while, then my thoughts turned. What if he was right? Maybe I am babying Oskar too much, maybe I should make him do it by himself? Was I somehow making him a weak little boy, but helping him climb on the playground? I guess in parenting there are two options, one is to stay out and let the kid figure it out, and the second is to do it with him. I wasn't doing everything for Oskar, rather just helping him when necessary. So, after reasoning for a while, i decided that I probably know more about parenting that this young 5 year old.

This situation has me thinking about spiritual babies, spiritual growth and maturation. What is the role of the church in this process? What are we to do to help others come to a mature faith? Can we sometimes feed a young believer too much and they don't learn how to feed themselves? What about discipleship or spiritual mentorship, is this the best option to help people develop? I am taking some significant time right now to think this through. I think we can learn a lot from real parenting to help us as a church figure out what we need and must do to help people develop into the masterpiece God intended them to be. I also think we can learn a lot from each other. If you have thoughts or ideas about this, feel free to share them on this blog and I hope that we can figure out some steps we need to take as a church to make this happen.

Exam

Its time again for me to renew my Estonian living permit, and finally after 5 years in Estonia and 3 years of marriage i am allowed to apply for an extended living permit. I am not exactly sure all the details of what it means and how long it will be for, but I know what I have to do to get it. The very first step in the process is I have to pass the beginners Estonian language exam. Assuming my registration goes okay, will be on 9.Nov. I have to complete a 1.5 hour written section and an oral examination. Once you pass this, then you can go apply for the living permit. The language exam is very scary. I know that I can get by with my language, but have i progressed enough to pass the exam?

So, I am writing to ask everyone to help me over the next month to get ready for this. Force me to speak as much Estonian as possible, don't let me take the easy way out.

Also, leave me some comments on some of the more important parts of Estonian language, things you think might be on a beginners exam. I need to know what all you smart Estonians are thinking and hopefully it leads to a great success.

Kids are cool!

Just down the street from our house is a small store. It is a discount food store, Säästu Market. We often walk down there to get stuff we need and also just to grab a snack or some ice cream with the boys. Oskar really likes this place and leads the way each time we go. We went down there Sunday night to get some milk, bananas and some bread. As you exit the store there is a small four sided bench. Each time we exit, Oskar runs over to this bench and sits down. He crawls up on the bench, swings his little legs around and just sits there. He doesn't do anything when he is there, just sits. A few times I have come out of the store with him when its just the two of us and he doesn't go home until he gets to sit for a few minutes. The reason he does this is because when he would walk to the store with Reena in the spring and summer, they would always sit there and just watch people and hang out before going home. Its funny that such a small little behavior that is started can become such a common and expected behavior.

This had got me to thinking about the other things Oskar and Alex are learning. What are the things the are picking up at home? What attitudes are the developing from watching Reena and I? I am a little scared to think about it. Maybe its a conversation that Reena and I are having and some comments are said that are particularly unflattering or negative towards someones work or their character. Oskar is just starting to talk, rather repeat things right now, and I know that sometimes there are things said at home that I wouldn't want him to repeat. What about how I treat Reena? Maybe my short attention span or inability to focus and listen? Maybe Oskar is learning that life is sitting and watching TV or being on the computer instead of talking, play games and enjoying relationships with others? This has become such a convicting moment for me and a clear siren has been played, now its game time, time to change and make my home the place God wants it to be.

Pühendusega Brian Karlikule! (foto)

Kallis Brian. Tean, et sul on olnud tuliseid vaidluseid minu sõprade Toivo ja Craigiga. Et ma aga eile juhtusin nägema Tartu kõige plahvatusohtlikuma koha peal (rongijaama lähistel) jalutamas mingi plakatiga Craigi -- ja et ma teadsin, et teil on just olnud arutelusid verbaalse ja mitteverbaalse evangelismi üle -- siis nägin selles võimalust neid kahte vaatepunkti omavahel lähendada.

Fotol on näha, et Craig ei jaga mitte ainult võileibu, vaid ka selget sõnumit.

Brian Karlik on selle blogi üks kõige pühendunumaid lugejaid. Tegemist on misjonäriga, kes elab Pärnus ja on rajanud kiriku.

Positive Thinking Helps

Today I was at home and we were moving some furniture around our house. We still have a few more things, but the major work was just completed. We had an antique piano that has been in the families for years that we wanted to move into another room and turn it into and office\music studio. The piano is huge and heavy and our hallways are pretty narrow. I had some family of to and they gave me a hand with moving it. We had to try a few ways and some people were really negative about it can't be done, and that we should give up. Märt and I were positive, we just knew it would go through and with the positive thingking we were able to keep plugging away until it was finally standing exactly where we wanted. The best part is, there were no walls harmed in the moving of this furniture.

With the positive attitude, we had an environment that was enjoyable and led us to be successful. Maybe it takes just a positive comment or even saying nothing at all, but it can make a difference. I challenge you to think about your home, office or other environments, and see if you can't bring a little more positive attitude, you might be surprised by the results.

Mountains

This week I am in Czech and taking part of a good conference. But the coolest thing here is the mountains. The hotel is located on the mountains and it has an incredible view. I personally have never lived in the mountains, but I love them. I love to ski down them, I love to walk through them and love to look at them. I wonder if the people who live around here really appreciate what they have. I wonder how often they spot and marvel at the panoramic view they have. Also, how often do we take time to appreciate what we experience, see or interact with everyday. Whens the last time you told your best friend thank you for being you, or just a simple love you? How often have you just sat besides you childs bed, watched them sleep and pray for them. I think if we didn't this more regularly, it would not be time wasted.

Big Ben Night #2

I just got home from the concert at Big Ben as part of our Karunädal. The band was great again tonight and the people really seemed to enjoy it. They played some of their worship songs and then a few other rock songs. I have really enjoyed the music, but really like the guys behind the music. They are all great guys and have a bg desire to use their musical talents to help Risttee. If your free tomorrow evening, stop by Pirikovi park at 21:00 and enjoy the concert.

Today I also competed in the railroad competition. We had a great team, Peep, Villu, Hando and Martin on the breaks. We were an unstoppable force in the initial run. 2:22 was our time and 7 seconds faster than other team. However to achieve this it took an incredible amount of energy. This was an amazing work out. This machine takes some work to get going, you push as fast as you can, but then once its going, then it really flies. I am not sure how fast we were going, but it seemed like 100km\h. After the run I felt like I wanted to throw up. Head was spinning, arms were really tight, legs were burning, its a good think it only lasted about 30 minutes like that. It was a blast and something that I had always wanted to try. We had a final as well and the top 3 teams competed again. We gave it our all and ended up 0.1 seconds slower than one team. It was really close, but we were two slow. We all gave it our best and were 10 seconds faster than the previous run. In the end we won some prize, but it was probably better that we didn't win since Peep and I both work at the church.

The whole Karunädal has been a great time and a great sucess. We hope tomorrow will cap off an incredible week as we try to serve our university, city and share the gospel with all we come in contact with.

Great Verse

This week I have been brought back to a verse that I memorized while I was in college. While in college I was involved in student radio and was a DJ and sports talk show host. It was a complete blast to do this type of work. I felt like the coolest person in the world, with my head phones on in the studio, playing songs, commercials and it didn't matter that no really listened. But our radio station had made Eph 4:29 our theme verse and we would quote it all the time. It was very fitting for a bunch of people who planned on talking for the rest of their lives. Truth is, I had forgotten about that verse, even worse, I have been living like it never existed which is the worst thing I could do. Often things would flow out of my mouth that would destroy, bury, and rip people apart. The guilt that has been in my heart of this the last few days has been enormous. I would like to give a quick advertisement for Sunday at Risttee, we are going to look at this verse and what does it mean to us as a church. What culture are we creating and how does it effect our lives. I encourage everyone to come and lets see what God has in store for us.

Just 300 days!

300 days ago I had a personal triumph. Nothing really life changing for anyone else, but or me, building a retaining wall and then finishing our carport and parking area was a major accomplishment. I had to poor concrete, lay a bunch of FIBO block and then fill it in, rent a cool tamper and then after sometime I was able to park my car under the car port and enjoy rain free and snow free moments getting in and out of my car. Also, no annoying frost to scrape in the morning. Well, in just 300 days my work has now fallen apart. See I had an older car that went through some tough times. I didn't have the money to fix it, so it sat there and sat there, right on the edge of my wall. Also, I noticed a portion of the wall was wet all the time, weakening the wall. Yesterday I tried to get the car out so we could fill in some low spots where the gravel had settled. Well to my horror, the wall started to fall down. Now, at first glance its still standing, but upon closer inspection, you can clearly see its large crack and a good lean in it.

When I saw this yesterday I went in to a huge depression and still feel it now. Something I worked so hard and long on, is now on the edge of destruction. I went from Nehemiah to Jericho in only 300 days. As I thought about this situation from a spiritual perspective, I saw a clear lesson.

You can build your life on a strong foundation, but extended exposure to dangerous situations or elements can bring destruction. So often I don't realize the effect everything around me is having. I just don't think about it. But if one consistent message keeps coming to me and I don't counter it, or deal with it, then it start to rot and decay my life. Little by little. The water the kept flowing onto my wall could have been easily diverted away from the wall into the back yard where its needed. A few hours and it would have been done, but I just didn't want to deal with it, I knew it could be a problem, but never realized the effect it was having on the entire wall. Stones that are 4 meters away are now in the wrong place because of a little rain running off my roof and then onto the top of my wall.

In your life are there things that are slowly eroding away you true identity. Are you exposing yourself to people or situations that are unhealthy or destructive? Are you living a naive existence, assuming that you are the true source of strength and that nothing else can affect you unless you allow it? For me, its back to my wall soon to see if I can repair it, or just tear it down and start again. Either way I have to do something, or my neighbor will end up with my driveway in his yard.

Customer Service

This past trip to the United States was a great trip. We enjoyed time with friends and family and of course, we did lots of shopping. Clothes and these type of things are significantly cheaper than here in Estonia. When we finally arrived home and unpacked our bags, we noticed that several pairs of shoes were missing from one bag. This was a real surprise for me. We checked all the bags a second time and knew for sure they were missing. I called Delta who was the main airline we flew and was told I would need to talk with KLM who was our final flight from Amsterdam to Riga. I checked their website, and they had good information on what to do. I then emailed them with the information. I got a response the next day with a explanation of the baggage system and an apology. I then gave them some additional information and a few days later, I called to check on things and everything was in process. The next day, they sent me an email informing that the money was being transfered to my account. This was amazing and so easy. I was really impressed by the way the people at KLM handled things and how they treated me. I recommend KLM to anyone flying and I intend to fly them as often as possible.

This got me to thinking the past few days about how we treat people in and around our churches. I am not saying that church is a business, but i do believe that we could learn somethings from these companies in how they deal with people. For me, information was really important, who to contact, what info do I need, and what are the variables. In a few seconds, I was able to find that online. Do we as a church have the basic information for people available? How do we respond to people? Immediately like they did, or do we wait too long and let it slip our minds. What about finding fair solutions to problems? I often find myself not wanting to be flexible, or want to listen to people who want to express their opinions or problems. Why do I do this? Why do I put myself higher than others?

I don't think the church is in the business of customer service, but I know that we are in the business of service. Serving and being a servant is the very nature of Christ and if he is my role model, maybe I need to take some pointers from his life and maybe some pointers from other people or organization that do service well.

Who am I?

Yesterday I was driving with my family to visit some friends. We were on our way and turned off one street to another. As I turned I saw a police officer sitting on his motorcycle, I quickly looked down and confirmed that I wasn't speeding. He gave me the signal to pull over. It was then I realized that I did not have my seat belt on. I normally wear mine, but this time it had slipped my mind. Of course I spend 5-10 minutes each time we go out strapping the two boys in, but neglected to do this for myself.

Well the office took my license and paperwork and then invited me out of the car to "talk things through". He told me he was going to give me a small fine to be a reminder. We talked a little about it and then talked about me being an American and what I like about Estonia and then some other small subjects. The problem came when he asked me my workplace. I had a moment there when I had to think about what I wanted to say. I had several legitimate options: Risttee, MTÜ Going UP, or Noortekeskus LIFT. I thought, if I say church, maybe I am doing a bad thing by admitting that Christians break the law or somehow embarrassing the faith. Maybe it seems extreme for you, but it was went through my mind. Well I answered, Risttee Church and he asked me what church it was, where is it located and I could share a little. I wish I had a card or something to give him, but I didn't. It all ended fine, I got my ticket and will pay that and now I have a little reminder to put my seat belt on before i start the car.

Have you ever been in that situation where your worried that something you have done, bight somehow hurt the gospel or Gods name? Be it big or small, you feel like you want to pretend your not a Christian, or associate with it to protect it from your mishap. I felt a connection with Peter, how he denied Christ. Of course the situations are different, but I am glad that like Peter, we get a chance to wake up the next day and change our life, big and small to become more like Christ.

Face of Horror

Today I got a really good laugh because of what my oldest son Oskar was doing. Oskar just celebrated his second birthday and we had a big party with friends and family and part of the decorations were a bunch of balloons. Oskar loves to play with the balloons and hits them around the room for a good portion of the day. Alex, who is now 8 months old loves to play with the balloons as well, but he doesn't hit them, he rather squeezes them and bites them and pops them quickly. Oskar now tries to keep as many balloons away from Oskar as possible by putting them on the table snad hiding them from Alex. Tonight as we were playing with one of the balloons I noticed Oskar face when ever a balloon would get near Alex, he would open his mouth as loud as possible, almost like he was screaming but no sounds comes out, he also closes his eyes a little. He is absolutely horrified of what Alex is going to do with the balloon. It was amazing to watch this happen over and over, same reaction.

This got me to thinking about how I react to people when they don't do what I want, or they do things differently. How does my face look, or what do my eyes say? After seeing Oskar I am little more aware of it and will try my best to have reactions that seem to fit the situation a little better.