Boy, we had a roadtrip to Narva

Yesterday I gathered a group to come with me in my family-car to Narva. One Russian guy had sent an e-mail and made a call straight to the lions cave, i.e. the GU office. One youth conference was on its way.

As I like to hunt young leaders I didn’t want to let go of this opportunity.

There is 400 000 Russian speaking people in Estonia. And most of Estonian churches don’t cooperate with the Russian congregations. Like two faces with one heart for God in this land Estonia.

So we played music, for all its worth Mozart and sometimes with opened windows. It was fun. Got to live out all energy. At Peipsi (biggest lake in Estonia) we draw yellow hearts.

Jõhvi was full of holes, but the car survived. And at Narva sad-looking trucks were standing in a long row (have you read the news?). I got reminded of uncle Pets and his little life.

Finally, when we got to Narva, one question came up: where is this conference? Nobody answered the phone either. Wifi didn’t work. And Elion was also breaking... finally we still got to “uulitsa” (“street” in Russian), Tiimani 3D and “Slovo Bolshe” church. A free-church. A place where people are lifting hands.

“Here are so many boys,” our ppl said. But having said that, the band played their last verses (with 5-6 guitars) and we found out that the conference is over for this time. Youth that had come together from over the whole of Estonia headed back home.

The local youth pastor Anatoli spoke in English that he doesn’t know anyone in Narva who knows Estonian. 93 % speak Russian. 2 % speak Estonian. 5 % are from somewhere else.

But Anatoli shook hands and said that what-ever time they are waiting us back. For making youth-night happen for example. We just need to bring a russian speaking person with us.

So we played koroona with our guys and headed back to home. Narva was marked by us overall.

One more joyful word I got from one of the men, Ragnar: “It was cool. We could do something like it in future as well.”

We will meet, Anatoli!

Effective teamleading

In year 1997 at a leaders-conference a red-nosed Rick Warren said that organizations don’t grow over 300 members if the leader doesn’t learn the art of delegating. And if he has no team around him, it’s actually a nice way to burn out.

When I’ve blogged about the evilness of Dr House and got commentaries like ”what are you talking about, Märt, he’s not evil, just smart.” – Im so far with my thoughts that I think that in reality Dr House wouldn’t be a smart team leader at all.

I also know how to be nasty and to attack with truth. When I do that, people around me start defending themselves. Attack back or become silent.

It doesn’t matter how deep and trusty my relationship with that person is. In any ways, any kind of synergy doesn’t grow out from that kind of behaviour.

Television doesn’t make it true.

In Latvia there’s a leader named Peter who has a congregation with 800 members, a newly planted institute for church leaders and also a position of leading the Baptist union of Latvia. He recommended to “eat lunch and have meetings” as much as possible.

When he still was a single he even had all breakfasts together with someone.

Too much is at steak to do everything alone. What kind of teams have you experienced as most successful? What was that magic nitro?

Cross in front of Kaubamaja

It happened so that we made one big cross stand in front of Kaubamaja. We were carrying big sinbags made from black plastic (such as "pride", "greed" and "lazyness"). And of course, giving small sinbags also to citizens around. So that they could nail them on the cross.

From mall group of grinning guys came.

"Do you smoke dope?"

"What sins?! What sins?!"

Two guys got sinbags as big as their palms. One found out that under the bag someone had written "lazyness".

"I don´t want lazyness!"

"Hey. You take mine. I have "hornyness".

But those were also the guys who just had asked for dope. Then figured out what things are sins... and only some moments later already took their bags to the cross, nailing their sins on it. Later the cross in front of the Kaubamaja was white from the bags.

Good to be back

I must admit that last days in Global Youth Initiative conference (including all the touring) in Israel i already wanted to come back to home. Because it definitely refreshed my understanding of Gods movements, work with closer people...

and especially time that is crucial to spend with my family.

This last post is recorded in the Roman theater, where we saw two national youth leaders fight. What a sight!

Märt: last fotos

Greta: Hallo Märt!

You are indeed in interesting places every time I hear from you! You are very-very lucky… Anyways I’ll tell you what has happened here.

Mum is here and that means a lot.

Firstly, she has dedicated her heart and many hours on cleaning our floor. And me, who
thought you had it under control, heh. Anyways am I very happy over the clean, different feeling it gives when entering our home.

Secondly, I eat nothing that wouldn’t be less than very good. Today we had dinner at Tsink Plekk Pang and had coffee in town. Très bon. Or according to the internet dictionary: very
good.

Thirdly, I will leave all other things that usually belong to my schedule. Up to now there has been no mother-child-group, no homegroup or baby-singing. “No” to others and “yes” to mam.

But actually we had Anna-Maria over, which was nice. Her last news is that her ears hurt when she runs.

Fourthly, it’s fun to be around mum. I think people get more typical as they grow older. You know my mum, I bring an example. The evening she came here, me and Wilma were looking out from the window to see her coming. We watched her the right moment: mum stands at the car with an open trunk. Suddenly she goes somewhere and returns with three teenaged girls. She gives everyone bags and chocolate.

Mum had seen the girls smoking outside our house and thought to herself that she could give them chocolate. Then it came to mind that she has so many bags and that maybe they could help her carry them to the fifth floor. Said and done. Typical.

At last I have two more things on my mind.

Today at the mall I saw a couple. The man is French and the woman Russian, they communicate in English. It was strange watching them because I sang at their wedding two years ago, but I don’t know them.
It seems I no longer write you letters, but blog you. If you compare this letter with the former ones are they written in another way.

Greetings, Bellibone
(a beautiful and good woman)

Märt: Jesusguy isn't dead-one

Some ask, why are others so sick about Jesus. One good reason would be: that man did what man said. He really raised from the dead! I was at his grave. It was empty.

But really, in Jerusalem, there are 2 potential graves. One is in the city, in the end of Via Dolorosa. Lot of churches have dug their foundations to that place. Also, there are stones that you can kindly kiss.

In a same time, English-people have found in the end of the 19th century a place little outside of Jerusalem. It belonged to one rich man, there is also a winepress and huge cistern for water (3rd biggest in the city).

And as I was there, this grave was used, chiseled a little bigger. But it was empty.

“What a heck are you looking for? Jesus you are looking for, is not here. He is alive!” was one older guides message in a real English accent for us. I liked it.

Isreal, its a good place to get to know things. For example, I saw in the En Gedi mountain a goat. It was a same place where king Saul was chasing David. It might have been the same type of goat that gave David inspiration for a famous “hirve-song”. Interesting.

In the Dead Sea there is 33% of salt. Some say even more. While being there, you dont have to move. Actually, you even shouldn’t. Otherwise salt jumps into your eye and you cry for a while.

One thing more, that i noticed... Even if people believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, no-one believes that I would be a married man. And Im not not even talking about being a father for a daughter! It decreases my mood, I must admit. Should I look somehow different to be a person who I am?

Ah. Most important that You, Greta, would say that i am real married-man. And that You, Wilma, would draw me on your pictures: where I am big, muscular and smiling.

From a land of salt, the goat and the grave.

Märt: stonecity

Shalom, shalom. Or should I say “shalom sabbath”, because your sunday is today. For me, as you know, it was yesterday.

Talking stones
In Estonia, if someone says “stone”, then you imagine small pieces of stones that you put under asfalt. Or if you would be more country-estonian you might imagine bigger fieldstone, but nothing more.

But here are things different. Whole Jerusalem is a stone. (99% of houses are made of same dolomite) This is why it is said that Jerusalem is like the Golden City - white stones all around reflect sun brightly.

And do you remember when Jesus rebuked people...then he said that even stones (roads, pillars, houses - absolutely everything) cry out to God. This is so meaningful here!

Same thing is in the Israel desert. We think that desert it like a wavy and smooth sea of sand. Like our summer-capitals Pärnu beach. But really, Israel desert is collection of stones and only stones.

Think what it really ment when Satan was tempting Chris with a stone-bread talk. “Make them into bread”.

I was in a desert where it happened, and to be honest - if i would we hungry and someone is going to tempt me with bread (even if its white)... my visual thinking starts working. Whole desert would become a land of bread! With bigger and smaller breads.

Its useful to be in Isreal. Here you meet the matrix of religions. You see wailing wall and carpets purposely thrown on the streets. Here your heart becomes more sensitive about the people.

Head starts hurting. Maybe its because of the heat or the missing drinking water. But lot of fun still happens. There are representatives from 53 countries, and everyone has their weirdo sides! I have spent a lot of time with Mihkel - he is cool brother.

Many of us think, that Mihkel is rather young. Something twenties. Actually 36. About me people think that Im 21. Conclusion, people on the northern part of the world remain well.

Like the scrolls of the Dead Sea.

Greta: Wilma peed

That's as exotic it can get! Pretty exciting to visit places you've heard so much about, but never seen. How was it to spend the night in the desert? I didn’t have any desert-feeling at all this night, because Wilma peed in our bed. And a few moments later she puked.

Yesterday I tried to be productive. I went to Tuuli’s place to print a document that I need for Finland’s health insurance. I couldn’t open it in our computer. But their printer didn’t work. Then I went to the town-square to change our address. But it was closed. At last I went home only to find that one letter that I send last week had come back for some reason… But at least I got vitamin D from the store…

Liina visited me last night, she and Chris might come also tonight to amuse me. That’s about all that’s gonna happen today. Oh yes, I will also check out kokkuhoid.energia.ee to get to know how to save electricity, haha.

Wilma now turns both ways. I wanted to film it, because she turns immediately when I put her to lay on her back. But when I come with the camera she just looks at me. Right now is she asleep and turns only in her dreams.

What’s the weather like? Did we pack the right clothes? We have sunshine and hardly no wind.

Tomorrow I’m gonna be a baby-sitter at church, which actually is quite nice. I like the program they have for the older children. It’s funny. And on Monday mum comes to visit!

That’s about it. Take care of yourself and come out from the desert and call me!

Your precious!
g

Märt: 8 people died!

Im at Jerusalem hotel, laying on the bed. As I am watching TV, I know that at least 8 people were killed just in this city, tonight, boom-boom-boom. And this was a day when I was walking on the streets and bought for myself jewish hat. Noone knew that some hours later someone is going to shoot.

Even though so many boys have military-clothes, and girls police-suits.

You Greta are with Wilma chilling in this little Estonian apartment. Surely you have cosy and comfortable environment. You have ate something sweet and looked out of the window, seeing hundreds on Annelinna citizens spending their last night-hours.
What else is happening... I must say that you need to put some additional numbers to our family-budget. I did not only buy that jewish-hat (10 secl), but also sandals (80 secl) and 6 socks (30 secl). This is because I will go to desert tomorrow and spend a night in a tent. Or what you think, would this be normal to play a cheese in the urban shoes?

By the way, do you know where I can go next days as well? Mount of Olives, place where Jesus had some rest in aloneness. Pool of Bethesda, where paralyzed man was healed. Then by the Western Wall where still are stones from time of king Salomon and Herodes. And to a place where Satan asked Jesus to fall down.

And I havent even mentioned Bethlehem,Garden of Gethsemane, Valley of Elah (place where Goliath and David fought) nor Dead Sea. Hehhehee!

Think how big treasure it is for me! Today, as I was on the roof of hotel and had city-lights on my palm... it was a first time I felt, that actually this bibleworld is so real and excisting!

If you only read about it, it will become day-by-day more and more like a fable story. Even though it is just a city like others. This is just different because we are wearing here jewish hats, rabbis hair and fighters weapons. But this is still a place where banana is eaten, money is begged and letters are sent to home - just like in other places.

I love you Greta! I found cafe, where I can Skype freely, but I will be in desert tomorrow. I will send you SMS from there.

From Greta: Hello Märt!

It was good hearing from you! Yesterday when I got your message I had half of our homegroup watching a movie at our place. We all thought you already were in Israel. Did you stay in Amsterdam for a very long time, or what took you so long? Anyways, how was your trip, where are you know, what is the conference like…?

Yesterday was at a whole a good day. I lived as a bachelor as much as Wilma let me to… she has no sense of what is fun…:) I ate candies, made food in five minutes, watched dr. House and avoided all cleaning up. This, of course, paid back in the evening when I wanted to have are friends over, haha.

I also visited Reena for some minutes because the boys were pretty sick. Poor kids, but it was quite interesting to watch them as it was pretty obvious that they were sick. Red cheeks, sick eyes and a thousand times less energy than usually. Oskar didn’t even notice that Wilma came to visit, which isn’t very like him. They were pretty sweet… I also talked to Nänna who was in a good mood.

Our homegroup finished in two hours yesterday, we prayed also for you! A good thing is that Tuuli got a car yesterday so she can now go wherever she wants to with the kids. I also enjoy the same freedom now when you are away, haha. Not that I would drive that much, but nevertheless am I enjoying the car in my thoughts.

Wilma is now asleep. It wasn’t hard to put her to sleep, but she was sabotaging the whole thing with her small, dirty pacifier-pulling fingers. Immediately when she kind of started sleeping she pulled out her pacifier and woke up… well, you know the routine, don’t you… She was in a very good mood this morning, just laughing. I send you two pictures.

Today sometimes I visit the opening of Janice and Linden’s pregnancy crisis center, one was supposed to get some cake, haha. Actually it’s a pretty big thing because they have been working for a long time! Yeah, I have no more on my schedule today, I just avoid being lazy and try becoming a housewife with routines again.

Please write what you are up to, honey! Right now am I doing fine, but I try not to think about how much I’m gonna miss you before you finally come home! Can you use Skype?

Love you!
g

Darling, im on my way to Israel

Today it will happen. Im driving away from home. As it is said in many-times-used stories: work will take man away, and wife will stay alone at home with child.

Im writing that as im driving on a bus from Tartu-to-Tallinn. Soon will plane leave and this blogpost will go as well to Greta, and 4-mont old Wilma. In some ways, im just like russian poet Pushkin. Writing in public to my dear wom(e/a)n.

Those past weeks i have experienced that people have two types of reactions as they hear me going to Israel:

"Oh cool. I wish i could go as well. I have always dreamed about it."

"Look carefully that you wouldnt die. There are lots of weapons, you know."

I bet i wont experience everything while im there. But i know, that I will meet there with people who have shaped the global network for next generation leaders. And probably i will get myself better sense of what type of man that Jesus really was. How big steps he left on that holy-holy land called Israel?

Most of all, i wish i could come back as a better man. I will write you soon. So long i will wait your letter, darling.

With love,

Märt

Some photos from the play

A sad wedding-feeling

Yesterday a new organism got life. A marriage named Keernik. The main characters played by Hannes and Maria, who got engaged on the 7th of September 2007. And once again I am thinking that weddings are pretty sad for me.

Just like if I would wave goodbye to my friends. Just like if they wouldn’t exist anymore. Bye-bye.



As a matter of fact, I am still pretty sure we’re gonna meet a lot with the Keernik-family in the future... but still, a sad feeling remains. But you, my first blog-readers – Maria and Hannes – please remain young and visit us here in the midst of other apartments. And let’s still have fun!

And as a last piece of this post: have a look at my beautiful guitar-playing wife.