Unbelieveing Estonians Believing

I live in a very weird nation. Some have called it forest-people. People who would rather stay under the trees, watching the village-life. Feeling some-why secure because of that and showing fists and making comments about things that are foreign to their eyes.

"Christianity is irrelevant" is so true, even though it sounds like a cliche.

It is weird how people have as if magic shoes that take them to graveyards with candles to be with their ancestors. It is weird to see people desiring this feel from church. It is weird to have neighbors who ask what star was up when I (the lucky and blessed one) was born.

Gospel is not on the highway here. People don't let it in, and sick don't get healed. What shall a prophet do?

It puts me into situation where it is hard to love God and people.

Small daughters

My daughters are small. Very small.

Noomi moves her lips to find food.

Wilma puts her fingers on everyones mouth.

Little Noomi sleeps all the time.

Wilma wants to stay awake all the time.

Noomi does not know, but gives lot of kisses.

Wilma knows and takes many kisses.

And father is proud.

One can change all

Now is Noomi week old and lot has already changed. Interesting how much a person (just a new small person) can change...

1. Wilma is more excited

2. And all of us sleep less during nights

3. And all of us sleep more during days

4. Greta gets more done if Märt stays at home

5. Greta gets less done if Märt stays at home and is not focused

6. We have more guests

7. We do not have to cook so much, because guests bring food

8. Plus, stool brakes if Greta has time to sit on Märts lap

Nothing about Noomi, but a lot about family she has changed.

Noomi Amanda is born

This morning at 6:55 was born Noomi Amanda Saar. She is cute little girl who weights 4,296kg and is 51cm tall. We are glad that our Heavenly Father has trusted us that precious baby to our home!

Let us rejoice together!

Greta should be birthing

Today is the day when Greta should be birthing. Its 2nd December and all three are ready. It might happen that it takes 2 weeks more time, since me, Greta and Wilma - all of us - have been delayed.

Lets Skype

Hello my friend. I would love to be in contact with you! But as i have seen, about 80% of e-mails do not get responded.

I would love to hear back from you. Please add me to your skype-account and let me know what is your phone-nr.

My skype is:

gresvanfors (Märt and Greta Saar)

Märts day

Today is My day. This a day Lord has made. This is a day I want to hear many blessings and words of affirmations. Estonian calendar says only once in a year that this is my day. Märtsday.

Here are also some other famous Märts in Estonia. You can celebrate us!

15 hats

Have you ever wondered what hats are you wearing. These are called to be your identities behind your responsibilities. Some of them are easy to wear, some need long-term learning. 

I am wearing "son hat", but also "father hat". Sometimes, especially when I am tired and not able to clarify, this brings confusion to people what hat am I wearing.

I have 15 hats. How many hats you have?

My hats are:

Husband

Son

Brother

Father

Relative

Director of Koma

Board-member of Koma

Leader of Youth-movement in Koma

Churchmember in Risttee

Smallgroup leader in Risttee

Fundraiser

Evangelist

Disciplemaker

Trainer

Starter

Jaak and repenting

As many of you know there is God moving in Estonia right now. Even in Tartu, as i heard in States. This movement of Spirit started happening in a strong way when one 21-old guy got lost.

It was Jaak, one friend of our church-youth, who got lost. He was at night (4pm) by nightclub and then walked away and disappeared. As he has many friends, many have started searching for him.

Police went through the river Emajõgi. And as one of the witch of Estonia (called Sergei) claimed: he knows where he is! He is still in Tartu, by the Raadi airport and still alive... Lot of people went to search him. And surprise-surprise, his friends said that they are in a situation where they would believe even in UFOs.

But some have started searching not for just Jaak, but for kingdom of God! And as we are searching both Jesus Christ and Jaak, many of our church-people have started repenting. Confessing their sins and praying.

There are lot of healed marriages and cured friendships. There are many chains-of-sins that have got loose during these past 3 weeks.

Many have witnessed that lot of things started happening when Romanian prohpet Theo came to town. Who could have known that as he was just visiting my little sister, that God is doing something much bigger?

Listen to Theos preaching from Risttee podcast. (Meedia: Kutse meeleparandusele I osa)

Sin during Sabbath

Why was Sabbath created? Was man for Sabbath or was that day of rest and recreation for man? It was for a man, and not to make his life more difficult, but easier. So said a man who claimed himself to be a Lord of the Sabbath.

I truly have experienced what does it feel to sin during Sabbath. And i think, man - it's not a good thing.

I was 3 weeks in States and 4th week in Estonia I survived. Every day i slept, and on 5th day i became ill. I had a fever and my sheets became sweaty. It was a sweat of selfish sin.

Look at the soil and see what happens with it when you use it too much. Soil-structure becomes weak and it gets destroyed. Look at the berries and see what do they want to do every 2nd or 3rd year.

God has created rest into our structure. We need it. You should look not only soil or berries, but also yourself and see that you are not a Lord of Sabbath. But someone really is and cares for you.

We really do not need to sweat the sheets.

Dead man walking

God is a provider. We are consumers. It definitely is so.

As I have been back in Estonia, I haven't done anything but sleeping and dead-walking. During my sleeps with Wilma, Greta has had opportunities to meet some of her friends. I get to sleep, Wilma gets to be in the most-warm lap and Greta creates relationships.

Who can say that God is not a multitask organizer, the real provider?

Btw, I had birthday on 20th October. I am now 25 years old. I did not party, but I still expect gifts:)

Back in Est

Hi y'all. As our southern north-americans would say. We are back in Estonia. Innar went to get Siiri and Elli from Latvia. And Kuldar is with his family on his way back to our one of the most secular countries.

It is a joy to be back. Not only because its my birthday and i got 25 years old... but to start seeing people we are ministering again. Especially Greta and Wilma. They have grown alot. Greta has new haircut (little color in head) and Wilma speaks lot of Swedish.

I just cancelled one of our evangelism-training for lutheran youth, because we feel that we need to focus even more on fundraise. We did got more than 300 contacts from States, but keeping relationships needs right now lot of attention!

Please pray that i would be a good friend for many as my new 2/4th century starts.

Last vision-cast in States

Me, Innar and Kuldar with our families are part of movement of God in Eastern-Europe. I know that in States there are about 1 non-profit organization per 100 people. 

Thats is a lot! And here indeed is a lot of charity and fundraising.

But we know that Christ is building his church in Estonia right now and even gates of hell cannot stand against Him. And this is the reason why we are looking for divine connections here in Atlanta.

We see that Christ body is global and we do need to partner with each other. Gods plan is sovereign, our vision is compelling.

If you happen to be in ATL tonight you are welcomed to our last vision-cast. This will take place near Buckhead church at 7pm. Every Christ-lover is welcomed on a ride! 

Park Regency Condominium

700 Park Regency Place NE

Atlanta, GA 30326 

3 estonian man

Me, Kuldar and Innar are like Paul, Barnabas and Luke. We are on our mission-trip here in Chicago, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, California, Atlanta and Oklahoma. I have landed in Atlanta, tomorrow will Innar join with me.

We are here to let people know that Jesus is building his church in Estonia and even gates of hell/hades cannot stand against Him. Please do pray for us as we are sharing the good news and getting people involved!

My friend Kaido

This is my old friend Kaido, who we haven't been in contact for 5-6 years. We always had same teachers, but never the same Messiah. Just 2 days ago I got SMS from him: "M2rt. I am Christian and I serve only Him."

Thank you Atlanta-people for investing so much into our Jesus-ministry here. And also taking time to talk more with Kaido and even make cool photos with him!

I will be in States from 1st October - 18th October

1st-7th Chicago

7th-9th Minneapolis

9th-12th Ohio

12th-18th Atlanta

 

See you around!

On a way to America

I will go to United States soon. In order to talk also there about God. Actually we are going with whole bunch of us, even Innars and Kuldars families are coming with us.

But what would be some of the things that you would like to talk about Estonia and estonians? What would you say, and what symbolic pictures would you show if you would like to have others support estonians?

And yea... I need to practise some English now, you know.

Greta has birthday!

Greta has birthday!

Good to be back

This new year has come not with January first, but again with Septeber 1. It surprises me every year how Tartu becomes full of life and young people. They say that we have double amount youth here, not 20% as usually, but 40%.

I am highly motivated, because I know that if God is Allmighty and has done Everything. And if I am in Christ totally new creation, then who can stop me doing whatever I do for God?

This past summer was really evangelistic. And even though I have met on my way so many skeptics (more than atheists), this challenge - sharing life of Christ to others - is really boosting my adrealine.

I just got a call from Oleviste, church in Tallinn. They have around 140 youth gathered. Not long ago they had only 5 persons gathered together...

God is on the move. This gives me good sleep.

We like to talk

2 weeks offline

Hello all. I will be heading to the long-waited vacation. It will be for 2 weeks. Do not worry if you do not hear much about me during that time.

Quo vadis, Märt Saar

Only week before the vacation and my head is still questioning my next years calling. I know that its not define or concrete as foundation of a house, but I still need to know where God is directing me.

Many people have questioned if I am serving in a position where I would have right gift-set. I think I do not. I do not like organizing for organizings sake. And I am not a team-person by heart, I must say.

That means I might not be king (system-person) nor priest (people-person). There is only one option more and this would be prophet (message-person). But it is still too abstract.

I am right now serving God in Koma and my mission is to equip young leaders to fulfill Christs commission. Greta just told me that the area of work seems to fit me... but again, what do i need to do after the vacation?

Should I continue doing camps? What about trainings? What about spending time with people? Who should I focus on? How should I instruct the team?

Quo vadis, Märt Saar. God knows.

Hitch-hiker became child

I was heading back from island called Saaremaa, where we had a English Camp. And on the way I picked up 67-year old woman. With short hair and talkative mouth. Flowers in her hand she started talking and talking.

I tried to catch up and understand where she is in her faith. In some cases it succeeded. What radio are you listening? Do you know the word creation (creator) in southern dialect? Do you know the Russian word "malitsa" (to pray)?

As we drove 1 hour and entered Pärnu (our summer-capital), she was so sure that she hasn't sinned and is perfect. "I do not believe in after-life and even if there would be one, I will go to heaven."

And as we parked in Pärnu bus-station and spent some more time there, that was the moment when Justina repented and believed in the Gospel. We prayer together, testified sins, asked apologize and turned away from past life. I was so glad that I called her after hugging by mistake Justinus (guys name).

She closed the car door with a smile on her face. "Thank you for everything you gave me. I am now a new being. I am Gods child!"

Please pray that Justina would grow in her faith. And as we meet again in Tartu or at her place, her stomach would be full of spiritual food.

Greatest command

I am very smart during nights. Maybe like you. Instead of sleeping I have good ideas coming and going, thoughts that leave a trail of genius to my head. There are also times for repentance in those nights.

I.e. I have found out that Great Commission what Jesus had really was not the Greatest. Greatest is to love our God.

Do you know what happens if you make millions of disciples, but without love to God? It is actually living for yourself and your challenges. To tears I have repented that great sin. It is not a weird story when Jesus asks Peter if he loves him.

He does not say: dude, I am leaving. Someone needs to take care of sheep. There should be billions of disciples made. And you are super in that. All he asks is: Do you love me? (3x)

This is the Greates Commands. To love God. This is where my motivation should come.

Partnership with Serbia

There is one good exercise I can give you. Sit down for a sec. Ask God to reveal with his Spirit things that He wants. Ask that you could rewind your last week and memorize 3 best moments what you had.

These are Godly moments and these will last for many months, and years. You need those in order to remember how special are moments God has given you.

This summer I have had many discipleship moments. By the way, as I am going, I am making disciples. One guy who has helped me to become better disciple is Chaga. He is great guy from Serbia. Loves mosquito jokes and loves youth.

He explains God very simply.

This June for 5 days we were together. Thank you Finnish people who were partnering with us financially so we could train about 12+ young leaders and reach 200 youth. Outcome is: I love to evangelize whoever meets my way!

It is better if I rest

Today is the day when lot of people in ministry say "no" to their calling. This is because of victories. Even Olympic game winners say that after the win there is a gap. Feeling that everything is behind.

We just finished our two first English Camps. We reached about 70 youth. And it definitely was awesome to see that those young people who have been raised in atheistic and post-communistic society saw and met real alive God!

In a small school Pala, where not long time ago bus full of youngsters crashed into a deadly truck-accident... this was a same place where 7 young people committed their lives to Jesus Christ.

It is energizing to be fruitful. But it also draws all energy out. I wanted to rest with my family in Tallinn, proclaim gospel in SongFest, say goodbyes to US teams and also shake the hand of Great Old Markus who got 30.

But no. I am too tired. Too tired even to love my wife.

I need to rest. This is a thing i do not know how to do.

Ready for camps

Who has seen a movie Jesus Camp? It definitely is the one what shows a way of doing christian camp for children in a bad way. But who has been in English Camp in Estonia?

It definitely is a time of life-change for hundreds of youth in Estonia, and across Europe. Campus Crusade has surveyed that most of the lifechange happens in camps. About 75% of people get touched.

Well. I will be going to Jõgeva. Other part of the team will go to Elva/Pärnu youthministries. We will be reaching about 70 youth with first week. But 4 more camps are on the way waiting!

Thank you for praying! We had a midsummer-evangelism, we were bearing fruit not only in Tartu, but also in Jõgeva and Saku. It is great to see more and more youth believing that we are the ones who are on mission.

Pray that I would not burn out. It is sin.

Jesus Christ ruled in Saku Suurhall

Yesterday started our nations biggest evangelical crusade we have had since start of the freedom. Franklin Graham came to Tallinn after year-long preparation.

Saku Suurhall, our biggest arena was full. About 7000 people heard the message of the Gospel. Including our dear nanny, Keili! I had a privilege to walk with her infront of Jesus!

It wasnt an event. It is a movement, that has already started!

And it definitely was a lifechanging moment for our community here in Tartu, and Estonia!

Thanks for all prayers!

Brian and Byron

Past 2 days we have had 2 brothers from other side of the world visiting us. It defintely has been God led trip that they have had. Guys are from Ohio, Grace Baptist Church.

Brian is a bald 4 child father. As all the other youthpastors, he is also looking 10 years younger. One of his favourite sayings is: "It is what it is." He also took the risk and went to real sauna.

Brian would be a type of guy I would like to have in my team.

Byron is also special. He loves Russia and says that he is "nikto". Man of nothing. Man, he is a gifted teacher and words of encouragement fly easily out of his mouth. He used every opportunity to talk to our lives even though Estonia wasnt on his radar before.

I casted vision for them. I truly believe that God is doing something big in our pagan and small country. And I believe B & B are already part of it.

There are no borders in the kingdom of God.

When Greta works

When Greta works then I want to stay late up. As if cat would be out of the house and mice (me and Wilma) would want to party, as the old saying goes.

This is great temptation. Because usually I start watching TV or reading some books. Having snacks and just wondering around. Yes, its cool...

...but next day would be disaster. I would be living corpse. And I have too many responsibilities to be a corpse.

Actually, I wanted to tell also that I feel little bad. I have lost Gretas work-keys and she has had some problems already with that. It just makes me feel that I am retarded and I need to punish myself harder next time.

What a Gospel (joy-message) is that?

Paralyzed rest

Same moment as pope Benedict XVI was in Jerusalem, in the heart of holocaust, deep dark cave called Yad Vashem, I was on the fift floor of my aparment, boiling spaghettis.

And once popes speech was over and my spaghettis in the stomach, life continued.

But do you know that feeling when your life is just not rolling on? When you cannot press more harder on the pedals and you would rather lay down... and if it would be possible, lay some more.

And you wish that you could end a book. You you wish that there wouldnt be any old tasks coming to your mind that you still havent finished. You just want to be, because you have been too much lately.

During these situations there is a danger that you turn yourself off. You start thinking thoughts that are just circling around, instead of conversations you do noises of animals. And you question the motives of other people... This is like autosave in your mind, because you havent been wise lately to save yourself. This is a phase called paralyzed rest.

And even if i am not a pope, I can feel that I am man getting older. And boiling spaghettis is just not enough.

Opening knots

Every person has trouble-making questions. For sure they are subjective in their difficulty if I would compare them. One, that is hard nut for me, might not be for you. In example: I ask, how to talk with people without hesitating?

...you might ask why is it so hard to find a spouse, or horse, or something like that.

I am glad that I have a place where I can penetrate all my thoughts and questions. Open knots as old fairy tales tell. It is my joy to belong to Josiah Venture family that is living in Eastern Europe, I have many brothers and sisters who have lived longer with God than me.

And still love and have time for a person whos' shirt says "Märt".

I have got more clear how to plan my dreams in my calendar. Thanks Steve!
I have been convinced why street evangelism still works. Thanks Gelu!
And I have seen why giving your life away matters. Thanks Becca!

Tower guardian

My uncle is a famous man. He has built many church-towers here and there and now he is positioning as a guardian for a tower that was once a highest building in a world. Oleviste. It is kind of christian Nokia in Estonia.

You can see there more than one millionaire-view for 30-crowns.

Greta is pregnant

Hello hello. As today showed, by the grace of God we are fruitful! You might see on the pic that there is 8mm tall being in the womb of my wife.

Greta has been feeling sick for some weeks already. It definitely is a difficult time for us (since both of us are working and planning other aspects of life as well). But I believe that God is the child-sculptor and we are mostly His observers.

If everything goes well then the new person will be born about December 2, 2009.

Communistic authority, from God?

I found old school-book in front of my home. "Estonian Soviet Socialist Republics geography for VI and IX grades". It was in a trash can. And as I took it out from a trash, my dear wife Greta rolled her eyes. Because communism is history.

But in Moldova, where youth are rallying, it is not true. And Russia is called to be only one who is supporting Moldovas government by wishing all the best after the elections... how do you treat the communists?

Once upon a time communism was a trendy word.

But maybe it was more than that? Actually I am rather convinced that communistic power, that ruled over 15 SSR countries was from God. Yes, it was from allknowing and allmighty God! From a God who is Good, Great, Gracious and Glorious Himself! From the same God who let His only son be born in the midst of jews.

Bible says that all types of powers are from God. Even those ones that are seriously misused. This is just like with money. Every penny in our pockets are from God, and they still belong to God. And we are stewards, who need to give report in the end.

Leadership is stewardship.

How do you use your position?

My generation

I was born on 1984. Little before the babyboomers. But still to the generation that doesnt remember nation with red flags. I belong to the generation that is still trying to find a way out, find a true freedom.

But now it becomes interesting...

We are living in the most pagan country in a world. Can u believe it? And in a same time, this year all 348 churches of Estonia have decided to go out with gospel of Christ. Even biggest evangelist Franklin Graham is coming to town, to preach the Hope.

But...

Viktor Hamm, person who has worked 8 years to get Graham to Estonia, has said that he hasnt seen such a nation before... nation where youth are such passive! BGEA has 60 years of experience, has probably started more Christian movements than any other organization... They have found our little Estonia with a problem.

What is the problem with Estonians?

"Our problem is that we want someone else to solve our problems," said Harri Tali, man who is trying hard to lead the union-work in Estonia. "It is similar with a trolley-bus. We want to have a ride, but not to buy a ticket for that. And then we wine and critisize if we have a bad trolley-ride."

Me and my family are ready to buy the ticket.

Twinkle twinkle

Guitarplayer for Toby Mac and Matt Redman is teaching us a song what to sing when your child does not want to sleep. I am proud I can know Alex and his heart for our nation, church and family.

Youthwork is deadly

One american youthworker, who has been in Estonia, got hit by his car.

Headhurt is good

This weekend we had the biggest training "Burning Bulb" for young leaders there has been probably ever before here in Estonia. Little less than 100 most passionate Christ-followers drove for 3-day long time central city of Estonia, paying money for that.

I definitely was tired from the beginning. I really did not know how it will go. Lot of power-struggles in my head. Because we did it together with baptist-pentecostal-lutheran-methodist-adventist leaders training even freechurch and word of life people.

But as it came out: God was really there. People really got led and equipped and not manipulated. And as GoingUP team (me, Innar, Chris) are having rest-days today and tomorrow, my head hurts.

Showing that I had been really caring for them. This is my job, feed the young sheep. From the country Estonia, most pagan place in the world...

Admin or people

It probably is old truth, but when we work, our focus gets very easily on the tasks and not the people. On the problems, and not the problemmakers.

And as your workload increases, it is possible to sink into tons of e-mails and even phonecalls, maybe even meetings, but less and less there is time for just for being with people.

Fortunately i do not need positive thinking to get out of it. Good old gospel helps me understand that I do not need to keep the world together. And if my focus is on people, the results are anyways in the hands of Allmighty.

It is actually very humbling to work with people. Tasks, things and whatever administration is in our hands, but people... never.

Debt free

Thanks for all!

Money matters

I was very little when ABBA songs were popular in a true way. But now their words are still prophetic.

I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay
Ain't it sad
And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me
That's too bad
In my dreams I have a plan
If I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work at all, I'd fool around and have a ball

As storm is right now rolling around the world. Little boat called Estonia which has only 1,4 million people on the board, is trying to survive. They say that in almost a month 100 000 people are out of the boat, without job.

Whos fault is it? Politicians? Greed of a mans heart? Or our Heavenly Father?

Well, I am a non-popular preacher. I really believe that behind the death of money is God. Bible says that God owns it all. Also money. And it also says that God is still Gracious.

But if God owns it all, who am I?

Bible says that I am a steward, and if I become stupid with the money that has trusted in my hands, then God takes it away. Money matters, but trustworthyness matters more.

Do you believe that if your father gives you less money, he still loves you?

Welcome to Estonia-17

This "17% news" is our last breaking topic here in Estonia. We are very non-religious country. Come and see!

Sad day for Estonia

It was again one sad weekend in Estonia. Four young people died on our most deadly road. Two of them were young active Christians whos 1 has been really dedicated blogreader. My dear sister in Christ, Liis Kohv.

It is so weird to read her alive comments on my estonian blog when I am knowing that actually she is dead.

They were participating Tartu Kolgata camp and then drove to one evangelistic event in Tallinn. But on the way they crashed to another car and 4 people died. Other went to hospital with shock and back-operation. Man, it is sad!

I know Liisi is close to God, but when I look all the comments on our newspapers articles... then I see lot of anger that is rooted in Estonians. Lot of people are angry in traffic, and release right now their stress in the comments. Hundreds and hundreds.

Our country desparately needs forgiveness. We need more people like Liis.

Cosmos family

For God so loved the world (Cosmos) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Well. Me, Greta and Wilma are imago Dejs. I am bloody moon (representing end-times), Greta is sun (that is rising every day) and Wilma is just a black hole (where everything goes).

We had a first church camp. Thank you NorthPoint Community Church for partnering with us. Especially you, Rod! And my best greetings to the leadership of Risttee, for making that 3 days happen.

Cosmos loves God as well. At least we do.

I pay to work

Those people who like economy and diagnostics have thought that this year my dear nation will have around 9% of lack of work. Last year it was 5,5%. It is rather bad situation.

Now, I am different. I give money to work. Every Monday is a 10hour work-day for me. We pay 1200 crowns a month so I could leave the home and child and have meetings or computer-time.

I do love my job, but till May I have promised to be a father at home. And it has been a great mind-game for me... how you stop thinking of work during night-time? How you watch into your wife eyes and slowly eat if you know that there are about 100 emails in debt, 10 meetings not had and tons of people not saved? (AND no Newsletter sent to you!)

Its very easy to become bitter.

But it is also possible to tell all bitter things to God, even with a bitter voice. He seems to respect that. So I did and told: if His kingdom falls apart here in Estonia, its his problem, not mine. I take care of things I can. And family is one of the few...