I arrived in Estonia just over two years ago ,being funded as a envoy to a small Russian speaking church in Eastern Estonia.
The need for our Lord's unconditional love and peace is so needed here as both Estoian and Russian speakers are hurting.
The Estonians because of fear and resentment over the war and past Soviet occupation. This has lead them to resentment of the Russian speaking people. While the Russian speaking people,were born in Estonia and their parents were sent here from other parts of the soviet union,just as the Estonia's were sent to Siberia.. All were victims.
The only way of peace and forgiveness is found in our Saviour,. As we then belong to a different kingdom! So much is only possible by pray and our Lord's grace.
Please remember the Russian speaking people who have no loyalty to Russia and are Estoian by birth who find themselves stateless. But also for the Estoian speakiers who feel still insecure. That in Jesus Christ they will come together as Brother's and sisters. .
Danke, es hat mich sehr froh gemacht, diesen Beitrag zum Friedenstiften zu lesen! - Darin stand auch, wie wichtig Verzeihen ist, was ich aus vollem Herzen bestätigen möchte!
I read your stories of living the responsibilities of everyday life with the love and support of family, of community, and God’s steady hand, like one breath of fresh air after another.
In comparison I also considered the state of mind, and living, after the US general election and the contrast…I can’t begin to describe. I read of the desperation of so many. Will food be available? Will I be able to afford my mortgage or rent? Will I be able to pay utility bills? Blazing hot summers, freezing cold winters. What I don’t hear is proposals to alter McMansions, currently housing one couple with no children and scads of space, into multi-family living spaces. Proceeds from selling the other homes, placing funds in trust, and pooling incomes from their respective jobs could ease the scarcity fears. Common beliefs? Not easily managed when this sort of impromptu mini-community is hastily put together from fear based decision making. There are many other ways to curtail costs but I’ve already belabored these points.
I’ll close by saying how refreshed I felt reading about the Bruderhof principles having led to healthy, productive, supportive communities. Founded in great part on shared beliefs in the Lord, by community home raisings, having land for gardens, livestock, grains. Emphasis on a full education, mastering crafts for income pathways as well as in support of the Bruderhof operations. All to the glory of God. All the very best to everyone!
Thank you for such a lovely encouragement to peacemaking at the start of my day. And for the inspiring singing Noreen and family! Thanks for sharing and blessings to each of you. From Sarah-Jane, Perth Western Australia
Number 5 on Norann’s list is particularly relevant to me at this time of year - it’s so easy to be consumed by chasing the “abundance of possessions” for those we love as well as ourselves, when more often than not those material things we give become unused clutter not long after. Thanks for the reminder to set our minds on “things above”, and that truly loving others - pursuing and willing their best - doesn’t always mean giving them everything they think they want (or that we want!)
I arrived in Estonia just over two years ago ,being funded as a envoy to a small Russian speaking church in Eastern Estonia.
The need for our Lord's unconditional love and peace is so needed here as both Estoian and Russian speakers are hurting.
The Estonians because of fear and resentment over the war and past Soviet occupation. This has lead them to resentment of the Russian speaking people. While the Russian speaking people,were born in Estonia and their parents were sent here from other parts of the soviet union,just as the Estonia's were sent to Siberia.. All were victims.
The only way of peace and forgiveness is found in our Saviour,. As we then belong to a different kingdom! So much is only possible by pray and our Lord's grace.
Please remember the Russian speaking people who have no loyalty to Russia and are Estoian by birth who find themselves stateless. But also for the Estoian speakiers who feel still insecure. That in Jesus Christ they will come together as Brother's and sisters. .
Thank you for sharing this Nigel. We will certainly join you in praying for Christians in Estonia.
Danke, es hat mich sehr froh gemacht, diesen Beitrag zum Friedenstiften zu lesen! - Darin stand auch, wie wichtig Verzeihen ist, was ich aus vollem Herzen bestätigen möchte!
Sr. Waltraut, Kloster Kellenried, Deutschland
Liebe Schwester Waltraut -
vielen Dank für Ihre Nachricht. Ja, Vergebung ist von äußerster Wichtigkeit, um Frieden zu finden und ein Friedensstifter zu sein.
Wir senden Grüße von unserer Gemeinschaft an alle im Kloster Kellenried!
I read your stories of living the responsibilities of everyday life with the love and support of family, of community, and God’s steady hand, like one breath of fresh air after another.
In comparison I also considered the state of mind, and living, after the US general election and the contrast…I can’t begin to describe. I read of the desperation of so many. Will food be available? Will I be able to afford my mortgage or rent? Will I be able to pay utility bills? Blazing hot summers, freezing cold winters. What I don’t hear is proposals to alter McMansions, currently housing one couple with no children and scads of space, into multi-family living spaces. Proceeds from selling the other homes, placing funds in trust, and pooling incomes from their respective jobs could ease the scarcity fears. Common beliefs? Not easily managed when this sort of impromptu mini-community is hastily put together from fear based decision making. There are many other ways to curtail costs but I’ve already belabored these points.
I’ll close by saying how refreshed I felt reading about the Bruderhof principles having led to healthy, productive, supportive communities. Founded in great part on shared beliefs in the Lord, by community home raisings, having land for gardens, livestock, grains. Emphasis on a full education, mastering crafts for income pathways as well as in support of the Bruderhof operations. All to the glory of God. All the very best to everyone!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Gary. Now is certainly
a time for people of faith to come together to support the wider communities where we live.
Thank you for such a lovely encouragement to peacemaking at the start of my day. And for the inspiring singing Noreen and family! Thanks for sharing and blessings to each of you. From Sarah-Jane, Perth Western Australia
Thank you so much, Sarah! The family singing gets quite unpeaceful at the end, but I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Number 5 on Norann’s list is particularly relevant to me at this time of year - it’s so easy to be consumed by chasing the “abundance of possessions” for those we love as well as ourselves, when more often than not those material things we give become unused clutter not long after. Thanks for the reminder to set our minds on “things above”, and that truly loving others - pursuing and willing their best - doesn’t always mean giving them everything they think they want (or that we want!)