The End

Late in the afternoon on Saturday July 19 we arrived in Tallinn. Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and with a population of about 450,000 contains approximately 1/3 of the population of Estonia. We headed straight to our hostel and while Javier and Wayne got us checked in the rest of us unloaded the bags from the trailer. Our rooms were all on the third floor and there was no elevator. For the majority of us, who were very wise with our packing, carrying bags up three flights of stairs was not a big deal. For the few (not to metion any names Becca and Callie) who threw the kitchen sink into their suitcases, managing three flights was a little more challenging. Good thing they had big strapping YOUNG men like me to help. When Paula Mac was a college student she was fortunate enough to backpack across Europe and therefore had many opportunities to experience the hostel life. I, on the other hand, did not have that opportunity and was therefore somewhat shocked at my first glance at the sleeping arrangements. The rooms were, let me think, ah............austere! There were two twin beds, a floor lamp at each bed, a table and a cabinet/closet thingy. Surprisingly enough they were clean, however. Those of us in the group who have never traveled on an expense account thought they were quite nice. Everyone on the floor shared two small restrooms (WC's or water closets in Estonia) After we were settled we headed out to explore Old Town. First on the agenda was dinner. Here we are, 4000 miles from America in a foreign land with new and wonderful sites, sounds, and flavors so where do we decide to eat? An "American" pizza restaurant! This was not your everyday Pizza Hut. Maurice had been clamoring all day about spaghetti and meat balls. Imagine his disappointment when all that was served in the pizza place was well...pizza! All of the pizza was thick crust and came in some pretty funky combinations. Guess what Maurice ordered??? Nope.... it was spaghetti and meatball pizza. Turned out it was pretty bland but some of the other combinations were quite tasty. In Europe you simply do not get ice in your drinks but in this "American" pizza restaurant they advertised iced Coke. Sure 'nough you got a coke with one cube of ice and no refills. As far as I could tell no one went away hungry. The rest of the evening was spent exploring Old Town.

If it's Sunday it must be church.

To the best of my knowledge Tallinn has one Methodist church. In Estonia, the other Baltic states, and maybe even in all Europe they are not United Methodist just plain old Methodist. The Methodist church in Tallinn happens to be the largest Methodist seminary in all of Europe. It was the vision of one man and came to fruition through the hard work and generosity of many people and by the grace of one God. The church is a magnificent modern structure. The acoustics are amazing. Callie, Becca, and I were all singing and Maurice was preaching. We got there early on Sunday morning so the singers could reherse and Maurice could meet meet with the local pastor and District Superintendant before the service. The service is broadcast throughout the Baltic States and was also recorded so I guess that makes Becca, Callie, Maurice and I international recording artist. Cool huh? I think we have a copy of the recording. The worship service was wonderful. It was interpretted in 4 languages which we could listen to through individual head sets. We attempted to sing the hymns in Estonian. While there were four languages in use they were raised in unison to worship the one true God. After the service we went downstairs to the Seminary cafeteria for a light lunch provided by the church. If you doubt the benefit of the "Upper Rooms" printed in Estonian that your generosity provides, the local District Superintendant told us a story about a local Baptist pastor who obtained copies of the Upper Room and sent them to a community of Estonians in Australia. This community was established by Estonians who fled during and after WWII. At least one man came to Christ through reading the Estonian version of the Upper Room. Who knows how God has used that man to reach others or how many others may have come to Christ through this publication.

Following lunch we split into small groups for more siteseeing or in the case of the girls that great American pasttime, SHOPPING! There is even a Woodland Hills type mall just beyond the walls of Old Town Tallinn where more than a few American dollars found there way into Tallinnese (or is that Tallinnette or maybe Tallinetter) cash registers. Tallinn is a very old city. It was originally a walled city with many turretts built into the walls to protect it. Though very picturesque it was apparently not very effective becuase for hundreds of years Tallin and the rest of Estonia were ruled by others. At the very least they have been ruled by the Swedes, the Germans, and the Russians. There are many old and beautiful church's in old town. While many are no longer used as churches some are still used for worship. Javier imposed an early curfew because we needed to be ready to load the van at 5:00 on Monday morning so by 9:00 PM we were all back in the hostel.

The road to Nirvana

While Estonia is a beautiful country their is no place like home. At 7:15 our plane took off for the long journey home. We had a two our or so layover in Amsterdam where they no longer have WC's, they have Toilets. We were there just long enough to get through customs and inspections (is that the same?) Then the looooooooooooooooooong flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis. Callie and Becca watched three movies. Wayne read one book and started another. I snoozed through a movie, The Phone Booth (very snoozable) and started a book. The Minneapolis airport was an experience. Again we had just enough time to get through customs before we caught the puddle jumper to Tulsa. Prior to the Tulsa flight I was very fortunate. I had been lucky enough to get the exit row or the bulkhead on every flight. For those of you who are less than 6'-3" tall or those of you that are used to flying first or business class this may not mean much. For those over 6'-3" you appreciate that in coach class only the exit row or bulkhead seats allow you to sit without sucking on your knees. An hour of knee sucking is bearable. 2 hours is most uncomfortable. Anything longer is a torture. I have been told that coach class was invented by George Bush for the transport of prisoners from Afghanistan to Guantanamo Bay; Very effective and against the Geneva convention. I digress, On the flight from Minneapolis to Tulsa I had a window seat. 2 hours after we took off, just as I was about to give up my resolve and confess that I had voted for Al Gore, we landed; home, safe in Nirvana...er..... Okra-homa (oops there I go again)

Thanks to God and CJ, the church bus was waiting for us in Tulsa. Callie, Wayne, Casi, Larry, Kay, and Maurice all had a sweetie waiting at the airport. The remainder of us misfits crawled on the bus for the final 40 miles (that's 64 Km to you Estonians) home. Only 22 hours after we left Tallinn we were home Home HOme HOMe HOME. Yes! YEs! YES! we were home!!!!

I want to thank the members of FUMC Bartlesville for having enough faith in me to send me on this amazing journey. The mission field is great and there is much to be done. The Soviets were very effective in gobbling up the Seed that had been scattered. In their wake the field has been strewn with rocks and thorns where the Seed can not take root or is choked out. But fertile ground does remain. Continue to plant, to water, and to fertilize and the Master Gardener will see to it that the Seed will sprout, flourish, and spread.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Had I known a blog was so much work I may not have tackled it.

Check out the pictures from July 19 and July 20.

God bless you and God bless our friends in Estonia

Randy Mac