Some Resolution

Just to recap, we came home in December on a combination of vacation time and medical. We thought that we'd be able to get whatever was going on with Josh's heart cleared up in the three weeks we allowed ourselves, and then make it back to Tallinn. However, the medical part of the trip ran long, like we mentioned in the last post. Actually it still isn't cleared up, though we pray he's getting closer to an answer. Obviously, we've long since run out of vacation time. When that happened we had to transfer into medical clearance to be home.

What we've found out is that usually when short term personnel have to go home for medical leave, they are given a month to get the situation cleared up and then asked to resign. The Board was really nice to Josh and I; they tried to let us get healthy and go back. However, since everything hasn't been fixed, we ran out of time. Monday they asked us to resign. Everything was done very graciously, and they are taking good care of us.

Obviously, we're very disappointed that we won't be going back to Estonia. We had every intention of returning and do feel that we left a certain amount unfinished. About a year ago, I wrote down our call to go and serve in Estonia. Now, I'm glad that I did; I'm also glad that Josh and I shared that with all of you. We're still every bit as certain that we did as we were led to do; the outcome doesn't change the calling. We both know that there is a larger plan at work for us and for the country of Estonia.

As a matter of fact, we still have teammates there serving. They are doing wonderful work: reaching the culture through the university, a book club, a couch surfing organization, a children's school, and other volunteer groups. So, even though we're no longer there, I'd ask you to keep praying for the people of Estonia. We're so excited about the possibilities.

Thanks so much for keeping up with us through the months. It was a hard stretch of time considering all of the health difficulties, but we're incredibly thankful for the experience and wouldn't trade it for anything.


Megan & Josh

Stateside

Hey everyone,

Many of you know that Josh and I have been back in the States for about a month now. We came back December 18th for a combination of vacation and medical time. On the 9th of January, we were supposed to go back to Tallinn; however, the medical portion of the trip really hadn't kicked into full gear yet. Today was to be the day that we'd reset to go back again, and again, we're still working on the medical issues. Now, we've penned February 2nd as the day.

Josh has had different health issues going since the week before we left for Tallinn, in March. They all seem to be unconnected, very random illnesses: two chronic bacterias in two random parts of the body. He's also had a third problem that began in August: chest pains, fluctuating pulse, palpitations, weakness, etc. Since all of it has been going on so long, we wanted to come home and knock everything out, then go back to Tallinn strong and healthy.

Please pray that we get down to the bottom of this third problem, and can completely kick it and the other two (which have been lingering around). We don't know the rhyme or reason why the medical problems have shown up in full force now; however, we know that, "in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Please also pray for that date, February 2nd, as well. Josh and I know, much more now, that our timing is definitely not always God's, but it's a goal to shoot for anyway.

All that being said, Josh and I are ready to get back. All of the health problems have thrown some of our plans for a loop, and delayed others much more than we'd hoped, but we're still committed to fulfilling what we've been called to do. Again, we're continually thankful for you and your prayers. The body of Christ hasn't ceased to amaze us.

More Daily Life

Daily Things

Finn-tastic!

Back from Finland! We had a great time getting organized and energized with our team this week. We spent some time discussing how we can use our strengths in ministry and the directions we'll be taking in the near future. I'll tell everyone more about that soon!

We also got a little taste of home: Pizza Hut and Subway! Small things, but wow.

On Monday, we'll start back to language school. It's the second part and bound to be more challenging for us. Please keep that in your prayers and the relationships we've started there, too.

To Ikea and beyond!

Hello all.

Today was test day. The Estonian university system works like this: there's a semester, then that semester is divided in half. After each half there's a test. Hence, today was test day. Josh and I are glad to report that we did pretty well (we think) on our language test. Thanks to everyone who has lifted us up on that account.

Now, we're catching a nice break. There's a week off between the 1st half and the 2nd of the semester. So, on Monday we're going to catch a ferry to Finland. It'll be our first trip to Helsinki. The purpose of the trip is for some team meetings (goal setting, planning, ikea, etc). It should be a great time. Expect pictures.

Tonight, we're going to meet up with a few of our classmates for a birthday party. Please pray that we can get to know them a little better, and that we would be able to share the love of Christ with them.

Catching up...

Over a month ago we started language school. We go everyday in the afternoons. Most days it's incredibly challenging. It's cool to be learning another language; the downside is that it occassionally makes your brain hurt. In a few weeks Josh and I will be making a little video to show what we do and where we go for day to day stuff, and I'll be sure to post it in the blog so you can check it and get an idea of how life is over here.

This past weekend was a little out of the ordinary for us. We were invited by some friends to join them at their country home. In Estonia, almost everyone has a country home that they go to on the weekends. So, we went down to the very southern part of the country with them. It took about 4 hours to drive from the very top to nearly the bottom. On the way down, we saw the first signs of snow on the ground!

When we got there, they took us around to all sorts of different landmarks: the highest point (a really big hill), a "desert", some granite cliffs, caves, an abandoned Soviet military base, and nature reserves. It's a really beautiful place, not to mention it was great just to be out of the city for a few days.

Most interestingly though, we had the traditional sauna experience. Basically, you sit in the sauna and someone slaps you a few times with birch limbs (like exfoliating), and then when you're too hot to stand it anymore you run outside and jump into the nearest body of water (if there is one) to cool down. Even when the water is iced over in the winter, they'll go and chip it away so you can jump in. It actually felt pretty good, even though it was just about freezing outside.

Spiritually, it's a step in the right direction. As we've been for months, we're allowing our relationships with these friends to grow. Please pray that they will see the mysterious presence of Christ in us. We've not been able to have conversations on that level, but pray that when we do, our actions will have spoken ahead for us.

They tried to make me go to rehab, and I said...oh, alright...

Since I desperately want to avoid surgery in two months, yesterday, I figured it was time to start rehabing my knee. The doctor told me that I should be cycling and swimming (but, not the breast stroke, he kept repeating) at least three times a week. I should also be loung-ga-ing (emphasis on the middle G) and keeping my knee at a very specific angle, which he modeled, with a pillow beneath it.

So, yesterday, I joined a very nearby gym. Today was my first day working out there. It was a little lesson in humility and in feeling really awkward. For starters, I couldn't figure out how to lock my locker and had to ask. Then, I couldn't open the door to get out. Later, I couldn't open the door to get back in. Someone had to show me how to do that, too. It's all very complicated. At the same time, I was the only person (female or male) in the whole place wearing a t-shirt. Everyone else looked like they were coming out of a Nike commercial.

Tomorrow, I'm going to go back in there like a pro. I'll know how to open my locker, and how to get in and out of the door. But, one way or the other, I'm not caving on my t-shirt. After a few months, who knows, maybe I'll have built some relationships and opened a new avenue to our ministry here. Maybe I'll have converted them all to the t-shirt.

The American Beauty Car Show

Last weekend we rode with two Estonian friends in their 1960s Cadillac, to an event called the "American Beauty Car Show." It was being held in a 13th century castle. When we got there we were surprised to see hundreds of cars parked around the fortified walls and out in the fields around it. Even crazier, in this place that would be a national treasure in the states , they parked the good cars, (the ones remodeled especially to be shown), on the inside of the castle grounds.

We knew we were in for something right at the entrance because by a big row of port-a-potties, were cars of every American variety decked out in flags. They weren't Estonian, Russian, or EU flags. They were American, and the vast majority Rebel flags. They were draped over windshields, tied from antennas, and even tied like capes around people's necks. People were all decked out for the occassion too, with boots, some pearl snaps, and some European twists on Western wear. My favorite was the guy with very long hair in a cowboy hat, boots, and a knee length fur coat with the arms cut off, whom we saw head banging later in the night, hat held high.

Apparently, collecting American cars, classic or no, is becoming quite the hobby in Estonia. Of course, they buy muscle cars and that kind of thing, but they buy regular stuff too: 1990s Oldsmobiles, newer Mustangs, Mr. T inspired vans, ordinary minivans, Jeep Cherokees, Wranglers, Suburbans. They'll get anything, as long as it's American.

This is a once a year event, and everyone with an American-built car comes. They bring their tents, as we did, and camp out by their cars. They grill, rev their engines, drink, and listen to a ton of American music. From five in the evening to noon the next day, we heard non-stop everything, from AC/DC, Dolly Parton, Dwight Yokum, to Hanson and (hours of repeated) Ace of Base.

The funny thing was that being American made us minor celebrities by the grill that night; especially, once I mentioned that I grew up in Texas. People were visibly excited about it. It really gave us an avenue to talk to people who might not ordinarily open up to us. For instance, I spoke to one girl about where she should go visit in Texas, life in America, and how she'd seen that money didn't necissarily bring happiness. She and I also got to talk about some deeper matters, like the faith of Johnny Cash, and my own experience with faith and grace.

It was a weird and bizarre night, one that didn't end, even after we tried to go to sleep at 3:30 that morning. All night long people were up singing, playing music, and some Estonian guy was yelling, "Wakey, wakey, eggs and bacey." Being around all those rebel flags, the country music, and revved up engines, it felt a little like home. Or, like your redneck cousins' house that you visit once a year.

Born in the U.S.A.

Not so long ago, Estonia was granted their freedom and given the rights of an independent nation. A big part of getting there was through demonstrations in the song festival. The festival has been happening every fifth summer for the past 140 years. Rain or shine, communism, facism, or democracy, Estonians pour down the streets for hours to file into the song grounds. 70,000 strong, they sing traditional songs together for several hours. Just so happens that this year the song festival has landed on the 4th of July weekend.

A couple of days ago, Josh and I went with two friends to dinner and then stumbled on an early celebration. There was dancing, singing, and lots of accordian action going on. We got there just as an old fashioned looking boat arrived to the shore, carrying a flame that had been taken through the rivers of Estonia and onto the Baltic Sea to make it to Tallinn. As we were leaving, our friends told us about how, as young kids, they had been a part of the human chain that ran the length of the Baltic nations.

So, tonight, we got together with a few American friends. We ate some dessert, popped a handful of fireworks, and listened to a little of Bruce Springstein and Tom Petty. And, maybe this year more than others, we were thankful for the freedom we've had all this time, and oftentimes take for granted.

Tomorrow, we'll go catch the second day of the festival and pray that those 70,000 might find a new kind of freedom that can't be taken away through politics, arms, or the will of any opposing army.

A Change Gonna Come

One day, our blog is not gonna have a thing in it about health stuff. Today's not that day, but it's coming, promise.

We've been in Budapest for the past week getting checked out by the awesome doctors at the awesome facilities there. Turns out Josh's stomach problems have been caused by a bacteria and they're easily fixed with some medication. I also had an MRI taken of my knee, and it'll be about a week before I know definititively what's going on and what will have to be done for it. It seems likely that it's a meniscus tear and might have to be fixed surgically. So, we'll both have to get some follow-up stuff done pretty soon. The main thing is that we are incredibly thankful for the support of our organization. They're a well run machine when stuff like this comes up.

Also, being in Budapest made us feel super fluent in Estonian. You don't realize how much language you've learned until you go somewhere and don't know a word.

We're totally excited about this coming week. We're going to our regional conference, which means a chance to get back together with some friends and colleauges, speak English, be loud Americans, share our experiences from the past couple months, get new ideas, and new energy to come back out again. It's going to be a great time.

Also we're hopeful that when we get back, we'll have some new friendships develop out of acquaintences. It's going to be great to see how God moves.

The Hope Festival

A week ago, Estonia hosted Franklin Graham and a hand-full of bands from around the globe. Some of the musicians were Americans: Dennis Ajadarian (the Guinness Book of World Record's fastest guitar player), John and Anne Barbour, and Michael W. Smith; yet, there were also a variety of European based musicians (from Ukraine, Russia, Finland, and a few of Estonia's own). One Estonian artist in particular, Tõnis Mägi, is very popular, and it was really powerful to hear his songs, usually played in a secular context, reconsidered by his fans in light of the message of the cross. 

As one of the videos I posted earlier said, for many, the Hope Festival may be the only Christian based event they have ever been invited to or attended. We considered it a blessing to be there as our Estonian brothers and sisters were energized again through gathering together; moreover, to see our community of faith grow. We pray, and hope you'll join with us in praying, that a simple alter call won't be the end of the spiritual journey for those who felt compelled to go down. We pray that their experience would grow richer and more powerfully as they are drawn into relationship with the Living God. And, we pray that the festival would not be a weekend event, but a catalyst for the country of Estonia. 

Hope in Estonia

Encounters, Volunteers, and Doctors

Hello everyone,

This is Josh. Meg has been giving all of the updates since we began our blog, but this week I thought I would give it a shot.

In the last couple of weeks things have really been on fast-forward. The football team that I have been practicing with is really starting to pick up. Meg and I went bowling with one of the guys from the team and his girlfriend last weekend. It was a great chance for us to meet a couple our age here in Estonia. They were a lot of fun, and we hope to be able to see them more in the future and continue to build a relationship with them. We also have recently met an Estonian girl who was excited to not only get to know us, but to also "swap" languages with us.

This week there is a volunteer team in from Houston, Texas. They have really been great to work with and get to know. We have spent the majority of the time walking around lifting up certain areas of the city. They will also be helping with the Franklin Graham Hope Festival that is here this weekend. Please be lifting up this event. One of the couples on the team has a son who is transferring to NSU to play QB!

We have also made a few trips to the doctors recently. Next week I will go for ultrasounds to try to figure out what is going on with my stomach. Meg also has been having some pains in her jaw area. Hopefully that will go away with some anit-biotics. We covet your prayers for us during this time.

If you have any questions for us, do not be afraid to e-mail, facebook, skype, etc.

"I was like Hulk Hogan, except not green..."

I've mentioned that we've been playing quite a bit of sports here. On Monday we went and played soccer. I think I mentioned that I'm really bad at soccer. I was dribbling the ball, and had an accident. I kind of stepped on the ball, and then that leg kind of slammed into the ground, and then that knee kind of popped, buckled, and went the other direction than the rest of my leg. Kind of a bummer. So I went to a general practitioner yesterday, and I'll be going to a specialist today to get an MRI. On the bright side, it feels a little bit better everyday. I can put weight on it and get around fairly well. The doctor yesterday thinks it's probably a tear, but I'm hoping maybe it's just partial, or something.

Another bright side, Josh has been feeling a lot better. We really appreciate your prayers on his behalf.

Tonight we go to a friend's birthday party. The same friend who provided the title for today's blog. We're pretty glad to even be invited. Birthdays are a pretty big deal 'round here.

Good things are happening with the football team; we've got high hopes.

Keep on praying!

Palun mulle "hotdog."

Things are blooming, AND green, AND there are leaves on the trees! Yesterday, I took an awesome walk through the park and ended up at the beach. It gave me one of those, "Wow, I live here!" moments. Those are fun.

Now that he's able to recognize a little more Estonian, it's dawned on Josh that half of the football team can't communicate to each other, at all. A third of them are Russians, a third Estonian, and a third English/Dutch, but practice is held solely in Estonian. So, there's a lot of confused looks, shrugs, and pointing. All that, plus two-thirds are learning the game for the first time. But, one way or another, he's getting to know some guys (ironically, many speak English quite well).

Minor victory of the week: Josh ordered a hotdog, entirely in Estonian.

In a few weeks, we'll have our first volunteer team coming to prayer walk sections of the city where we'll be starting our outreach ministry to prostitutes/trafficking victims. At the end of the month, Franklin Graham will be coming to Tallinn for the Hope Crusade. The tickets for that have already sold out, which is totally exciting. Please be in prayer for that, for the football team, and for one specific friend who we're hoping will come.

Funny things happen in Estonia. We were at a park beside the beach in Tallinn, playing basketball with some Estonians and some Finns. We invited a really tall Estonian guy to play with us. Turns out, he was a professional basketball player for the Estonian national team. That's the beauty of living in a small country. You never know who you are going to meet, and how that person might completely dominate you in a "friendly" game of basketball.

Along the line of random encounters, last week we had a really spiritual conversation with a group of Latter Day Saint missionaries from the US. We got the chance to tell them the differences in our two religions, and to share our testimonies of coming to faith.

Otherwise, Josh has been playing some American style football with the (one) Estonian team. He's getting to know the guys, and teaching them a little about the game when opportunities present, (as they don't have a whole lot of experience). Sometimes, as conditioning, they'll put a monstrous, pot-bellied man on their backs and run around with him. Once, a player dropped the football in the huddle and one of the other guys screamed, "FAMBLE!" and initiated a dog pile on the ball. It's all very professional!

Hopefully, in all of our weird activities and chance encounters, we'll get to know a few more people, build some deep relationships, and be presented opportunities to give the reason for the hope that lies within us. That's something to pray for.

Through the wardrobe....

This week, we've felt a little bit like we're living in Narnia before the return of Aslan. No, not in some super spiritual way, although I could go there (but that would really betray how nerdy I am about those books). But, living in Estonia is like being one of the Pevensie kids, walking into Narnia, and meeting Mr. Tumnus, who then tells them that it's been winter in Narnia for a hundred years.

It's been a really long stretch of cold for two people from Louisiana/Texas. Having spent January to March in Richmond, them arriving to a cold April here in Estonia, it's really a shock to the senses. Consistent weather is...weird.

I say all of this to say, we are so ready for some summer and some never ending days. We're told that people come out in droves and lay out in bathing suites on any open piece of grass, anywhere in the city. Plus, the summer warmth is said to make everyone that much more open and willing to talk, even to two strange Americans.

Snowflakes on noses and whiskers on kittens...

Two weeks in, here are a few of our favorite things about Estonia:

1) Public transportation is cool. Between trams and busses, driving is so last season. 

2) Estonians are very orderly people. They don't jaywalk. They don't cross at crosswalks until the light turns green, even if no one is coming. 

3) They eat everything with a knife and fork, including pizza and hamburgers.

4) The language is crazy. Every word has fourteen cases, so it you just add an ending to the base of a word to change its relationship to something else. And many of the words are so close together, like "nagu" is "like" and "nagu" is "face". It changes upon pronunciation and vowel sounds.

Aside from that stuff, hopefully I'll do a far better job in the coming weeks of keeping everyone updated now. As for prayer requests, pray for this Sunday. Easter Sunday is called Egg Day here in Estonia. For many, it will be the only day of the year that they might pop into a church. Pray that the Holy Spirit would stir something up in them, and that they would see the truth and power of His Resurrection. 

Luke 24:5-6, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen!"

To God be the Glory

This week has just been insane. And tiring. And crazy. And whatever else you want to label it.

Thanks, everyone, for praying for Josh's health. He started feeling poorly last Friday,went to a clinic on Monday, felt worse than ever on Wednesday night, went to two specialists yesterday, and had a screening today with a gastrointenologist. Thanks be to God that they found everything was clean and Josh only has a bad infection. We're hoping that the antibiotics will kick in and he'll start feeling better soon. We should have an idea on Monday if he'll be in shape to fly out by Thursday. Please keep praying for him. Josh and I are incredibly relieved, but he's still hurting a good bit. Not to mention, we're REALLY ready to be in Estonia and giving updates on what's going on there!

Otherwise, let me just say that this week was pretty stretching. In trying to take care of Josh and get him where he needed to be, I realized how much self I had been storing up. It wasn't a pretty ephiphany; it's not even pretty to admit it in writing. Early on in the week, I prayed that I would start learning to die to myself and become a servant of others. God took me up on it. What I didn't understand is that death is painful, particularly when there's self involved, and it doesn't wanna go. I don't want to overspiritualize, particularly since I'm not the sick one (just to brag on him, Josh has been an awesome and positive sicko), but I do hope that I'm a step closer to that. I hope I'm closer to walking in stride with the Father. What I know for sure is that God made himself visible to us in how he worked out schedules, how He gave us peace, and how He called others to minister to us in their prayers and kindness. I'm thankful for that.