June 04, 2011

June 2011

Dear Friends,

As many of you already know, we now have the keys to the building for our evangelism cafe and we are busy repairing it in preparation for opening. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

A few weeks ago we sent the following info:

"In the second week of April we received a phone call from a Tallinn television station. They wanted to do an interview about our new coffee house. We told them we had not heard back from the government yet, regarding final word. We asked how they heard about it, and the interviewer said they had read about it in the newspaper (newspaper article is above)! We called city hall, and they said, "Yes, the project received final approval on April 6, the building is yours." We asked how it was already in the newspaper, and how it happened that we had not been informed. They said the press was on hand at city hall for government announcements and that is how they heard. They said they were planning on telling us the next week!

This is so much how we have seen God do things so many times. He gets the word out, He arranges the advertising and inspires interest and hunger regarding what He is doing. All we have to do is watch and marvel at His ways and go through the doors He has opened!

We are excited, thrilled, overjoyed about this - to the point of tears of thanksgiving. We have so much confidence in God's love, ability and desire to reach the Estonian youth. Now, the next phase begins. Meeting with Christian musicians, evangelists and other volunteers and have a larger base of people in on the prayer and planning meetings, as well as building repairs and equipping the building."

On the 20th of April we signed a contract for a 5 year lease on the building and were given the keys.

Since then we had the blessing of hosting a team of three (Sven-Inge, Timo and Victor - picture on the left) from Elim church in Sweden, who came to help with some of the work. Over the two full days they spent with us, they built a stage, outside steps, a wall and poured a cement floor (see photos below). They purchased the tools and all of the materials needed to do the job. Their trip was short but very fruitful. They came with one purpose only, to see some of the construction work done. They busily worked night and day for two days to see their goals met.

Our local team worked on spackling, cleaning, mixing cement and being their assistants. After that, Jaanus from the local church Toompea 3 came and did painting and plumbing work (picture below).

We have purchased paint for the entire building, carpet for the office, stainless steel sinks for the kitchen and coffee bar, snack sized plates, and have had counter tops donated from a local firm and a new industrial dishwasher donated by Village of Hope rehab center.

We still have many things to do before we can open, and a YWAM team and a brother from Russia will be helping us with work next week. Our money is exhausted, we are down to $30.00 (20 euro), so please pray with us for the finances to continue what we know the Lord has begun; and skilled workers to do the necessary jobs that still need to be done.

We need the following, so please pray with us for the provision of 18,000 euro ($24,000) for:

  • new front door
  • outside tiles for steps and wall
  • linoleum for kitchen and coffee bar
  • acoustic materials for walls
  • ceiling acoustic material
  • 12 tables and 40 chairs
  • carpet for coffee house and stage
  • 27 light fixtures
  • music equipment including drums, 3 mics, guitar amp, bass amp, speakers, mixing board, guitar and bass, etc.
  • sound system for recorded music
  • projector and screen
  • cash register
  • cups, glasses, bowls, silverware, kitchen utensils, pots and pans
  • microwave oven
  • stove and exhaust fan
  • fridge and freezer
  • office desk
  • new 75 litre boiler
  • pump heater
  • outside electric sign
  • a God inspired name for the club that students can relate to

Thank you again for your prayers. We are so thankful for your hearts of love toward our family and ministry! Please help if you can!


Thanks and blessings to you!

John and Sara Russell