15. Jun 2025

Arrival in Tallinn

Photo 1: I am standing on the tower of the St. Olav Church with the view of the city of Tallinn in the background. It is the highest tower in the city. The church is by no means just a tourist attraction. I started talking with the man, Kristjan, who took my entry ticket about the history of the church. He said that during the Soviet occupation eight different Christian congregations were forced to join together and hold their meetings at St. Olav Church which was located right next to the KGB Center of Opperation in Tallinn. The communist authorities thought that the forced union would ultimativly lead to the demise of the church through conflict and infighting. The opposite happened. The Christian groups learned to love and respect each other... and they learned to pray together. A great spiritual renewal and revival took place. It is Kristjan's prayer that visitors to the church and tower will sense God's presence as had been the case during this time of spiritual awakening.

Today after the Sunday church service I had lunch with Pastor Ivo from the Tallinn Pentecostal Church. He continued the story of the St. Olav Church. He called it "the great revival that no one has ever heard of". People throughout the Soviet Union were drawn by the Holy Spirit to come to the church in Tallinn. People would have dreams and see the high chuch tower of St. Olav. They would come by train, and many people would already have a God encounter as their train approached the station. Once they arrived at the station, they could see the church tower and knew where they needed to go. Many of those who were touched by God's power, presence and grace, returned home and started new churches throughout the Soviet Union. All this happened under the shadows of the KGB.

I was fascinated by this story of God's soveign workings. It showed me that God can take care of himself and Jesus can build his church in any political circumstance and time of history. It also showed me how important prayer and unity is for God's Spirit to break through with the grace and power of God's kingdom.

Photo 2: It is never easy saying good-bye when you leave on a trip like this. My son Sorin picked me up at 6.45 in the morning on Friday to take me to the airport. There my daughter Jacky met us. Because she works at the airport and has security clearance, she was able to escourt me to my gate. It only took two hours and twenty minutes to fly the entire distance that I hope to walk in 100 days. In the past two Snail-Trails every step took me further from home and I could gradually adjust to the changes in culture and language along the way. Now each step takes me closer to home. When I arrived at the airport in Tallinn, I not only entered a different time zone, but a different cultural and language world. The weather is also cooler which is nice for walking.

Photo 3: On Saturday I walked 17 kilometers along the harbor and through the Old Town on Tallinn... without the 20 kilo backpack! Coming into the Old Town I stopped by this Coffee House operated by Assembly of God intercultral workers. The Coffee House is a meaningful point of contact and ministry in the community. They are applying for a kitchen permit so they can make and bake their own products for purchase. Pray for this ministry endeavor in Tallinn. As I was about to leave, Fabio from Brazil (on the right in the photo) came into the shop. He was wearing a shirt that had "Holy Spirit" written on it. I said some words that really encouraged him. He said the encounter had made his day. I would hear that statement a few times during my first week of walking. Talking with Fabio was the first hint that Jesus would be walking with me these days.

Photo 4: Pastor Ivo from the Tallinn Pentecostal Church. He has a vision in his heart for Estonia to turn towards God, not by some imported strategy from somewhere else or through one special group or church in the country, but through Estonian believers being salt and light in society, like yeast that slowly penetrates a whole batch of dough. I carry this thought and prayer with me on my walk through Estonia.

Photo 5: Pascal from Germany and his wife Merle from Estonia where my contacts in Tallinn. They helped me arrange accommodations at the Methodist Seminary and took me to church on Sunday. Both are active in the music ministry at their church. In the video Pascal is playing the guitar. We spent the afternoon together and celebrated their oldest son's third birthday. They are a wondeful family!

Video: Worship during the Sunday service at the Tallinn Pentecostal Church.