We are in Finland for a few days. It’s lovely here. Two friends from the US (Mary and Sarah Walsh) will arrive in Finland on Monday and spend a couple of days with us before we all drive back into Russia. Yesterday I made a video of my drive through the country. (The Finnish voice at the beginning of the video is a radio station.)
Tag: Finland
Snapshots from Finland
Three quick pictures:
Valerie got hold of our camera and made some interesting pictures, including this self-portrait:
She also used her little shovel as a microphone, singing and dancing in the yard:
And we had a classic Finnish sunset:
Quite a Week
This involves a bus, a plane, a van and a ferry. It started on Sunday —
I’ve been looking to purchase a used mini-van for use as our ministry in Europe expands. Our little red car is getting a little long in the tooth, and I felt that the time may have come to find a good traveling car since I’m on the road so much these days.
I have been looking for cars in Germany. Prices are lower there, and Germans take good care of their cars. A month ago I sent an email to a private seller (not a dealer) in Germany but never heard back from him. I looked at a lot of other cars after that . . . .
Sunday: After driving from Russia to Estonia, I check my spam folder and notice a reply from the seller; it’s three weeks old. I write asking if the van is still for sale, and it is. We exchange several emails as I get more information. After talking with Olga and coming to agreement, I book a flight to Hamburg (using frequent flyer miles).
Monday: After taking care of some business in Jõhvi, I take a bus to Tallinn and spend the night with friends.
A Snapshot from Finland
I chopped some firewood today. It was good to be in the cold air doing some physical work.
I know of a small hunting cabin in the Adirondacks that has a sign over the fireplace: “He who cuts his own wood is twice warmed”. In Finnish it’s “Ken omat puunsa pilkkoo, sen tulee kahdesti lämmin”.
I experienced that truth today. I was warm chopping it and now I’m warm by the fire.
I know it’s a bad picture; sorry about that.
Snow At Koppero
This was the view outside this morning here in Finland — wet snow, but it didn’t stick.
A Postcard from Russia — Home Again
Each month, MIR hosts a prayer meeting (above) attended by people who give their lives in Christian ministry. It was great to attend after missing the past few meetings. MIR is facing some challenges just now, so your prayers are appreciated. A friend once told me that choosing a life of ministry means choosing a life of poverty. There’s truth in this.
These saints refuse to pursue worldly wealth and achievement; rather, they lay down their lives in service. They serve orphans, print Christian literature, help local churches, manage projects, provide counsel, fix computers, minister to college students, and more. Our fellowship and prayers reminded me of the greatness and comfort of God’s kingdom; we are His family, united by His Spirit, even though we come from varied cultures and life experiences, speaking different languages. These are good friends and valued co-workers.
New opportunities are on our doorstep. For instance, we hope to help open a center for disabled children in Estonia. In Russia, we will hold a pilot Ecological Camp at Elama where a British ecologist will teach children about the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.
Now a closing thought from Olga: This year’s fall has been specially beautiful. I think I don’t remember such glorious October as we are having now. And even though the fall means that the nature is falling asleep, it hold a promise of new life in it. And for me that is what I feel. There is a promise of new life. God has something in store for us. And not only for us, but all of His children. His plans are good, His plans have a future. We may not understand this, we may not see it, but He does.
Three Minutes in Finland
I took a drive in the countryside a few days ago, in perfect weather, on a back road between Hämeenlinna and Hauho (apologies for the shaky video):
One Happy Russian
Olga (like most Russians) loves to hunt mushrooms. However, most Finns do not. So, while it can be hard to find mushrooms in Russia (since everyone is hunting mushrooms) there are a LOT of mushrooms in Finland.
We took the boat across the lake, and Olga hit the jackpot. Here is the evidence of her success (video and pictures):
A Snapshot from Finland
Moonrise over Pyhäjärvi.
We’re having beautiful weather here at Koppero.
Lovely Koppero
Here’s a video of the little cabin (koppero means ‘hovel’ in Finnish) where we stay when we visit Finland. You’ll see the main cabin, a smaller cabin and the sauna. It’s simple and a very real blessing.
And you see our little car, which has bravely been all over Europe, from Montenegro to Russia.
Mike and Olga Cantrell 