BEAR WEEK - Karunadal (with two dots over the second A)

Rise and shine in the USA! It's 4 AM to you guys....and God has already transformed our hearts on the streets of Tartu, Estonia. If you missed the post yesterday...go read it...our Sunday was incredible. I forgot to mention that Siiri, an amazing friend at the church, sat next to us and quietly translated the entire message! Humbling......

So today was the beginning of Karunadal....Bear Week! What an incredible adventure! First thing at 6 AM.....boiling GALLONS of hot water in the hotel kitchen.....the chef was so gracious. Then we loaded the water coolers and all our stuff to two locations in Tartu. One station was at the base of the bridge that crosses onto campus and the other was right across from the Post Office near the town square. We served hot chocolate, coffee, and sandwiches (yes...for breakfast - Bread, smothered with butter, cucumber, cheese and ham). We handed out fliers with the details about the week, got students to fill out surveys, and had a "question of the day" banner. Today's question, "What would you do with 10,000,000 kroonigas (that's $1 Million to us)?" Great answers.....
Most people....skeptics....but with a little persuasion and the fun loving spirit of Hannah and Tarmo's determination.....most took the free stuff. Tomorrow a new day....and new faces....but we're praying for some of the same people so we can invest and invite!
The goal for the week is

1. to serve the community (which was evident this morning as surprised faces got free everything from children, to adults, Univ students to homeless)
   
2. to gather information from the University students (which we ran OUT of the questionnaires in NO time - YEA)
3. to connect people to Risttee Church (which they got from our shirts and from the fliers)

AMAZING morning! The faces, the gracious remarks, the smiles, the laughter, and the cold crisp air whipping through the trees (which made handing out hot choc and coffee easier) were just of few of the cool things you've allowed us to be able to do to serve this amazing community! Thank you.......for this morning.....the hands and feet of Jesus served his hungry children....some with full stomachs....but a lot that don't even know they hunger for the bread of life and thirst for the quenching love of a Savior....and because you've prayed and given.....enjoy the fruit of your labor!
Chat tonight......from the cold crisp air of Estonia.....
The Estonian team