Summer 2013 in Russian Karelia

FRIENDSHIP LETTER

Many of us love the summer. The warm, sunny days give us joy after the long and dark winter. The lightness of the nights is a miracle from God. The lives of congregations provide many bright moments for children and for adults. June 1st and 2nd we had a childrens camp that was led by Raili Mkitalo from ELY (Evangelical Lutheran Society from Finland), Larisa Kolehmainen (former cantor of the Kalevala congregation) and some local women. Pastor Andrei Tuhkanen opened the camp with a spiritual lesson, and blessed the children. Anja, a grandmother from Kuhmo, led a story telling class for the children. June 14th to 16th, members of the Mujejrvi, Tiiksa, Kostamus and Kalevala congregations attended a camp in Vaala, Finland. The weather was wet, but the spirits of the campers were cheerful. Local leaders Simo Mkel, Marianne and others had organized a fun programme for the camp.

The ELY camp in the congregation ofTiiksa had to be cancelled after a fire next door caused the power lines to break and the windows to shatter. The camp has been postponed to the fall. June 29th, the congregation of Kuhmo joined the Mujejrvi congregation for a one day camp. Local youth spent time studying Gods Word. The major event for the summer in the Kalevala congregation is the summer camp for local children. This year the camp took place July 12th to 14th. For several years the camp has been led by our friends from Kuusamo: Juha and Anneli, Paula and Jouko, Raili and Erkki, and they have always organized a good programme for the children of Kalevala. They brought with them this time 2 young girls, Roosa and Anniina, for both of whom a trip to Russia was a first. This year our camp was also attended by Larisa Kolehmainen from Kuhmo.

Larisa is a youth worker and an excellent musician. The children have been asking about the camp since the spring. It was a long anticipated bright spot of the summer, and this summer we had 52 campers. At the end of the camp, all the children received a blessing and a camp award. July 19th to 20th, we had a camp for adults at Mujejrvi, led by Kerttu Kokkonen, Eila Heikkinen and Anja Huusko. The grandmothers had a rest from their everyday chores. July 26th- 28th, Kalevala congregation provided a camp for adults. The camp was attended by friends from the town of Ii, Finland: pastor Tapani Ruotsalainen with his wife Anna- Maija, Hilja and Helvi. The Finns led sessions on health, shared Gods love and also organized games for the seniors participating in the camp. A visitor from Germany stopped by the church, and danced with the participants, to everyones delight! Tatjana, a local doctor came by to inform the participants about vaccinations and also read to them some of her own poetry. Our Heavenly Father provided us good weather for the camps. The common theme for all the camps was Good Shepherd. We were reminded again that our Heavenl y Father cares for us and leads us to salvation. Jesus says: For what my Father wants is that all who see the Son and believe in him should have eternal life. And I will raise them to life on the last day. (John 6:40) The local directors for Kalevala wish to maintain good relationships with our congregation. In July, we had a meeting in the Kalevala town offices to discuss collaboration and possibilities for joint projects. This message is very reassuring for all believers. In August, repairs were done to the chapel in the village of Borov, which is part of the Kalevala congregation. Men from Kuhmo repaired the roof, the furnace and the interior of the chapel. Our heartfelt thanks to these men and to the congregation of Kuhmo. At the moment the greatest need in Russian Karelia is for a senior pastor. Pastor Andrei Savolainen has moved from Karelia to St Petersburg. Pastor Andrei Tuhkanen lives in Finland, and cannot serve as a senior pastor. A. Savolainen is interim senior pastor to the end of 2013. He comes to Karelia once a month. We pray that we will have a good servant in Russian Karelia. Many thanks to the brave Finns who visit Karelia to lead spiritual meetings and worship services. For the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Summer is now over. Our thanks to our Heavenly Father for this time and for all the friends supporting the work in Russian Karelia. The fall and winter are ahead, and these seasons have their own beauty and charm. Many friends in Finland pray for us and help us. In this way, God works through you in distant Russian Karelia. The work needs fuel, but also your prayers. Thank you for your prayers and your support. Fall blessings, A. Tuhkanen, pastor for Russian Karelia