Coming along

Well - the trip is in process right now.  We have now met twice (once to celebrate a couple of birthdays, including mine), and I really feel like our team is starting to gel.  This may be one of the best mixes of people I've had an opportunity to serve with... three of us have been to Estonia before, one has been to Split a number of times supporting the team out there, and a couple of folks will be making their first journey overseas.

Today, I have been wrapping up my second support request push and I'm really thankful that I'm very close to my goal now (my team is only $5,000 off as of now).  The last item is this blog, so that I can get my support information out to anyone on Facebook that may want to support but doesn't know where -or- why to join with the six of us Georgians heading to Estonia to serve students.  Here's a little bit of the why and the how :-), as well as a little of my story... 

-------------

Beginning in 2007, I have had the opportunity to invest in a community of students in a city halfway across the world that has a vision to influence their culture to know the unconditional & extraordinary love that Christ offers and see it take root in their lives.  This group of students lives in Estonia, a nation where when you walk the streets you will see...

• ·      Alcoholism is rampant and a persistent problem
• ·      Skepticism and mistrust is the norm
• ·      Even neighbors living in the same community, or in the adjacent apartment, will not speak to each other

It can be depressing; even though the Soviet empire has left almost 20 years ago, even in a culture as rich in cultural tradition and learning as Estonia is.  Somehow, darkness is still there; while Soviet Russia is gone it isn’t giving up its grip easily. One thing that Innar, a Christ-follower working on staff at Risttee and a good friend of many in the Buckhead Church community, told me as I arrived in Tallinn in 2009 during my third trip that stuck with me was this:

“Thank you.  For bringing light to this dark place.” 

On June 23^rd, I have the opportunity to return to Estonia to invest in a group of high school aged students that I had the privilege of pouring my life into in the Summer of 2008 during an English Camp trip. I am joining a team from Atlanta, GA to connect with students in an adventure camp that will allow us an opportunity to connect with these students in a way that a week of strict outreach would not allow, even though I am admittingly a little nervous about some of the crazy things the students may make us do (my team members in 2008 can attest to some of these J). 

I am excited about this opportunity to give a week of my life to these students because I believe that through this generation the culture can truly be transformed, and that transformation can start (as it did in the beginning) with a small group of people.  What also excites me, and what I’m praying for, is that the Risttee students will invite their friends… friends who need to know the love of Christ, and during this week they will catch it and come closer to experiencing the happiness that comes from this relationship during this Adventure Camp week.  I am humbled just to be a small part of that.

This is where I need your help, and invite you to join me in this investment in Estonia.

First, I am responsible for assisting our team reach a support goal of over $16,000 for our team members to participate in this journey.   I would be honored if you would assist us through supporting me in my goal to make this trip happen. 

You can give through making an online, tax deductable, donation on the GlobalX website.  To do so, go to this link: https://ssl.northpoint.org/ssl/globalx/

In the Country box, choose “Estonia”

In the trip box, choose “Estonia Estonia Camp 6/23 – 7/3/2011”

In the participant box, type “Chris Willis”

Thank you J

Second, we need your prayers.  Those of you know that have been on mission trips in the past know that if we are to “succeed” in what God has called us to do then we must follow his leading and not do things our way.  Pray that we catch His vision for this trip, and we are not just caught up in the “stuff we are going to be doing” on the trip. 

Third, I need your encouragement.   Those that have followed with me through my Estonia journey know that I have a blog from my prior trips that I would love for you to comment on.  This blog has been taken out of hibernation and I will be posting in here throughout the preparation for the trip and a few times while I’m in Estonia.  Letters and notes are really the #1 way you can encourage and drive me through this journey.