Joseph Huse, of rural Flora, recently returned from a mission involvement experience in the country of Estonia. He was part of an eight-member team of American Baptists from the Indianapolis region who were envoys of the denomination to the Estonian Baptist Union and the children's ministry at The Lighthouse, a community center in Tallinn, the capitol city.

While in Estonia, the team visited the Baptist Seminary in Tartu, participated in worship in both Russian and Estonian Baptist churches, had an audience with the executive minister of the Evangelical Free and Baptist Union, and assisted in the work of The Lighthouse Ministries.

Work at The Lighthouse included a variety of improvements to the facility as well as classes for the children in an after-school program. The focus of the trip was children in poverty, the national theme of the American Baptist Churches USA National Ministries.

Formerly one of the Soviet occupied countries, Estonia is now a democratic country with a thriving free-market economy. About one-third the size of Indiana, Estonia has a population of 1.3 million people. Since the Soviet time ended in 1991, the people have been free to exercise their religious preferences. An ecumenical consortium of evangelicals and Baptists rank second to the dominant Lutheran churches.

As a result of the team's contacts, several follow-up opportunities for sharing in ministry are being explored including supplying books for the seminary library, used clothing for distribution among those in need, and a return visit in a series of teaching seminars.

Huse is available to speak to groups about his trip. He has a power point presentation to illustrate his experiences and observations.