Estonia Heritage Tour (Remote Translation Office)

Estonia is about 1/2 the size of Indiana bit bigger than NJ.  There are 54 congregations (1/2 Estonian, 1/2 Russian). Almost all congregations have their own Kingdom Hall.  Ratio of JW publishers to population 1:321 (compared to US 1:256).  The mayor gave local JW a special Chimney sweeper award because we clean up society the way they clean chimneys.

Bible exhibition: Currently there are over 100 translations of NWT on display. 

Including this one. . .

From tablet to tablet

Theocratic schools held here since 2000. Over 600 students have graduated. Interestingly, most couples from Russia and Siberia. 

Heritage Tour

1930s: Can you imagine trying to ride a bike carrying a loaded book bag, phonograph and heavy box of records?  One brother thought about it, but didn't pull it off. We got to listen to a recorded talk by Bro Rutherford. And to see a mock radio station. By 1933: Radio broadcasts were made in 6 languages. The listening audience was vast; Finland, Norway, even New York.  During this era, they received a nice thank you postcard with some advice. "Heard your Russian broadcast. It was very good except for some words you mid-pronounced." Although the words were not perfect, the message was received. 

During the Soviet and Siberia times

1950s: Deportation to Siberia April 1, 1951.  Only one Finnish sister managed to remain in Estonia during the Soviet regime.

Hiding place for literature in house beam. 

Can you find the hidden literature on this shelf? 

There was also an outside exhibition which included cars from Soviet times and sawing work during Siberean times.

After Siberia

Bro. Silliksaar shared his personal experience with underground printing and showed us how it was done. By 1965, most brothers had returned from Siberia. By 1982, the greatest need was spiritual food - had to figure out how to print literature for ourselves. Machine made holes in the fabric, ink pressed through paper to make the copy. Used nylon fabric: strong and transparent = good for this work.

Dipped nylon fabric in natural honey for wax - when cold it is hard.  Heat the wax to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and added solvent RS-2.  Once cooled, put fabric with background paper in typewriter and print is typed out. 

Then press the ink through the holes in the fabric onto the final paper. First page is usually not good. By 5th page it is readable. Could print a max of 120 pages from one master.

How long to make one magazine?  4-6 hours nighttime work after the wax paper and typing is completed. 

Where did the original text come from?  Went to the border like spies for secret appointments to get the Russian microfilm, then it had to be translated to Estonian. 

At the end of his talk, the "KGB" arrived and "arrested" our dear brother.  Stacy tried to come to his aid and was arrested as well. They were only detained for a brief time - and were soon reunited with his grandson and English interpreter Sander who now serves at the Finland branch. 

As you can see, the friends went above and beyond to give us a one of a kind experience.  But we learned from delegates that are here from Russia that their government has just officially banned the JW.org website yesterday.  So while this was an fantastic exhibit, it is unfortunately not just ancient history.  Please continue to pray for our Christian brothers all over the world.