The Gothic spires, cobblestone streets, quaint shops and warm cafes that adorn the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have frequently caused visitors to refer to this tidy little corner of the USSR as "Soviet Scandinavia". Rather than strolling down boulevards to landmarks bearing the names of Communist luminaries like Marx and Lenin, one is more likely to encounter such delightful names as Long Leg and Short Leg streets and Peep into the Kitchen promontory. The fair complected, highly educated and fashionably dressed people who live here are more akin to the Germans, Danes and Finns than to their Slavic countrymen. Because Western fads and thinking often enter the Soviet Union through the Baltic republics - frequently via Finnish TV broadcasts from across the Gulf of Finland - the area has collectively become known as Russia's "window to the West".

The most northern of the Baltic peoples are the Estonians. Although the smallest of the Soviet Union's fifteen republics according to population, Estonia has, as a result of its Protestant work ethic, managed to become the most prosperous and productive of them all. Estonians like precision. If they say the bus leaves at 2:30 those who arrive at 2:31 will take a taxi. They are also highly educated, with twice as many students per 10,000 inhabitants than either Great Britain or France and with per capita book sales said to be the highest in the world.

Like their Estonian neighbours the Latvians are also music connoisseurs. Song and dance festivals have been held since 1873. One traditional celebration is the Midsummer Eve festival known as Ligo. Name Day also has a long tradition in Latvia. Each name has its own day - all printed on government calenders. Everyone stays home on his or her Name Day to entertain friends. It is like an open house; no one is invited but everyone is expected.

Unfortunately many Latvians are living with the twin chains of alcoholism and divorce. In recent years nearly one out of every two marriages has been dissolved - nearly three times the national average. As a consequence, Latvians presently have one of the lowest birthrates in the world. Lutheranism has historically been the religion of the Latvians, although the Roman Catholic Church has a strong foothold here as well.

It is in Lithuania that Catholicism has the greatest influence. With over two-thirds of its population committed to the church, Lithuania has become one of the most devoted Catholic nations in the world. Priests generally demonstrate great concern about the spiritual welfare of their flocks and do not hesitate to make home visits to encourage the needy. Special attention to youth has led to unusually high church attendance and commit ment by Lithuanian young people. A Lithuanian housewife must be a wonder on earth, for there is a saying that a good housewife can make a pan of soup out of an axe. Fortunately there are other things to eat in Lithuania, although one might prefer mutton pie to "Lithuanian sausages" - freshwater eels. The Lithuanians are marvellous craftsmen and for years have fashioned into exquisite jewellery the abundant amber mined from their shores.

PRAY:
-for God to move upon the hearts of Soviet Estonians through Christian television broadcasts - such as "JESUS", a film on the life of Christ - beamed from neighbouring Finland.

PRAY:
-for Christians in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, and particularly for the outreach of Olivisti Baptist Church, the main evangelical body in the city.

PRAY:
-for God to bring healing and salvation to the many broken homes and marriages in Latvia.

PRAY:
-for spiritual revival to sweep Lithuanian Catholic believers. PRAY especially that many priests and lay people will be drawn to a life changing study of God's Word.

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