Newsletter: February 2008
Greetings in Christ!
This letter has been long in coming. I want to thank all of you that have been encouraging me despite the length of time since my last letter. It’s that encouragement that brings me to write again. It’s that encouragement combined with the passion in my heart that keeps me pushing in my pursuit of Macedonia.
From Home
As most of you know by now, I am now engaged to be married. I met my fiancée, Rebecca Washburn, here in Redway the summer of 2006. She was here as a summer missionary serving the Humboldt/Del Norte churches. Our friendship took off that summer and developed over the next few months. We felt God drawing us closer and started our dating relationship long distance. This last summer she spent her time here with me so that we could have a time of courtship. At the end of the summer we got engaged. We’re planning on getting married as soon as I return from Macedonia. Until then, she’s studying Public Relations at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.
I’ve been traveling all over northern California preaching and sharing about my trip in efforts to raise support for my trip. I’ve traveled as far south as Fresno, as far east as Loyalton, and all the way down the coast. I’ve also been filling in for local pastors as needed and have been able to develop my preaching skills quite a bit.
From Macedonia
The Thomas family has been hard at work since they returned to Macedonia late last summer. They’ve had the opportunity to rebuild relationships and start several new ministries. One of them is a bussing ministry to take kids from all around the garbage dump area to church. Another new ministry is a soup kitchen based out of the same church.
Macedonia has seen many struggles in the last few months. There has been squabbling in the political arena that’s overflowed into the streets in the form of fist fights. There’s even been a police clash with armed men in the streets which led to a discovery of a weapons cache that was enough to arm a large battalion of soldiers. Macedonia is also working to conform to the requirements of the European Union so that they might gain membership in the near future.
Financial Update
First, thanks to all of you who have already contributed to my trip in pledges or in a one-time donation. It is much appreciated. Unfortunately, I am still in need of more financial support. At this point, I still need to raise about $900 in monthly pledges for my trip. If I were to raise a lump sum equivalent, I would need about $22,000. I need your help to get to Macedonia and serve the church there. I am reminded of the analogy of the church being a body and each part supporting the others. I believe that I need the rest of the body’s support to be able to go to Macedonia and do the work that God has called me to do. I need your support! Please pray about how you might be able to contribute if you are not already. If you are willing to help me get to Macedonia, please send a note stating how much you’re willing to give to: Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802-1894. If you would like to give towards my trip, please send your tax deductible checks to the above address and put the account number 2943561 in the memo line. I can’t do this without your help!
Prayer Needs
1. Pray for me as I prepare to go to the field. Pray that God continues to develop my ministry skills while I remain in the states.
2. Pray for my relationship with Rebecca. Pray that God grows and matures our relationship and continues to prepare and grow us towards marriage.
3. Pray for Macedonia and the surrounding countries in Southeastern Europe. Pray for the church there that God would bless them and their ministry. Pray for the missionaries that are striving to build the church.
4. Pray for the Thomas family and their ministries to the gypsies. Pray for their safety and health. Pray that God will prepare them for my arrival.
5. Pray for my finances. Pray that I will be able to raise the rest of my budget. Pray for the technical details of my trip like where I’ll be living when I get there. Pray that God will continue to open my mind to understand the Macedonian language. Pray that God will prepare me to transition into and understand the Macedonian culture. Pray that God will get me to Macedonia soon!
Thank you all for everything! I really do appreciate every one of you!
Yours in Christ,
Christopher R. Parkinson
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