A Good Weekend

Had the opportunity to show our mission presentation to a coworker and her family from work.

Sunday there were more expressions of support and encouragement for our efforts to reach the field.

Momentum is building. It makes me nervous and excited.

At the same time, finding churches that are willing to have us come and speak is proving to be a challenge. In Michigan, budgets are tight, and often churches are already supporting numerous missionaries. Could God be using this circumstance to move us toward a different geographic area to raise support?

Marge and I have been doing some thinking about that. We are testing the waters in some other areas. Keep praying for us.

For now, it's back to work at Pfizer. Pfizer is going well for me. The work is challenging and it keeps me busy. On the down side, I know that at any moment the layoff notice could come. Pfizer is just that predictable right now.

I hope that you all have a great week.

Adam

Can't Sleap

It's nearly midnight on the first day of the year. My family and I celebrated New Years Eve at home, watching a movie, playing cards, and the grand anti-climax of watching the ball drop in Times Square. I enjoyed it.

Tonight is my last day of freedom before returning to work, and I'm too wound up to sleep. Everything is crowding into my brain. In 2008 we expect to raise the majority of our financial support. How could that be possible. We want to put the house up for sale March 1, how will we get it ready to sell? How can it sell in this market?

I'm even jittery about going back to work tomorrow, because even though I'm doing well at work, my heart is in Ceske Budejovice where I belong. Even so, I'm a little worked up about coming potential cuts in our department (again).

How will I do as a missionary? How could an eccentric goofball like me ever do it?

So, all this is swirling around in my head when I would rather be sound asleep. It doesn't help that I've been battling a cold all week.

I'm not unhappy by any means, and I've been fighting back the doubts with the 23rd Psalm and meditations on the Lord, but I would rather just be asleep. I have no doubts whatsoever as to my calling, and I know that God will bring it all into place at the time He deems right. It's an exercises in faith that I'm glad to have. It's just not all that conducive to sleep.

Adam

Back Home Again

It was a weekend of reconnecting with friends from my childhood. We went as a family to the annual banquet at the high school where I grew up. Stayed over night at the house of one of the teachers, because he also goes to the church where I grew up.

We visited Sister Lakes Community church in the morning, and spoke to their missions committee in the afternoon. Sister Lakes Community church has steadily grown over the years, and it continues to serve as a place where people come seeking God's forgiveness.

It was a great weekend.

Devon Church, Chicago, Illihnois

Michael and I boarded a train for Chicago, and Marge and Maryellen took the weekend off. Michael and I had a pleasant trip on Friday. We met my sister Beverly at the union station which was as crowded and chaotic as always.

I had been asked to come and teach on running sound. The seminar I taught was called "Sound Principals: Ministry Through Technology". When we arrived at Devon Church I noticed their mural. It says, "We will not hide these truths from our children, but will tell the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord."

That's a powerful, life changing promise.

It was the first time I had conducted a Sound Principals seminar, but the people that came had lots of questions, and it was an excellent time of learning and discussion.

The premise of the seminar is that in the body of Christ we all impact the group. We either add value to each others lives or generate waste. It's the "value chain" principal of manufacturing. To a degree it certainly rings true in our lives as believers.

It also is true for the components in the audio chain from the microphone to the mixer to the front-of-house speakers. At each point in the audio chain we can add value to the sound or create something that hinders the listener (waste).

I was thrilled at how well the presentation was received. It was also the first time that my son Michael has served as my "tech" on the road. I gave him the outline and he put together the PowerPoint presentation. I like that, because I'm really not good at creative presentations. I'm better at the design side, but never can get it to translate onto the screen. Michael made a great team mate.

We stayed over night and enjoyed leading worship with the worship team at Devon the following day. It was another chance to play bass guitar. In the train station going home, having a bass guitar strapped over my shoulder was a conversation starter.

Adam

Quiet in the Midst of the Busy

I'm busily working away at my desk. It's nearly lunch time, so I thought I was stop to leave a note hear in the blog.

All around me is the combined noise of busy, productive employees and the animated banter of a Friday in the office. Work is fairly busy for me now, so I put on my headphones and listened to a group from Cedarville College called Heartsong.

They were singing a familiar hymn:

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
And I wonder how He could love me a sinner condemned unclean
How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be
How marvelous, Oh, how wonderful is my saviors love for me

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own
He bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone
How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be
How marvelous, Oh, how wonderful is my saviors love for me

When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see
Twill my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me
How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be
How marvelous, Oh, how wonderful is my saviors love for me

It sent shivers down my spine as I worked while my soul worshiped the Lord. Suddenly I realised that I was in this little island of quiet and worship in the midst of the happy clamor of my coworkers.

It is quite profound. God's fearsomely beautiful holiness somehow comes closer into view, and it's all I can do, but to find a quiet corner somewhere and weep over Jesus sacrifice on the cross, and God's kind provision of life.

It's quite real yet quite invisible to those around me.

Adam

Frequently Asked Questions

1. PRAYER SUPPORT
2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT
3. PRE-FIELD PREPARATIONS
4. ONCE WE ARE IN THE CZECH

1. PRAYER SUPPORT


2. FINANCIAL GIFTS & SUPPORT

Q: Where do one-time gifts go?
A: One-time or "special" gifts are counted in our Outfit and Passage account. Prior to leaving for the field, we will need to have $45,000 in that account. Outfit and Passage is a one time fund that pays for travel expenses, shipping household items, purchasing a vehicle, outfitting our home, language study, etc. Because all electrical in the Czech (and much of Europe) is 220v none of our home appliances will work. Also, apartments and homes do not usually come with any cupboards, cabinets or light fixtures. We will have to purchase those furnishings and all our appliances.

Q: If I want to be a monthly financial supporter is there a special number or code I should put on the check?
A: Yes, two things:
1) Include our missionary identification number on your check or money order. It is 013408.
2) If you plan to send a monthly amount also note "monthly support" on your check or money order. ABWE will automatically count your donation as a one time gift until you let them know you are a monthly supporter or you've sent the same donation three months in a row.

Q: Where do I send financial donations?
A: Send check or money order to:
ATTN: Parmenter Support #013408
ABWE, P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585


3. PRE-FIELD PREPARATION


4. WHEN WE ARE IN THE CZECH

Q: How long will you stay?
A: We are committing to a life long career with ABWE. We will initially stay in the Czech for one full term which equals four years. At the end of the first term we return to the states for about one year to visit our family & supporters, make needed arrangements for our children's education, attend training, etc. Then we go back for our second term and the cycle starts over again.

October Update

SHARING THE CROWN OF LIFE

Parmenters and the Mission to the Czech Republic

OCTOBER UPDATE

I'm about two weeks behind for this month's newsletter, but here it is.

WHAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

I've heard ministers encourage us not to take our freedom of worship for granted. Can you imagine living in Central & Eastern Europe under communism just about 16 years ago? Christians were considered uneducated or unenlightened. They were monitored, restricted, and arrested. Click on this link to see the testimony of a young lady, Gabriela Henson, who grew up in a Christian family and came to Christ as a child, while living under the communist regime in Romania. She is interviewed on the show "Giving an Answer."

CZECH NEWS

Is Russia returning to it's imperialist ways? Some in Prague are concerned. Click here to learn more.

GIVING THANKS

Because of a special donation and generous monthly support, I'll be ordering a video projector today. We are thankful and humbled by how God is providing through the generosity of people.

Also, we are giving thanks for an anonymous gift of gasoline gift cards. We were given two $25 BP gift cards. This past weekend we traveled to central Illinois for Marge's parents 60th wedding anniversary. It was an absolutely critical trip, that we were hard pressed to afford. It was also something that isn't strictly missions related so we didn't feel like we could share it as a support need. Even so, God provided through the generosity of other believers and family. What a joy to celebrate with family, and to visit Marge's parents. Marge and I only have 44 years to go to reach our 60th anniversery. Marge also had numerous opportunities to connect with friends and family and share our vision for the Czech Republic.

PLEASE PRAY

• Safety in upcoming travel to Indiana (River of Life Church) and Chicago (Devon Church).
• We need to put our house up for sale early next year. Selling our house will let us focus more time and energy on our pre-field efforts.
• As always please pray that each day our focus will be on Christ and that we would each have a desire to know and please Him.

ADVANCEMENT IN THE CZECH

The Bible study in Ceske Krumlov continues with about 7 attendees. None of those in attendance are Christians. Please pray that those seven will attend regularly and that the Bible study will grow.

Also in Ceske Krumlov, English-as-a-Foreign-Language class will be starting back up. Pray that they will continue to make and build relationships through these classes.

The Baptist Theological Seminary in Pelrimov has launched is very first semester with 7 students. In the meantime, remodeling work on the seminary building is still underway. The building contains both the classrooms and the living quarters. One of the students is doubling as the construction manager, overseeing volunteers. Please pray that the work will continue safely and efficiently.

Ron and Brenda Barnes are making preparations to return to the states for a visit and some speaking engagements. Pray for their safety as well as an enjoyable and productive trip.

PRE-FIELD PREPARATIONS

We are continuing to emphasize home and personal visits. This is an enjoyable way to build relationships and to share our vision for ministry in the Czech Republic.

In the next several weeks we will be visiting in a number of homes with church sponsored small groups and simply with families and friends. October 27th we will be presenting and I'll be preaching at The River of Life church in Warsaw, IN. A more detailed schedule is included at the end of this newsletter.

• Prayer Support

Romans 15:30
"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."

We are building a prayer squad at Bethel, and looking to start prayer squads at other churches, and with individuals as well. We have about 13 people so far who have met with us to commit to praying for us daily or weekly. We welcome anyone who would like to be part of our committed prayer support.

We understand that many people are praying for us perhaps when they get our newsletter and whenever God brings us to mind. You are very much appreciated.

However, if you feel called to make praying for the Parmenters in missions your personal ministry, and you would be willing to pray for us one or more times per week, please get in touch with us. We will want to add you to our prayer squad. You will receive a weekly prayer update, special notices as things come up, and as our pre-field work progresses we may even set up a call tree to use in the event of an emergency. We also try to personally visit with all of our prayer squad members.

Financial Support

Currently we are at $100 (or 1.51%) of our required $6,638.33 monthly support. You might be thinking "Hey, it should be more than that, because I'm sending in $?.??." We've received over $1000 in special one-time gifts in the last month (which we will use for the projector). Until you send the same gift three months in a row or designate your gift as monthly support it will be counted as a one-time gift.

FAQ: Where do one-time gifts go? One-time or "special" gifts are counted in our Outfit and Passage account. Prior to leaving for the field, we will need to have $45,000 in that account. Outfit and Passage is a one time fund that pays for travel expenses, shipping household items, purchasing a vehicle, outfitting our home, language study, etc. Because all electrical in the Czech (and much of Europe) is 220v none of our home appliances will work. Also, apartments and homes do not usually come with any cupboards, cabinets or light fixtures. We will have to purchase those furnishings and all our appliances.

At this point, we are using both our monthly support and Outfit and Passage to pay for the start up expenses of pre-field.

FAQ: If I want to be a monthly financial supporter is there a special number or code I should put on the check? Yes, two things:

1. Include our missionary identification number on your check or money order. It is 013408.
2. If you plan to send a monthly amount also note "monthly support" on your check or money order. ABWE will automatically count your donation as a one time gift until you let them know you are a monthly supporter or you've sent the same donation three months in a row.

Send checks to:

ATTN: Parmenter Support #013408

ABWE, P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585

• Other special needs?

We are beginning to think about putting our house up for sale. If you know anybody in the Kalamazoo area who may be looking for a starter home, please have them contact us.

Also, another big expense is gas and meals while traveling. Gas cards (BP & Speedway are good) and restaurant gift cards are very useful. Phone cards are nice, but we will typically use our cell phone.

Thanks for taking the time to read and pray for us.