Where Are They Now?

What are the members of Sojourn up to these days?



Adam



Well, my wife Marge and I (Adam) have just passed the application phase of being accepted for missionary service with ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evanglism). Look at previous blog posts for more information on that or go to my missions blog at http://journey2missions.blogspot.com/.



I also keep a blog where I write about me being diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, and my thoughts related to it. http://aspiesinc.blogspot.com/



I miss rockin with the guys. I don't know if or when we will do any kind of a formal concert, but it will be fun to get together to hand out every so often.



Dean



Dean, is an elder in his church. He is spending his spare time also serving as worship leader. Marge and I had a chance to visit his church a couple of weeks ago. Dean and I sang a couple of Sojourn songs together. It felt really good. Dean does an excellent job as worship leader, and the service was a blessing.



John and Tim:

--need infor from them--



I'll update this soon to let you know what they are up to



Sojourn Alumni:



Scott Parmenter

Scott works as a pattern maker (car parts not dresses). In his spare time he is in the Gospel quarter Imperfect Covers. He and his wife are learning how to be chocolatiers and they also have fun making gormet meals together. Their home is a nice place to visit for meals.



Steve Terwilliger

--Check back here later for an update--



Denny Jeltema

--Check back here later for an update--

1) Progress Update
2) Journey to the Czech Republic
3) Please Pray
4) Donations Accepted
5) Calendar
6) Keep in Touch

PROGRESS UPDATE
We've passed an important milestone in our mission journey. Saturday 29-April-2007 we sat for the Doctrinal Oral Exam. Don Trott, from ABWE, presided over the meeting in which Bethel leadership questioned us on matters of Bible doctrine. The intent is to confirm that our grasp of truth from the Bible is scripturally sound and consistent with that of our church and ABWE. We passed that examination and are honored that Bethel leaders consider us trustworthy to communicate God's Word (the Bible) throughout the world. The following day (Sunday) during the morning church service pastor Arledge affirmed Bethel's commitment to be our sending church and to be supportive of us both on and off the field.

Then on Monday we received a confirmation e-mail from Don Trott that we have been approved to attend Candidate Seminar. We felt a mix of elation, relief and a sense of wonder. Candidate Seminar runs Saturday 7-July through Sunday 15-July, and at the successful completion of Candidate Seminar we will be recognized as missionary appointees.
We feel a sense of wonder, because God is accomplishing His work in our lives. It seems that as we are willing to move forward in faith, God strengthens our faith and becomes in our perception all the more real and powerful.

When we return from Candidate Seminar we will be putting our house up for sale. We may have to live in an apartment for a while, but we want to be ready to go when the time is right.

JOURNEY TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
I checked on our passports, for which we applied over eight weeks ago, and was assured that they are "being worked on", so we went ahead and purchased the tickets. This survey trip is the next important milestone in discerning God's direction for our lives. The trip will cost about $2700, and so far family and friends have donated about $1,200. The trip is outside our human means, so it's exciting to see God provide for our needs.

The purpose of the trip is for Marge and me to have exposure to the culture, language, and the work ABWE is doing in the Czech Republic. It's also important for Pastor Barnes to get more exposure to us. It is critical that Pastor Barnes, his family, and we Parmenters can enjoy being together and working together. The unity and emotional health of a mission team is critical to successful mission work.

PRAY FOR US
Prayer is of greatest importance in living and working for God. Please pray for us.

*Pray that each member of our family will develop and continue the habit of daily times of quiet with God (prayer, reading and meditating in the Bible).
*Pray that we would continue to learn how to be bold in our faith while we exercise prudent wisdom. The two go together.
*Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us with a child-like faith, trusting God for passports, finances, and clear direction.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED
We are encouraged by the gifts that have been sent to Bethel for us. Please, don't think of it as just a financial donation. All of you who have given to our support, are participating in God's work in the lives of the Parmenter family and ultimately in the lives of those whom we serve. You are also encouraging the people of Bethel, by showing us that God provides through generous people to do whatever He has in mind.

If you would like to help out with our Survey Trip expenses, please send a check made payable to Bethel Baptist Church and note Parmenter Missions in the memo portion of the check. You can send your donation to

ATTN: Donation for Parmenter Missions Bethel Baptist Church 402 South Westnedge Kalamazoo, MI 49007

CALENDAR
Sunday 6-May-2007 First Baptist Church, South Haven, MI / Adam singing, AM service Sunday 13-May-2007 Home at Bethel Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, MI Sunday 20-May-2007 Covenant Community Church, Redford Township, MI / Adam singing, AM service Sunday 27-May-2007 Home at Bethel Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, MI 2-June through 11-June Survey Trip to Czech Republic

Parmenter Missions

I'm sending out a monthly newsletter that covers the Parmenter's progress. Send me an e-mail if you want to get a copy of it.

adam(at)parmenterclan.com

In the e-mail address above replace (at) with @ so that it will work.

Adam

Parmenter Missions March Update

This is a reprint of the Monthly Parmenter Family Missions e-Mail Update

To see more regular postings on Parmenter Missions efforts go to http://journey2missions.blogspot.com/

PROGRESS UPDATE

Marge and I have two requirements before we are cleared to attend Candidate Seminar. One is to complete a doctrinal oral exam. The second is to go on a survey trip. The more we learn the more we feel a draw to Eastern Europe, and the Czech Republic in particular. So, I'm committing time each day to beef up my understanding of the core teachings of our Christian faith. The idea being that Marge and I will be able to articulate what we believe and point to where that belief is supported in the Bible. It's a little daunting to think of such an exam, but the study has invigorated my mind and heart, and brought into a deeper sense of awe and wonder at who God is. I'm also taking a leadership training course with the deacons at our home church Bethel Baptist. Marge is studying for the doctrinal exam as well, but is also kept very busy learning how to cook for the kids and me with our new diet restrictions. No gluten and no mild proteins (and a few other restrictions). The diet change has improved my health and mental function measurably. It's had a big impact on the children as well. My wife is an encouragement to us.

JOURNEY TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC

My weekend with Pastor Barnes from the Czech Republic went well (see previous update). It was sobering to realize that Marge and I are feeling more and more drawn to this place. I spoke some more with Don Trott the Missions Mobilizer from ABWE and with Pastor Barnes, and we agreed that now is the time to schedule a survey trip. I also found out that applicants for service in Eastern Europe are required to take a survey trip and ABWE wants us to do so prior to attending Candidate Seminar. We've set a date for 2-June-2007 through 12-June-2007. I don't have many more details about it yet, but those will develop as the time draws near. The survey trip will differ from a typical missions trip in that the purpose is to get as big of a dose of the culture and ministry as possible. So, I'm hoping that we use mass transit, do things like shop in the grocery store and make our way around town. That gives us a feel for the first year on the field. I also hope that we can meet as many of the families from the church there as possible. The trip presents challenges of financing and locating a competent Christian adult to stay with the children while we travel. It will be exciting and affirming to see how God provides. PLEASE

PRAY
Pray that we as a family each will develop and continue a daily time of quiet with God. Pray that we would grow to enjoy these times, and guard those times.
Pray that we would continue to learn how to both step out in faith, and exercises prudent wisdom.
Pray that we would trust in God to provide our finances. Pray that we would have a trusting child-like faith.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

My family and I are grateful for those who have chosen to send money. I haven't seen a list of who has donated yet, so I can't thank you personally. However, enough generous donations have come into Bethel to cover the cost of my trip to Newark last weekend, and to cover the cost of purchasing passports in preparation for the trip to the Czech Republic. I don't have the exact costs yet, but it could cost us as much as $3,000. We are thrilled over how God has provided so far, and know that he will equip us to do all that He has planned. As always, please don't feel any pressure to give money. Your prayers and friendship are most important. However, if you feel God leading you to help monetarily, send donations to:
ATTN: Donation for Parmenter Missions
Bethel Baptist Church
402 South Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'm not afraid any more. I just realised that today. For quite a while I was having missions panic attacks. When I decided to travel to Newark to meet with Pastor Barnes, I was very worried. Now I'm getting this feeling of calm. I'm realising that I'm safer taking risks with God than living in my own will. This experience has made me a better man and drawn me closer to God.
In Christ,
Adam Parmenter
On behalf of Marge and the kids

Guys Night Out

Last thursday, the guys in the band got together for an evening together and a little jamming. We mostly talked as we hadn't been together for a long time. It was great just to hang out and catch up with each other.

We jam for a bit. A bit rusty, but it still sounded good. Out "set list" was
Faith
Here With Me
For Today
All My Dreams
Cats In The Cradle
There Is Hope
Seasons

It was a great night.

Adam

Talking Dog for Sale

There is no real point in this posting other than I thought the joke below was funny.

------------

It was late afternoon near Savannah, Tennessee. Johnny was riding back from a gig in Nashville. He sat with his head against the window of the bus looking bored at the roadside as it passed. A sign in front of a house changed his boredom to curiosity, and he had his driver turn around. The sign said:

“Talking Dog for Sale”

He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a yellow Labrador retriever sitting there.

“You talk?” he asks.

“Yep,” the Lab replies.

“So, what's your story?”

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in."

"I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

Johnny is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the singer says.

"Ten dollars? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"

"'Cause he's a liar! He never did any of that stuff!"

----------------

Adam

Missions Update

I have been corresponding via e-mail with Pastor Ron Barnes for the past couple of weeks. Ron Barnes is an ABWE missionary involved with church planting and training in the Czech Republic. Several years ago the president of the Baptist Union in the Czech Republic invited ABWE to assist them in the work of church planting, Bible training, and leadership training in the Southern Bohemia region.

The Czech Republic is one of the more stable post-communist countries in Eastern Europe. However, 60% of adults identify themselves as atheists. It is the least evangelized country in Eastern Europe. In Southern Bohemia there is only one Baptist church which is in the city of Ceske Budejovice. There are few other Bible believing churches in the region. Pastor Barnes is currently supporting the work of the Baptist church in Ceske Budejovice, and two other church plants that will be starting up within the year. He is also coordinating work on starting a Bible Seminary in a nearby city.

I sent Pastor Barnes some information about me, our family, and our call to missions, and we corresponded a number of times via e-mail. The work in Southern Bohemia is of great interest to us, so I made arrangements for Pastor Barnes to call me via internet phone on Saturday morning. I was on one phone and Marge and the children were on the speaker phone. We spent about two hours getting to know one another, and working to get a broader sense of the work and culture in the Southern Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. It turns out that he will be in the states for about one week, and will have the afternoon free on Sunday 18-Feb.

After Marge and I spoke with him on the phone, we really felt like working with the team in the Czech Republic could be an excellent fit for us. Typically the next step is to take a survey trip to meet the team there, spend time with the church members and leaders, and experience the culture. However, since Pastor Barnes is going to be in the states, I decided the best next step would be to fly out to Newark where he will be and spend the afternoon with him. We’ll share a hotel room together and then go our separate ways. Choosing a field of service and joining a missionary team is something like a marriage.

If my meeting with Pastor Barnes goes well, and we all think we should take the next step, then we will schedule a survey trip. This is all very new for me, and asking for help is not something I am accustomed to do. That said, I have already received several offers to help with travel expenses, and that help will be needed. These trips are completely outside our budget, so we are trusting God to provide, and believe He will.


Donations Accepted

Bethel Baptist Church has set up a special account for anyone who would like to donate toward our missionary expenses. This account is only temporary in that when we are officially appointed as ABWE missionaries, then we will have an account set up with them. We will be appointed as ABWE missionaries upon successful completion of Candidate Seminar.

In the meantime we will have several times when we will need to travel. I’m already starting to set up dates to go share my testimony and sing at some churches where I have family or I have been to before. I’m not officially raising support, but this gives me an opportunity to make contact, encourage people, and share with them how God has been working in our lives. We will need help with the expenses of traveling to churches, the trip this weekend, the survey trip, and travel to Candidate Seminar.

As always, please don’t feel any pressure to give money. Your prayers and friendship are most important. However, if you would like to give some money, please send it to:

ATTN: Donation for Parmenter Missions
Bethel Baptist Church
402 South Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49007


Keep in touch.

We would love to hear how you are doing. The best way to get in touch with us is via this e-mail link. If you would like to send us an old fashioned paper letter, I promise one of us (or several of us) will write back to you. You can write to us at Parmenter Family 1512 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.

Finally, let me know how we can pray for you. We want to support you with our prayers even as you are so kindly praying for us.

In Christ,

Adam Parmenter
On behalf of Marge and the kids

Czech

I've been corresponding with the missionary who is the country coordinator for the Czech Republic. He is getting a new work going there in the Southern Bohemia (a region of the Czech republic). There is only one Baptist church in Southern Bohemia.

ABWE reports that in a survey 60% of adults identified themselves as atheists. ABWE was invited in to work in Southern Bohemia to train national believers as maturing believers, leaders, and church planters.

I've been reading a little about Bohemia and learning what I can. Marge and I are very interested, and are scheduled to have a phone conversation with Pastor Ron Barnes who is the team leader/country coordinator in the Czech Republic.

Pray that if this is the best place for us to serve the Lord that God will clearly draw our family to the work there.

Adam