Family, Friends & Ministry Partners,
Hello from sunny and beautiful (believe it or not) Bonn, Germany. Things
are going well here! I just returned from a ten-day trip to Romania
(more on that below). I am glad to be back home with my family and getting
on with ministry in the Bonn area.
We are currently planning for our summer trip back to the States. If you
would like to have either Robin or me speak at your church or group, please
let us know as soon as possible so we can try to schedule it. We hope to
see as many of you as possible in July.
QUICK NOTES:
* We have just finished updating our website. If you've not seen it in
awhile, please stop by for a look: http://www.perrinministries.org.
* Our Timothy Project kicks off this Fall. If you have a heart for
missions and are interested in a one- or two-year missions internship, this
may be the right opportunity for you. Please check out the Timothy
Project at our website (above).
IN MINISTRY NEWS...
As I said, I just returned from a service project in Taut, Romania with
Youth Compass, an organization that reaches out to International School
teens. There were 150 of us in all. Our mission was clean up the former
Communist children's indoctrination camp (which was partially destroyed in a
fire and abandoned five years ago) and prepare it for further
reconstruction, and to build a perimeter fence (a HUGE task). I'm pleased
to report that we accomplished all our objectives and led a number of
students to Christ as well!
These students gave up 10 days of their Spring Break (including two 28 hr.
bus trips) to prepare the camp for street kids (numbering in the thousands)
in neighboring Arad. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience. The
ground was so soggy and the mud so deep that the tractors we used to haul
away debris got hung up a few times, but the group worked hard anyway.
Whether it was clearing debris, digging post holes, cooking and applying the
tar for the fence posts, building decks or fence panels, or installing these
fence posts and panels, they didn't complain (much)... even when the
electricity and water was out of commission and the toilets wouldn't work.
We had to walk to a water source to fill up a bucket of water in order to
flush the toilets. I wish I had time to tell all the stories, but I don't,
so I'll just give you a quick one.
A 17 year-old named Azil was assigned to my work crew. On the first work
day as we cleared out trash and brush, I asked her about her future plans.
She knew she wanted to do something significant, but wasn't sure how or
what. I began gradually to share about God's plan for her life. On the
last work day, she prayed and asked Jesus to come be the Lord of her life.
It was incredible! On the return bus trip, she told me she was so happy and
couldn't quit smiling.
Another benefit of such trips is making connections with other youth
leaders. I met the leader of the Anglican church youth ministries in
Central Europe. She asked if I could help her train the youth leaders in
their 30 churches.
In other news, Robin and I have been asked by the director of the
Koenigswinter high school to start an after-school conversational English
class. Apparently many parents have been complaining about the level of
English education the students have received. He has given us the green
light to use the Bible or anything else we want to help the students learn
English.
Our upcoming April/May schedule (in addition to meeting with individuals):
- Sat, Apr. 30: New Life Fellowship in Moenchengladbach, Germany speaking at
a youth outreach.
- Sat, May 28: New Life Fellowship in Düsseldorf, Germany speaking to the
choir and youth group and teaching the church leadership.
ON THE HOME FRONT...
Robin and the kids are doing great. Robin's back is getting better
everyday. Her physical therapy is going well. She really likes her
physical therapist. As a side note, her German skills are rapidly
improving! Ryan is excelling in reading and math. He is getting all
excited about his ninth birthday in two weeks. Ashton is quite the "mother"
for all the younger kids in her Kindergarten. She has an amazing gift for
art
and abstract thinking. And Emma... well she is the life of any party! She
doesn't know a stranger.
Again let us say how thankful we are for your friendship, encouragement, and
prayer and financial support. You make all of this possible.
Your missionaries to Europe,
Jon, Robin, Ryan, Ashton & Emma Perrin
Perrin Ministries
http://www.perrinministries.org
PS. Prayer Requests and Projects for April:
* Robin's surgical and hospitalization bills paid (approx. $13,000 USD)
* Continued favor and open doors, especially in the school system.
* Direction, protection and provision.
* Another vehicle so we can be in more than one place at the same time.
* Finances to keep our children in the Bonn International School next
year. And that the Dollar would strengthen, making the exchange rates more
favorable.
* A good digital camcorder so we can create quality video resources for
outreach and training.
* The right interns and pastors for the Timothy Project (see our
website: http://www.perrinministries.org) so we can reach a lost
generation for Christ.
** All finances received over and above the required project amounts will go
into the general operating fund.
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US Office Address (Financial support)
Perrin Ministries
P.O. Box 940846
Plano, TX 75094-0846
* You can also donate online at our website: http://www.perrinministries.org
Germany Home Address:
Jon & Robin Perrin
Kirchgasse 30
53501 Grafschaft
Germany
jon@...