Yesterday, June 16, we worshiped with the small congregation in the city of Larissa, Greece. Larissa is located 45 minutes south of the Greek Ministry House. We had a wonderful time with our brothers and sisters there and conveyed special greetings from Gilead Bible Church of San Ramon. Gilead and the Evangelical Church of Larissa have enjoyed a loving partnership for at least ten years. We thank God for this relationship, which is one of the many spiritual fruits of The Macedonian Outreach.
Annie and Robert Ching are planning to join us again in September, accompanied by Pastor Wilson and Charis Chan. Together we will serve the Lord in Greece and potentially in one or more of our Balkan countries.
This is Vula’s niece Christine Aardema. When Auntie Vula arrived this year, my husband Dean, daughter Kendall and I were all waiting for her. We hardly wasted any time before heading to Bulgaria to see our people in the villages there. In the two years it had been since my family had been to Bulgaria, it was easy to see some wonderful changes. The people of Pamukchii looked healthy and happy. As our loving Father prepares a heavenly home for us, the earthly homes that have been built help to bring dignity to the people there, and show them the love of the Father. Our time of worship, prayer and encouragement was sweet, and the children were delighted with the treats we had brought for them. It’s possible they enjoyed the bananas most of all! We played over/under with beach balls and the smallest little boy couldn’t put the ball between his legs, so the boy behind him in line pushed, and the boy in front of him pulled, but he was too small. All the kids started laughing, with the little guy laughing the hardest. Very sweet. It was very exciting to see the electric substation which is starting to be connected and will provide electricity to all fourteen homes there.
We also worshipped at the church in Yastrebevo on Sunday, and it was wonderful to visit with people we have known now for so many years. We’ve seen prayers for healing answered, children grow up, and the whole community lifted.
Because the children of Yastrebevo continue to get educated, they are able to now find jobs. Some of them are working outside of the country, and while we would like to see them staying in the community, we are grateful they are working.
The highlight was reuniting with Gopi and Raina and their girls, our partners in ministry there, and hearing all that God was doing. Anyone who knows them loves them, and prayers are always appreciated for the work that God is doing here.
-Christine
Pamukchii families and homes
Yastrebevo church
Dear Friends,
We are deeply saddened to announce that our long-time Secretary of the Board Linda Applegate passed away on Saturday morning, March 23. Her passing, following elective back surgery a couple weeks prior, came as a shock to all of us. She faithfully served this organization for 25+ years. She will be sorely missed.
Vula especially will miss her friend of 69 years. Linda and Vula met in 1955 when Vula came from Greece. They attended high school together, Immaculate Conception Academy, and worked together at Del Monte Corporation. Linda lived with the Rushdoonys the last 35 years since the Oakland Hills fires of 1989. As difficult and as sad as this sounds, the best is yet to come. Heaven is awaiting!
The Macedonian Outreach Board
Dear friends and family,
It is with great sadness that I want to tell you that our beloved president of the Board, Terry Thompson, went to be with our Lord yesterday morning at John Muir Hospital. Terry faithfully served the Lord and The Macedonian Outreach from the beginning of this ministry.
He will be greatly missed.
We will remember him with gratitude always,
The Macedonian Outreach Board