Carolyn Gibson

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

This past Christmas season was a busy one for me as I oversaw the annual Christmas Eve service at the International Church in Skopje.
This year the youth really stepped up and crafted a wonderful presentation that included a time machine that traveled back to the time of Jesus' birth and shared the "Timeless Truth" of salvation found in Him. It was truly a rewarding and stretching experience for all and I must say my greatest joy was to see the kids enter everything with prayer, desiring that peoples hearts be touched with that "Timeless Truth," as well as to witness how they each grew in their relationship with Christ through the process.
The Christmas program went really well and it was amazing to look out into the congregation and NOT recognize about 40% of the people! We had so many visitors! Many seeds were planted that night and we'd appreciate your prayers for those who attended as well as for those who have begun to attend the church.

Aside from bookkeeping for the Bosnia and Balkan fields, I do the books for the International Church as well as set-up and now consult for the ministry center books in Kosovo. After 9 years I still love my "job" and being able to support an amazing group of C&MA workers here. Please continue to pray for me as I support them in this way.

In addition to bookkeeping, and as alluded to above, I am also heavily involved in the International Church in Skopje. It has been an amazing journey for me as the Lord has stretched me as a worship leader to mentoring other young worship leaders... many who, due to the transitional nature of the expat community, have moved on to other parts of the world now. It's been just a joy to lead worship each week and to be witness to people entering into a closer relationship with the Lord... It's so amazing to me to see just how much God has grown me through this process as well... from a girl who was so terrified to sing a solo at church in the 90's that the worship pastor almost pulled me to now when I'm leading a worship team and encouraging others through that same fear and all the while keeping focused on the One whom we glorify and sing praises to. Honestly, I do covet your prayers as I continue to lead and facilitate the worship team at the International Church... may He always be brought and given all the glory.

*****

Wow. It's amazing to me that I'm now in my 10th year on the field.... fully half of my adult life. As the field bookkeeper it's really incredible to be a small part in a much bigger picture of what the Lord is doing here and in hearts and lives. I'm grateful for the doors that have been opened to be involved outside of the office as well. Specifically with the International Church plant as a worship leader and facilitator to leading a weekly women's prayer breakfast and monthly prayer brunches. What a joy to develop relationships with people and to see their lives challenged and what a privilege to pray together.

The work here is definitely progressing but we really need your prayers as well as it's still very much a sowing situation. More and more I'm convinced that the first and most important work that we can do is to pray... and pray with purpose. Just recently I stopped long enough to read some of the graffiti on the wall in the basement of my building that just broke my heart and yet urged me to pray:
‎"In the darkness we live our lives in the darkness we die again... no one really cares anyways."

Won't you join me in praying for the Light to shine in the darkness here and reach this lost heart that took pen to wall in a basement... as well as to reach the many other hearts that may share this sentiment. Thank you.

Thank you so much for sending me here and for your support, prayer and encouragement through these years... from the first day until now.

For His glory,
Carolyn Gibson

Picture: a really sweet lady I met one day while she tended her cows and I was showing some people the old aqueduct ruins.

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Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

*****If you'd like to receive my email prayer letter, please email your request to: gibson.carolyn (at) yahoo.com.*****

Praise: Christmas services and outreaches in Macedonia and Kosovo went really well. Pray for seeds planted to grow and yield fruit.

Please pray for the Soul Craft camp that will be held in mid-August in Southwestern Macedonia.

Please pray for colleagues who have finished with language study and are in their first year of FT ministry... specifically for colleagues who have moved to a town in Eastern Macedonia. For their family as they adjust to life in a different city and spread their wings into the next ministry. And lastly for great and solid connections and meaningful friendships with nationals... both for the worker and for their children.

Please pray that the Lord move on peoples hearts to step up and serve in the many ministry opportunities available in the Int'l Church... greeters, set-up, worship team, children's workers, small groups, etc.

Please pray for my health through the Balkan winter... with asthma and the cold/dry air bronchitis is always a challenge.

Finally, please continue to be praying for my family members who do not know Christ... sometimes it's hard being here when they're there, yet I know that I can (and have) completely trust them to the Lord's care.

Thank you again for taking some knee-time on our behalf.

Serving the King,

Carolyn

Balkans

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