I AM LEAVING TODAY!!!!!

8:35 pm flight departs

Luggage - Check

Passport - Check

Tickets - Check

Chocolate - Check

Awesome Friends & Family Supporting Me - Double Check!!

Bye, Bye Brownie Bash

"Last chance" to say "Bye, Bye" to Helen Parks before she goes to Uganda

When: Stop by anytime between 7:00-10:00pm Tuesday Night

Where: 219 West Utica Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 ("UMC")

Activities Include:

> "Guess the weight ... of the luggage"

> "Bye, Bye Brownies" by Katie & Nikki

> An opportunity to give last minute travel advice, prayers, & hugs for Helen

RSVP: Give your name and a brownie count to helparks@yahoo.com

Merry Christmas from Colorado! I am spending some time with my family here in Colorado Springs before heading to Uganda next week. It has been an amazing time of spending time with the Lord and family. Also, lots of fun, snow, and yummy food! I hope you all have had a blessed day and season!

Merry Christmas from Colorado!

When do you leave?
Wednesday December 30th!
How are you feeling?
Every emotion possible...excited, nervous, happy, sad, thankful ... everything!
What will you be doing?
I will be training at the New Hope Institute of Childcare & Family and serving where needed.
What's the weather like?
When I arrive it will be summer, so hot and dry.
Is there anything you need?
Prayer...Prayer... and more prayer! Also, I have have raised my startup support for the first six months, but now need to work on monthly support.
Will you have internet access?
Yes! It will definitely be slower and more sporadic, but stay tuned for updates, stories, and pictures!! I am very excited to share the journey with everyone!

Praise Report!

• Injunction put on British Airways strike!
• Hotel in London layover booked!
• Plan set up for logistics when land in Uganda!

Thank you all for your prayers and support!!

Prayer Please

So as the time draws near things just get crazier and crazier. I am working on logistics for travel and arrival in Uganda. There are few things that I would greatly appreciate extra prayer for:

• British Airways Cabin Crew Strike
• Layover in London Hotel
• Arrival in Uganda -transportation to New Hope

Thanks!!

What A Weekend!!

#1 - Refuge Ladies Luncheon Christmas Boutique featuring:

Jewelry by Joanna of New Hope Uganda & John Biedler Photography

#2 - Holiday Bake Sale supporting:

Ferguson Four & Helen Parks

Praise GOD!!! Both events were a HUGE Success!

Check out the updated Support Thermometer --------->

ALSO - If you still need Christmas presents....

Jewelry & Photography are still available!

It is my pleasure to introduce to you,

John Biedler Photography

John is an amazing man of God and gifted photographer who is

serving along with his family at New Hope Uganda in East Africa

I have partnered with John, to sell his photography here in the States. I will be showcasing some of his work at the Refuge Ladies Christmas Luncheon Boutique next Saturday December 12th. However, if you are unable to make it and see a photo you would like, please contact me and we can make other arrangements.

Merry Christmas!

Countdown

31 Days, 3 Hours, and 30 Minutes

Wow! I cannot believe in a month I will be moving to Uganda. The reality of everything is beginning to register as I prepare, pack, and party!

I am very thankful that I get to spend this holiday season with my friends and families, not only for the awesome fellowship, but chances to connect with so many before I head out.

May your CHRISTmas season be filled with love and joy!

The Garage Sale was so great and exhausting

that I have no words left in my brain.

$ 850

Praise GOD!!!

This Weekend!

Saturday - GARAGE SALE!!!
(219 West Utica, HB)
Thank you to all that have donated items, our garage is stock full and ready to sell.
If you would like to help, I am still in need of some extra hands on Saturday.

Sunday - BAKE SALE
(Refuge CCHB)
Help support the Ferguson Four who are serving in Kenya.
Bake, eat, and be merry!


I cannot believe I head out next month!! AHHH!! It has all happened so fast, but I continue to trust in Him who has set it in place.

I am very excited for this opportunity to share

where the Lord has been guiding me.

All are welcome!!

Potluck, worship, and learning about Uganda ...

sounds like a perfect Friday night to me.

Hope to see you there!

Praise God!!!

So how does $1080 sound?

Awesome huh?

Praise God, that is what was raised today!

I would like to say "THANK YOU" to a wonderful group of people that made this weekend such a sucess. This simple expression of gratitude does not do justice to my appreciate for all of your help and support.

• Ross and Linda Anderson
• Les, Susan, and Kelly Robinson
• Bernie and Steve Rothert
• Katie Burke and Nikki Madigan
• Tara Maloney and Family
• Jessica Hinrich
• Sonia Lazo

AND - Each Person that Prayed

AND - Each Person that Bought a Taco Plate

**Check out my updated support status ------>

Mmm... Tacos

Taco Plates - this Sunday @ Refuge

Support Your Taste Buds

AND

Helen as she heads out to serve in Uganda

Prayer Cards

I was helping a friend finish moving yestarday and as I packed up some things I discovered two prayer cards. Each card had a student's name from New Hope's P7 class. Before I left in August I had offered the cards to friends so they could pray for the students as we worked and traveled with them. The interesting part of yestarday's discovery were the names on the cards. Their faces flashed to my mind as I held the cards and stared at my friend. She had been praying for these girls completely unaware of anything in their lives beyond their names. I could not help smiling at God's handiwork as I shared the connection between them.

Each girl is a beautiful child of God that has been hurt. Yet, they have responded to that pain in different ways. While one is shy and insecure of almost every aspect around her, the other is bold and misguided in her strive for love and attention. In a strikingly familiar scenario I witnessed her alienate and mock the shy one. I was struck by the hurt and pain unfolding before me, but also by the situation itself. It reminded me of my own childhood and that of the girls I have worked with in youth group over the years. Even on a different continent, in a different culture kids go through the same troubles.

I love that God put those two names together for Jen to pray for. I am glad I could share a bit of insight for direction for her to pray for them. I am grateful for the Lord's call as I head back to Uganda and see these girls again.

Join me in praying for:

The Winscotts who are heading to New Hope Uganda this week with the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa team.

This just in - Helen is going back to Uganda!

That's right I received notice this morning and am headed back to Uganda, East Africa THIS January. In 81 days I will be boarding a plane (again) for a LONG (38 hours) journey to New Hope (www.newhopeuganda.org). I will be at New Hope for five months serving and attending their Institute of Childcare and Family. The plan after that is still in the works, we shall see how the Lord guides.

The next two months are going to be a whirlwind of planning and preparing, your prayers would be GREATLY appreciated.

Upcoming Events:

• Refuge Missions Fellowship - Friday November 6th @ 6pm
• Garage Sale - Saturday November 14th
• Refuge Ladies Christmas Luncheon Craft Boutique - Saturday December 12th

Come Join Us!

Uganda Post-Trip Celebration

@ Calvary Chapel Downey - THIS SATURDAY

CC Downey "Mini Chapel"

12808 Woodruff Ave

Downey, CA 90242

THIS SATURDAY - Oct. 10th at 5pm

Hosted By: Calvary Chapel Downey '09 Uganda Missions Team

We are going to look back at what the Lord did in Uganda on our trip in August.

* We will be sharing yummy food, so come hungry!*

Please RSVP with either:

Becky Lopez (562) 803-5631 ext. 114

cdmission@calvarydowney.org

OR

Me! (helparks@yahoo.com )

Prayer Request

Hi Everyone,

I thank you all for your prayers and support as I am traveling the path the Lord is setting before me. Uganda was such a wonderful, amazing, eye opening, heart healing time.
Part of my trip was to explore and see if and how the Lord may be calling me to full time missions in Uganda and boy did I receive confirmation.

The next step for me is going back to Uganda, to New Hope's Institute of Childcare and Family. It is a five month program that trains and sends over 20 committed servants of the Lord each year into the “harvest field” to work with orphaned and destitute children across the world.

The Urgent Prayer Request is this: I have been offered a possible opening to come THIS January! Yes - all I can say is WOW. As I fervently pray for this can you help me too? There are a lot of factors to be considered but I trust in God's plan for me. I have to give an answer as soon as possible and will keep you guys posted as well.

If you would like to know more about the Institute, some of mine friends at New Hope have posted some information on their blog: http://calebalair.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-hope-institute-of-childcare-and.html

Thank you again!!

Love and Blessings
Helen