August 10, 2012
Dear brothers and sisters,
As many of you know, I lived in Tirana, Albania as a missionary with our church from 2000-2002. We were starting a church there. Ever since I came back to the States I have had a desire to go back to Eastern Europe to help spread the gospel there. I love Eastern Europe- the people, the cultures, the languages. I desire to teach the gospel there. There are opportunities everywhere to spread the gospel, including here. Men are needed everywhere to stand up and speak the gospel.
There is a good opportunity now in Montenegro. After praying for a long time and seeking God's will we have made a decision to seek to move there. If the support is there for us, we have every intention of going. The need in Montenegro was brought to my attention about 9 months ago by a sister named Jo. She teaches English with the World English Institute (WEI). They teach the Bible by teaching English in foreign countries. The Bible is the English text from which the students learn. Through WEI, Jo helped a young girl named Marsida become a disciple. She was baptized about two years ago. This girl is an Albanian that lives in Montenegro. She lives in an Albanian community.
Albanians make up about 5% of the total population of Montenegro. Montenegro is situated on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea, across from Italy and sits on the northern border of Albania. The area that we are seeking to go is about 2 1/2 hours from where I was in Tirana, Albania. There are no churches of Christ in Montenegro that we know of, and Marsida does not know of anywhere to find fellowship.
If the Lord is willing, we will be able to go and help start a church there. Secondary to this is to be able to get to know and encourage the churches in Albania. This would be for our own encouragement, as well. Thirdly, if the Lord is willing, I hope to help a small church in eastern Hungary for a short amount of time.
The term of our stay overseas is undetermined, but we are initially seeking support for the first year, though it is my prayer that we will be able to stay longer. The amount that we are seeking is around $40,000 dollars for the first year. Living in Montenegro is much less expensive than here in the US, but the travel there and back is considerable. There are seven of us to fly over; me, my wife and five boys. We are asking for more than we think we need for travel, living expenses, and obligations here in the US. It is our goal to live on much less than what we are seeking, but also want to be safe because we don't know everything to expect. We are writing this to ask for your support in this endeavor. We are asking for your support through prayer and financial assistance if it is on your heart to give. We would need monthly support, i.e. pledging to give a certain amount a month for a set time, as well as up-front donations to aid with travel expenses and start-up costs, once there.
We are seeking assistance from individuals as well as from congregations. We have decided to only ask for pledges for now until we get a significant amount pledged, because if we are not able to go we do not want to have money to return, therefore we have removed the donate button. If you would like to pledge monthly or a one-time support, you may contact me by email at edwardacarlton@gmail.com. I understand that many of you may want to ask questions before deciding to give. I will happily answer any questions. Also, please forward this to anyone you feel may desire to help us in this effort.
I am also praying that another couple would be able to go with us. I am praying specifically for an Albanian couple to be able to help in the work, though the couple would not have to be Albanian. More than one couple or single disciple would be welcome and a benefit. It would be good to have their help in the work, as well as to mutually encourage and edify one another.
I thank you for your consideration.
Your brother,
Edward Carlton
*Updated April 2024: We have been here in Eastern Europe since May 2023, and praise God, we have been self-supported!!!
