It’s still hard for Alessandro and Chantal Parrillo to believe that they are not returning to serve in West Africa. How do they process all these years spent there? Chantal arrived in Guinea in January 2003 and Alessandro in Senegal in January 2011 and they have been serving together as a family since October 2012. Years full of challenges, victories, and disappointments. There were moments of joy, of sadness, and of fear. They served in many different locations, from small, isolated villages to huge cities, and in a wide range of ministries, from caring for new missionaries, administration, finance, kids’ clubs, literacy, linguistics, overseeing Bible lesson translation, studying language and culture, caring for medical and community needs, church planting, and the list goes on. They have had the privilege of knowing many precious people, local ones as well as fellow missionaries, and have repeatedly seen God’s faithfulness and His mighty power working in them and around them.
Alessandro went to Senegal for two weeks in June. Those were challenging weeks. They praise God for His help and that their apartment was emptied and Alessandro was able to say some goodbyes as well. He thinned down their belongings to three suitcases, which mostly contained items of sentimental value or were important to their children. It is a huge relief to have that behind them.
It’s harder to leave as the work is far from done. There are still so many people groups in West Africa and around the world that have yet to hear the life-changing Gospel message. Yet, this was never “their” work, it’s always been God’s work, and they know that He will continue His good work. God has now assigned them a new task – serving at Ethnos Canada in Ontario. They count it a privilege to continue to be involved in seeing God’s Truth reach the least reached peoples of the world.
This summer Alessandro was able to visit his family in Italy. He attended his niece’s wedding and spent some time with his sister who is battling pancreatic cancer. Your prayers for her would be appreciated.
Recently, they were able to be at a day camp run by their sending church. They served as volunteers, while the children participated. It was a great (and exhausting) week! Pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of the children who attended.
They plan to move to the Ethnos Canada site at the end of August. There is lots to prepare before their move. Please continue to pray for them in this time of transition. Pray for their children. Pray that they will integrate well into the new community, schools, church and ministries.
Thank you so much for partnering with Alessandro and Chantal by upholding them in prayer!