Strumica, Macedonia

Carol Partridge is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, assigned to the United Methodist Church in Macedonia as Director of Christian Education.

Prior to becoming a missionary, Carol was a Peace Corps volunteer in Macedonia from 1997 - 1999.  Since 2000, she has served in the area of Christian education, working with the 12 United Methodist Churches in this former Yugoslav republic. Her current responsibilities include developing materials for Sunday school, youth classes and women’s programs, teaching classes for children and offering training and resources for Sunday school teachers and youth group leaders.  She writes and directs dramas presented by the children, for VBS, Christmas and Easter, as well as stories and articles about the church and its outreach for various publications.

Asked what was the greatest challenge of working in Macedonia, Carol answered, “The sense of despair among the people.  Because unemployment is high and wages are low, people struggle to survive.  Young people especially are discouraged about their future; they look for ways to leave the country - even illegally - to find work in more prosperous western countries.  Some turn to drugs to anesthetize their despair.”  She sees offering hope an important role of the church.

Macedonia, a country slightly larger than the state of Vermont, with a population just over two million, became an independent republic in 1991.  The transition from communism to a market economy has been difficult;  unemployment exceeds 40 percent and wages are low, typically the equivalent of  150 to 250 US dollars per month.

“But the greatest joy of working here is the strong sense of family,” Carol continued.  “People take the time to build relationships and to care for one another.  That is a joy to see.”

Carol invites short-term mission volunteers, individuals or groups, youth and adults, to come to Macedonia, for such projects as Vacation Bible School, summer camps, or repairs to church buildings or homes.  “As you can read in Acts 16:9, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us,’ ” she said.

Carol served as director of Christian education of Twin Towers United Methodist Church in Alameda, California from 1993 - 1996 and has been a writer of children's books, short stories and articles. In addition, she was editor and publisher of "Young Reader's Page," a Christian newsletter for children.

Carol is married to Lee Roberts, a writer, who lives with her in Strumica, in southeastern Macedonia, and helps her in her work.