Mid Summer Days

We are nearing the end of July and this week Andrea and I are recalibrating at home. The kids are at camp and so we are taking the week to get organised at home and in ministry and spend some alone time together. As a family we have been focusing on prayer. We have been enjoying listening to the Lectio 365 app and learning to quiet ourselves before God’s word.

We had a restful family vacation in Tuscany where we marvelled at God’s beautiful creation. We beach hopped and took country and small town strolls. It was really nice to get away.

When we returned from vacation we got right into preparations for our Pioneers Area Retreat. We had our three units join from Pisa, Florence and Milan. We hosted the retreat at our home and in nearby locations. It was a great time of fellowship and encouragement. We talked about our individual callings and how they are not ours, but God’s to mold, shape and use. We talked about Jesus’ example and strategy in how to come alongside those who don’t know Him and represent Him as His followers. We had creative worship and prayer time and it was just nice to spend time getting to know one another better .

Il Granaio is awaiting this family’s arrival! We are excited to have the Persson family join Pioneers Italy and our team in Opicina. They are working on raising support and completing their PI requirements before they can depart. We are hoping that they will be joining us at the beginning fo January 2025. They will be coming to serve long term with two of their four daughters. The older two will be staying in the US to continue their studies in college.

Valentina and Stefano are getting married. Many years ago Andrea and I committed to praying for this couple to read the Bible with us and God made it happen. We are still walking with them and praying that they would commit their hearts and lives to Jesus, and we trust God’s timing. We have also prayed for them to decide to get married for many years and the day has finally come!. The coolest part is that they’ve asked Andrea and I to play a part in the wedding ceremony. Andrea will be Stefano’s best man as Stefano was in our wedding 20 years ago and they have asked me to share a reflection from the Bible and they’ve given me the freedom to say whatever God lays on my heart. We are totally honoured and excited to share this moment with them. We are also desiring that the words spoken from God’s Word would be heard by all of those who have ears to hear.

Matthew 6:28-29.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. The do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

We took a hike in the mountains one day and the view was absolutely breathtaking. This photo is one of the many that was taken of the flowers that decorated the path we walked. They had no gardener to fertilise them, prune them or water them. They just shined their beauty left and right like splashes of colorful patchwork scattered around in the green carpets of grass that surrounded the peaks of solid rock. Only God can make things this amazing and care for them in this incredible way and yet…..we are more than these.

Our family has lately hit some financial obstacles and we know that God will provide, because He always does. So, although this is not easy for us to do, but we trust God’s lead in it, we are asking you if you might feel led to donate something extra in order to help us in our present financial needs. Grocery and gas costs have increased significantly and we have some broken appliances that need replacing. We also have many new school books and supplies to buy before the new school year starts. We would be so humbled and blessed to have you help us out.

Please Pray with us:

  • For us to finish the kid’s summer vacation well as we get organised and the kids come back from camp.

  • For Andrea to lead well as PI Area leader and for his leadership with Il Granaio.

  • For our new PI Tuscany team member, Charlotte who plans to arrive mid September. She is waiting for her visa and is struggling to find a rental apartment in Florence.

  • For the Persson family. Pray for their completion of PI requirements and support raising and also their family needs before departure.

  • For our financial needs and those who might feel led to help us out.

Thank you so much for your partnership. It is so valuable to us and the ministry here in Italy!

YOUR PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT KEEP US GOING HERE IN ITALY AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR IT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU HAVE BLESSED US.

CHOOSE ONE OPTION BELOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY!

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