I'm in the middle of reading a book entitled Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. Over the years as a missionary you hear about the great trailblazer missionaries who went before you to the world. I love reading their biographies and seeing the very real, radical faith in God they had. I've been encouraged by their lives and pushed to a deeper faith in my God by most of them but reading about Hudson Taylor has been different. Many times these biographies make me hunger to embark on an even more adventurous life or run towards an even more radical mission field. But I find myself in these days greatly challenged with my complacency and my seemingly non-existent need for Christ's moment by moment sustaining power in my life. It happens every time I come to the states. The pace of life and the overwhelming amount of consumerism or ability to freely consume draws me away from the most important thing in my life, my communion with the Savior. Time goes by and I find myself passing days without spending purposeful time in the Word, in His presence and in concentrated prayer. If I stop for a minute I begin to feel the emptiness inside me and the restlessness/unsatisfaction of my soul. I know that it comes from my lack of time with the Lord and not seeing Him as the true satisfier in my life. My heart begins to hurt and I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and then shame over how easily my heart is lured away. I see the idols that I've put in the place that my God should have and I'm ashamed. Yes missionaries aren't perfect and we aren't spiritual superman.
While I've been reading Hudson Taylor's bio I've seen His deep love and devotion to Christ. He put his walk with God before everything else in his life. This love for Christ and the realization that others around the world are perishing daily without knowing Christ drove him to inland China in the 1860s. Though I'm in Italy for the same reasons I'm cut to the depth of my heart that my love for the Lord and the lost isn't anywhere near what his was or what it should be. Here is one paragraph from the book that I'm processing right now and trying to respond to personally.
"We may have more wealth in these days, better education, greater comfort in traveling and in our surroundings even as missionaries, but have we the spirit of urgency, the deep, inward convictions that moved those who went before us; have we the same passion of love, personal love for the Lord Jesus Christ? If these are lacking, it is a loss for which nothing can compensate." H. Taylor
I give God such a small place in my life. These days I'm longing for more of who He is, more of Him in my life and more love for those living without Him. That I would be wholeheartedly sold out for my Savior and let no earthly thing draw me from an intimate relationship with Him!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Italy and Muslims: What's the reality?
Italy and Muslims:
About 600,000 Muslims live in Italy legally but it is hard to estimate the large numbers of illegal aliens. Most of these Muslims come from countries in the 10/40 Window, particularly Tunisia, Libya and Albania. Many speak the Italian language well, attending schools and working in factories throughout the country though a larger number live in Northern Italy.
Cultural Misunderstandings in Italy
Many Arabs from North Africa and the Middle East believe that Islam is the absolute truth and consider it their duty to promote their religion in Italy. However after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Islam received much attention in the Italian media. Many traditional Muslims found it difficult to reconcile their Islamic beliefs with the cruelty of certain Muslim fundamentalists.
There are over 100 mosques in Italy, 65 of which are in the North. Italian Muslims are increasingly gaining official recognition, which helps them open mosques and Islamic schools. Many Muslims who originally migrated to Italy are now successfully bringing their families to Italy while others are marrying Italian women. In Italian schools, the majority of non-catholic students are Muslim. Cultural misunderstandings and differences between Muslims and Italians are increasingly leading to social tensions. Recently, some Muslims have requested that all crucifixes be removed from Italian classrooms.
Equipping Believers in Italy
During the last decade, Italian churches have started equipping believers in order to effectively evangelise Muslims yet these efforts are terribly small compared to the need. There are very few full-time missionaries who work among Muslims in Italy, and those who do have difficulty coping with all the demands that are placed on them. One effective evangelistic activity, which has been successful during Ramadan is the distribution of the “Jesus” video and evangelistic literature in the Arabic language in Italian harbours and airports. Many Muslims return to their native lands (Tunisians, Moroccans, Algerians, Senegalese, Libyans and others) for this time.
Muslims in Italy generally have a deep sense of religiosity linked to their many rituals, but they lack any certainty about the salvation of their souls. They often have preconceived ideas towards Christianity and Western civilisation, which makes it harder for them to hear the Gospel.
Pray for the Muslims of Italy:
* May Italian Christians have a stronger desire to know Islam and the ways to evangelise Muslims effectively.
* Pray for the precious ministry of the few full-time missionaries in Italy.
* May friendly relationships of trust be established with Muslims. “Friendship evangelism” is the method that seems to bear the most fruit. Love and acceptance from a believer, in a hostile country, can melt the hardest heart.
Background on Italy (World Factbook)
Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy’s defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed.
Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.
Economy of Italy
Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates.
About Italy
Population: 58,145,321 (July 2008 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth: 80.07 years
Ethnic groups: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)
Religions: approximately 90% Roman Catholic (about one-third regularly attend services); mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community
Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d’Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
Literacy: 98.4% — Male: 98.8%, Female: 98%
Italy is now being called an unreached people group as only 1% of the population attend church regulary and less than 1% claim to have a relationship with God.
About 600,000 Muslims live in Italy legally but it is hard to estimate the large numbers of illegal aliens. Most of these Muslims come from countries in the 10/40 Window, particularly Tunisia, Libya and Albania. Many speak the Italian language well, attending schools and working in factories throughout the country though a larger number live in Northern Italy.
Cultural Misunderstandings in Italy
Many Arabs from North Africa and the Middle East believe that Islam is the absolute truth and consider it their duty to promote their religion in Italy. However after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Islam received much attention in the Italian media. Many traditional Muslims found it difficult to reconcile their Islamic beliefs with the cruelty of certain Muslim fundamentalists.
There are over 100 mosques in Italy, 65 of which are in the North. Italian Muslims are increasingly gaining official recognition, which helps them open mosques and Islamic schools. Many Muslims who originally migrated to Italy are now successfully bringing their families to Italy while others are marrying Italian women. In Italian schools, the majority of non-catholic students are Muslim. Cultural misunderstandings and differences between Muslims and Italians are increasingly leading to social tensions. Recently, some Muslims have requested that all crucifixes be removed from Italian classrooms.
Equipping Believers in Italy
During the last decade, Italian churches have started equipping believers in order to effectively evangelise Muslims yet these efforts are terribly small compared to the need. There are very few full-time missionaries who work among Muslims in Italy, and those who do have difficulty coping with all the demands that are placed on them. One effective evangelistic activity, which has been successful during Ramadan is the distribution of the “Jesus” video and evangelistic literature in the Arabic language in Italian harbours and airports. Many Muslims return to their native lands (Tunisians, Moroccans, Algerians, Senegalese, Libyans and others) for this time.
Muslims in Italy generally have a deep sense of religiosity linked to their many rituals, but they lack any certainty about the salvation of their souls. They often have preconceived ideas towards Christianity and Western civilisation, which makes it harder for them to hear the Gospel.
Pray for the Muslims of Italy:
* May Italian Christians have a stronger desire to know Islam and the ways to evangelise Muslims effectively.
* Pray for the precious ministry of the few full-time missionaries in Italy.
* May friendly relationships of trust be established with Muslims. “Friendship evangelism” is the method that seems to bear the most fruit. Love and acceptance from a believer, in a hostile country, can melt the hardest heart.
Background on Italy (World Factbook)
Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy’s defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed.
Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.
Economy of Italy
Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates.
About Italy
Population: 58,145,321 (July 2008 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth: 80.07 years
Ethnic groups: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)
Religions: approximately 90% Roman Catholic (about one-third regularly attend services); mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community
Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d’Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
Literacy: 98.4% — Male: 98.8%, Female: 98%
Italy is now being called an unreached people group as only 1% of the population attend church regulary and less than 1% claim to have a relationship with God.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Summary of Malawi Project
On the Road to Africa – Agape Italia Bringing hope to Malawi
Over a year ago a vision came about in the ministry of Agape Italia to bring together the good news with good deeds in the form of humanitarian projects. The staff of this new team are Haswell and Maria Beni, and Marti Sanders, We desire to see this new holistic (body, mind and spirit) ministry approach partnered with each of our exisiting ministries. The hearts of Italians, whether believers or not yet believers have proven to be deeply open to helping those in physical need. From the Student Ministry there is a vision of seeing Italian University students be introduced to the Gospel and possibly come to know Christ through these projects are Christ centered
The time came to step out in faith and launch our first project. Haswell Beni, being from Malawi, Africa, had many contacts in the sister ministry of Malawi. We got in touch with Life Ministry, (ccci Malawi) and asked for help to locate an already developed project that we could join hands with. Immediately, Steve Katakumala, Jesus Film Director Malawi and Ignatius Nyaga, National Director Life ministry Malawi put us in contact with Masintha C.C.A.P Church in Lilongwe (the Capital City). The church was in the beginning stages of developing an education project in the village of Chimutu, just ouside Lilongwe. Their desire was to build 5 blocks consisting of 2 classrooms each for a primary school and a well. It seemed the perfect project for us as we were looking to partner with long term sustainable projects. Through much prayer and planning the trip came together in early 2008. After recrutiing participants throughout Italy, the US and Europe, in late May 2008 at the last minute, we saw the numbr of participants drop to just 5 Italian students from Florence and the Naples area. We were disheartened as we had prayed for 30 people to take part but the Lord showed us that He was answering our prayer that only those truly called would come. Each of the 5 students took a big leap of faith in looking for financial sponsors and chosing to take part in village life for 3 weeks. We have seen God”s hand at work in providing prayer partners and finances from Italy, America and Africa. What a joy that we can be a blessing to each other in this way. It has given us a taste of what heaven will be like when people from all tribes, tongues and nations come together.
The project left on July 4th for the 3 weeks working in Chimutu village outside the capital of Lilongwe, Malawi. The students were welcomed with a choir at the airport followed by a dinner at Masintha Church. From the first day, we’ve seen the spirit at work drawing these students hearts to himself. Some of them are not yet believers but walls are coming down and they are beginning to see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and experience through community the love of Christ. They’ve heard the Gospel numerous times and are daily being exposed to life change stories from Africans, Italians, and Americans. Pray for their continued spiritual searching and that it would soon turn into a lifelong journey of walking with Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As the days went by, the fruits of the Gospel also began to spring up in the local commmunities of Lilongwe and surrounding villages through 5 Jesus Film showings. We’ve seen an average of 500 people at each showing with the exception of one being almost 1,000 people. Each showing ended with nearly 50% of the people indicating new decision for Christ or a rededication of their lives to Christ. The Malawi Jesus Film staff have had the opportunity to go through follow up material with many of these new believers.
During our two weeks at the work site in Chimutu village, God has allowed us to take part in providing life changing blessings to the people. The first day of the project, during the church service, the borehole drilleres arrived to begin work on the well that would soon bring safe drinking water to the village and allow women and children who once walked a minimum of 2 Km to walk only 200 meters to get water. What an experience of joy to see in just under a week, land that was once dry and deserted now providing living water to hundreds of people. Along with the well, we’ve laid the foundation for 2 school blocks (4 classrooms) and each of us with our own hands placed cement and bricks to see the walls of the primary school rise to window level. As staff, we’ve taught several sessions on the basics of Christianity for village chiefs, women and children and done training for local church believers on how to share their faith through their personal testimony. The people of Chimutu are opening up to the message of salvation. Each chief has received a Bible and some have begun to ask spiritual questions.
There is less than a week remaining in the project but we’re certain that we have yet to see the end of the blessings God has in store for the village of Chimutu, and each of us. It’s an overwhelming privilege and honor to be a part of the first holistic Agape Italia team being sent to the world to share the message of Christ and minister to people’s physical intellectual and spiritual needs. We want to see leaders developed at every level of involvement and multiplication of being a blessing one to another begin to take place. This is the reason to be involved in ministry in Italy as the vision becomes a reality. At the end listen to something that has been repeated over and over this month by local church leaders and Life Ministry staff. “ Don’t let the Italians get all the blessings.”
Holistic Movements to reach communities with the Gospel everywhere
Over a year ago a vision came about in the ministry of Agape Italia to bring together the good news with good deeds in the form of humanitarian projects. The staff of this new team are Haswell and Maria Beni, and Marti Sanders, We desire to see this new holistic (body, mind and spirit) ministry approach partnered with each of our exisiting ministries. The hearts of Italians, whether believers or not yet believers have proven to be deeply open to helping those in physical need. From the Student Ministry there is a vision of seeing Italian University students be introduced to the Gospel and possibly come to know Christ through these projects are Christ centered
The time came to step out in faith and launch our first project. Haswell Beni, being from Malawi, Africa, had many contacts in the sister ministry of Malawi. We got in touch with Life Ministry, (ccci Malawi) and asked for help to locate an already developed project that we could join hands with. Immediately, Steve Katakumala, Jesus Film Director Malawi and Ignatius Nyaga, National Director Life ministry Malawi put us in contact with Masintha C.C.A.P Church in Lilongwe (the Capital City). The church was in the beginning stages of developing an education project in the village of Chimutu, just ouside Lilongwe. Their desire was to build 5 blocks consisting of 2 classrooms each for a primary school and a well. It seemed the perfect project for us as we were looking to partner with long term sustainable projects. Through much prayer and planning the trip came together in early 2008. After recrutiing participants throughout Italy, the US and Europe, in late May 2008 at the last minute, we saw the numbr of participants drop to just 5 Italian students from Florence and the Naples area. We were disheartened as we had prayed for 30 people to take part but the Lord showed us that He was answering our prayer that only those truly called would come. Each of the 5 students took a big leap of faith in looking for financial sponsors and chosing to take part in village life for 3 weeks. We have seen God”s hand at work in providing prayer partners and finances from Italy, America and Africa. What a joy that we can be a blessing to each other in this way. It has given us a taste of what heaven will be like when people from all tribes, tongues and nations come together.
The project left on July 4th for the 3 weeks working in Chimutu village outside the capital of Lilongwe, Malawi. The students were welcomed with a choir at the airport followed by a dinner at Masintha Church. From the first day, we’ve seen the spirit at work drawing these students hearts to himself. Some of them are not yet believers but walls are coming down and they are beginning to see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and experience through community the love of Christ. They’ve heard the Gospel numerous times and are daily being exposed to life change stories from Africans, Italians, and Americans. Pray for their continued spiritual searching and that it would soon turn into a lifelong journey of walking with Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As the days went by, the fruits of the Gospel also began to spring up in the local commmunities of Lilongwe and surrounding villages through 5 Jesus Film showings. We’ve seen an average of 500 people at each showing with the exception of one being almost 1,000 people. Each showing ended with nearly 50% of the people indicating new decision for Christ or a rededication of their lives to Christ. The Malawi Jesus Film staff have had the opportunity to go through follow up material with many of these new believers.
During our two weeks at the work site in Chimutu village, God has allowed us to take part in providing life changing blessings to the people. The first day of the project, during the church service, the borehole drilleres arrived to begin work on the well that would soon bring safe drinking water to the village and allow women and children who once walked a minimum of 2 Km to walk only 200 meters to get water. What an experience of joy to see in just under a week, land that was once dry and deserted now providing living water to hundreds of people. Along with the well, we’ve laid the foundation for 2 school blocks (4 classrooms) and each of us with our own hands placed cement and bricks to see the walls of the primary school rise to window level. As staff, we’ve taught several sessions on the basics of Christianity for village chiefs, women and children and done training for local church believers on how to share their faith through their personal testimony. The people of Chimutu are opening up to the message of salvation. Each chief has received a Bible and some have begun to ask spiritual questions.
There is less than a week remaining in the project but we’re certain that we have yet to see the end of the blessings God has in store for the village of Chimutu, and each of us. It’s an overwhelming privilege and honor to be a part of the first holistic Agape Italia team being sent to the world to share the message of Christ and minister to people’s physical intellectual and spiritual needs. We want to see leaders developed at every level of involvement and multiplication of being a blessing one to another begin to take place. This is the reason to be involved in ministry in Italy as the vision becomes a reality. At the end listen to something that has been repeated over and over this month by local church leaders and Life Ministry staff. “ Don’t let the Italians get all the blessings.”
Holistic Movements to reach communities with the Gospel everywhere
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Let the adventure begin... Malawi
It took me 3 days to get here and I came very close to missing 2 flights but I made it. My luggage unfortunately got left in Washington DC so it took a couple days to arrive. Things have been very busy since I arrived last Saturday afternoon. Malawi is very different than the others places I've been in Africa. Even though it is the 6th poorest country in the world there is much development in the capital city. The gap between the rich and the poor here is beyond what you can imagine. I've seen many humanitarian groups, missionaries,etc in these last couple of days in the capital but very few venture out into the villages for long. Just over 20km outside of town there is a different reality. Poverty so intense you can't help but be changed in an instant. Though I've been in this environment several times before I pray it never becomes common to me, that it never stops compelling me to action and that I would cease to praise God every second for the abundance of blessings He has poured out in my life. I have been given more than I could hope for and I admit that more of than I would like I live life to the fullest in a material way. On Monday I went to see the place where we will build the 2 school classrooms and well for the school. It's going to be oneof the only actual buildings in the area. The areas government rep. is so serious about the need to educate this young generation so that they might help themselves that he built 2 classrooms with his own money. These young ones are the hope of Africa but I'm seeing that without education they have no hope for escaping the bonds of poverty here. We talked with several of the small children and asked them about school and if they attend. Many said yes they went to the school that is currently in our building location but several others told us they did not go because they have no money for the uniforms. The church we are working with has a vision to help these children. In the very same place we are building the primary school they are praying for a junior high and a medical clinic to be built in the coming years. They are praying for it to become a hub for the 20 surrounding villages where they can come and get the education and help they need. The pastor went with us on Monday to the building site and he told the children in their language that we are going to build them a school so that their brain could become smarter. They began to shout, "I want it, I want it!" and raise their hands. What a picture of desire. These children long for what they cannot have. I'm praising God that he has given me such an opportunity to come and be apart of these children's future. Like every place I go these children have captured me. They are fascinated with the color of my skin here in malawi but be it a smile or a handshake I want to love them closer to Christ. They are also so much fun to be around and watch their fearlessness as children.
I've been reading mostly in Romans 4 about how Abraham hoped against hope, how he didn't weaken in his faith when he considered his age and the bareness of Sarah's womb. I often times wonder if I have this same faith andI really believe God to these depths. verse 20 & 21 have become two of my favorites.It says no distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. If only I had an ounce of the faith of Abraham. Not only did he not
lose hope, weaken in his faith or waver in the promises, he grew strong and fully convinced of the promises of God. This can only be God. Abraham knew God and had experienced God in a way that I have yet to. I long to grow strong in my faith as well like Abraham and not just say I'm convinced that God can do what he promises but actually believe it. So often I can say I have this faith but deep down I know I'm not completely believing Him for everything in my life whether it be support for staff, Italian students coming to Christ, getting married one day or that He has the perfect plan for my life. I know this because there is often times doubt, fear or anxiety that I experience. Pray with me that I would have a faith like Abraham had and that you would as well. Our God is an awesome God and he reigns. He is able to do more than I could ever ask or imagine. That I would honor Him with my belief of His promises towards me as His beloved daughter.
I've been reading mostly in Romans 4 about how Abraham hoped against hope, how he didn't weaken in his faith when he considered his age and the bareness of Sarah's womb. I often times wonder if I have this same faith andI really believe God to these depths. verse 20 & 21 have become two of my favorites.It says no distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. If only I had an ounce of the faith of Abraham. Not only did he not
lose hope, weaken in his faith or waver in the promises, he grew strong and fully convinced of the promises of God. This can only be God. Abraham knew God and had experienced God in a way that I have yet to. I long to grow strong in my faith as well like Abraham and not just say I'm convinced that God can do what he promises but actually believe it. So often I can say I have this faith but deep down I know I'm not completely believing Him for everything in my life whether it be support for staff, Italian students coming to Christ, getting married one day or that He has the perfect plan for my life. I know this because there is often times doubt, fear or anxiety that I experience. Pray with me that I would have a faith like Abraham had and that you would as well. Our God is an awesome God and he reigns. He is able to do more than I could ever ask or imagine. That I would honor Him with my belief of His promises towards me as His beloved daughter.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
and the vision becomes reality...
It's 1:30 a.m. the night before I leave for my 4th mission trip in Africa and as I pack I'm thinking about the reality of what's about to take place. For almost five years now, I've casted vision in countless letters, talks, meetings, etc. for Italians to one day be sent out to take the Gospel to the world. I'm realizing that maybe I never 100 % believed that I would see the day when this took place. The spiritual ground is so tough in Italy and tilling up the soil is harder than I could have ever imagined. Over a year ago I began to develop an even more specific vision for ways to foster God's work in the lives of hungry Italians. The Lord has made me with some pretty specific interests and passions. Serving others and reaching out to those utterly forgotten in this world is something I run after for. I believe many Italians have this same heart and I asked myself some time ago how we could connect on this point that would one day lead to them hearing how the love of Christ has changed my life. Though our hearts are driven in the same direction I believe our motivations are perhaps pretty different. Of course serving others and helping them fills me with some pretty unexplainable joy but that's not my main motivation. The love that Christ has poured out in my life is what spurs me on to love and good deeds. I long for those we help and the Italians who come along to see this motivation.
All this to say I dreamt of a day when we as Agape Italia could go with Italians to the nations. In my mind this dream most likely wouldn't be realized during my time in Italy. But tonight I'm thinking about how insane it is that in just over a year from when I first got excited about this idea I'm seeing it take place before my very eyes. All the vision I've been casting to potential supporters and supporters for five years is now, as of today, a reality. Italians are being sent out to take the Gospel to the nations. WOW!! I'm amazed. It hasn't happened in the sequence of events I'd expected or even with the people I'd thought of but it's happening. Five Italians have heard the call and have taken the leap of faith to come with us to Malawi, Africa for three weeks to take part in a humanitarian mission trip. God is so good and faithful. Though I doubted him more times than I'd care to admit and considered quitting more times than you know I'm still here. He's allowed me to be a part of salvation history taking place in Italy. What a blessing and a privilege. Oh that my faith were greater, that I would boldly ask for more of Him and more from Him. Tomorrow begins a new day in our Italian ministry that is remarkably different than each of the others before. Pray with us as we embark on this new step in the journey to see Italians come to know the salvation of Christ.
All this to say I dreamt of a day when we as Agape Italia could go with Italians to the nations. In my mind this dream most likely wouldn't be realized during my time in Italy. But tonight I'm thinking about how insane it is that in just over a year from when I first got excited about this idea I'm seeing it take place before my very eyes. All the vision I've been casting to potential supporters and supporters for five years is now, as of today, a reality. Italians are being sent out to take the Gospel to the nations. WOW!! I'm amazed. It hasn't happened in the sequence of events I'd expected or even with the people I'd thought of but it's happening. Five Italians have heard the call and have taken the leap of faith to come with us to Malawi, Africa for three weeks to take part in a humanitarian mission trip. God is so good and faithful. Though I doubted him more times than I'd care to admit and considered quitting more times than you know I'm still here. He's allowed me to be a part of salvation history taking place in Italy. What a blessing and a privilege. Oh that my faith were greater, that I would boldly ask for more of Him and more from Him. Tomorrow begins a new day in our Italian ministry that is remarkably different than each of the others before. Pray with us as we embark on this new step in the journey to see Italians come to know the salvation of Christ.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
My mom and I in Italy
My mom came back with me in January and spent 12 days here meeting my friends and seeing some new cities. Here are a couple fun pics.
God of this City... Florence
I recently heard a new song by Chris Tomlin that really struck me as I'm in the middle of a transition to a new Italian city, Florence. About five years ago, I spent a good bit of time talking to students about Christ on the Univ. of Florence campuses and I experienced the depth of hte hardness of the soil there. There was much resistance to hearing about Christ or anything to do with religion. Last week, I spent my first day back on these Florence campuses in nearly 4 years. My team walked the campuses and prayed all day for the students, the administration and the upcoming semester. I am hopeful that God is going to move among these students though I don't know the day or the time when this will visibly happen. Right now God is working behind the scenes in the hearts of students, professors and people of influence. He is orchestrating divine appointments between believers and those who are searching. Many days each of us here can feel and believe the lies that God is not working, that we are wasting our time and that these students will never come to a knowledge of Christ. But as I listen to the words of this song I take hope in the God of all power who is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. He is worthy of my life and the calling He has placed on it is one of imesurable value. The words of the song go like this:
You're the God of this city, you're the King of these people, you're the Lord of this nation, you are, you're the light in this darkness, You're the hope to the hopeless, You're the peace to the restless, you are. There is no one like our God! There is no one like our God! For greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. Great things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. There is no one like our God! There is no one like our God! We believe. We believe. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.
You're the God of this city, you're the King of these people, you're the Lord of this nation, you are, you're the light in this darkness, You're the hope to the hopeless, You're the peace to the restless, you are. There is no one like our God! There is no one like our God! For greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. Great things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. There is no one like our God! There is no one like our God! We believe. We believe. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Lost on a Train...It's possible.
It was already a long day and all I wanted to do was get home, eat something and then lay in my bed but there was another plan. A friend and I huffed it to the station to make the same train as my friend at 4 p.m. We glanced at the destination sign adn yes it was where I wanted to go so I hopped on. But then we sat there for a good 10 mins or so. I decided to look out and check that sign one more time. Yes, it was still my destination. The train filled up with people and finally we left the station. I started reading, listenign to music and praying to process the day. The train stops weren't really interesting me though I did see that one was a usual so I thought ok I'm good. But after a while when I was the last peson in my train car and only a few men left in the others I checked my watch and knew I should have been there by now. The next stop was definitely not on the regular route so I started to panic a little. I called my roommate nad told her I was lost on the train. She thought I was joking until I said it's pitch black outside, I have no idea where I am and I am one of hte last people left on here. I got off at the next station and saw the I was in Siena...not anywhere near Pisa. I quickly saw a train back to where I'd just come from so I bought a ticket then ran like I haven't run in years to catch it. The train conductor jus smiled when I walked up to him to validate my ticket because I could talk I was so out of breath. Ha! I need some exercise. Back on the train all the way back to Empoli where I just happened to make the connection to the fast train back to Pisa. An hour trip took me 4 hours tonight. I think in some strange way it was the Lord making sure I had time that I could devote just to Him. To sit before Him and grieve or talk about what I was feeling and then to spend time in His Word hearing from His perspective on it all. Though the extra time wasn't fun meeting God in that way was pretty cool.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Christmas Pics
My Family on Christmas
me and my younger brother, Brent
me and my older brother, Alex
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