La Piazza Press

La Piazza Press is our monthly newsletter that we use to keep our friends, family, and supporters informed of our progress towards our goal of becoming missionaries to Italy.  We update this newsletter monthly with current pictures, stories, prayer requests, and anything else that happens along the way.  Our vision is to see the piazzas filled with evangelical Christians.  Would you be willing to share in that vision with us?  If so, please click the register button above to receive our monthly newsletter.  For more information, you can visit our website at www.littlesitaly.com

Current Happenings

December 15, 2006 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wow!  Can it be Christmas already?  This year has flown by for us.  We began praying about our call last January, applied to our mission in March, were accepted and began fund raising in June, and now here we are in December. 

Last month we spent time at our cabin in Pennsylvania with our children and grandchildren.  It was awesome having Thanksgiving dinner there with a roaring fireplace and deer and wild turkey out in the front yard.  We also had a great time at East Swamp Church.  We presented our mission during one Sunday service and Maureen was able to be involved in several women activities throughout the month.  East Swamp is our home church when in Pennsylvania.

In Italy, 140 Italians attended S.E.E.'s thanksgiving outreach dinner (twice as many as last year).  Two Bible students shared their testimony and the gospel message was presented.  The team distributed New Testaments, a C.D. with the gospel message, and calendars with scripture verses.  This event has opened doors to continue sharing the gospel during follow up visits.  In particular, please pray for a woman named Alessandra, who made a commitment to study I John with Paula, one of our missionaries.

Preparations

We are continuing with our language studies, support raising, house selling, etc. We've had two open houses, but still no buyer.  Real estate continues to be slow in Ft. Myers.  Tom has secured an interim job until we leave for Italy.  He is able to work out of the house which helps us to continue our fund raising efforts as well as pay the bills. 

We praise God for all of you who have committed to being our prayer and financial partners.  If you care to make a tax deductible donation for 2006, make sure you date your check before January 1.

December Schedule

Tom                                                         Maureen

Support Update

Praise the Lord, we are steadily making progress with our support raising.  We are now at 58% of our outgoing expense and 35% of our monthly expense.  Our greatest need is still ongoing monthly support.  Please pray with us for more individuals to make a commitment in supporting us monthly.  At the moment, we are $3,100 a month short of our goal.  That equates to 31 people at $100 a month, 62 people at $50 a month, or however God decides the combination to be.  Psalm 50:10 states that 'God owns all the cattle on a thousand hills'; and he has entrusted his people with his cattle.  We will rejoice as we see cows being sacrificed for the mission field in Italy.   

If you would be interested in becoming part of our financial support team, make your check payable to Saints Equipped to Evangelize.  Put our names on the memo line and indicate whether it is a special or monthly gift.  All contributions are tax deductible.  Mail your check to:  S.E.E. - P.O. Box 31968 - Philadelphia, PA - 19104

Praises and Prayers

Praises

• The Lord has provided Tom with an interim job until we are able to sell our home, raise the support, and move to Italy.
• We have been invited to participate in the Global Impact Conference at McGregor Baptist Church in February.  This is an awesome missions conference that will give us many opportunities to share the need in Italy.
• We have 46 prayer partners and 19 financial partners.  We praise God for all of you!

Prayers

• Pray for our house to sell quickly.
• God would continue to raise up monthly supporters. 
• Pray for wisdom and discernment with the many decisions that we must make.