La Piazza Press

La Piazza Press is our newsletter that we use to keep everyone informed of our progress as missionaries with Saint's Equipped to Evangelize in Valvasone, Italy.  Our vision is to see the piazzas (town squares) filled with evangelical Christians.  Would you be willing to share in that vision?  If so, please click the Subscribe button above to receive our newsletter.  For more information, you can visit our website at www.littlesitaly.com

Ministry Highlights - July 19, 2009

Summer is in full swing here in Italy with summer evangelism teams.  We started out in June with really bad weather.  A wind, rain and hailstorm came through the area and the S.E.E. center sustained some damage……broken windows, broken tiles on our roofs and a lot of damage to outdoor furniture and plastic vent covers.  But it hasn't stopped us from using the center as most of it was cosmetic.

At the end of June, we held our annul staff meeting which includes the Italian and some of the USA staff. After the staff meeting everyone stays to help lead our summer evangelism teams. We had four days of meetings and great Bible studies.  The last day we affectionately call our Forced Fun Day. This is a day we are forced to just have fun and hang out with each other for a little team building and bonding.  Each staff person had daily work assignments, including food prep and clean up.  Tom was assigned to buy the daily food supplies.  It was a lot of work, but at least no dishes to wash. Looking back he thinks he I got the better part of the deal.

In July, our US summer evangelism teams began arriving.  Usually Sam Spatola, our director, leads this effort but he needed to be in the Philippines assisting and advising the S.E.E. ministry there. So, after many planning sessions together, Sam left Tom and the S.E.E. staff to coordinate all the summer evangelism team’s efforts in Italy. Many “thanks” go to the entire staff for the support and help we all received from each other before, during, and after this ministry time.

On the 4^th of July the first team arrived from Spencerport NY, it was their first time working with S.E.E. and they were all great. A married couple and 7 teens hit the streets fast and hard, doing a VBS style park ministry and then remaining in the piazzas of Udine doing mimes until midnight. They fought rainy days delivering tracts and never uttered a complaint or concern for their comfort. They came to evangelize and serve and they did so willingly.

The following Monday, July 6th Tom picked up the team from McGregor Baptist from Ft. Myers, Florida.  McGregor is one of S.E.E.’s strongest supporting churches.  Each year they consistently send very effective and well prepared teams. We praise God for their on-going support.  How sweet it was to see warm friendly smiles and familiar faces in Italy. The team delivered tracts and then went to various parks doing a VBS ministry with the kids.  During this time our staff was able to talk to parents about the “Good News”. The team was led by Pastor Russell, a dear friend…in fact he is the person that introduced Maureen and I to S.E.E., so, it’s his fault we are here. One of our staff was given the opportunity to be our S.E.E. team leader for the first time and he did an exceptional job of leading and working with the McGregor team.

We also sent two more teams on the road to southern cities such as Vasto, to support sister churches in their summer evangelism efforts. They came from the Dakotas and Washington State.

Also in July, we hosted an awesome young couple, Andy and Christy Hale from First Baptist Church of Merritt Island, Florida.  Andy is one of the Pastors and was on a summer team pre-planning trip for his church.  They will be joining us next summer with a team and we are really excited about this new relationship.

All in all, the number of teams and people has been down this year, but, praise the Lord, the quality has been awesome.  We already have received a few calls from the tract distribution and have been able to follow up with several people. We look forward to more conversations between these new contacts and our Church planting staff.

One last praise!  We recently received the good news that the high school team from Fayetteville, NC that came last March during their spring break will be returning to work with us again in 2010.

What about you and your church…..how about coming to Italy in 2010 and doing as our Lord has commanded all of us to do…….”go and tell the world!”      

Personal Highlights

Maureen has been traveling around the U.S. this summer visiting churches, supporters, family and friends.  In June, she was able to spend some time with her mother in Florida and her brother and his family in California.  She is now in Pennsylvania spending some time with our daughters and their families, and of course our beloved grandsons, Colby and Parker.  She got to watch Colby play a couple flag football games...a lot of laughs! 

July/August Schedule

Tom will finish up with the summer evangelism teams at the beginning of August. We have a couple coming to visit our ministry, Jerry and Cheryl Bigenho from East Swamp Church in Quakertown, PA.  We are hoping they will like what they see and return to East Swamp with a favorable report.  We are also hoping that they will be considering sending a team next year. Tom will be flying to Pennsylvania joining Maureen at their cabin on August 5.  We will be traveling to Maine, Massachusetts, and New York visiting family, friends, and supporters.  We will be returning to Italy at the end of August.

Support Update

The U.S. economy continues to affect our financial supporters.  We are at 79% of our monthly need.  Our short fall is $993.  Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide additional monthly supporters and also provide financial help for our supporters. 

To become a part of our financial support team, you can 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 587 - Bradenton, FL - 34206-0587

Praises and Prayers