La Piazza Press

La Piazza Press is our monthly newsletter that we use to keep everyone informed of our progress as missionaries with Saint's Equipped to Evangelize in San Lorenzo, 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 monthly newsletter.  For more information, you can visit our website at www.littlesitaly.com

Ministry Highlights - March 7, 2008

The Lord is at work here in Italy, PTL!  He has given us many witnessing opportunities this last month.  Maureen met with Chiara, the local librarian here in Valvasone and was able to share the gospel and her testimony.  It is interesting that everyone we talk to tells us how different our religion is than theirs.  Although we explain to them that it is a relationship not a religion, it is difficult for them to grasp this concept.  They tell us they have always been discouraged from reading the Bible and praying to Jesus. 

Maureen has 3 atheists in her advanced ESL class.  We have been witnessing to Marco and have a pizza date with the other two this week.  Pray for wisdom!  We have a brother and sister in our Intermediate Class, Yari, 25 years old, and Jessica, 23, who came to a Christian concert that our Bible students held.  We are meeting with them next week in hopes of sharing the gospel.  On February 14th we celebrated St. Valentine's Day with our ESL students.  We discussed the history of the day and gave them candy with Romans 8:39 attached. Several students thanked us for the verse.

The ESL staff has begun a Ladies Bible Study in Udine and have seven Italian women attending.  One is a believer and the other six are from our ESL classes.  This may seem small by U.S. standards but it is huge for us.  Praise the Lord!  We have almost 200 ESL students, 70 children and 130 adults.  It is overwhelming but, the Lord has supplied all our needs by giving us 5 full time and 2 part time instructors.  We are praying for wisdom to make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.

Personal Highlights

Our friends, Fred and Louise Ruggles, who are here visiting us, have been helping Maureen teach ESL.  They have been especially helpful with the children's classes.  Two classes in particular have 20 children ranging from ages 6 to 11.  It reminds us of the one room schoolhouses in early America.

As we mentioned last month, the Italian bureaucracy is like no other.  We have been turned down for our Permesso di Soggiornos, but have been given an appointment for review in August.  And, of course, we will not be in Italy in August.  Therefore, we are determined to get an alternate appointment.  Lord, how we need patience!

 March Schedule

We believe the Lord will continue to give us many witnessing opportunities.  We are inviting our ESL students to Easter Service at our church plant in Udine.  The day after Easter is a national holiday and it is a day when the Italians picnic.  We are planning an outreach picnic in Udine.  We will be inviting our ESL students and will present the gospel.  We are praying that many will attend.  Maureen continues updating the ESL curriculum, teaching, and making contacts with unbelievers.  She holds a Bible study and staff meeting with the ESL instructors every Monday to review the ESL curriculum for the week and to pray for their contacts.  Tom is staying busy with his administrative duties and Italian lessons.

Support Update

Our monthly short fall is $1,442.  Please pray that the Lord would provide additional monthly supporters.  Italy needs the Good News!  We are hard pressed to do all that the ministry requires without full support. 

To become a 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 587 - Bradenton, FL - 34206-0587

Praises and Prayers