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 - May 5, 2008

Spring has sprung here in Northern Italy. It is beautiful and wet.  We have had a record amount of precipitation but with that has come warm weather and foliage.  Italy has beautiful flowering trees, spring flowers, and blooming vineyards.  All are in full bloom but...flowers aren't the only things that are blooming here!

We had a record ESL graduating class, 68 adults and 56 children.  This gave us a lot of great opportunities to spread the Good News.  

Maureen's Recipe Swap was a great success.  Besides exchanging recipes, the group also exchanged Bible verses.  In particular, they discussed John 20:29, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  They had a great discussion about 'Doubting Thomas' and how amazing it is that Christianity survived when even Thomas, who lived with Jesus for 3 years, didn't believe.  This led to a discussion about how each of the disciples died for their faith after realizing that Jesus was indeed the son of God.  They shared that they knew very little about the Bible as it is not taught at church and very few of them ever attend.  Since then Maureen has had several opportunities to talk with two of the attendees, Chiara and Elena, in greater depth.  We feel that Elena is very close to making a decision for Christ. 

S.E.E. held two concerts and a May Day picnic this past month for our ESL students, church, and surrounding community.  We had good attendance and had numerous opportunities to share the gospel.  All-in-all, in the past month, we have been able to share the gospel with Fabrizio, Eleonora, Marco, Roberto, Elena, Edi, Nelli, Yari, Jessica, Nicolae, Daniella, Patricia, Deborah, and Chiara.  Wow! Thank you, Jesus!

Personal Highlights

Maureen celebrated her 60th birthday on May 2nd.  The ESL teachers took her out to lunch then came back to our apartment and made her Bananas Foster. Yum!  Around 6:00 p.m. three of her ESL students, Elena, Roberto, and Marco, surprised her with a beautiful orchid then  took us out for pizza. What a fun day!

When Spring arrives, the Italians find any excuse to enjoy the outdoors.  This past Sunday was no exception.  For no other reason than we can determine, our little town of Valvasone set up a jazz band in the middle of the piazza and entertained us with jazz and big band music.  They plan to continue this throughout the month of May because...who knows...the weather is nice?...it's fun?...it's May?...it's Italy!

 May Schedule

Maureen is heading for our cabin in Pennsylvania to visit our daughters and grandchildren.  She will return in June.  Tom will remain in Italy and continue his administrative duties.  He is still meeting regular with Carlo who accepted the Lord last June but has had some ups and downs.  He will also be meeting with Marco and Roberto.  Pray for their salvation!

Support Update

Praise the Lord!  We have had a few more people join our monthly support team this last month.  We are now at 80% of our monthly support.  Our short fall is $972.  Please pray that the Lord will continue to 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