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 - November 8, 2009

English as a Second Language began in late September with a record number of students, 175 adults and 25 children.  We have 10 adult classes and 3 children's classes.  We offer 3 types of classes: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.  It is great to have so many students, but at the same time it impedes our ministry in that we have too many contacts to effectively minister to them all.  Some would say that is a nice problem to have, but Maureen is crying 'Uncle'.  The popularity of our classes is increasing and we are desperate for more teachers so that we can be more effective.  If you or someone you know, might be interested in teaching ESL for a semester please email us.  We truly need more workers for the harvest! 

All this being said, we have had many opportunities to share the gospel.  Last weekend we held a Fall Feast dinner party for 18 of our students.  During the dinner we played a game called 3 Facts and a Fib.  We shared many interesting facts about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation and had some opportunities to explain our faith in Jesus Christ.  We are now following up with several of these students and pray that their interest in God has been stirred.  Please pray in particular for Gabrielle, Sandra, Barbara, Isabella, and Dario.

In October, Tom and Sam Spatola, our director, traveled to the US to visit several colleges that send Bible students here to Saints Bible Institute. The purpose of the trip was to shore up relationships and enlist more students for the winter semester.  As we have mentioned, the US economy is adversely effecting enrollments.  The good news is that we now have 12 students coming for the spring semester, however, we are praying for 20.  If you know any college students who would like to spend a semester abroad please send them our way.

Personal Highlights

We are praising the Lord as our Permesso di Soggiornos have been renewed without a hitch, and PTL! this time for two whole years.  Yeah, God!  Now we are studying diligently for our Italian driver's license...a monumental task.  This is the hardest test we have ever taken with lots of bad translations and very tricky questions.  We take the test on November 23rd.  If we don't pass we will be walking as our U. S. driver's license will no longer be recognized in Italy after  December the fourth.  Ouch!  Oh, how we wish we could just focus on our ministry! 

Our friend, Pastor Russell Howard from McGregor Baptist Church in Ft. Myers, was here for two weeks teaching the Book of Acts at S.B.I. We had the pleasure of having him stay with us and put him to work participating in many activities with our ESL students.  Thank you Russell for all you do.

November Schedule

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we are preparing for our annual Thanksgiving Outreach event.  This year we are holding it in Udine near our church plant.  We are praying that more of our Udine ESL students will be able to attend.  We will be having a traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner, sharing the gospel and our testimonies.  We appreciate your prayers for wisdom, discernment, and fruit as we prepare for this event.

Support Update

The U.S. economy continues to affect our financial support.  In the last two months we have been $2,000 and $2,300 short of our monthly need.  Based on those who have committed to supporting us, we are at 69% of our monthly need.  We have been unable to meet our ministry expense needs related to teaching ESL and holding outreach events due to this short fall.  During this month alone we have three outreach events scheduled: the Fall Feast, a Ladies Tea and Bible Study, and our Thanksgiving Outreach Dinner.  We are trusting God to supply all our needs for these events. 

As 2009 draws near to an end, would you consider giving a special gift for our ministry so that we can continue this important work of reaching Italians for the Lord?  Because of our shortfall we are asking the Lord to provide $10,000.  Many of you have been so gracious over the years, and for that we give thanks to the Lord.  If you are able to help, please 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.  Please mail your check to:  

S.E.E. - P.O. Box 587 - Bradenton, FL - 34206-0587

If you prefer, you may also click on the web link below to pay through Paypal and follow the instructions.  Your donation is tax deductible.  We look forward to your partnership.

http://www.seeteams.org/paypal/MakeOnlinePaymentStep1.php

Praises and Prayers