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 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 newsletter.  For more information, you can visit our website at www.littlesitaly.com

Ministry Highlights - October 23, 2008

In September, we began the fall semester at Saints Bible Institute (S.B.I.) and started up our fall semester of English as a Second Language (E.S.L.).  There are lots of details that go into the preparation of both these schools.  Tom assists in all the preparations at S.B.I. while Maureen leads the E.S.L. activities.  We have a smaller than normal class at S.B.I. mostly due to the U.S. economic climate.  The good news is that our E.S.L. are still going strong.  E.S.L. is one of our primary means for outreach.  These classes open the door for friendship evangelism. This semester we registered over 200 people for classes, and we continue to have over 100 regular attendees.  We have 4 adult classes and 3 children's classes in Valvasone, where we live.  We also, have 6 adult classes in Udine, the location of our church plant.  These two towns are about 40 minutes apart.  Our most exciting news is that we are starting two Bible studies this month for our E.S.L. students.  So far, we have 11 students who are planning to come. Please pray that many students would come and be open to the gospel.

In mid September, Tom spent a Saturday with Carlo Marchi harvesting his grape crop.  Carlo is the man that became a believer in June 2007 shortly after Tom’s arrival in Italy. The past year has brought Tom and Carlo close as friends and brothers. Carlo continues to be discipled by Ken Wells, one of our Church planters, and Tom continues to talk with Carlo about the pleasures and pressures of being a new believer later on in life. Carlo and Tom love conversing about the differences between the States and Italy, everything from politics to history and business. An interesting development is that Carlo’s mother has been coming to church with Carlo.  She appears to becoming more open to the Lord’s word.  Please join us in our prayer for her salvation.

 Personal Highlights

Maureen's return to Italy was delayed by two weeks due to a bout of diverticulitis.  We think all the stress she was under trying to find health insurance ended up affecting her health.  Praise the Lord, she is back to normal and feeling fine.  She finally found affordable health care coverage.  Thanks for your prayers.

This month Gene and Linda Wilson, church planters with the Evangelical Free Church of America, visited us.  They are good friends and have been great mentors for us.  We were very excited about their visit.  Linda has taught E.S.L. in the U.S. for 9 years.  She helped Maureen with the ESL classes and brought a lot of valuable curriculum which we are already integrating into our classes.  Gene and Tom spent time sharing each others ministry.

November Schedule

Maureen is busy teaching ESL classes and organizing two Bible studies.  She is also beginning preparations for the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach.  We will be inviting the ESL students and other Italians that we have been witnessing to.  Tom continues with his administrative duties and will again spend a day in the fields with Carlo, this time harvesting Kiwis. Yes, Kiwi!  Did you know that a small area of Italy has a sizable Kiwi crop?  The days in the fields with Carlo have helped Tom find stories and analogies to use in conversations about Carlo’s new found faith.

Support Update

The U.S. economy has affected our monthly support which has been reduced to 79% of our monthly need.  Our short fall is $1,022.  Please pray that the Lord will provide additional monthly support.  Regardless of the U.S. economy, Italy is still in need of the Good News! 

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