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 - September 24, 2009

Summer ended before we knew it.  Our trip to New England was fast and furious but we did enjoy seeing several friends and supporters.  Many of you know our missionary friends from Haiti, Jules and Mart Gedna.  Jules has terminal cancer and it was a great blessing to spend a day with him in Boston and be encouraged by his great faith.  In Maine, we had the opportunity to eat Lobster with the Henderson's and Maureen and Bill caught a 3 lb. bass which we promptly ate.  We also had a wonderful time with Charlie and Diane Dumas catching up with what the Lord is doing in all of our lives.

We said a found farewell to our families and returned to Italy at the end of August.  We have been on the go ever since.  Saints Bible Institute began its semester at the beginning of September and there was much to do in preparation for the students even though we only have 6 students this semester.  The U.S. economy has really hurt our enrollment for this semester as well as the upcoming winter semester.  Please pray for our school!  The weekend of their arrival was also the weekend of Valvasone's Medieval Festival.  So, things were pretty hectic, but fun.

Maureen has been preparing schedules, curriculum, and flyers for the upcoming English classes.  We go door-to-door passing out 6,000 flyers inviting Italians to the classes.  This is followed by a week of registration and then classes begin.  We have new teachers each semester so there is also a week of training that covers everything from culture to evangelism and the ins and outs of teaching E.S.L.  We also re-contact all our students from last semester inviting them back to class.  Once classes begin the teachers invite the students for coffee, pizza and various outreach activities all for the purpose of sharing the gospel.  We will also be organizing Bible studies, outreach events, and inviting them to church.

Tom has been immersed in lots of administrative duties not the least of which has been all the accounting related to summer teams.  I know he will be glad when he is finished with that job.

We're in the process of renewing our Permesso de Soggiornos and studying for our Italian driver's license...a monumental task.  How we wish we could just focus on our ministry!

Personal Highlights

Maureen had a long time friend, Sue Ransom, from Georgia return with her to Italy to visit and see our ministry first hand.  They enjoyed some sightseeing as well as the Medieval Festival.  It is always a joy to have people from back home come for a visit.  Tom is happy to report that he passed his first Italian physical with flying colors.  It seems that he is healthier than a horse.  PTL!

October Schedule

Tom will be traveling to the U.S. for 12 days with our director Sam Spatola visiting several universities that send students here to Saints Bible Institute.  The purpose of the trip is to sure up relationships and enlist more students for the winter semester.  As we mentioned, the economy is adversely affecting enrollments here at S.B.I.  Maureen begins the ESL semester along with four other teachers.  She is hoping to begin another Ladies Bible study on the Book of Ruth.

Support Update

The U.S. economy continues to affect our financial support.  Last month we were $2,000 short of our monthly need.  Based on those who have committed to supporting us, we should be at 80% of our monthly need.  Our short fall normally is $943.  Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide additional monthly support and also provide financial help for the people who have committed to supporting us. 

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