The Girl's English Club

by Grace

Emily, Courtney, and Grace



Just the thought of starting an English club here in Italy was overwhelming. How are we going to even have anyone to invite - let alone get them to come bi-weekly to just speak English to us? But Emily, Courtney (another staff girl here) and I felt strongly that that is exactly what God wanted us to do…to be in that difficult position where we rely on Him, to do something we don’t really feel comfortable doing. We knew we had to listen to Him! 

The three of us got together for our first official meeting. We discussed what we wanted to do, who we wanted to invite, how we were going to get them to come, etc.

We decided we wanted it to be just girls, because it would be a more comfortable environment. We invited them through Facebook (Courtney already knew some girls from going to school when she was younger)… Facebook is a great tool people!!!

Every other week a group of Italian teenage girls sit across from Emily, Courtney, and me waiting eagerly to hear what crazy American traditions and words we’ll teach them. Our normal schedule is: a game, food (Americana of course!), and then some sort of discussion in English. We have taught them Telephone Pictionary, Never have I ever, and my favorite, English phrases that don’t make any sense!! “The early bird gets the worm”, “Break a leg”, “Smart as a whip” are just a few examples. You should have seen their faces when we tried to explain these things to them!

We have a lot of fun with these girls. Sometimes our clubs are great, and sometimes we feel as though we failed. But we know God is working. We go into each week with lots of prayer and planning. God keeps giving us new ideas, and it always surprises me. “Yay God!” (as a good friend says).

The best part of this whole thing for me has been God showing Himself to me in incredible ways. Not only just the relationships with these Italian girls, and not just having our English club pull through each week (only by God), but how HE is growing ME.

It truly amazes me watching Him work here. He has been working in me more than I could have ever expected. Even in only about four months God has shown me things from His word and His world and His people that have grown me so much. I'm told Italy will strip me of everything but Jesus, and I want that. I want to only desire Him.

More than anything, God has been teaching me patience and humility. These things that I wouldn't have learned in America, not in the same way, anyway. He is humbling me to know there is no way I can do this on my own. He is teaching me patience in learning the culture, language, and earning relationships with these Italian people. I feel closer to God than I ever have because of having to trust Him more than ever. I am so thankful.

Our hope is to eventually make our English club evangelistic, as of now… we are building relationships, because as some of you know, that’s what Italians are about: relationships… oh, and then food! (Seriously).

We would love prayer for these girls’ hearts to be softened and for God to completely shine through us so they can see His love. Also for our strength to keep up with this, and to trust and rely on Jesus. We couldn’t do this without your prayer, so thank you!

God is showing His faithfulness to me… and for that I’m truly thankful.

“Never Been THIS Good Before!”

by Mark

The colloquial greeting, “How are you?” usually receives back from me, “I’ve never been this good before!”

Granted, I am generally an upbeat, positive, optimistic kinda guy. I have been unexplainably blessed by God in my life – most overwhelmingly, by His Magnificent Person.

I cannot explain why I don’t suffer like some. Nor can I explain why I get to be married to my best friend. Honestly, with all the moving parts in the parenting task, I simply am at a loss to explain why I have three wonderful children, all of whom love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, on one hand, my usual response – I’ve never been this good before – seems appropriate. I have been granted a wonderful life, by the Giver of life.

On the other hand, life is hard. Especially in Italy.

It sounds strange to say life is hard in the place many dream about for a vacation. Ah, Florence! The history. The art. The food. The beauty! We recently hosted some friends as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, and they experienced all those things, and more.

But living here is hard. God has ordained for me a big, fat trial…in a beautiful place. The language, transportation, culture in general, pace…it’s all different and challenging. For example, there’s usually more month than money (because of the dollar to euro exchange rate), we sleep in a former crypt (yes, really), and daily frustrations of life are more than continuous. Frankly, it feels like continual change all day, every day.

A fellow staff person said, “No one frustration is that big of a deal. It’s like a paper cut. One, or even two or three isn’t a big deal. But when you get home at night to count 100 such slight cuts, it’s painful!” Another staff friend said, “Italy strips you of everything, but Jesus”.

I’ve tried to determine what is so difficult about living here. One day I was absolutely sure it was my lack of connectivity. See, at home I am always connected by computer, my Droid phone, language, etc. I know what’s happening around me all the time. Here, I am largely disconnected. No smart phone here – way too expensive – mine is a dumb phone…

Another day I thought my challenges were more related to autonomy. At home, I walk out to my car (if I want to), drive to where I need to go (if I want to), when I want to…you get the picture. Here, I’m at the mercy of bus stinkin’ 7! If you miss it by a minute, another will be by in 20 minutes. Sometimes the driver leaves early. There are hand signals to respond to that situation, which of course I would never use…

Enough, um, complaining. Back to my usual response to the colloquial greeting.

Think about this:

• If “to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Christ)” Phil. 1:21

• And to be with Christ is far better v. 23

• Then each day I’m alive, I’m closer to death, and being face-to-face with Christ

• Then each day is closer to gaining Christ, and by definition, better than the day before.

• Therefore, I’ve never been this good before.

Just a thought.

What do you think?

mm

More Third John Four

by Emily

Last weekend Em and Grace were asked to serve as counselors at a Young Life Jr. High camp. Both had meaningful gospel conversations, and Em was able to lead one young lady to Jesus! This is Emily's account:

Some days in Italy the world “out there” cannot be faced: the rushing crowds, the constant straining to understand just a piece of information, the people I yearn so much to reach, but can barely talk to in full sentences. These obstacles can cause a sense of failure within me, a sense that I have no other choice but to “diligently” study at home, waste my life on facebook, or set my troubles aside and enter into the world of a good book.

But, I realize I am here in Italy for one purpose: to serve God and others. Some of the greatest times in my life have been here, in Italy, when the Lord gives me the strength to overcome my fear of failure and wholeheartedly serve Him. When I can forget my little amount of schoolwork, log off of facebook, set down my book, and venture out into the unknown. But the beauty of the unknown is the essential step of putting every ounce of trust in the Lord and allowing Him to lead me into the dark. He is blessing me with so many opportunities to do this, and every time I take these chances and run with them, I see a little glimpse of eternity.

Last week, I was presented with one of the best opportunities yet! I got to be a leader at a junior high retreat for American military kids. God really revealed to me some of the struggles and pain that I never imagined these families serving our country had to face. I was so humbled by the five girls in my small group as they opened up and poured their hearts out to me one by one. It was most definitely perfectly orchestrated by the Creator of the Universe that I was supposed to be there with these specific girls, used by Him to love on them and hear their stories.

The entire retreat was focused on human’s worth in the sight of our Maker and the perfect plans God has for us. God was working all week to soften the kid’s hearts and I think this really hit home in almost all of their minds as they are constantly dragged around from place to place (about every 2-3 years) and never really know what will happen next in their lives.

So, the last night, most everyone was crying. We were all told to contemplate worth: how much they felt they were worth, and how much they were treating others like they were worth.

Then, there was an awesome gospel presentation. We headed up to our respective bunk beds for some small group time, and the room was dead silent. After a few minutes of unsuccessful coercion, my fellow leaders and I decided to take each girl and talk to her one by one. This was when God caught hold of two of the girl’s hearts and brought them out of darkness and into light!

The girl I was talking to was probably the last person I expected to open up to me because she was so shy and barely said two words during the first couple of days. But, God works in mysterious ways and opened this girl’s heart and mouth. He is so good! This girl came to me with tears streaming down her face, her body shaking in fear and hurt, and somehow God spoke through me and led her to repentance. She told me about the pain she felt from her family situation and the rejection she felt from her past. I got to tell her how much God loves her (to the point of death!) and how she had the chance to be with Him forever. She then asked if she could pray with me and start her own personal relationship with Jesus Christ! This girl’s life was changed in an instant and I got to be the first witness!

Situations like this make me so utterly thankful. Thankful that God worked it out so that I could share the gospel while in this country even though I can hardly speak the language. Thankful that He has perfect plans and orchestrates them beautifully, that He planned for me to step out of my comfort zone, and be used to change a life, that He saved this girl from death through me, and that now I get to worship alongside her in paradise!

"I have no greater joy than to hear of my chidren qwalking in the truth" 3 John 4

Third John Four

I asked Joe for permission to post this email he sent me. He said yes, as long as I thought it would bless others to read it. He is a humble young man, by grace alone, walking in the Truth:

"Through completely Divine circumstances, I had the opportunity to lead a young man to the Lord today! I don't know much about him, in fact he was a total stranger, but we talked for a while and he explained how he wanted to come to Cal Baptist to get his life turned around, and after telling him a little about Jesus and my story, asked if he wanted to do the same and he said yes. We then parted ways, but I was able to get his phone number, and Julie Ann gave him a bible she had in her apartment. I am hoping to meet with him again to give him some basics of the faith, but I don't really know what to do. Could you give me some basic practical things to talk to him about to get him started? I know that this is the Lord's work, and wholly trust Him, I just want to make sure I am prepared. His name is Peter*

Love you, and thank you for your prayers!

In service of the King!"
~joe

The aged Apostle John wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth". 3 John 4

* Peter isn't really his name, but will you pray with us that this young man gets plugged into a Bible teaching church and lots of interaction with other Christians.

Good News/Even Better News!

Some of you know I ruptured my left Plantaris muscle (little calf muscle that helps you ‘point your toes’, or in my case, run up hills), last April. After lots of physical therapy and non-running exercise, I began running again on May 24th – our wedding anniversary! What a gift! I was told a minimum of 12, most likely 16 weeks of PT was required for such an injury. God shortened my rehab to 6 weeks! HA-LAY-LOOOOO-YA!

Welp, I was out running the hills of Fiesole late this afternoon…and BAM!...my left lateral calf began to hurt…really bad. In one step I was reduced to a ‘heel walking’ limp. This pain was not in the same place as the Plantaris pain.

So, heel walk limp I did for about 10 minutes…

this is near the olive groves

My normal Fiesole run takes me through vineyards and olive groves. All the olive growers are harvesting right now to produce what’s call ‘New Oil’ – the pungent, taste-filled oil that exists for mere days in November.

As I limped into an olive grove two men were harvesting their gems. One said, “Buona Sera”. I responded in kind. He replied in English, “Are you OK?”. “Oh! You speak English?”. He said, “Certo…um, of course!” “Well, not really. I ruptured a muscle in my calf a few months ago, and I think I injured another muscle…” “Do you need a lift?”, he responded kindly. “Well, I hate to take you away from your work…”. “You need help…you are more important than my work”.

Wow…really? I thought.

I sweat more than anyone you know. I told the kind man, “I am all wet with sweat. I really don’t want to get your car seat wet”. “Nonsense, get in the car!”, he replied, like I would even bring that issue up…

So, the good news is, I get to trust the Lord for the ability to run again…um, soon!

The even better news is, I had the opportunity to open a conversation about Jesus with this man named…I don’t even wanna try to spell it…starts with an “M”, ends in a vowel…like most Italian names.

He was intrigued with what we do, and asked us to come share more with him…when my leg is better. Don’t think I’ll wait for that!

Grace and Peace and Love and Hope and Joy to you all! Thanks for standing with us in this…surprising work!

mark, for the fam

plantaris muscle song

So Utterly Stinkin' Cool!

by Mark

So, our first Americani friends came to visit! Clint and Jill are celebrating their 25th Anniversary in Italia - First stop: Fiesole! We had a blast showing them around for a few days. Clint's a runner, so I took him on my epic trail here:

Praise God for a marriage that reflects well that which it is supposed to point to: Christ and His bride, the church. Way to go Clint and Jill - keep making Him look great!

Then, the girls, Les, and I traveled down to to city outside of Roma, called Promezia, for the Annual Fall Conference for Agape Italia. Way too much to tell here, but we're pumped about what the Lord has done, and for the future plans of this ministry! Both Les and I led seminars for the other staff attending. Les shared the progress of the upcoming Christmas distribution of Magdalena, and I coached some staff in Ministry Partner Development.

Our dear friends, Scott and Valerie (and their daughter and son) attended and contributed to the conference

Scott and Valerie have been a tremendous encouragement to us and Agape Italia for years. We love it when ministry partners visit the field to see what their Kingdom investments have produced, and to be an integral part of the ministry on the ground, in country! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Please pray for our continued usefullness in our little part of the Harvest - for Christ's fame and Glory!

So utterly stinkin' cool!

Grace and Peace and Love and Hope and Joy to you,

mark, for the fam

I LOVE America

by Mark (after having been in the U.S. for a week)

I’m always happy to return to the U.S. after a couple of weeks in another country. I love exposing ministry partners to what God is doing via the JESUS Film in other parts of the world, but as Dorothy would say, “There’ no place like home”.

So, on Wednesday October 6th, when I began my trek to Lake Geneva, WI for our JESUS Film Executive Briefing Conference, I was thrilled to be heading home. As our enormous 747 approached Chicago’s O’Hare, I saw Lake Michigan, Lakeshore Dr., the course of the Chicago Marathon to be held that weekend, and the Sears Tower (or whatever it’s called now), I thought to myself, I love America!

I landed @ 12:35, got my bag, was through customs by 1:10, and was in my buddy’s rental car by 1:20…BAM! I love America…
We arrived @ the resort by 3:00pm, and I was training 14 volunteers to represent the Jesus Film (we call these folks, Ambassadors) by 5pm. Having been awake for 27 hours, and thoroughly exhausted, I called it a night and went to bed…sorta.

By 4am my body was done sleeping, so I got up to have some time with Jesus. The gym opened @ 6am, so my pal and I went over to get a workout I before a day full of meetings. State-of-the-art exercise equipment, English-speaking staff, A/C, and a clean locker room…Man, do I love America!

The scratchy throat and stuffy head didn’t feel right, but nothing was going to put a damper on my time in the States! The leaves were changing, the air was crisp, I was with my homies…other than Leslie being with me, what could be better than this?!

By 3pm, my throat traversed scratchy to downright sore, and my stuffy head moved from an annoyance to a pressure packed head full of snot that made me sound as though I was pinching my nose closed when trying to speak. I went to bed…till Saturday morning…

Our ministry in India was the theme of Saturday morning prayer time. The 50 of us gathered for prayer, over the requests brought from our Indian brothers, felt very small as we heard story after story of the challenges they face in reaching 1.3 billion souls for Christ. The joy with which they speak, even in the face of all manner of trial and persecution, is truly a testimony of the goodness of God. I love America, and I love that Americans can – and have! – come alongside our South Asian staff both prayerfully and financially.

The rest of the conference was profoundly powerful and relentlessly refreshing for all of us. The Lord raised up millions for His work in South Asia. I stood in awe at the kind generosity of our Spirit-filled ministry partners as they continue to give selflessly, even in these challenging economic times. God is good, regardless the circumstances!

From the Jesus Film conference I flew to OC, rented a car (so weird!), and drove out to Joe’s concert in Murrieta, CA. The 100-voice, all male chorale was rehearsing when I arrived. As I entered the church auditorium, my eyes welled as I heard all four parts harmonize “How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise”. Joe gave me a big ol’ exaggerated wink and smile. Oh please, Lord, I don’t want to weep in front of all these young men, I thought as I fought back the happy tears of seeing/hearing my son for the first time in 3 months!

The boys descended the bleachers to go pray before their concert. Joe was one of the last, as he’s one of the tallest in the top row. “I have no greater joy than to hear of my children walking in the Truth” (3 John 4) is my most favored verse in all of Holy Scripture. It encompasses joy, discipleship, and the Gospel in one succinct verse of Scripture. And it’s what has made my heart tick for the past 20 years, because it’s the Great Commission of Matt. 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’”.

Needless to say, the concert was incredible. Joe and I went to dinner (Mexican!) before we headed to his house on the campus of California Baptist University. After excellent conversation with my first born, I slept in the living room of their house. Joe made sure I had the ‘good’ mattress and a clean sheet, and his comforter – which totally blessed me to know that he wanted me to be comfortable in his house.

Monday through Thursday was spent seeing family and friends and picking up stuff we need for the winter (yeah, it gets cold and wet!) in Fiesole. What a joy to be ‘home’ for a few days!

It’s only been 12 weeks since we said goodbye to all that is familiar. Seems like an eternity. Things are so different here. Not bad, just different. And I’d hasten to say, uncomfortable… One long-term staff guys used the analogy of a paper cut when referring to all the micro-challenges in Italy: one doesn’t hurt that much, but when you get a hundred in a day, they all add up to…uncomfortable…

Sometimes I have to force myself to remember why we're here: God's specific call!

Not complaining…just sayin…I love America!

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

By Leslie

Very Cool Fireplace...in the Kitchen

I have always heard that saying, but suddenly I have a real understanding of what that means.... See, on Saturday I had a bunch of wood delivered by Dino - the wood guy. I was able to get a poker and that little shovel thingy at the open market in the piazza the same day. I am so thankful to have this GIANT fireplace that is basically almost one whole wall of our dining area. It is all open so that when you light the fire it’s just in there almost like a campfire. BUT... its really hard to get going (where’s the little key that turns on the gas??) so that once I get it going and start doing other things around the house, I am always walking by and poking and blowing and adding more wood. I am “keeping the home fire buring!!” I dunno, this just made me laugh today. It was a very fall day today - more like it would be in the winter in the OC! Emily and I made pumpkin muffins from scratch.... like, ALL the way from scratch... like, from a raw pumpkin!! Those of you who know me well know that this is amazing.

Today I had to meet up with my friend, Kylie, to work on some stuff for Magdalena. We get to attend a pastor’s meeting on Wednesday morning to pitch them on our idea for a distribution of the film at Christmas. Anyway, I took the usual bus down the hill but since the lady in front of me on the bus was spitting up on the floor at regular intervals, I decided to get off early and enjoy the long walk to the office. And I really do enjoy the walking - so many interesting people and things to see.

But this morning, I was faced with quite the dilemma. First of all, you have to know that the sidewalks here are only about 3 feet wide, and not at all flat. So, I'm walking along and suddenly have a choice to make - step into the street in front of a car, run over a little old lady with a cane, step in the dog pee that is running from the wall across the sidewalk, or walk straight into the cloud of smoke that has just poured forth from some guy’s cigarette.... I mean, how often do I have such decisions to make in America?? LOVE this place!! I know you are dying to know.... I chose the smoke.

Kylie and I had a productive meeting, and split a pizza from my now favorite pizza place. Please pray for me as I am going to try to greet the pastors on Wednesday morning with a tiny bit of Italian. What an interesting life!!

Em and Grace Celebrated their 17th and 15th Birthdays a couple weeks ago



Sketchy Electrical Stuff...We rarely blow stuff up anymore, though!

Permesso di Soggiorno in hand...and other fun things from Italia!

OH MY!! What a week!

News Flash!!! TODAY Mark and I picked up our Permesso di Soggiorno cards... only took 3 hours. But now we are official - and officially finished with the Questura. At least until we have to take the girls back....

****************************************************************************************************

I guess in total, it has been 10 days that we have been going non-stop. We have packed and unpacked 3 times and celebrated both girls’ birthdays (Italian style!) We have taken trains, buses, rental vans, taxis, and walked many miles. God has shown us His grace, His beauty, and His timing in all of it. I will do my best to be brief as I catch you up on the latest happenings.

New Staff Training:

Sunday morning (9/26) 8 of us piled into a rental van and headed out to a little farm outside of Sienna to have our new staff training. All together, there were 18 of us including our trainers. We had great times of devotion and worship, and we learned more about Agape Italia. Also had some time to just talk about - and work through -some of our “issues” about living here. Indeed, there are days when it’s so hard we just want to pack up and get the next plane home. Then we remind each other that God has called us here and He has a purpose in it. One quote we heard (from a man who has served here for over 20 years) was that, “Italy will strip you of everything but Jesus.” Wow.... I have to say we have felt this to some degree. It was good to hear that the things we have felt are not uncommon.

Milano:

We got home Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning I left for Milan. There I had two straight days of meetings to talk about “Magdalena” strategy. Our support staff from Orlando is here this week, so they met with Kylie, Elfi, and me. We also met with the ladies from Milan who were instrumental in putting on the premiere there last April. They have huge hearts to see this film bring enlightenment and change in Italy as it relates to the dignity of women here. We had a wonderful time with our new National Director, Franco Bosio and his wife, Maria. They have joined us in our excitement about distributing the film here in Florence at Christmas and then an Italy-wide distribution on March 8th. (More on this strategy later) Franco is one of the most expressive and passionate believers I have ever met. So thankful to be working alongside him and the whole team!!

Got home late Friday night... yes, LATE!! When Kylie and I tried to buy our train tickets at the station, the tickets were sold out. So we had to take a later train that went to the sketch (yes, I said it!!) station in a different part of town. Thankfully, the amazing Gary Runn came and picked me up since there are no buses and it was 10 PM. While waiting in the Milan train station I was thinking how people can be categorized by their treatment of pigeons.... It all started when the man sitting next to me in the long row of cold, metal chairs decided to throw his pizza crust out on the ground for the pigeons to eat. You can imagine the mayhem when the birdies saw what he did. But the problem was, this was right where people had to walk to get to their train connections. So, there are the Dodgers, the Scardie-cats, the Kickers (you know who you are!!), the Oblivious, the Annoyed... you get the picture. Great way to pass an hour delay in case you are ever in this situation.


Tanti Auguri!!:

Saturday morning dawned early! My sweet new friend, Laura, insisted that she have a little birthday party for Emily and Grace. I wanted to help her get ready and so we made plans for me to meet her at 10:30. When I arrived at her house she had switched the plans on me, and instead was taking me to this very cool street down in the city with many shops. They call it “The street of 100 shops.” There we met up with another friend of hers named Cristina. She and her daughters would be joining us later at the party. So, instead of preparing for the party, we strolled the street and had coffee and I practiced my Italian. After we finished, she took me home. I asked her about helping and she said, “no... just come over at 4:30.” These people are so gracious!! 

We spent the afternoon with Laura and her family, Cristina and her family, and our staff friends, the Runns. There were also a few other teens there. We ate three different fabulous, home made desserts and the girls were sung to in English. Aside from the 50 mosquito bites Grace go out on the grass in their backyard, the evening was perfetto!!

Cinque Terre:

Two months ago I booked us a room in Riomaggiore - a quaint little beach town that is part of 5 little towns along the north/west coast of Italy. Course, we didnt know how busy we would be right now, but when I booked it I wanted to do something special for the girls’ birthdays. So, early Sunday morning we got up and went to the train station. Here, I have to confess that I got my family there an HOUR earlier than necessary... what was I thinking?? I dont know... but when we got there we thought the train was at 9:57 and it was at 10:57. They all just looked at me... deer in the headlights.... Thankfully, they are all so full of grace that we just raised our eyebrows and went to Micky D’s for an Egg McMuffin. We arrived in Riomaggiore around 1 PM and went through the tunnel as directed by Mario (the man we rented the room from.) He said he would find us at the end of the tunnel, and sure enough!! He did!! We spent most of the day hiking the trails and being amazed at God’s beautiful creation. I have to say, seeing and hearing the ocean were water to my soul. More unforgettable memories made with Mark and the girls!! I mean, we won’t soon forget the ocean views, the olive groves, the steep climbs, nor the slippery rocks. We might forget that the short train ride from the last terre to ours was 1.5 hours late while we shivered on the cold platform.... But we are getting kind of used to “Italy Time.” Stuff happens late - or maybe it’s just God’s timing. We are learning to relax and go with the flow. Those of you who know me well know that this isnt always easy for me. More sharp edges being filed away.