Our first Avanti Italia workers, Kensey Harris and Chad Fetters are nearing the end of their time here at the Bible school. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with them! They have been in language school, studying, meeting people, being gracious hosts, cooking, teaching English lessons, cleaning & throwing away old stuff, etc. They both have jumped right in and have busy schedules!
Chad, the first to leave, begins his work in Catania. On December 4th, Chad joins Avanti workers, Kristen and Brandon Edwards (and their sweet little Charlotte!) for a brief “overlap” before the Edward family returns to the States as their AI terms come to an end.
Kensey has begun the process of visiting various churches and awaits direction from the Lord & as to where He might lead her...
There are 3-5 AI workers slated to arrive between the months of January-April. Please pray for their transition time! It can be difficult to leave your family & friends, move to another country (with just 1 or 2 suitcases, I must add) learn a new language and culture. If you know them, please offer your encouragement & support.
If you have access to “Facebook” search “Avant Italia” and take a look at our site. All AI workers (present & incoming) have bios posted, some have newsletters & blogs. Just click on their photos. AI events and news can be found there as well.
If you do not have access to Facebook, just ask one of your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews…what I am trying to say is… ASK SOMEONE YOUNGER THAN YOU ARE! [big grin] They will know how to access it!
We continue to have many requests for English lessons. People of all ages, all walks of life, differing reasons & motives, varying levels, etc…and the waiting list lengthens…waiting for more AI workers. Imagine if we advertised!!
Our daughter Emily was here in September, always a joy. She plans to join the Avanti Team, fall ‘09. Emily was such a blessing and worked so hard while she was here! She painted, cleaned & re-arranged furniture. Two more bedrooms have a nice new coat of paint-one room (girls side) is light blue & one is light green (boys side). Rosa hung new curtains. It looks fantastic!
Jim & Louine Woodroof (David’s folks) and Maxine Carroll (David’s Aunt) were here in October. Jim preached in Florence, the 1st morning he was in Italy. He spoke again a week later, in Milan. The message was powerful, of course. David and Jim got busy-repaired, plastered, and painted the 1st floor bathroom and common area (the area between the bathroom, kitchen & laundry rooms.) It was a 7-day m e s s y process and it looks GREAT! You’d never know Jim is “retired!” I was worn out trying to keep up with him! (Those of you familiar with the ORANGE bathroom…it is no longer orange!)
In September, the Bible School hosted the Men’s Convegno (retreat.) Thirty-five men from all over Italy attended the 3-day event. Rosa and served as the cooks. I loved hearing the men sing as we cooked (…it is a special sound…men singing.) The men met in the classroom. Then in between class times the classroom was quickly transformed into a 2nd dining room for mealtimes.
[Kensey and Chad had just arrived. They sure were troopers & dove right in…what a way to get started! I think it might have been a bit overwhelming at times! Ha they did great!]
November 14-16 the CIA (Christians In Action) was here, in Florence. This group of Italian Christians comes from various places, which travel around and serve. This time they came to distribute information & invitations for the Church in Florence. After the sermon, we shared a meal together. We were sad to see them all go back to their homes. It was good to be together.
November 16th the Harding University Florence students all came to the AI building for a chili & cornbread dinner, hear about the AI program and see a short DVD on the “Power of God.” We have enjoyed getting to know the HUF students and we will miss them as they return to the States!
As for us…David is busy doing much of the same things. He continues to have many English students, fixes & repairs, paints, etc. He is doing really well. Currently we are in search of a car…so far – no luck!
Something new for me is a “ladies night out” group. There are 4 of us, 2 Italian & 2 Americans. We take turns hosting once a month in our homes. We cook a meal together, eat together, and at the end of the evening we translate the recipe (into English and Italian.) We speak English part of the time and Italian the other part of the time. It is fun & exhausting! My Italian continues to be terrible! (Ha)
I continue my Italian/English exchange sessions. Recently, I worked/interpreted a 2 week Mediterranean cruise (met the group of Deaf folks in Rome.) It was a good experience & I was happy to have the opportunity.
At the end of November, David and I travel to Puglia to help Rosa and Felice’s families harvest their olive crop. (Never thought I’d write something like that…harvest olives! What fun!) We hope to use this opportunity to also spend time with the churches in Taranto and possibly Catania.
David and I (Lord willing) arrive in the States in December. We have plans to spend much of our time in Searcy. We look forward to seeing many of you! I hope to spend some time in Dallas to see my Mother, Brother and Sister before I head back home to Italy. (David will head home (Italy) before I do.)
I must tell you…the sweet notes, emails, packages we have received, have overwhelmed me. Some just very short…some full of news…some with DVD’s in English!! [big grin] I appreciate each gesture so much & it seems they arrive RIGHT when I NEED it the MOST! Your thoughtfulness, your willingness to take the time, and the following through with your thought-makes me ashamed! I do not think I would follow through…I might think of it… but I feel certain that is where the good intention would stop. Thank-you.
Okay, another Update-too long! I know! Well, that is me. (Also, as requested, this is in large print-which adds considerably to the length!) Continue to pray for our girls, our families, for this program, for us, for the workers who are here, and for those to come…there is MUCH TO DO! We love you and miss you so much! God bless you!
Happy Happy Holidays to you and your families!
BTW-our youngest daughter, sweet Erica, and her handsome fiancé, Justin, have changed their wedding date due to a location change. May 23rd is the big date. Fun times ahead………and lots & lots to do!
BTW-our youngest daughter, sweet Erica, and her handsome fiancé, Justin, have changed their wedding date due to a location change. May 23rd is the big date. Fun times ahead………and lots & lots to do!
