I cannot begin without thanking the person/people responsible for bring us back to the States for the Christmas Holidays. We had such a wonderful visit with many of you…family, friends, and especially with our three girls!
It was great to hug them! (Which I took full advantage of, every chance I could!)
We have no idea who it is…we are very grateful and humbled by your thoughtfulness and generosity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I had some tests done while I was back in the States. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement, thank-you. (Specially the ladies from my “Ladies Night-out Group” and “Thursday Night” Supper Club.) I cannot express how dear you all are to me. Things are settling down and I pray this coming year will be “less eventful!”
Upon our return from the States things have been bustling around here and it looks like there is no end in sight! Ha
In January, the Florence Church Agape (pot luck) had 90+ in attendance! The new HUF (Harding University in Florence) students are in town! ?
David and I continue our search for a car…it is proving to be very difficult. Three times we thought we had one...each time our arrival, “with intent to BUY,” the car had been sold! …aarrgghhh!!
As for work around the Bible School…
David has replaced a couple of water heaters, one of which needed to be brought “up to code.” This is always an adventure here, in Italy!
Needless to say this turned out to be a rather time-consuming project and he is glad it is behind him!
David has the grounds pruned, trimmed and cleaned out. I have planted winter flowers in the front of the building. Several of the neighbors have stopped by to chat and make comments regarding the progress. The school has a charming “curb appeal.”
David has painted another bedroom, on the 3rd floor. This room really looks nice. Alessandro, the young man at the paint store, brought us to the back of the store to select from the cans of “mistakes.” We chose a lovely shade…for a fraction of the cost! What a blessing! Also, a big thank-you to Alan and Anna Maria Earhart (Alan, former HUF Assistant) donated some furniture to the Bible school. The “new” armoire is a welcome addition to the ambiance in this room! We appreciate their generosity! We miss them and know they are a welcome addition to the community down in Catania.
David continues with Bible/English lessons. He has a full schedule. There is still a waiting list! (What a great problem! ?)
Rosa and Felice are doing very well…thank you for your interest, thoughts, and prayers!
Recent & Upcoming Events
Soon it will be the peak of the tourist season and with it comes many guests through our doors. March-mid July seemingly are very very busy months here at the Avanti Italia/Bible School building! We are preparing for another busy season.
The Bible School continues to enjoy a steady stream of visitors. We look forward to visits from some of the Avanti Italia committee members in the coming weeks (Jim Woodroof, Bob & Joyce Corbin, Frankie and Carl Mitchell.)
Last week, I joined the HUF girls as Mona Shackelford led the girls’ Wednesday night devo at the HUF villa, while the boys headed on down to the Bible School for their devo.
February 14th was “Ladies Coffee/Special Project Day.” Each one contributed “something yellow” for the Sunshine basket intended for Liliana Masini, who was recently widowed. She and her husband, Luigi, were long time members and some of the first (perhaps the first?) converts here in Florence. Luigi is deeply missed. Liliana has been unable to attend, lately. We miss her beautiful smile & sparkling eyes…we hope we are of some encouragement to her by this very small gesture.
We look forward to Chad Fetters & Kensey Harris’s visit! They will be in Scandicci for a few days to complete some necessary paperwork, enjoy some respite time, and also to welcome our newest Avanti Italia worker, Lindsay Walle!
Lindsay begins her mission work here in Italy, February 20th. She plans to join the Avanti Italia team already working in Catania, which is in Southern Italy. We look forward to spending time with and getting to know Lindsay!
A few ladies of the congregation discussed & set a time for a Ladies Bible Study that begins Feb. 17th at 7:00 p.m. here at the Bible School. Please pray for this group! I am excited about the possibilities…
February 19th, Avanti workers (past and present-9 in all) attend a much needed “weekend get together” here at the Bible School. What a great time!!
Everyone benefited, to say the least! We all enjoyed a wonderful day full of sharing, discussing various experiences (for example-a “wish I had known…” segment, “this was particularly difficult for me…” segment, etc.) It was a beautiful time of sharing & developing ideas, relaxing meals, bowling, prayer and fellowship!
“Conferenze per le Familie,” (a retreat for families), will meet at the church building on February 28th. It is always a treat to be together.
Evidences of our being here…
I am continually reminded how we “stick out like a sore thumb” here! Ha! I would like to recount just a few encounters…that happen to us ALL OF THE TIME!!!! It is incredible…
Recently, I was working in the yard and an elderly neighbor lady who walks her dog to the garbage dumpster several times a day, stopped by to comment on my work. She welcomed me to the neighborhood and told me not to give up on my Italian ? I see her often out and about Le Bagnese, she always makes a point to acknowledge me…
I have two neighbor ladies “across my back balcony” in the next apartment building. There is one older lady who lives directly across from my balcony, on my same floor (the 2nd,) and another who is on the 3rd floor. They both always notice & comment regarding any changes we make here at the Bible School and/or regarding anything in the neighborhood. They make the effort to “connect” with me….
A few weeks ago David and I were having a cappuccino and pastry at Bar Aquila and a woman approached us. She asked if David was the Director of the Bible School. He answered, “yes.” She already knew who we were AND that we were “full” (English lessons.) She then asked if we “could please squeeze her & her young son into the schedule?? If not both of them…could we
please make room for her young son????”
We told her we were so sorry and, at this time, there were no time slots available...not at the moment. She quickly took out a paper and pen and wrote their names and phone number down. We thanked her, again expressed our regrets, and she left. Awhile, when we went to pay for our breakfast…come to find she had already paid for us! How did she know to approach us….
I cannot count the number of times we are approached by a person(s) we have NEVER met and the request for Bible study/English lessons is extended to US!!!
How do they know?!?!?!?!?!?!?
How sad we are forced to reply “…sorry…not at this time…”
Some of Our Needs…
(1) We need your prayers! We need workers! We need your support!
Prayers: For the hearts of the Italian people
To be open and ready for God’s word. For people who will commit 2 years of their life to a great work & who are willing to ACT on it…to DO it! For us, that we might see the important, encourage each other, and that we do not become discouraged.
Workers: If there is someone you believe to be
a candidate for the Avanti Italia Program…please
contact with us! We need your assistance with this. We should not have a waiting list. We should not tell people,
“ I am sorry, at this time, I cannot study the Bible with you.
But I can put you on a waiting list……”
Support: Pray for us. Recruit for us! ?
(2) Upcoming projects…how can you help?
Yard: We are tackling the backyard! A rather large area that is absolutely unused, presently. The goal is form several outdoor sitting areas for uses such as meditation & prayer, one-on-one Bible studies, entertaining, forming relationships, etc. We do not have sponsors…yet.
Offering hospitality, being outdoors, and enjoying a well-prepared meal are all part of the culture here in Italy. Some of the immediate needs of this project are…
•One outdoor long table & chairs
•Outdoor lighting
•The buckled asphalt will need to be removed
(David hopes to do this with a work crew-no cost)
•Additional shrubs, flowers, ground cover, and a few small trees-would be a welcomed addition!
•2 or 3 small patio type round tables and or benches for one-on-one Bible study, prayer & meditation, etc.
•Pavers for the small patio tables
If you would like to partner with us in this endeavor contact us or send your support to
College Church of Christ
712 E. Race Street
Searcy, AR 72143
Attn: Avanti Italia-Backyard Project
Also, if you know of someone who might be interested...please forward this Newsletter! Pray for the work here.
It was so good to see so many of you over the Holidays. Your words of encouragement were very touching and encouraging.
We miss you and look forward to your emails!
Ahhh, once again…blame the large print & format for the length of this Newsletter! ?
Much love, Debbie
