Family Meeting
Friday June 26th is the Modugno church’s “family meeting”. This time Gianluca will be sharing about the vision for the center and introducing the team he has been forming. Please pray that God will get the church excited about participating in this great place that He has given it for this time.
Baptism Service
Sunday the Modugno church will be having a baptism service. Please keep it in your prayers- for the people who have made the decision to be baptised (it is not an easy decision-they often face ridicule and rejection from family and relatives). Please also pray for the new people who will be there. These services are a great opportunity for sharing about God with those who really need Him.
Work Day at il Rifugio
There will be a work day at the center today!
Gianluca was asked to organize a team of individuals who can work toward organizing the various aspects of the center (administration, booking, welcoming/hosting, cleaning, cooking and maintenance) several months ago. He has been working to organize and form a solid team, dedicated to the center. Today there will be an official work day at the center for all the members of the Modugno church who would like to participate- we are getting ready for high season! We are excited to see how God will continue to use this place for His glory.
June
We were blessed to welcome 2 little ones into the church family this month- both born to couples who participated in our premarital and newlyweds classes…what fun!
Sunday the 7th of June was the last day to sign up for Estonia trip. There are 15 people going. We are excited about the level of interest. Please be praying as many of the people who are interested in going are struggling to come up with the funds necessary to go. Pray also for the preparation of hearts, and for the organization of everything (this is our first time in Estonia so say an extra prayer that things will go smoothly).
We started our summer round of premarital courses. We will be doing an excellerated version in english for one couple, and another “normal” version for a second couple. We are excited that there is a third couple attending the course this summer who are considering beginning to work with us in the couples ministry. We could really use the support and are excited to see how God demonstrates his will to us and to them.
My (Carli’s) parents arrive Wednesday- the kids are thrilled (and so is mom!). It will be nice to have some help and support for a month.
It has been a super busy spring. With Gianluca at work all day and almost every evening filled with meetings and appointments the moments of rest have been few and far between!
Sunday Gianluca had the opportunity to preach at a small church in Barletta. Although it is a small reality, Barletta is a very large city and we are excited to see how God uses this church to reach the people in that city who need the Lord.
Monday we celebrated our 7 year anniversary. It was nice to actually have a day off and spend some time together!
Thursday we started our latest round of premarital courses. We only have one couple who is getting married this year which will make for a new and interesting dynamic in teaching the course. Gianluca has also began the work with the team who will be overseeing the center. It is a team 6 people who are members from the Modugno church. Each member has an area of the center for which they are responsible. Gianluca is trying to coordinate this team and also to be the bridge between the center’s team and the pastoral team( in terms of communication). He has been to the center a few times already and I am sure we will spend a lot of time there this summer as well!
Gianluca is preparing for a “day retreat” with his Mission i6:8 leadership team next Monday the 25th. That evening there will be a meeting in church for anyone who is interested in participating in the trip to Estonia this August. We are prayerful that a lot of young people will show up and choose to get involved. Keep praying for this latest venture undertaken by i6:8. We are excited to see what God will do.
Mission i6:8- Estonia
Mission i6:8 will be taking our first trip to Estonia this August! We have the opportunity to work with a new contact there who runs a pro-life ministry. We are excited for this new opportunity and look forward to many young people getting involved and having their lives changed! Please pray for this event- pray for many young people to sign up, for the preparations, and pray that God will do great things in Estonia and in the hearts of the young people who will be going.
Friday April 24- Sunday April 25
This weekend there was a men’s retreat at the center. 16 men participated in the reatreat, which went very well. Gianluca spent all day Saturday helping at the retreat- he taught a few of the sessions and helped lead a time of prayer and confession. The work among the men here has taken great dedication on the part of the leaders and is slowly beginning to grow. We are excited to see a few young men beginning to participate and are hopeful that God will continue to renew and refresh this ministry.
This weekend a group from the church also went to a Open Doors conference in central Italy- the Modugno pastor and his wife were 2 of the participants. The theme was on forgiveness and from the testimonies that were shared seems to have been a very powerful and moving event. Open Doors is a great ministry and we are excited that a few young people from the church decided to attend this event to learn more. Visit http://www.opendoorsusa.org/ to learn more!
A little family time
We were so blessed to have Gianluca’s brother and his family here for two weeks during and after the Easter festivities. They were a great distraction for (and help with) the kids while Gianluca was gone, and it was wonderful to spend some time with them once Gianluca got home as well. The kids had a blast with their cousins- Elaigia found his best buddy in Joshua. Family is such a blessing, and although ours is mostly far away we are thankful for each member in our family, for the love and support they show us, and for the precious moments we have with each of them.
Mission-net: “For Heaven’s Sake”
Happy Easter
