We Are One- Italian youth leader retreat
This weekend, January 6-7, Gianluca and I attended a retreat as representatives and leaders of i68 for youth leaders in Puglia. The retreat was focused on how to create unity amongst the churches in Italy and specifically among the young believers in Italy (more specifically the region of Puglia). Several churches from around the region were represented at the retreat as were a few different youth movements. It was a great time of reflection upon all God has done through GENS the youth movement here in Puglia, and all God continues to desire to do. Each church representative had the opportunity to share about what they are living right now in their particular reality and how, in their opinion, we might achieve more unity between the churches. It was a great 2 days together and it was amazing to see the maturity that each young person and leader was able to show in sharing about themselves, their difficulties, church dynamics, etc. We are certain that God is doing great things and the He wants to unite His body in Italy in order to better show His glory to the world around us. To be a light, we must live in His light.
Pray for unity in Italy….great steps have been taken, but there is still a long road to travel.
Mission-net 2011/2012
Gianluca had the privelege of bringing a large group of young people to a conference in Germany December 27 through January 2. It was a great opportunity for the youth to be exposed to the world of missions. Several of the missions candidates attended this year, which provided them an opportunity to get to know missions organizations, agencies, and opportunities around the world.
God did great things in the hearts of those who attended, and He continues to stir many young people’s hearts towards dedicating their lives to the mission field.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
A New Year’s celebration Maya style! To celebrate the upcoming “end of the world” we celebrated the beginning of this year Maya style. It was a great night of fun at il Rifugio, our center in Ruvo. It was great to reflect upon all the things we have lived through and grown through this last year and look forward to all that the Lord might have in store for us in this new year to come.
Welcome 2012!
Un Natale Come Non Hai Mai Visto
Sunday December 25, 2011
We held a beautiful church service tonight to celebrate together the true meaning of Christmas. The theme was, “A Christmas like you’ve never seen before!”
The service was a wonderful chance to pause and thank God for sending His son and to reflect upon Christ’s sacrifice and humility in lowering himself to human form and, even though He was God, taking on the life that we live each day. There was a brief theatrical performance, a few Christmas songs which were performed as well as a beautiful message.
It was truly a Christmas like we have never seen before here in the Modugno church, and it blessed the church body and those who came to visit. God is so good.
The reason for the season
http://marshill.com/media/its-all-about-jesus/its-all-about-jesus-humility
A powerful look at the real story behind Christ’s birth and what it means for us today. As we celebrate this Christmas, let’s take a moment to reflect upon what his coming means for us.
Happy Celebration of our Savior’s birth
Long, long ago when the time was just right, the stars filled the sky on a quiet still night. The sky was filled with bright shiny light, and something so special happened that night. Mary and Joseph were ending a journey. From Nazareth town they had come in a hurry. To the city of David, Mary and Joseph came, so on the King’s list they could write their names. In Bethlehem town God’s plan would begin to save the world from death, devil and sin.
Joseph and Mary began searching the town for a place to sleep as the sun went down. No room! they heard. There is just no room! But Mary, said Joseph, will have a baby quite soon. Please sir, Joseph begged, for my wife show some pity. I am sorry, he said, there’s no room in the city. Wait! said the innkeeper, there might be a place. In the stable near the animals we’ll give her some space. Then in Bethlehem town, with the animals near, Baby Jesus was born; the Savior was here!
Mary and Joseph looked on with love and great awe. At God in the flesh on a bed made of straw. This baby so tiny, so quiet, so new, would pay for all sin- yours and mine too.
God’s plan for salvation had been joyfully sealed. The shepherds were happy. Before God’s son they kneeled. The bird’s sang so sweetley. The sheep baaed so lowly. And everyone thanked God for this child so holy. (Hoffman)
A look at 2011
Merry Christmas to all of our beloved supporters, our family, our friends! We want to take this opportunity once again to praise the Lord for bringing you all into our lives! Thank you for all you do to support us and the ministry here and around the world through i6:8. We wish you a joyous celebration of our Savior’s birth and a very blessed New Year.
The Ronchi Family (Gianluca, Carli, EJ, Rory and Chloe)
MINISTRY 2011:
- God is opening the doors to use the center we run as a missions hub. We are so excited to be a part of this and to already have welcomed our first missionary family in 2011!
- God is growing the missions candidates! The missions candidates are growing in number, but more importantly they are growing in their readiness to leave for the field. Gianluca dedicated the summer to getting the perspectives course ready and is now dedicating himself to getting them ready! God is doing amazing things!
- We took out second trip to work with orphans in Moldova this year.
- Gianluca will be leading a large group of young people to a European Missions festival this holiday season- many young people are expressing interest in missions!
- We were able to do 2 rounds of the premarital course this year and a retreat for the couples who work for the Open Doors Missions agency.
- The church is exploding and reaching out to numerous cities all around our region. People are driving as much as 2.5 hours every Sunday just to be in church with us!
God is doing great things and we have the privilege of being a part of it! Please continue to pray for all that God is doing and specifically for the amazing work he is doing at and for the center!
FAMILY NEWS 2011:
- EJ started 2nd grade this year (7), Rory is in Kindergarten (5.5) and Chloe (3) is enjoying her last year at home with Mommy before starting preschool. EJ has had the privilege to play soccer this year through the gifts of a particular family. He LOVES it! He is a very sensitive soul, is generous, and loves to discuss, hang out with the adults and have long conversations, and to play with his Legos. He is doing very well is school. Please pray for his health. He has been sick and taken antibiotics for his ears already 3 times this fall. We will be taking him in for testing on January 17 and it is very important that he is healthy when we do! Rory is our princess. She is a giggler and full of silliness. She loves to make her siblings laugh, even when they should be eating or sleeping…She is doing very well in school and is above the level of all her peers. She is full of cuddles, tree climbing, bar swinging and any other acrobatic skills. Chloe is our sunshine. She is full of life and is constantly making us all laugh with her antics. She keeps me busy at home, loves to sing and to dance, and to make “sugar” (baking with me).
- Gianluca and I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage this next Spring! Time goes by so fast! We are always very busy keeping up with God!!! He is doing so much, so much faster, and at such greater levels, than we ever could have imagined. Our family keeps us busy too and we are so thankful for them. They bring us joy during the hectic moments of ministry. I have some important tests for my health next week and would ask your prayer for these. God has blessed us and we are so thankful to have each other, to have a great support team at home and for the family that God has created for us here.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for all you do! Please continue to stay in contact with us, to support the ministry here and to keep us in your never ceasing prayers! We pray your holidays are blessed!
MISSIONS-FEST
http://mission-net.org/congress/node/549
Gianluca will be bringing a large group of young people to Germany for a European Missions festival. God is stirring the hearts of young Italians and calling them to the mission field! The event is a week long conference and many man missions agencies will be present. Please pray for the young people who go- that God will call them to the mission field, that He will help them in creating contacts, in opening the doors to help them get on the field and to preparing them to go.
Dono Perchè Amo
We had our annual miracle offering this Sunday December 13. We were able to raise 11,000 Euro. We have a generous church for which we are thankful. But more than anything we are thankful to be a part of a church body that is so aware of all that God has given them, and so thankful and overflowing with love toward him in awe of His love towards us that they want to give….they give out of love, they give out of gratitude, they give because He first gave for us!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16