Summer News

PISTOIA SUMMER NEWS
JULY – SEPTEMBER 2009

Well, as I said in the last letter, after a very wet winter where it rained some almost every day for 3 months, we are now having complaints about how dry it is. There is reason. Now it hasn't rained to speak of (maybe 3 short showers) for almost 3 months. Burn bans are active due to the danger of wild fires and the surroundings are an array of browns and oranges. On the bright side of things, the weather has not hindered people from getting out to enjoy the beauty that God has created all around us.

Evangelism in Pistoia
The Lord's work is not always easy, and sometimes it may seem to be busy work. However, when we talk about evangelism it is clear that we must do something. We cannot do nothing and expect results. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples...” We tend to think that door knocking or passing out fliers is a way of the past that has seen its day of effectiveness and now it is just busy work. But distributing is one of the easiest ways for every member of the church to be involved in evangelism in a concrete way, even if we do not see immediate results.

In the month of July we obtained a permit from the city of Pistoia to set up a booth for the church at the local market. It is held twice a week in the center of town during the morning, and is a big part of Italian culture. Many people go just to be out of the house, while others are focused on purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables or clothing, or any number of other items. We were present almost every day of the month for the market and the Lord blessed us with days without rain. Our location was almost optimal. “Almost” because we were in direct sunlight on days when the temperatures reached into the 90s. The AIM students (apprentice missionaries at my brother's congregation down the road) came to help at the market one day and distributed house to house on a couple of other occasions. Numerous New Testaments were given away. I lost count of the fliers but we had to reprint after the first day. Many of the members of the congregation stopped by or helped to distribute. One even took time off of work to help on more than one day. Noah stood at the table saying in Italian, “It's all free! You don't have to pay anything!” More importantly than these numbers are the two individuals with whom we now have contact. Filomena participated in one of our midweek studies and promises to come back and another gentleman, Graziano, is participating in a Bible study with one of the members of the church and has attended worship on one Sunday. We pray that these two new contacts will be touched by God's word and will come to accept Christ in the future.


Family travels
We have been busy since the last letter. July was busy with church activities, and August was partially busy with church matters and partially busy with traveling. For the first time since being in Italy, outside of small trips with visiting family, we took advantage of the August slow down and we traveled to Sicily. One of the young couples from church got married on the 8th of August and we enjoyed the experience of a Sicilian wedding! Wonderful atmosphere! Wonderful food! It was great! The initial plan was to stay for four days and then return to Pistoia, but our friends twisted our arms (it really didn't take much) and we stayed an additional two days. In addition, we were able to witness the addition of a new brother into the family in Catania while we were worshiping with them. Noah was most excited about going up Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Italy. Elaina was happy to go to the sea on two days. Heather almost slipped into a coma from the granita and brioche we ate for breakfast each morning (think fruit smoothie and sweet bread). And I don't think I can put my finger on one thing. Sicilian canoli. Granita and brioche. Swimming at the sea. Fresh seafood. It was a wonderful experience we won't forget!

At the end of August a camping trip was organized for members of the church and friends. Five days of camping near the beach. Everyone had fun except for trying to avoid the jellyfish. For the most part, if touched by a jellyfish it was a semi-minor skin irritation, much like stinging nettle. However, for some there was a stronger reaction. But all in all, everyone enjoyed the fellowship, the playing on the beach, and the afternoon or evening Bible study. On the second morning we had a very special treat in witnessing the birth of a new sister in Christ. Antonella has been studying for a long time with her husband and members of my brother's congregation, namely my sister-in-law Antonietta and Debora (are you ready? My sister-in-law's sister-in-law). We rejoice with her decision and ask for your prayers as she begins her walk with Christ.

September visitors
I began writing this newsletter in the last few days of August. It is now October! Time has been flying. We have had a house full for most of the month of September. The last Sunday of August Tom and Cindy Croft from our sponsoring congregation in Richfield, MN stopped in for a visit. From the 4th till the 15th my mother-in-law was with us. From the 18th to the 23rd, my father-in-law and his wife were here. And on the 25th an old friend came to stay with until October 4th. One of my aunts suggested a revolving door. It has been very nice having so many guests! We were especially happy to have my father-in-law, since it was the first time he has been able to visit since we have been here. In addition to our visitors, the church hosted one of the past missionaries for a two day conference on the second weekend of October. Jay Young was with us from August 28th until October 8th, presenting lessons from I John on fellowship.

Upcoming activities
We will be beginning a young families and couples Bible study once a month. In addition, Heather is beginning an individual Bible study with Barbara. My English student and I have gotten back in touch and are getting back to our regular schedule. And our midweek Bible study is getting on track with the topic of worship and how we can improve our relationship with God through our worship of Him. Other activities and projects are planned as well, but I'll wait until the next letter to inform you of those so that this does not become too long.

In conclusion, we are eternally grateful to those of you who make it possible for us to be here. Your financial contributions to our family and the work in Pistoia is admirable and appreciated, especially as we hear stories of the poor economy in the US. We thank you for keeping this work high on the list of worthy efforts and we ask God constantly to help us to be effective in this field. May God's blessings be continually evident in all of your lives and may his kingdom increase.

Your family in Christ,
Roger, Heather, Noah and Elaina Mahan