April 2012 News

March – April 2012

Our time is getting short. Plane tickets have been purchased. Shipping companies are being contacted in the event we want/need to ship anything. And priorities are being established for the two months we have remaining. One really begins to feel a sense of urgency when preparing to move from one country to another, and perhaps that is why Paul spoke all night long before departing Troas in Acts 20.

Women's Retreat
In mid March the women's retreat took place in Velletri, a city outside of Rome. It is an annual retreat that allows women to focus on their relationship with God and how they can be more like Christ. This year's topic was “At the feet of Jesus: The Master speaks”. Each of the women presented lessons on how they could become more like Jesus, using His example to perfect their actions. Heather's topic was “Listening like Jesus listened”.

This is the third year that Heather has participated with the retreat, each year becoming a more active speaker. This was the first year that Heather was a small group presenter, without a co-presenter. We had hoped that there would be a good turnout from our own congregation this year, but scheduling did not work out for the families to attend. It ended up being a small turnout, due to the economy and illnesses, but it was still a work blessed by God and full of encouragement for the women.

Tragedy for the church
The church was recently touched with tragedy as the brother-in-law of Giovanni, one of the men in the congregation, died as a result of an error in the hospital. Roberto and his family attended the church in Pistoia for many years. Although they have not attended for almost six years, numerous times Roberto had expressed a desire to return when his health finally allowed it.

His health had deteriorated to the point that his heart only functioned at 10-20% of capacity. Being diabetic, he was not a candidate for a heart transplant, but was accepted for a new technology by the hospital in Milan. A small pump (VAT) was placed together with his heart to assist him. The pump was accompanied by an external battery pack with which batteries could be recharged and interchanged without loosing power to the pump. The surgery went well, and his recovery was going well, even though he was dealing with some depression about having to carry 2lbs of battery with him everywhere. With the pump he was able to leave his home to go for walks, he could easily navigate the stairs at home and all looked good.

A few weeks ago, he was admitted to the ER in Pistoia after suffering from shortness of breath. His wife had just received news of having uterine cancer and it is probable that he was having a panic attack. Through a series of miscomunication and lack of communication, a nurse was instructed to remove his clothing and in an instant had accidentally cut the wires connecting the battery to the pump as she cut off his clothes with a pair of scissors, resulting in his immediate death.

Please pray for Ester, Roberto's wife and Giovanni's sister. She will have enormous challenges to deal with as she now faces her health problems without Roberto. Pray also for Giovanni and that the church will see the opportunity in which they can reach out in her time of need.

Gospel Meeting
We are just coming off of our “Gospel Meeting” hosted by the church in Pistoia and we're content with the turnout. About 2000 fliers were distributed near our home, the church building and in another area of Pistoia, where another distribution was done about 4-5 months ago. We continue to pray for the fruits of these labors, of the congregation as a whole, and above all we pray that God was glorified in what was presented.

This year's meeting was entitled, “The Qualities of God” Who is God? How is God? What is God like? Three speakers from three different congregations presented their meditations of the topic to a group of about 40. It was a great time of encouragement to us and those who were present, and provided much needed time of fellowship together with others of like mind.

Preparing the church
As our plans to return to the States progress we are looking at possibilities and alternatives for the church. Unfortunately, both possibilities of outside help would require financial support from outside as well. The congregation in Pistoia is small, but they are also very generous and aware of their responsibility to provide the most they can for someone who could work full-time with the congregation. We are hopeful that the finances will be found to enable the congregation to obtain this goal. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested in helping an Italian congregation support their own Italian minister please contact us.

Besides a search for funding and/or a full-time worker, the congregation is also looking at what they can do among themselves to carry the church forward. One young man who has been a Christian for many years is finally making a fresh effort to assert himself within the church. In the past he has lead prayers and done scripture readings, but just recently has said he is ready to push himself further. He had decided to try and prepare a few thoughts from the Scripture to present to the congregation. We met a few times and his first attempt was very well done. We look forward to seeing more of his personal growth in the upcoming months.

One other way the church is adapting to the upcoming change is through worship services which are weighted more heavily with scripture readings, hymns, and prayers. In so doing, the focus on the thoughts presented by one of the men is greatly reduced. One of the men stated, “the Scripture can say things better than any one of us can.” Our worship service has taken this format a handful of times and each time the members comment on how they have been edified and how their thoughts are much more focused on what they should be.

Mid-Week Bible Study – Divine Justice
Non-Christian and Christian alike will be judged justly by God. If someone says they are a Christian and commits injustice, that does not mean God is unjust! Recently in our mid-week Bible studies we began a study of Paul's letter to the Romans. And I have to say, “WOW!” It responds to many of our questions about injustice in the world, as well as noting that in some things we probably will not see God's justice until later. But it also tells us that by calling ourselves Christians we are not exempt from God's judgment. So far, we have seen in this study a strong call to living a worthy life so that Christ is not misrepresented and so the world does not fault HIM for OUR faults.

Evangelism
In recent months the number of evangelistic studies have been diminished. Perhaps arriving at the time of our departure a call of awakening has sent some heading away instead of toward God. My prayer is that of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:19 – “that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” The right words at the right time falling upon right hearts.

Children's Class
The children's class continues to be taught by Heather and Valentina, one of the young women in the congregation. As our time comes to a close, our goal is that Valentina and Silvia, one of the other young ladies, will take over a teaching rotation between the two of them. There are three young children still in the congregation, ranging from 16 months to 3 years old, with one on the way. Determining a curriculum that both women would be comfortable teaching will be one of our priorities. Prayers are needed that both are willing to continue this important work after we leave in June.

Conclusion
Please keep us and the church in your prayers as our time ends in Pistoia. We cannot express how thankful we are to have had this opportunity to serve God in such a special way.

Roger, Heather, Noah, and Elaina Mahan