Greetings from snowy central Italy! It’s not every day that Perugia is in the news for snow. In fact, they say that it has not snowed this much since 1985.
For the first time in the history of the Centro Evangelico Battista we even had to cancel church because of snow.Sometimes God makes us slow down when we need it the most.Since Christmas we have not really taken a break between discipleship meetings, choir preparation for Easter, visits, furlough preparation.In particular, we have had the challenge of helping young Christians who are struggling with their faith. We ask your prayers especially for this aspect of our ministry. It is not enough to lead someone to Christ; we must also be willing to live life with them and help them when they need it the most.As Paul said: “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV)
Malta Conference
Tomorrow we leave for a week for a week of ministering and being ministered to in Malta, where we will be with many other Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries from around Europe.
Furlough 2012
We are looking forward to this summer when we will see many of you who support us so faithfully, as we will return for a brief furlough to celebrate what God is doing here in Italy. We thank so many of you who have promised to open your churches and homes to us during this time.
Our schedule is filling up quickly. You can click here for the most up to date information about our furlough.
We thank God for providing a vehicle (Melodee’s parents) and housing from mid-August through November.
Please pray for:
1. Housing for the beginning of our stay.
2. Preparation of our presentation (video and PowerPoint), prayer cards.
3. Affordable airline tickets.
4. Filling up of the rest of the dates available.
We also have several things that need to be accomplished before we leave: renewing Melodee’s residence permit, delegating ministry responsibilities, setting up bills for our absence, preparation of my request for Italian citizenship.
Though it all sounds overwhelming, we thank God because we know He is in control of our lives.
We covet your prayers and thank you for your time and prayers.
In Other News…
Italian Christian History Tour – October 1-12 2012
Last, but not least, we want to let you in on what might be a once in a lifetime chance. My Dad, veteran missionary Fred Whitman, is hosting a tour that will give you a chance to see and fall in love with Italy and the Italian people like never before.
For the non-refundable price of $2,999/person you will see Rome, Perugia (with a worship time with the brothers and sisters of the Centro Evangelico Battista), Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Pinerolo (Waldensians), Trent and Venice.
The price includes guides, museum fees, our own tour bus, breakfast and evening meal in our hotels, including your non-stop flight for Monday evening, Oct. 1 with US Airways from Philadelphia to Rome and back. There are only 40 places available, so if you are interested I recommend that you contact Mrs. Donna Gaetano, U.S. liaison for the tour at your earliest convenience. Her e-mail is: donnamarie.gaetano@gmail.com.