Day 4: Prayers for ITALY!

Saturday morning we all met at our central location and split up into groups of two to walk the streets and pray for the people, shops and churches we encountered. One that Nicole mentioned to us is how heartbreaking it is to think about the tens of thousands of students that fill the lecture and libraries and that most of them has never had a parent pray for them. That is what we came to do. Prayer is powerful, and there is no telling what seeds have been sown along these ancient streets.

Sunday was quite amazing. We had the opportunity to go to Nuova Vita (New Life), which is a thriving church planted by TEAM missionaries 25 years ago. The music was, of course, in Italian, but it was familiar. The sermon was from Philippians chapter 2, and though it also was in Italian, we had a young man, Paul, translate for us. It was quite a unique experience to worship with believers here in Bologna. Even though there was a language barrier it was still the Church getting together to worship an dig into God's word.

Afterwords we found a small Piazza (square or plaza) and took the opportunity to pray for and with David on some specifics. As we sat in the shadow of a church that is hundreds of years old we shared our impressions and what had touched us. We prayed for Davids ministry, for the relationships he is developing, for the language struggles and for opportunities. We prayed for encouragement for him and Nicole an that God would use them to spark a revival here in Bologna. God is still in the business of miracles, and that is what we are praying for here, something that goes beyond what we could expect or imagine and that brings glory and honor to the name of Jesus.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, they have sustained us through the many miles we have walked.

Leia Mais…

Day 3: ITALY Team Prayer Walks!

Today we had our first prayer walk in Bologna. We all met at the Fountain of Neptune, after making our way through a rather large protest that took over the streets in central Bologna, and split off into groups of two. Each of us were given a quadrant of Central Bologna to go prayer walking in. It is safe to say that all of us, and those of you reading this, know that people have been on their knees interceding for us at one point or another. Yet, in Bologna, most every one you meet has never had someone pray, really pray for them. So this was one of our focuses this morning. As we past by people and places, mothers with young children, students, elderly couples, shop keepers and so on we said a prayer for them as the spirit directed us. We also, on my team anyway, stopped into a church or two and near the entrances of shops to pray over those locations and the people who would be entering them. Who knows what Godly forces are being stirred into action for the sake of our prayers.

Each one of us who believes in Christ, believes because He took pity on us. It is an idea we may be uncomfortable with. We like terms like merciful and gracious and both of those are true. But the reality is that we are hopeless without God, and He, in His love, took pity on us and showed us mercy and grace. This was certainly part of my prayer as I walked around the University district. That is, that God would take pity on the people, and particularly the students, of Bologna and use our prayers along with the ministry of David and Nicole and the other missionaries here to bring these people to Christ.

After our prayer walk, still being somewhat jet-lagged and foot-sore some of our group took some time to recoup. David, Kathy, Carrie and I took a walk, about thirty minutes up the stairs, to San Luca. The crazy thing was that, for centuries, pious pilgrims would make the ascent to San Luca on their knees in an effort to, by suffering, please God and draw closer to him. When we reached the top there was a priest giving a prayer, which turned out to be around fifteen minutes long, to Mary. The thing that struck me is that there was no joy, I mean no joy, in the priest reading of the prayer or the response of those who were gathered there. That is to say nothing of the theological issues of the prayer to Mary in the first place. This is the place, though, that God has called David and Nicole to, and it is a place that He wants to reach. Matthew 23:27 has been on my heart allot as I have walked these streets and seen these people. The LIFE that Jesus brings is missing. So pray for the softening of hearts and also that God would put a spirit of spiritual discontentment in the people of Bologna so that they would not be satisfied and want more and begin to seek. For whoever seeks will find and whoever knocks will find a door opened.

We ended our day treating David and Nicole to a fine meal at one of the most famous restaurants in Bologna, Restorante Pappagallo, which was a delight to them and a blessing for us. We came here to help them minister to the people of Bologna, but God has also called us here to minster to and encourage them. We are all unified in our gratefulness for the opportunity on both accounts.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for us and especially for David and Nicole. We feel them and so do they.

Leia Mais…

Day 2: Team in ITALY!!!

This morning we all met up with David and took a train to Molinella. We met up with the Andy And Linda Brucato, who are doing a church plant their and went on a prayer walk around the city. Shay and Marsha had a great experience when they met a lady from Kenya and her baby. After briefly speaking with her she learned of our purpose for being their and said that she had been praying to meet some Christians and find a church. It was truly a divine appointment. It turns out that she is a gospel singer on top of everything else. David was with them and was able to inform her where the church was meeting. It is amazing that while we were praying for God to bring people to us this woman was praying for God to send people to her. He is a great and mighty God!

After our prayer walk we met with Amilliano and Maria, two Italian Christians. Amilliano gave his testimony, which was an amazing story, as Linda translated for us.. He is a security guard at a prison and raised Catholic. But his life had been going down hill for some time. There was trouble in his marriage and at work, and he was feeling deeply unfulfilled in life. As is often the case, he looked for fulfillment in the things of this world, in a nightlife and also political pursuits. All this time, however, he had been talking with and developing a relationship with Maria on his way to work as they traveled on the same train each morning. She, being a born again Christian, baffled Amilliano with the way she spoke of God and her faith. Amilliano, who considered himself quite learned in history, religion and even the Bible was left speechless. It was at this time that he was really feeling the vanity of his pursuits that he began to ask her questions and seek. She directed him to Andy and Linda and tearfully he came to saving faith. Since that time a change has been noticed at the prison where he works and he has help lead seven inmates to Christ. It is amazing to see God at work and changing lives.

After returning to Bologna, David took us for gelato (Italian Ice cream), which is worth all the fuss. We then met up with Jesse, Linda Ambrus and Cody, who are here with Campus Crusade. They told us about their ministry and the work they were doing at the University of Bologna. It is a relatively new ministry area. What they are doing is using a survey that utilizes pictures and a survey to open doors into spiritual conversations. But, though students are generally open to the survey, it is still hard work. And evangelism occurs on a very relational basis and takes a great deal of time and effort, but, even today, David attended a Birthday party of a student named Zach, who invited him. He is an Atheist, but it appears that cracks are forming in the door to his heart.

It was a great first full day for us, we woke up refreshed, but are going to bed quite tired. Tomorrow we will have our first prayer walk in Bologna in the morning, and we hope to meet up with Suora Idana, who is a nun who was saved after serving the Catholic Church for 40 years. Thank you all for your continued prayers! God is hear with us and we are seeing him at work!

Leia Mais…

Brentwood Team Arrives in ITALY!!!

Our prayer as we prepared to go through security at Nashville international airport was for safe travels and seamless connections. Go went before us and we had a great trip. David Hannah and Jesse (a missionary with Campus Crusade) met us at the airport and got us to our homes for the next week. After a short rest and refreshment we spent the rest of the afternoon walking through the winding and often cobble stoned streets of Bologna getting to know some of the areas we will be prayer walking.

David and Nicole opened their home and hosted a supper for us and some other missionaries. The meal, prepared by Chef Nicole, was delicious and the fellowship was refreshing and encouraging. They are all very glad that we are here and we are excited to be a part of what God is doing in this part of the world.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Molinella, a small town on the outskirts of Bologna, where we will meet up with a couple who is planting a church in the area and some Italian Christians to prayer walk at an open market they have their. We will be spending time at the University tomorrow evening to pass out tracts and other materials advertising the church plant here in Bologna and hopefully have some God ordained conversations.
Pray for us as we begin our work here in earnest and for those we will meet.

Leia Mais…

On our way home...

It does not seem possible that the week is over and we will be heading home tomorrow. Today was a blessed day. We served in Red Hill and the staff told us maybe to expect 50 people. We had to cut the line at 102! It was not because we were tired but we had so few glasses left. today we saw people saved, encouraged and every one was prayed for. Your team left knowing that prayer helps and they are returning as prayer warriors! Eternity will not be the same. We will see all our new family again. We have gone forth with tears and are returning with precious fruit. Pray for our safe return and also for the staff at Living Hope as they follow up on so many who need help!

Leia Mais…

Another day in Cape Town!

"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always (in South Africa)He will satisfy your needs . You will be like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail" Isaiah 58:10-11 These words became real to us today. After ministering, praying for, and fitting glasses on over 200 people today we returned to the team house well watered and like springs of fresh clean water.
As we finished today one of the young ladies sang to us. She sang "Brighten the corner where you are, where you are". God spoke to us as we realized each of us are called as light to brighten the corners where we live, work and play. Are you brightening your corner?
Thank you for all your prayers and cards of encouragement.

Here is a special note the Missions Office recieved from someone in Masi who worked with this team....

Hi I’m akhona. The mission team that came to south Africa was great. They did a good job and I was part of the people that helped during the eye screening and I can tell you the zeal in their faces shows the love of God and I am so greatful to have met such wonderful people!

Leia Mais…

Wednesday in South Africa!

We cannot believe it is already Wednesday. The greatest fulfillment and joy comes from investing yourself in kingdom service. Today we saw 148 people. The lines were long when we arrived and there was excitement in the air. After we prayed the touching and helping began.Every person who was helped was also prayed for. We even had people from yesterday's clinic come back. Our Muslim brother also came and it was so great to see his smile as he talked with George.One lady looked at me and asked me why we were here. What a joy it was to tell her that the God who created us also loves us and He sent us to tell her that truth. Those of you who made eyeglass cases, those that are praying for us and those who gave so that we could buy nice, new readers are part of the team. You have made it possible for us to minister in safety and freely give out these readers. We are truly laborers together.
Living in close community with the team has really brought out the creativity in a few of us!Chris gives us our assignments each day and there is now a motivation to excel and move up!Today's assignments were:CEO SharonOcular and Spiritual Specialists : Jill Will Amy Shelley CayceStress and Red Blood Cells Specialist: Julie and KelliGlobal Sr. Executive Flow Coordinator: ChrisJR. Jumbo Eye Logistics Coordinator: RockyEnergy Replenishment Manager: ChadMemory Capture Expert: George
We are working hard but along with that there is so much encouragement and laughter. The joy of the Lord IS our strength.

Leia Mais…