With Thankful Hearts

To the family who helped us prepare the tracts that went out to those in Italy,

We thank God for you!

To the man who was so willing to keep on eye on our house in our absence,

We praise God for you!

To family who gave love pats, food and shelter to our dog,

We are so grateful to God for you!

To the lady who was so kind to send a word of encouragement nearly every morning,

What a blessing from God you have been!

To the pastor and church who made us feel special,

You are a gift from the Lord!

To so many who have prayed for us and for the Lord's working,

You are a testimony!

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

1 Thessalonians 1:2

Encouraging and Serving

We have had many opportunities in the last few days to be encouraged with good fellowship and hopefully, to be an encouragement to others. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve and to have three girls to help and learn as well. We always enjoy making new friends, especially those who are brothers and sisters in Christ. This Thursday we will meet with another friend and then Friday, we will meet with another family. We pray we can be a blessing to these people as much as they have been a blessing to us. It can sometimes be a very lonely place in a foreign country and it is always good to meet with others who are like-minded. We know these friends feel the same way.

Wonderful Helpers! 

Making our Favorite German Meal! 

During the day, we have been busy doing schoolwork and Dave has been able to go several times and pass out tracts. Last Saturday, five people from the church here met in a very popular tourist place and passed out tracts for several hours. Dave and another man met several days and passed out tracts together. There time was sometimes given some extra excitement as people burned tracts right behind them or through them down and smooshed ice cream in to them. Germany has a very different, and sometimes difficult, crowd. Today, our whole family went out and while I was washing clothes in the laundromat, Dave and the children put tracts in to mailboxes. This is legal here and it is sometimes a safer way for the children to be involved.

There is now just about a week left before we will return home. This is always a difficult time of adjustment and we covet your prayers! Thank you so much for your love and support to us! 

Our Spring Break

 

 

This last week has lead us down many winding roads! We have gone from the Arch of Titus in Rome to the Arch of Triumph in Paris. We have seen many of the mountains, hills and beaches of this great world and feel very blessed to have done so!

 

The company Dave works for has sent him on some business this last week, so while he went one way, we rented a car and drove around in other areas close by. Dave was able to talk to his business associate and girlfriend about the Lord while he was there. Please pray for them.

 

We were able to see our German exchange student from five years ago! What a blessing to see her again, after our last visit three years ago. She is not a believer, but we continue to share Christ with her and to try to be a good testimony. Please pray for her salvation.

 

 

Not much schoolwork went on this week, so we called it our spring break! Oh, the joy of homeschooling! There was still a lot of learning going on. The girls rode horses at a farm that we stayed on near Dusseldorf.

 

From sea to shining sea! I have now seen both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and it is beautiful. The kids and I were able to drive around the west side of France. My one hope was to have sunshine as we drove around and it was so nice of the Lord to bless us with that. We had another history lesson and visited Utah Beach in Normandy. World War II came alive as we saw this sight first hand.

 

Our travels continued and we were able to see the Eiffel Tower! I don't think any of us would have believed we would ever see this sight. It was a special experience for all of us.

 

This week has ended with a very nice visit with a missionary family in Stuttgart, Germany. We enjoyed their Sunday School that was in English and then their Service which was in German. It was very interesting to sing songs in German that we were very familiar with in English. Please pray for the missionaries all over the world that have devoted their whole lives to serving the Lord in an area that may not be their comfort zone so that people can hear the Good News of Jesus.

 

As we continue our time here, we will be in Munich, Germany helping a church whose pastor has been sick and unable to do what he so wants to do. Please continue to pray that God would lead us to the hearts that He has prepared. We feel very small in this task, but we know we serve a very mighty God. May we be willing to do what He asks!

 

To Germany and Beyond.....

We have been very busy since we last wrote, but we are all doing well and have been safely protected by God's gracious hand!

This last week, we have travelled by train through the Alps, spent precious time with some of our German friends, attended church with other believers and have driven a car on the AutoBahn. We've also been able to see our German daughter, our exchange student from five years ago!

Another highlight was passing out tracts during a 10,000 person demonstration! Here is an account of that experience through Dave's own words....

As I think about the Italians, I think about 2 Timothy 3:5 where the Bible says that some have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. When I think of the Germans, I think of Psalms 14:1 where the Bible says that the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. The Italians believe in a God ,and they have a moral value system that puts an emphasis on family. In contrast, the German schools teach evolution and the Bible as a myth.

Saturday, I had the opportunity to help the Baptist church in Munich pass out tracts. There were 3 people passing out tracts, and the platz where we were was the site of a 10,000 person demonstration that started at 1:00pm. At 12:30, a young German man approached me after he had read through the entire Gospel tract. The conversation lasted 1 1/2 hours. This man believes in evolution. He believes that the Bible is a myth. The conversation went fairly well and calm until about an 1 hour into the conversation. This man became so upset, that he was drawing the attention of those in the crowd. This was a large crowd with 300-400 riot police everywhere. This was a political demonstration that could have gone violent and this German man was so upset that he drew attention from those in this crowd!  He ripped up the tract and threw it into the air as I walked away.

Please pray for Robert. I will be passing out tracts in that same area a couple hours a day during April and until we leave in May. It is a very different experience passing out tracts in Munich!

The Up and Coming Priest

Monday morning shown bright and early as Dave met the 6:25AM train going in to Rome. This is our last week here and there were a few loose ends that needed to be tied. Monday afternoon he was able to go to the seminary of an up and coming priest that he had met just a couple weeks before. The conversation went very well for almost an hour and a half. This man, also named Dave, wanted to convert us to the catholic religion. He said that he was touched because he saw our family passing out tracts and New Testaments at the train station. He thinks that the catholic religion can add to faith in Jesus.

Thankfully though, we have a Bible that is 100% true. The King James Bible is 100% pure and intact. It contains all of God’s Word. The King James does not have any words missing or added like the other versions. The Holy Spirit worked to make sure that the Word is preserved in the King James Bible. In 1611, with the printing press, the Lord in His wisdom wrote His Word in English. English is the prevalent language in the world today.

Why are we thankful for this? This “priest to be” had an agenda. He wanted us to admit that we don’t have the original manuscripts. And since we don’t have them, how can we trust the Bible? This man said that there are so many versions out there, it makes it impossible to know who God is unless we have something to go along with the Bible. In his mind, the catholic church is used by the Holy Spirit to keep God’s Word and to reveal God’s thoughts to people through the p*pe. He really wanted for us to admit that we don’t have an infallible Bible. The Lord has convicted and revealed to our family that the only English Bible that is perfect is the KJB. The niv, nasb, esv, nkjb and the message all have mistakes. When we were able to tell this seminarian, “The King James Bible is perfect. Intact. Infallible. Without error in its present form “, we were also able to say, “If it isn’t in the Bible, I don’t believe it. I am not going to follow anything that I don’t find in the Bible.”

Praise be to God that He has preserved His Word. If you want to know Jesus, 100% Jesus, read the King James Bible.... and go and ask others to do the same!

Nature Study ~ Italian Style

Studying and Learning can go on no matter where you're at. We have had the privilege of learning in a different environment these last few weeks. We thought maybe you would like to come along and learn with us!

 

Many sights and sounds have told us that spring is now here in Italy.

 

As we wake up in the morning, we hear the chorus of the birds singing in the trees just outside our door.

 

As we take a walk, the sounds of the geckos scurrying under the rocks catch our ears.

 

We see fresh, spring flowers opening up to show us God's creation.

 

 

 

The sun sets over in the distant hills to show the ending of a day that is the Lord's.

 

The view of the water in the lake shows us whether it is a windy or a calm day.

 

 

Sometimes, we have even been able to touch and feel the little treasures God lays at our feet.

 

Belated Update!

Our greatest apologies for being so late with this post. We have spent the last week trying to figure out why our internet was so slow and why we were unable to download anything. It has just been in the last couple days that we were able to get this fixed. Of course, it involved spending more money, but we pray God will provide. We feel it is important for you to know what is going on here and to be able to know how to pray.

We started out last weekend with a visit to the Colosseum. Two thousand years ago, our Christian brothers were probably killed in this place for their faith. Now, we have the opportunity to pass out tracts here to thousands and thousands as they come to hear the P*pe speak and view a special service for the 12 stations of the cross. Our hope and prayer is that they will read the Scripture that we give them and that their eyes would be opened to what Jesus has completed for them already. Hebrews 7:24-28

 

Thousands come for this special service and the service is also viewed live from home. Here, you can see the TV station trucks getting ready.

 

We were able to pass out all the remaining N.T. Bibles that we had as well as the rest of the John/ Romans booklets that we had. We also passed out the rest of our Italian tracts and some French, German, Spanish and Asian.

 

 

Can you find the people you know?

 

 

 

On Sunday, our family went to the Metro station near the Vatic*n area. We arrived around 8am and were already surrounded with people arriving for the special service that would happen two hours later. Here are a few of those people as they arrive from the Metro stop....

 

... and here are just a few people as they come down the street towards the V*tican. We were able to bring about 1400 tracts in English, Italian and German. As you can see, we could have brought a lot more. Maybe you would like to help us in the future?

Thank you again for your prayers during these last few weeks. We have about a week left here in Italy and then we will be heading up to Germany to help out a pastor there. During the rest of our time here, we will be passing out the rest of the tracts we have by putting them in mailboxes and sharing with the people we have had contact with. One such person is our neighbor. She speaks good English and we've already been able to have a good conversation about salvation. Please pray for Manuela. We hope to talk with her further and give her an Italian Bible. Monday, Dave will be meeting with a young, American man who is studying to be a priest. Please pray for him and that this man's heart would be opened!

Palm Sunday Update

This week is considered The Holy Week in many circles. It is one of the busiest times of the year where we are right now. There are many people from all over the world here. Many are seeking and many are here on spiritual journeys. More than any other time, this is when we really need your prayers. We will be very busy all week, but this last Sunday... this next Friday... and then this coming Sunday are our busiest.

Here is an update from Palm Sunday in Dave's own words....

"We got to the train station and there were 7 or 8 police there. We went to 2 different spots, and didn’t spend much time at those spots. Abigail asked where we were going. She is the planner. I told her that I didn’t know, but that the Lord would direct us. He did!! We ended up as close to the Vatican as you can get. We stayed in that spot for almost two hours. There were 15-20 police within  500 feet of us the whole time. We had 4 or 5 of them walk right by us, and they never said anything to us. Not one word. There are other times that just one officer will tell me to move on, and in a spot that's not even close to the vat. So it was so cool for my kids to see the Lord direct. He is awesome."

One more prayer request that we will share involves some wisdom needed in a different area. Without going in to much detail, we will just ask for you to pray that God would help us know His leading and that He would give peace. We have a specific need in the next couple weeks and would appreciate His provision and guidance.

You are a blessing to us!

Claudia, Jude and Many More

An Italian tract went out today

and soon a young girl came back to say,

"This is so beautiful", she spoke of what she read.

"Do you have a Bible?" is what the man said.

 

"I do have a Bible." she said to this man.

Could it be she will soon becomes God's new  little lamb?

"Then read it," he said. "It's God's letter to you."

We'll pray that her life will soon be made new.

Please pray for Claudia, the girl mentioned above.

Please also pray for Jude, a Nigerian man. He was given a tract and an English New Testament today.

We appreciate your prayers so much and need them desperately. We cannot do this alone. We are strengthened when we know you are praying! Thank you so much!

The Enthronement

 

Praise God! This tract, filled with the Word of God, went out to this person today and God's promises are true!

2,000 other tracts went out today as well as more New Testament Bibles. Chinese, French, German, Italian and English tracts were all given out. We could have given out so much more, but we are limited. Please pray that hearts would be opened and eyes would see.

Praise God that even though the backpacks were all packed the night before, it was decided the next morning that more Bibles should be taken. Those extra Bibles were all given out! Please pray that they would be read!

We count it a privilege and an honor to be here during this very interesting time in Rome. The abundance of people means more souls who need to hear the Gospel. This has given us more opportunity to share more of God's Word.

Thank you for being a part of this and keeping us in your prayers!

Another One to Pray For

The ending words of the new P*pe in his first speech last night ...


Brothers and sisters, I leave you now. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and until we meet again. We will see each other soon. Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome. Good night and sleep well!


Please do pray for this man. Please pray for his salvation and for the salvation of Rome. Please pray that He will see the error in praying to Mary.

We will have more news from Dave later in the day...


.

Waiting for the New....

Yesterday, we went in to Rome and visited the V*atican area to pass out tracts. It was also the beginning of the Concl*ve. Here is a bit of what we saw... in pictures.... of different people waiting for the election of the new P*pe.

Sitting, Eating and Waiting

Lights, Camera, Action... There are several of these set up all over.

Long lines of people waiting to get in to  St. Peters Church

The Concl*ve is shown on the Big Screens. All of the Cardinals are in the Sistine Chapel
and will not be allowed to have any communication with anyone else until the P*pe has
been elected.

Dave will be here every day this week. He has already had many contacts with different people from all over the world. Please pray that there hearts would be opened to the truth.

On our way home, we met a Romanian lady who works in the town we are living in. She is a sixty-year old lady who needs Jesus. We gave her a tract in Romanian and Italian. She has lived here several years, but her children still live in Romania and her husband is dead.  Her name is Maria and she is very proud that she has the name of M*ther Mary. Please pray for her as you think about it.

Humbleness

An Italian Reads a Gospel Tract

Our hearts are humbled as we pass out tracts and see people reading them. Overwhelmed is another word that describes how we feel. Please continue to pray for us .... and for these dear people who need to know of Jesus love for them. How much "good" is good enough? How much hope would you have if you knew that there were so many things that need to be done before you even had a chance at heaven? Please pray that their eyes would be opened and their hearts softened as they read what God's Word has to say to them.

As Dave went out today, he met up with three different Jehov*h Witnesses trying to earn their salvation as well. They were passing out their literature just as he was.... the only difference... their literature cannot be backed up with Scripture ... God's Words to us. We can pray for these people.

Details.... Details!

World Travellers

This is now our 4th day in Italy. We are slowly adjusting and settling in. Here are a few details of our last few days.

We arrived exhausted, but for the first time in all of our visits, we took a taxi to our apartment from the airport! How nice this was! Our taxi driver was waiting with a big sign and so we loaded our baggage and off we went. Please pray for Alessandro. We had a very nice conversation for the hour and a half drive to our apartment. Dave gave him a tract and some specific verses that might prick a C*atholic's ears. Right away he stated that he did not like the higher authorities in this cult and that it was not right. He says he has a Bible at home, so we pray that he will read it and that his eyes will be opened.

Our hosts were waiting for us when we arrived. The wife is American and her husband is an Italian doctor. They met here in Italy over 20 years ago! The apartment is very well suited for us and we thank God for His provision in providing this apartment at a much cheaper price. Abigail says she likes this one best of all of them. We can see the lake and the town from our living room. It is about a two mile walk in to town, but there is also a bus that goes in either direction. The train stop is about 20 minutes away.

Our first night, everyone slept fairly well and the children slept all night. This was a big blessing! The next night was not so well for Dave and for Daniel, but last night was a little better. Each night, the girls have done very well and for that we are very thankful. Please pray for Addie though. Yesterday she had a little episode, but seems to be doing well now.

The weather has been very wet and fairly cool. We are comfortable walking around in our coats though and warmer than where we are from! Today it is partly sunny. This gives me some hope that our clothes will dry! We are back to having an Italian dryer .... the wonderful air outside!

We may be visiting a church tomorrow. There is a missionary in town that we are aware of but it is quite a journey to get there.

We appreciate your comments so much and we love to know that you are praying for us. This is encouragement that strengthens us! Please pray for Dave this week as he goes to the V*atican each day. The Concl*ve is to start on Tuesday, supposedly, and this may bring many people to this area. We pray that we can get the Gospel in to as many hands as possible.

Arrived!

We have arrived in Italia, but we have limited internet in town. We will write more in the next couple days when we can get internet set up at the house. Thank you for your prayers.

Our Bags are Packed!

All of our bags are packed and waiting by the door. Little children's backpacks have been searched for liquid items that may have been missed! Our goodbyes are about to be said!

This year, we will be traveling with 10,000 tracts in various languages ... mostly English, German and Italian. We will also print out several thousand tracts while we are there in Italy. Twenty Bibles were given to us and we have included those with the 100 that we already had. How wonderful that there are others who want to share and that they want us to be the feet that take them! We are anticipating more people this time because of the recent news of the P*pe.

Please pray for us as we travel. Please pray for our strength, for our health and for our spirits. How easily we can walk in the flesh when our spirits and attitudes are not right! How easily our good attitudes diminish when we are tired. Your prayers are very much appreciated.

Prayer Request

We are preparing to leave soon. The bags are all packed... and weighed!  Please keep us in your prayers... there are already things that we have remembered last minute.

Please also be praying for our health. Our youngest daughter has had a fever and so we are praying that whatever may be going around would not be passed to other members of the family.

We appreciate your prayers so much!

Italy 2013

Once again God is showing us His mighty power and grace! Amazingly enough, we are heading to Italy for our fourth mission trip! God is faithful and just to continue the work there. There are so many who need to hear of Jesus' saving grace and His finished work on the cross. Please.... keep us in your prayers! And keep coming back to this blog for updates!