Dear Friends and Family,

Like a prayer ascending to heaven, the fragrance of the lilies filled the room. They were a gift from our next-door neighbor, UMBERTO. He was the first person to speak to us a couple months ago, and we have slowly gotten acquainted. The other day his cacti bloomed, and Cas went to take a photo. Umberto wanted his photo taken with them, so Cas took another, and we made 2 copies for him. Umberto is 81, and widowed for 3 years after 57 years of marriage. He goes to the cemetery every day, usually with fresh flowers for his wife’s grave. He fought in World War II, was captured, imprisoned, and weighed 70 pounds when he was released at the war’s end. Please pray for him as we continue this friendship.

Our HOSPITALITY ministry continues as FILIPPO returned from his Texas vacation to weekly dinner and English practice with us. He wants to attend LeTourneau University next year, so we are helping him prepare for the TOEFL and SAT exams. We also had a number of church members and visitors who joined us for various meals, movies, etc. during the month of May. We welcomed a couple from Frisco Bible Church, who were initial supporters of the work here, and included BBCI on their vacation itinerary this spring. BARBARA continues her weekly ITALIAN LESSONS with us, and we are enjoying her friendship and our many conversations on Christianity, politics, modern culture, etc.

One MISSIONARY couple has just left permanently for the USA and another has returned to the field, so we were busy helping out with packing, moving, hosting, etc. until this past Monday. We are also hosting a missionary woman who is doing research here until mid-June. There are only 3 missionary couples left in Bologna. And one of them is leaving in February, so we will be down to just two. A year ago there were 15 missionaries here. There’s still so much work to do, and so few workers!

We attended a 3-day MISSIONS CONFERENCE at Nuova Vita Church the end of May and it was great to see young Italians being sent off to bible school and missionary organizations. But there is also a great need to train Italians for the work of the ministry here, because getting visas for foreign missionaries has become nearly impossible.

We also enjoyed a wonderful TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION of Christ Community Bible Church, our Filipino church here. There were many visitors from churches in other cities in Italy. The music was great, the fellowship warm and loving, the service uplifting, and the food was just magnificent. The service lasted 2 ½ hours and then we ate - a veritable feast of Filipino cuisine. It was truly a memorable and joyous occasion.

Mary Jane met a 71-year old Italian woman named GIOVANNA recently. She invited Mary Jane to lunch so that she could help her with speaking Italian. Giovanna doesn’t believe in the Old Testament or sin, or the need for a savior. She hates the Catholic church and is involved in New Age religion and psychic phenomena. She’s led an interesting life, but is lonely. Please pray for Mary Jane as she continues to build this friendship.

Our CAR FUND has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to all of your prayers and giving. However, we decided not to purchase the Opel station wagon we told you about. The car had very high mileage and our mechanic advised against acquiring it. So, we are going to shop around for another, perhaps even a new, car that we know will last as long as we are here. Please keep praying that the Lord will give us just the right car.

And finally, ONE LAST PRAISE - We have completed our paperwork and now have all our necessary documents and identity cards and are entirely legal! We are so grateful for all your prayers on our behalf, and for the many Italian government employees who so graciously assisted us throughout the process.

So we are really feeling at home now and enjoying the many blessings of this beautiful country. Please continue to pray for open doors and hearts as we walk with Him on the path He has set before us. You are a vital part of all that we do here and we thank the Lord for each of you.

Grace and Peace through Christ Jesus our Lord,

Cas and Mary Jane