“TO ALL GENERATIONS I WILL MAKE KNOWN THY FAITHFULNESS…”
Psalm 89:1

Dear Loved Ones,

On February 6 we celebrate our first year in Italy. It doesn’t seem so long ago that we were saying our last goodbyes and learning to say “buon giorno” instead. The Lord has certainly been faithful in guiding, providing, protecting, teaching and sustaining as we’ve settled into the ministry here. Now we look forward to the year ahead as we share some of our hopes and prayers with you.

CAS – currently is attending driving school 3 days per week. His American license will soon no longer be valid in Italy, and he has to pass both a written and driving test. It’s very expensive, but necessary, because it’s impossible to pass the test without attending school. It’s also a long process, as there is a 30-day wait before he can take the written test, then a 60-day period before he can do the driving portion. Please pray that the Lord will enable him to pass the tests on the first try. Having a valid license is absolutely vital to our ministry here.

MARY JANE – will begin a bible study next week with Giovanna. We will be reading the bible in Italian so that she can improve her language skills and Giovanna can hear the Word in her own language. This is in addition to her attendance at our weekly group and at the Nuova Vita church on Sundays with us. Please pray that the Lord will enable her to see the whole truth and wipe away all the other spiritual garbage that has filled her life.

WE – have resumed our weekly Italian lessons with Barbara. Our personal friendship continues to grow and we will be going out with her this weekend for a purely social time together. Please pray that she will take that final step of faith soon. We also continue our twice-weekly classes and are getting more fluent.

NEIGHBORS – We gave some of our Italian neighbors scripture verse calendars for Christmas. Two of them have told us that they are being read every day. This is a small step but an important one, as we start to bridge the gap between them and the Lord.

ANSWERED PRAYER – Although there are many, we are currently rejoicing over the news that Campus Crusade is sending a couple here in September to begin ministry at the university. This has been a real burden on our hearts and something we have prayed for daily ever since we arrived. Please pray for this couple as they relocate from Germany to Italy and as they raise the additional financial support necessary to come here. We hope to play an active role in this ministry.

HEALTH – We are grateful to the Lord for the good health that He continues to give us. However, Cas developed a severe case of psoriasis due to an allergy to wheat, gluten, and dairy products. This means no pizza, no pasta, no bread, no gelato, and no Parmesan cheese, among other things! The good news is that we have been able to come up with alternatives, so he still continues to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. His skin is much improved after only 2 weeks.

BOLOGNA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP – Our group remains small, but recently we have had several visitors who have said they’d like to become regulars. Please pray that these will return and become an active part of our ministry.

USA TRAVEL PLANS – We have our tickets and will arrive in the USA the end of June for two months. It seems like a long visit, but we have so much to do that the days will pass all too quickly. If you would like us to share our ministry in your church, please contact us immediately so that we can work out the scheduling as soon as possible. We certainly want to see as many of you as we can during this furlough. See below for contact information.

As always, we thank you for your love, prayers, support and encouragement. We pray for you daily and appreciate your participation with us as we serve our risen Lord in Italy.

Praising Him,
Cas and Mary Jane