Dear Friends,
November 1st marked the two year anniversary of our team's presence in
Genoa and I was full of conflicting emotions. On the one hand I can't
believe time has escaped us so quickly. I ask myself if we are on course
to realize our vision of an explosive network of reproducing churches
transforming Genoa, Italy, and the world. Have we done enough? Can we do
more? Just three years remain. Yet on the other hand I am filled with
hopeful anticipation because every week our team reaches unexplored
depths of significant conversation with italians in the context of
relationships entrusted to us by God.
In Amee and I's nearly nine years of ministry in Italy, we have never
had so many relevant opportunities to communicate and live out Biblical
truth amongst our Italian friends who don't yet know Jesus. A couple of
weeks ago, Giuliano, his wife Marina, and their son Marco, who plays
baseball with Jordan, spent a Sunday afternoon in our home. Over the
last 9 months I've gotten acquainted with Giuliano at games, come to
know him deeper playing catch with our boys at the park, and connected
our families on a couple of occasions over the summer. But in our most
recent encounter, for the first time, we each talked at length about our
own religious experiences and beliefs. It was a pleasant exchange that
begs to be repeated.
Pray that the upcoming holidays might be the backdrop for a season in
which Giuliano, Marina, and others to draw near to God through our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Other items of prayer:
-Pray for Tim's growing relationship with Max, the president of the
Genoa baseball club, that Tim might have the courage and wisdom to move
their conversation beyond the sport.
-Pray that Domenica would trust God more and more for her physical and
financial needs, just as she continues to trust Him completely with the
needs of her soul. Pray too for Amee as she speaks with Domenica weekly
that she might offer sound and practical insight into the Scriptures.
-Praise the Lord for Jeremy's successful insertion into Italian first
grade. He is progressing well in the language and in relationship with
his classmates.
Thank you so much for your faithful participation with us through giving
and prayer which makes it possible for us to effectively spread the Good
News of Jesus to the Genovese people.
For the sake of the Gospel in Italy,
Tim and Amee
tkroeker@avmi.org