Winding Down

Well, the time is quickly winding down on our ministry here in England.  As I mentioned in my last post, we have been seeking the Lord as to what He would have us do when our visa ends here in May.  We have had good response from pastors in Italy and we are encouraged that they are wanting to meet us and see if the Lord would have us join in the ministry there.  We have also heard from one of Steve’s relatives in Caiazzo ( his grandparent’s town) and he is excited to meet us. He doesn’t speak English, so it will certainly be an experience!  We have been trying to learn some basic phrases in Italian and have downloaded the Google Translate app which seems to be a great tool for communicating. 

Caiazzo

Caiazzo

We have all our tickets purchased and lodging reserved…what a chore!  We are so blessed that we have been able to find ways to do everything on a budget that seems quite reasonable. We will be leaving Exeter Sunday morning at 5am on a bus to London to catch the plane to Naples. 

Then we will be working our way up the country stopping at several towns along the way, seeing what the Lord says to us and meeting with some pastors and others ministering there.  We will end up in Germany for a visit with friends, attend a leaders’ conference in Siegen May 3-6 and fly back to England.  When we get back, we will have to get moved out of the ministry house by May 15.  Most of our stuff we are selling or giving away since we can’t take much with us when we leave.  If the Lord confirms to us to move to Italy and minister, we hope to be back there by the first of June for a Calvary Chapel conference in Montebelluna.

If anyone would have told us a few years ago that we would ever be doing anything like this, we would have laughed out loud in disbelief!  Although, we have not forgotten that 25 years ago someone did say they had a word from the Lord for us.  It was in California where we were leading worship as guests one time.  At the end of the service a man came up to us and said, ‘Have you ever gone overseas?’  We said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Well, you will.’  And then he just walked away. At that time, going out overseas for anything didn’t seem possible. We just stood there pondering that strange encounter and we never forgot it.  Now it seems that truly was a message about our future that we never would have dreamed and we are amazed at the ways the Lord has worked and directed us over the years.  We told the Lord years ago that we would do whatever and go wherever He wanted.  God is always surprising and amazing us! 

I am putting our itinerary on here so you can follow us and pray as we go for the Lord’s direction, for safety and divine appointments on the way. We won’t say we aren’t a little nervous or scared. But we are also looking forward with anticipation as to what lies ahead.

Thank you all for all your encouragement, prayer and support!  You are all part of our ministry and we appreciate you so much.
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ITALY TRIP APRIL 10-MAY 6, 2016

Sun. Apr. 10

5:10am- Bus to London

1:30pm- Flight to Naples

Find transportation to our hotel in Naples.

Mon. Apr. 11

Explore Naples and towns around Naples and Amalfi coast

Tue. Apr. 12

Get train to Caserta and then rent a car.  Drive to B&B near Caserta and check in.

Wed. Apr. 13

Drive to Caiazzo…Steve’s grandparents’ home town.  Meet up with relatives there. Hope to go to the local courthouse to find out about getting paperwork for Italian citizenship for Steve.

Thur, Apr. 14

Turn in rental car.  Train to Orvieto in Umbria.  Check into Inn and explore the town. Pray for this one.  There have been some quirks with the reservations…hope it is all set now.

Sat. Apr. 16

Train to Rome and check into B&B.  Explore Rome and go to the Calvary there on Sunday. Hoping to visit with the pastor and meet people from the church.

Tues. Apr. 19

Train to Corniglia on the Cinque Terra (west coast small towns). Check into Hostel (private room)  J Explore the area and the towns.

Thur. Apr. 21

Train to Verona and check into B&B.  Relax.

Sat. Apr. 23

Train to Preganziol – town halfway between Venice and Treviso.  There are 4 Calvarys in this general area.  We will be meeting with 3 of the pastors during the week and attending Sunday service in one.  We will be here for 6 nights to have time to meet some people from the churches.  I guess we will have to go into Venice…LOL J since we will be so close.

Fri. Apr. 29

Train to Ansbach, Germany to visit friends that have a Calvary there and attend their church on Sunday.  Hang out with them till Tues.

Tues. May 3

Train to Seigen, Germany to attend Calvary Leaders’ conference. Hoping to meet other people who are ministering in Europe. Pray they can put us up with a family so we don’t have to get another hotel.

Fri. May 6

Train to Cologne airport.  Fly to London…land at Heathrow and get the train to Exeter.  Hope to be home by 11pm.  Sleep……

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Heb 11:8 -10 AMP  "Urged on by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; 
and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.  
Prompted by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land ...in a strange country... 
For he was waiting expectantly and confidently, looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God."