Next Chapter

Sorry it has been so long since an update.  We have been in transition ever since we returned and finally now we are able to take the time to share with you what is next for us.

Our time in Italy was absolutely awesome!  The country of Italy and the Italian people are beautiful. Seeing the ancient towns and ruins, the countryside, the spectacular views of the sea, the food, the mountains, vineyards and orchards, art and music….we loved it all.  But especially the people.  They are for the most part warm, friendly, laid back and fun-loving. This was especially true in the south.

Corniglia...on the west coast in the Cinque Terra

Because we are not able to renew our visa for ministry in England, the main purpose of this trip was to meet Steve’s family, pursue citizenship and also see if the Lord would use us to minister in Italy when we leave here.  We absolutely loved the family!!  They opened their arms to us and welcomed us as family who hadn’t seen each other for years!  Only one out of the 30 or so there could speak much English.  And she was very busy translating for all of us trying to communicate excitedly to one another! Thankfully, some of us had Google Translate on our phones and we had lots of fun and laughs using it…and also our hands and gestures to make ourselves understood.  It was a wonderful visit and we are anxious to see them again.

A few of the Tessitore clan!

cousins!

using Google Translate!

We loved Rome…the ancient ruins, fountains, piazzas, magnificent buildings and art..and of course the food.  Since the cheapest thing on the menu was usually pizza, we ate A LOT of pizza!  And you haven’t had pizza until you have had it the way they make it.  Incredible.

coloseum

fountain in Piazza Navona Rome

We spent a week in the north near Venice where there are 4 Calvary Chapels.  On Sunday, we went to the one in Padova and then on Wednesday we spent the day with the pastor and his family in Treviso and also went to the home fellowship that evening.  The people are wonderful and love the Lord and learning the Word.  It was a moving experience to be worshiping with people who were singing the same songs we know but in a different language.  The Spirit is the same all over the world. 

Venice

Treviso

Bible study in Treviso

From there, we went up into Germany and were blessed to stay a few days with long-time, dear friends in Ansbach.  That was a special, sweet time to catch up and hang out with the Barrows.  We ended our trip with a conference in Siegen where we had some wonderful teaching and encouragement. A very lovely family from the church graciously opened their home to us for 4 days and made us feel like such special guests. 

Gary and Tina

Ansbach

2016 Germany conference

Toby , Danielle and kids

In everything, the Lord directed and blessed us more then we could have imagined.  Our eyes were opened to more of the world and how many people there are who have lost their way and seem to be without hope and without God in their lives.  We were thankful for the several opportunities we had to share the hope we have in Christ even with those who had limited understanding of English.

Andrea in Casola

John in Rome

Emiliano in Naples

When we returned to England, we had to immediately move out of the ministry house…which was very exhausting.  But all went well, and we are now staying in the guest house of friends from church.  They are trying to get it on the market to sell, so Steve has been helping out around here to get things looking good for them.

Next chapter

There are so many needs and so many areas that we could step into for ministry, but we want to be sure that is where the Lord is leading.  After a lot of prayer and waiting for direction, we have decided that the priority for us is to pursue Italian citizenship.  Having EU passports will help tremendously in the future since we will no longer have to worry about visa issues anywhere in Europe, including the UK.  It seems the best way to get this done is to actually live in Caiazzo, the town where Steve’s family is.  They have been there for generations and know just about everyone.  That should be a huge help in getting the proper documents and paperwork done. 

Caiazzo northeast of Naples

Caiazzo

Also, our desire is to see if the Lord would use us to help open doors for ministry in the south where there is a very great need.  Finding a Bible teaching church south of Rome is almost impossible and we are praying that the Lord will help us meet up with someone else who has a vision to reach that area with the truth of God’s grace…and also speaks the language.

We are spending our last few weeks here getting together with people we have been ministering to and also working on learning the Italian language.

We don’t have final plans yet as to exactly when we will be leaving here but we will let you know when we do.  We are so thankful for all your prayers, love, encouragement and support.  This is another huge step of faith and we are excited to see what the Lord will do. Our faith is in our Lord and we are confident that, as in the past, we are in His hands and He will continue to lead us one step at a time. 

Isa 30:21  Quando andrete a destra o quando andrete a sinistra, le tue orecchie udranno dietro a te una voce che dirà: "Questa è la via; camminate per essa!" 

Isa 30:21  Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.