Marching by Faith

Happy Spring beloved friend! This March, Husband and I had the privilege of sharing a brief summary of how God is leading us to march by faith in the direction of missions, with our church's "Mission Support Group." We want to share some of these highlights below and request your faithful prayers. Also, upon sharing this with some friends and family, they requested to hear it. On Monday, April 12 @ 7:00PM (PST), we will be sharing via zoom how the Lord continues directing. If you would like to add to your google calendar, you can click here. 

It was a test of faith while getting ready for bed, after hours of working on a PowerPoint presentation, Husband comes knocking on the bathroom door asking, "Did you save the document? Because it is now blank..." But God be praised, who uses all things, [refinement continues, and] we were able to remember and recreate much of what had been drafted. We go through 5 sections: 1) testimony, 2) [re]direction, 3), walking, 4) Rome and 5) requests. To view an abridged version of our testimonies, click Rick and/or Avi. 

Some of our 2) [re]direction from 2019 can be found here, but here are three highlights. First, God divinely called us to begin serving with a weekly youth evangelism ministry (SWAT) in 2018. This is where a love for the gospel and burden to share it with the lost was developed. This grew a desire for full-time ministry. Second, while praying about going on a short-term mission's trip, Husband asked a church plant in Turin, Italy, "What is the need?" The answer was long-term, faithful laborers, and our prayers were shifted to long-term missions. Third, we were were stirred to begin praying for and found ourselves in a position to seek a new home church; we were moved to Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church in December 2019.

3) In the last year, the Lord has both opened and closed paths and given much direction. To name a few, both of us have been linked up with believers in our church to be discipled by, and we have also been coming alongside others. Also, we have had the blessing of meeting with almost 20 different missionaries and pastors, encouraging one another and gleaning wisdom. March 2020, during a one-day mission's conference, talking with various individuals, each one said, 'You should talk to Johnny.' He had come to the states for this one day event and the Shepherd's conference, but we were unable to connect until after he had returned to Italy. We connected via zoom and have stayed in contact, since then. Further, we have developed a relationship with Johnny, and we are seeking God to confirm a calling to be sent out by our church as missionaries, and whether we join his work in Rome. 

4) "And He [Jesus] was saying to them [His disciples], “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke, 10:2, LSB). There are over 60 million people in Italy and half of these reside in Rome. Almost 90% are Roman Catholic, but less than 1% are practicing. And 1.32% PROFESS to be evangelical. In other words, out of 100 people, it is possible only 2 may know the gospel - wow! These stats are from the Joshua Project (www.joshuaproject.net). 

5) We have 2 requests. The first is we ask for your faithful prayers (a few are noted below). The second is please continue to share truth and wisdom with us, as we continue marching by faith and waiting on the Lord. 

1. Faith, wisdom, direction & obedience
2. Unity in marriage & family
3. Faithfulness: parenting, serving, discipling & being discipled
4. Continued & complete physical healing for Avi
5. Sufficient provision, clear instruction &/or wise stewardship of resources (Avi laid off from work October 2020)

I recently started reading the book, "Instrument's in the Redeemer's Hands," by Paul David Tripp (and if you are wondering, I highly recommend it:). I was so encouraged when I read: EVERYTHING is a part of the BIG STORY, redemption, and Jesus is the star (Colossians 1:16-17). As we continue seeking and waiting on the Lord to make clear what, where and when serving Him looks like, our heart's cry is to keep Him central and that He would increase and we would decrease - we are the extras. Looking back over the past year alone, it is such a delight to see His plans revealed; a comfort to see His hand sovereignly arranging; and it is humbling that He freely chooses to make unworthy and flawed individual like us to be useful here and now. Because, He is worthy, to Him be the honor and glory.