March 9, 2010
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Holy Spirit Working Through Us
Friday Night Bible Study at Our House
We’ve been blessed with Italians and young people of several other nationalities who are seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ. Just last night we had our regular Friday night group over for dinner and bible study and they are now calling it Church. In all rights it is Church. It’s great to see them grow and have them ask great questions about faith.
Language has been a challenge like we haven’t had in a long time. Although we are progressing nicely it is like climbing Mount Everest. It seems like the more you learn the more you realize you don’t know. But God is faithful, he can even use us to lead Bible study in Italian to Italian speakers and they keep coming back for more. That’s proof that it’s not about us, but it’s the Holy Spirit that is making it all happen.
Language: A Great Undertaking.
There is an expression in Italian, “piano, piano” which has become part of our everyday life. “Piano, piano” means “slowly, one step at a time”. There’s another word in Italian “impresa”, it means “undertaking”, something significant that you have committed to accomplish. Well we have a huge undertaking that we didn’t realize how big it was until we set out on it. I’m talking about becoming fluent in Italian. Think about, how many adults set out on that course? It’s a huge and arduous undertaking. We’re learning nicely, but the more we learn the more we realize we don’t know. Italians have years of training in the traditions and the techniques of their language and much of it is the same as English but much of it is different. It is the differences that present the problem.
Please, every time you hear someone speak in a foreign language, say a little prayer for us.
We’ve Been Celebrating!
On February 23 Mary and I had been married for 25 years. To celebrate we invited over our Italian friends and had a party with food and music and good company. But the celebrating isn’t over yet. I mentioned in the article about language study that we are a couple of “old folks”, well Mary reaches a milestone in her life, on the 23rd of this month (March) she will be 50 years old, that’s right a half century. Happy Birthday Mary!
Prayer for Mary’s Documents
Remember the expression “piano, piano”, well the Italians take that very seriously, even when it comes to the regular bureaucracy. When we first got here in Italy we had to apply for our permission to remain in the country, “Permesso di Soggiorno”. We got right to it, submitted the paperwork, waited patiently for 3 months to be called in to give our finger prints and then wait some more for the “Permesso” to arrive. Mine (Joe’s) took 7 months to come. What a relief! Mary is still waiting for her’s and it’s been over 10 months which creates a big problem for her, because her Visa expires on March 30th. That means she’ll be here in Italy without proper papers, which means she can’t travel out of the country or back into the country and possibly she’s here in the country illegally. We can really use your prayers to encourage divine intervention with the Italian bureaucracy. Please every time you handle a form of some sort, please offer up a little prayer for Mary’s paperwork.
Finances are Becoming an Issue
God is doing amazing things here in Rome to share the gospel and we feel called to continue our work as it is bearing great fruit. However, the economic crisis has had it’s impact and it has hit us here in Italy too, in an indirect way. Many of our supporters have not been able to maintain their level of support. This has left us short the last several months by about 20%. Fortunately, we can weather that for a short while because there is a balance in our missionary account, but that won’t last forever. So, we are asking for all of our friends to consider joining in our financial support. Those who haven’t been part of the team can begin giving monthly at any level you can afford. Those who are already part of the team may consider increasing your gift by possibly 20%. Those who can’t help financially can certainly join us in prayer for God’s continued provision. We’re confident God will provide. Thanks for your consideration. Below you’ll find the several ways you can give to our ministry through our mission organization.
Greater Europe Mission (GEM) has a website www.gemission.org where you can set up on-line giving. Or you can phone GEM at 800-436-4488 and ask for Sharon Streid. Our account number with GEM is 41175. You can set up a regular Electronic Fund Transfer or gift monthly via credit card or mail in a check monthly to:Greater Europe Mission
For: Joe and Mary Sirico #41175
18950 Basecamp Rd
Monument CO 80132
