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A Few More Steps

Ciao!

We are very anxious to move into our new place in Scerni, but things continue to be two steps forward and one step back.

Good news first: We had enough money to purchase the material necessary to complete the project.

Bad news: Our volunteer force for hanging drywall and setting the tile has fallen through. So, now we have to wait for funds to come in to hire help. Thankfully, our neighbor has given us a hand in installing some of the drywall, in good faith that we will pay him as soon as the money comes in. We certainly cannot wait to move from our windowless studio apartment into our new blessing!

In other good news: We continue to meet new people in Scerni and have begun to know people in a personal way!

The end of this transition is just a few steps away!

Update from Sheila

Yes, it has been a definite time of being “up in the air” as far as the material/physical side of things go. But more & more as time goes by, I find myself thinking “ma che mi importa?”—what do I care? (Sorry, but it just doesn’t sound as good in English!

Most of the time the work on the house just seems like a nuisance & delay. Many times we think a rental apt. would definitely have been easier. After all, our time on this earth is so brief—what does it matter what we live in; and we’ve lived in tents, campers & just about everything.

But we really feel strongly that the offerings we receive should go for the Lord’s work and not in some landlord’s pocket. The fact that our loan will be paid off in 5½ years time will make that possible.

Add to that the reality that we are in the last days (the Lord’s return can only be closer) and the fact that we believe persecution will become a very real factor for Christians everywhere (and not just in 3rd world countries)…it only makes sense to freed from such expenses. When that comes, how much could we depend on finances arriving from overseas?

But in the meantime, the Lord works all things out & uses everything for his glory & purposes. Due to the construction work, Mario has had a chance to know so many people—which otherwise would have taken months if not years. Since that is our reason for being here, then we thank the Lord for this “nuisance and delay”!

We were also called into the military police station for “questioning”, which was definitely not normal & I really don’t think even strictly proper. The chief of police wanted to know why we were here, what our intent was, etc.. He was also very curious as to why didn’t have normal jobs. While we probably could have protested such procedures, we took it as an open door from the Lord. We were more than happy to tell him (and in that way most of the town) that we were here hoping to start an evangelical church & that Mario teaches English. A little free publicity never hurts!

We are, however, praying for a speedy end to the renovation, as once we are moved into a larger place, we could begin inviting people in for Bible studies & prayer meetings. More than anything else we long for the chance to show our country people that there is more for them than dead religion—that there is a living Savior who loves them and is waiting to know them.

May the love of God keep your hearts in perfect peace.

Love, Sis. Sheila