June Update

It is difficult to believe that another two weeks have pasted since our last update. 
We are staying very busy with work right now which is a blessing because we always find ourselves meeting new people. We are thankful to the Lord for bringing us this far on this new journey and we only pray that we will remain attentive to the Spirit's leading as we work and live among so many lost. I find myself thinking of how many people that we have already got to know these past three months and to think about all of those that we have still yet to meet. 

We have made a new contact with a wonderful family. The mother, Claudia is one of the students at the school where I teach. Last week, she invited Carli and I to dinner at her house on Sunday night. When she told me what she wanted to cook for us, it was an offer we could not refuse. We stayed at her house with her husband and two daughters for more than 4 hours. It was a great evening to say the least. Please pray for Fabrizio,Claudia and their two daughters. We really think that our friendship will grow throughout the summer. 

Carli is doing well these past two weeks with work. She is still going to Prato, (a small city close to Florence) to train for her future job that will be starting in September. We are praying that her documents will be ready in time so that she can have a work contract. I'm going next week to the city council to try and speed up her visa process so that we will have assurance come August regarding her work visa. Please pray that Carli will have peace and direction with her future at this school. The work will be tough and she will be around kids all day who only speak Italian. 

On a more practical note, the weather here is changing rapidly. This past week, we saw highs reach 95 degrees. Since we, as well as many here, do not have air conditioning, this can be challenging. We do enjoy our evenings though when it cools down. We also were able to experience our first earthquake. It was a 5.3 magnitude about 65 miles north of us. We are on the top floor of our building, so when it started, our living room started to rock back and forth a bit for about 20 seconds. It was pretty terrifying : )

We appreciate again all that you all are doing for us as we continue the work that we know the Lord has called us to. We are here to make disciples of Jesus by developing leaders who can eventually lead churches within each others homes. This vision is very large and will take many years. But, we know with confidence that the Lord has promised to meet our every need and He will not fail. 

We love you all very much, 

Carli and Justin

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

(Isaiah 52:7)