Be Encouraged

This is Matteo and Justin walking home after Bible study Sunday. Matteo is the local butcher who is a new believer, He along with another woman from our church will be baptized on Easter Sunday. Pray for their continual growth and love for the Lord.

Hello Everyone,

We hope you are doing well. It is hard to believe that we are a few days away from finishing January. It has been a very encouraging month for us. Each week we are learning the importance of staying in the Word and living it out. We are realizing the importance of storing up these encouraging times to help us fight times of discouragement.

As I was reading today, I was really encouraged by this quote:

"God will exalt the name of his Son through us — going before us in the hearts of our listeners, then sending us to speak the good news to them, all the while promising to go with us and provide us with everything we need along the way, and finally fulfilling and completing all that he calls us to do. Jesus’s name will be known, and believed, and treasured. May it happen through me."

That last sentence is how we both strive to live.  It is our hope for the people we spend every day with to know, believe, and treasure our Savior.  It is our prayer that we would not be results driven. God calls us to be faithful and to treasure Him above all. Pray with us that our lives would reflect Him as our treasure.  Please be in prayer for direction in the church we serving in. We are so thankful because there have been many doors opening in the city for ministry. Pray for Carli as she begins Italian classes again.  Be encouraged... God is using ordinary people to bring his sheep to Him.

With warm hugs from Italy,
Justin & Carli

Christmas Visit & Return to Italy

Hello family and friends,

We are back safe and sound in Italy. We had the most wonderful Christmas visit in Georgia. We feel so blessed and ready to start working hard again. It was such an encouraging and refreshing visit. While we were there we had the opportunity to visit three of our church families. We want to thank each person who took the time to listen to us and encourage us. It was so tempting to stay in that warm comforting environment, but we know God has plans for us here in Italy. With heavy hearts we returned to our Italian home. Justin began working the day we returned and I started back today with one of my private students. We are both excited about the new year and we are striving to be more disciplined in all aspects of our lives. Please pray that we would stay encouraged every day. It is always so difficult to be surrounded by so much darkness. Continue to pray for our little church plant, Impatto Budrio. We hope and pray that your day to day lives are Gospel driven and that you are able to impact your community with the love of Christ.

With love from Italy,
Carli & Justin