10.20.2007

I Timothy 3:2

There are several aspects of deputation that take getting used to. Life on the road. Going to different churches and experiencing different church cultures. And one major part - which is staying with people during a missions conference.

Some things run through our minds as we are preparing to spend a week with people we have never met...

Is this going to be a good fit?
Are we going to be in the way?
Are two little girls going to be a problem for the people?
Are they going to get mad when Natalia spills juice on the tablecloth?
Will there be a velvet picture of Jesus on their wall?


This week finds us at Bethel Baptist Church of Prospect, New York. The family that we are staying with are the Calabrese’s. The conference has been amazing. Honestly, the thing that has overwhelmed us here is the Calabrese's hospitality!

We have had such a wonderful time with this family, we are going to hate to leave! Frank and Sandy are so sweet and the fellowship and prayers together have really been encouraging.




The whole family has been loving on our girls, which makes us feel so happy and puts us at ease. The kids Josh and Alyssa, love playing with our little ones. Watching them read and color with Natalia or cuddle with Ellia is so special.

The idea of staying with people we do not know can make us nervous, however after staying with the Calabrese family, we are excited about meeting more families. God already knows who we will stay with and this week was a special blessing.

10.04.2007

II Peter 1:10

I know I am in the will of God! I know God has called me to be a Baptist missionary to Italy. How can I be so sure?

I played my first round of golf today.

This week we are at Hunters Creek Bible Baptist Church. Often times during a mission's conference the host pastor will take the missionaries to do activities during the day. Sometimes it is sight seeing and other times, eating out. Today the schedule called for golf. Yeah.

I had never played golf before today. That great truth was apparent to everyone who came to Archie's golf course today! It was certainly apparent to me as I found myself countless times walking through brush looking for my ball. It was also apparent to the swans in the various ponds who had to keep getting out of the way when I took a swing.

There was one time when I hit the ball great. Man it took off. When it landed - it was buried in a sand trap.

Paul charged us to understand what the will of the Lord is for our lives. Peter wanted us to make our calling and election sure. I know that my calling is sure. I am called to be a church-planter to the country of Italy - not a golfer.

10.01.2007

Psalm 23:5

Our very first Missions Conference! What a way to start deputation. Madison Avenue Baptist Church has treated us much better than we deserve. This sacrificial church in the inner city of Paterson, NJ has gone out of their way to treat their missionaries like special guests.

As missionaries newly on deputation it has been our goal and expectation to go to churches and try to be a blessing. Through ministry and service we have planned to go and work in any way we can. This week however, we were pleasantly surprised by the reversal of this expectation.

The kick-off of the conference on Wednesday night set the tone for an exciting week learning about missions. We were extremely blessed! Then on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday the pastors and members of the church continued to bless us with fellowship, food (and lots of it!) and fun!

The warm brothers and sisters in Christ at MABC went above and beyond to bless us. MABC put us up in a beautiful hotel and took us out to amazing restaurants. At the end of the final service the pastor announced that they had a special gift for us. He handed us a basket filled with hundreds of dollars in gift cards for such things as gas, food, and much to Erika’s joy - Target.

It has really been an amazing testimony to us of a congregation that God has used to support over 70 missionaries. We have ended up having our cup filled abundantly! What could we have possibly done for them compared to the endless ways they have blessed and given to us. We are so thankful for that church family and feel that our church family has grown in this short time here.

Did we work hard? Yes. Did Michael get to preach/teach eight times? Yes. Did our children get to make new friends? Oh, yes!





We praise God for such a great conference. We are overwhelmed by the love we were shown and are beyond thankful for each person at Madison Avenue who have so graciously welcomed us into their missions family.