Between
June 1st and 4th, Bro Simon and Sis Anna Phillips, Bro Dan Pearce, Sis Abby Lear
and Bro Ben and Sis Becky Collard flew out to Italy to visit the brethren,
sisters and contacts there.
We
were blessed with good journeys and on arrival in Verona half of the group did
some fly billing in Verona, although it was difficult to find natives and not
tourists! The other half of the group were able to travel and break bread with
Sis Betty and were led in exhortation by Bro. Ben. She was in good health and very happy to meet with her
brothers and sister.
During
the evening we met with two contacts, Pierluca and Isaiah. We were pleased that
progress was made with both contacts in that they were both inspired to go away
and read the Bible more readily. Bro Ben hopes to begin an introductory
correspondance course with Pierluca; whilst Isaiah is making good prgress
through the second (40 lesson) correspondence course with Bro. Simon. We felt
encouraged that even in such a Catholic country as Italy, we were able to find
some people searching for the truth.
On
Friday, we travelled to meet Bro Foster and broke bread with him and were led in
exhortation by Bro. Dan. We
also shared the readings and a meal. He too was well, and had news of Bro Roshan,
whom he had seen recently, but was unable to meet with us on this occasion. We
then returned to Bergamo and caught a plane to Rome.
On
Saturday morning, we were pleased to meet Bro Naizghi and over the course of the
day, shared 4 studies together under the theme “We preach Christ crucified”.
Our third session was shared within sight of the Colosseum, which made reading
from the letter to the Romans very powerful. Bro Naizghi’s English had
improved, which allowed discussion to be more profitable.
Sis
Asmait met with us on Sunday morning and we were able to break bread in one of
the hotel rooms and were led in exhortation by Bro. Simon. Due to Asmait’s
limited English Naizghi translated the whole service for our new sister into
Amaric. We then shared a final study entitled “Living the life” before
sharing lunch and saying goodbye.
It
was wonderful to share fellowship with our brothers and sisters, (some of the
group meeting each other for the first time) and to be uplifted from the hope we
share. Our brothers and sisters really appreciated meeting with us and sharing
the readings, emblems and discussing God’s Word as so often they find
themselves in isolation.
We
therefore ask anyone who can speak Italian, who is interested in the work or is
visiting Italy to contact Bro Simon Philips on simon@italianocristadelfiani.org
or 0121 4411485 to discuss ways in which they could be of assistance.
Further information on what we do in Italy is provided on our website www.italianocristadelfiani.org
If possible it would be great if brothers and sisters visiting the country could
break bread with our brothers and sisters or distribute leaflets for an hour in
any town centre for “how shall they hear without a preacher?”
We pray God will continue to bless our brothers and sisters, and our contacts searching for the truth, able to make them “wise unto salvation”.
Sis Becky Collard (Longbridge)