going home, another new believer

Posted by Drew | Filed under General

The story is really long about why I’m going home.  I considered creating some kind of elaborate tale about conflict with national leadership or perhaps a sketchy relationship with an Italian girl, but I know jokes like that don’t always translate so well over the internet, so I think it’s best if I just fill you in on the real story.

Yes, I’m going home soon.  Sometime in December I’ll be back in Tupelo, and I’ll be able to spend Chrismas with my family.  I really can’t tell you how good that feels.  But there is a feeling of disapointment at the same time, because we’re having to miss some valuable time on campus, and some valuable team time over the holidays.

ok, so as I read back over this, I realize that i’ve neglected to clarify that I’m coming back here.  My time here is far from finished.  I should be back in January, but that’s not certain at this point.

Right, you want the story.  Remember how I was asking for prayer about our visas?  We still need those prayers.  And now I can fill you in so that you’re able to pray more specifically.  When we leave Italy, we will fly straight to Miami to apply for religous visas at the Italian Consulate.  This is the same kind of visa I had during my previous two STINTs here.  Since I last came, the laws have become more strict for both entering and staying in Italy.  The laws for staying here require that we stay only 90 days without a visa, and when we leave we must remain outside the country for an additional 90 days, meaning we have to be gone by Dec 7, and can’t return until March 7 without a visa.  The laws for entering require recipients of religious visas to be ordained ministers of a religious order.  Fortunately, since I am on staff full time with CCC, I qualify.  The challenge, and great prayer need, however, is for the rest of my team who is not on staff, and are at the mercy of the Italian government who may decide to declare them ineligible.  If that happens, well… Let’s just pray that doesn’t happen.

So, I’m thankful for the opportunity to come home for a while and spend Christmas with my family.  But at the same time, this isn’t great news for us, or for the ministry (at least from our limited point of view… who knows what God has planned in this).  We’ll fly to Miami and spend some time there going through the application process, and possibly debriefing and evaluating the semester as a team.  After that, we’ll be free to go home.  Speaking of, is anyone driving any particular leg of the journey from Miami to Tupelo within the first few weeks of December?  I have a crazy plan of not flying, but bumming rides all the way home.  Let me know if you can help.

Gayle continues to amaze us all.  Each day on campus we have someone who just prays the entire day.  Gayle was doing that on Tuesday, and while she had stopped to talk to Francine, two Italian girls called them over to talk.  So they did, and a girl named Filomena prayed to receive Christ!  That’s 5 for the year.  All 5 with Gayle.

Hopefully I can send a better update soon with prayer requests for our last few weeks here, partnering with the Christian student group MLK, our thanksgiving dinner outreach, and a description of my first Italian wedding.  Please continue to pray, especially for our visas.  Thanks.

Permalink | November 8th, 2006

6 Responses to “going home, another new believer”

  1. francine Says:
    November 9th, 2006 at 3:23 pm

    Uh…your first Italian wedding? Stuff like that doesn’t always translate so well over the Internet either.

    Just kidding. But it does sound funny when you read over it real quick.

  2. Blake Says:
    November 11th, 2006 at 11:42 am

    Great to hear how things are going. Now get ready for the Egg Bowl.

  3. Hossein Says:
    November 12th, 2006 at 10:36 pm

    Drew,

    My man, it has been a long time. Please give me a call when you get back in the States. My number is the same as before or email me whenever you get a chance…razz44@hotmail.com. I hope things are going great for you.

  4. Sam Bondy Says:
    November 24th, 2006 at 2:14 am

    Hey, Drew! We’re praying for you and for your team and are excited to see how God will work all things out for His glory and for your good. I can’t help but to wonder what God is stirring up in that country and in your lives to get Satan all worked up!! I am thankful to know that God is at His work to this very day and will continue to be with you there or in the states…may He continue to lead and guide you as you co-lead the team with Francine. God bless you.

    For the joy from Turkey~
    Sam :)

  5. Sara Says:
    December 1st, 2006 at 6:42 pm

    Hey Drew!
    Just wanted to let you know that our team is praying for you guys and the visa situation. Keep us posted. :)

    Sara (from Serbia)

  6. Ryan Perkins Says:
    December 3rd, 2006 at 4:58 pm

    Drew,

    Just wanted to say hello and that Karli and I are praying for you guys. It’s awesome to hear the reports coming out of Salerno. May Christmas provide many opportunites to announce and proclaim that the birth of Christ is the birth of the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col. 1:15-18

Leave a Reply