UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2008
Our ministry beyond the local congregation was underscored by a leader in a church in south Italy. He asked for information about Bible texts that some troublemaker in the church was using to achieve psychological control in the congregation. Believe it or not, they were Old Testament questions about ritual purification! Are we ever glad that we read and love the Old Testament: you just never know when someone is going to spring a new doctrine on you, even based on a revival of OT religious practices.
Another brother in the same area asked us for help with to deal with some so-called "Biblical" arguments an intimidating leader is using to maintain their political influence in their congregation.
A heart-warming experience: the convention sponsored by Harding University in Florence. Usually, we attend conventions to share our books and be of help and encouragement to our brothers and sisters present. This year, instead, some of them especially warmed our hearts and affirmed our ministry. Sarah Bailey had already arranged for a table on which to display our books, and commented: "We really appreciate your writing ministry. Who knows? Sometime in the future some young person, who knows you from these conventions, will ask, 'I wonder if Harold has something in one of his books?'"
Encouragement that goes around, comes around. Giovanni Albani, leader in the Florence church, affirmed Harold's ministry to him, defining him a "point of continuity over the years." We have known this brother since his high school years and rejoice in his maturing as a valid teacher in the church. Vittorio Vitalone, evangelist in Rome, cited Harold in one of his messages. Alfredo Gennari, curator of the Florence church library requested copies of everything we publish, for their library. This heartening sense of participation in the edification of the Italian church goes a long way!
Years ago, someone asked why we work in Italy. We rejoice because we could answer: "Brothers and sisters to help, to teach, to encourage, to strengthen in times of pain. "Brothers and sisters" to pick us up when we fall, to give us insights about the Italian people, to correct our mistakes in Italian. "Brothers and sisters" with whom to pray and for whom to intercede. It's simply amazing: investments made in people's lives 25-40 years ago, continue to pay rich dividends, and we praise God for them.
Thank you for praying for the kind of love that these Christians show us. It keeps us going! Pray for all the Christians here, especially the discouraging and the discouraged ones. The battle is not over and we all have yet a long way to go.
Another brother in the same area asked us for help with to deal with some so-called "Biblical" arguments an intimidating leader is using to maintain their political influence in their congregation.
A heart-warming experience: the convention sponsored by Harding University in Florence. Usually, we attend conventions to share our books and be of help and encouragement to our brothers and sisters present. This year, instead, some of them especially warmed our hearts and affirmed our ministry. Sarah Bailey had already arranged for a table on which to display our books, and commented: "We really appreciate your writing ministry. Who knows? Sometime in the future some young person, who knows you from these conventions, will ask, 'I wonder if Harold has something in one of his books?'"
Encouragement that goes around, comes around. Giovanni Albani, leader in the Florence church, affirmed Harold's ministry to him, defining him a "point of continuity over the years." We have known this brother since his high school years and rejoice in his maturing as a valid teacher in the church. Vittorio Vitalone, evangelist in Rome, cited Harold in one of his messages. Alfredo Gennari, curator of the Florence church library requested copies of everything we publish, for their library. This heartening sense of participation in the edification of the Italian church goes a long way!
Years ago, someone asked why we work in Italy. We rejoice because we could answer: "Brothers and sisters to help, to teach, to encourage, to strengthen in times of pain. "Brothers and sisters" to pick us up when we fall, to give us insights about the Italian people, to correct our mistakes in Italian. "Brothers and sisters" with whom to pray and for whom to intercede. It's simply amazing: investments made in people's lives 25-40 years ago, continue to pay rich dividends, and we praise God for them.
Thank you for praying for the kind of love that these Christians show us. It keeps us going! Pray for all the Christians here, especially the discouraging and the discouraged ones. The battle is not over and we all have yet a long way to go.
posted by Harold & Enid Fowler | 5:59 PM
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