In the last several months, we have had more visitors from outside of Italy visit our family than any other year since we have been here. All of the guests were tremendous and a huge blessing to us. Two of the visitors were some of our previous church members. One came with her daughter for a weekend, and the other gave us free tickets to attend his basketball games in the area. It is always good to see people we have ministered to and with continuing in the grace of the Lord. We were also visited by one supporting pastor, one assistant pastor of a supporting church, and another assistant pastor. Each one of these had their special purpose in God’s plan and were edifying to us. We thank especially Bethel Baptist Church in Linton, Indiana, for sending their pastor and his wife over for a whole week. It was a bit of a rough time for our family health-wise, but we were all so grateful for the time they gave to us. Two of the preachers spoke in our church while they were here, and I know that our people were edified by their preaching. Lastly, my brother and his family visited for two weeks. We were not able to follow them everywhere they went, but we spent some good quality time with them and are thankful for their having come.

After all of that, we went down to Grosseto to participate in the 1st Annual Summer Camp for Kids, hosted by Missionary Paul Childers. The camp was fun and uplifting for our kids. The first week was for younger children, and the second week was for teenagers and young adults. The first week was quite hot, with temperatures in the mid-90s all week; but the setup worked well, and everyone was able to stay cool, for the most part. The second week had much better temperatures and was just as exciting. There were Bible lessons, stories, and sermons every day, along with horseback riding, games, and challenges. I got to preach one time to the teens. We were not able to stay the full two weeks because of the expense of a hotel and responsibilities in Milan, but we enjoyed the time we were there and highly recommend it even for foreign kids wanting to participate in a camp on the mission field. Our kids don’t have a lot of other friends, and this was very good for them spiritually. At the end of the first week of camp, there was a nationwide missionary gathering for the 4th of July. We sang a lot of songs, and Pastor Maietta taught about Baptist history in Italy, followed by a cookout. The last time we had a fellowship like this was in 2022.

Amidst all the visitors, we have been able to plant and care for a garden for the first time in Italy, and I finished my master’s program from Hyles-Anderson College, which I started in 2011. We also had two baptisms at our church. Both were single young men who have attended for some time. We are excited for them and their future lives walking with the Lord. We are also reminded again about how thankful we are to have a portable baptistery.

Just this last weekend, we were out preaching the Gospel one on one with people. We had a long but encouraging conversation with a young man named Alessandro, but an elderly lady shocked and saddened us when she said in all seriousness that Pope Francis was greater than Jesus. There is still so much work to do here, and laborers are few!

Missionaries to the people of Italy,

Christopher, Amy, William, AnnMarie, and Charlotte Yetzer