I think Italy has some of the most beautiful places in the world. Wikipedia says that Italy is the fifth-most visited country in the world behind France, the United States, Spain, and China. The English writer Samuel Johnson said, “A man who has not been in Italy is always conscious of an inferiority.” Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Cinque Terre, Como, Sardinia, and Venice are some of the most beautiful places that Italy has to offer.
While it may seem like the above paragraph is gloating or bragging, it is not. While we live in Italy, we don’t live in any of those dream destinations, and in the last six years, we have only taken a day trip to Como twice and visited some missionary friends in Tuscany once. Milan may be enjoyable to visit for a day or two, but it is certainly not the “beauty queen” of Italy. We live in an apartment that the sun barely hits, where the smog rests on the balcony daily, and where the horizon beyond the buildings cannot be seen.
While it may seem like the above paragraph is complaining or seeking your compassion, it is not. We did not come to Italy for the beauty. Our decision to come to Italy was like the wedding vows we shared: “For better or worse.” But as I frequently say, It is not where you live but Who lives in you that makes life great.
We have heard Valentine’s, an African man, confession of his faith in Christ, as well as that of an Orthodox Egyptian man. A man has joined our church from America who is playing professional basketball in a nearby town for the year. He has been such a blessing to us and is a really good Christian man. Eight of us went from our church to watch a recent game of his. A family who moved outside of Milan has brought several visitors to church when they have been able to make the trip.
Please pray for the Keister family, who is preparing to come to Italy as missionaries. They and their pastor and his wife just spent a day and a half visiting Milan and preaching at our church. We had a great time with them and a good turnout for a Friday evening service.
We finally got our documents reissued since having my wallet stolen back in March, and now it is time to apply again for the next series. Pray that we will be able to get our permissions to stay for a longer duration this time. Thank you again for your love for our family and for the preaching of the Gospel in Italy.
Missionaries to the people of Italy,
Christopher, Amy, William, AnnMarie, and Charlotte Yetzer