Prayer Letter from Scott & Sharon MacLean
Scott & Sharon MacLean
version of this letter in .PDF format, visit the prayer letters page of our
website (www.snsmaclean.net/prayerletters.htm).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Connections .
October 2010 update on the ministry of Scott & Sharon MacLean serving in
Italy with CrossWorld
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer
to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you ." - I
Peter 3:15
"Hey, you're the guy who teaches Bible stories in the park." The boy had
just cut in front of me in line at the Chinese take-out place. When he
turned around and saw me, he recognized me from our weekly children's clubs
in the park (although, I must say, I did not really recognize him as one of
our regulars). What is even cooler is that he remembered that I teach
"Bible stories". Each week I remind the kids that I tell stories from the
Bible because the Bible is completely true.
Recently we have been being recognized more and more often around town.
Whether it be the folks that stop by at the book table to chat, running into
my Muslim friend while out running errands down town, or greeting a fellow
ambulance worker while waiting in line at the health service office to get
documents, it seems that we frequently are stopping to chat with someone
that we know. It is nice to be recognized. We are really starting to feel
that we are a "well inserted" (as Italians could say) or well connected in
our small town here. Even better is knowing that each of these
relationships are bridges of trust that make it more likely for them to
listen when we share the Good News.
The brother of one of the ladies Sharon knows from the park recently moved
to Domodossola. He was looking for an evangelical church to attend.
Because she knew Sharon, he was able to connect with us. He is a new
believer, and his sister was impressed by the big changes in his life. So
she too decided to come along and see what it was all about. They both have
been attending when they can.
Which brings me to another encouragement God has granted us. You may recall
in the last letter that we had prayed as a church for God to fill the empty
seats left behind when Filippo and Sandra moved to the US for a year, and
that He would make us grow so big that we would have to find another place
to meet on Sunday mornings.
Well, the Lord has answered at least the first part of that prayer. A few
weeks back we had 28 folks there for Sunday! And we have been averaging
over 20 each week, despite Filippo and Sandra and kids being gone, and some
of our other regulars being gone. Soon, Lord willing, we will really need
to find that bigger place.
It is an encouragement to us to see this answered prayer, and I know it is
also an encouragement to the church. And it is an encouragement to us to
see how God has really burdened the youth of the church to pray that God
would cause our youth group to grow. Two of our youth spent the summer in
the US and enjoyed being part of a much larger youth group at the church
there.
As we talked about the summer, and how wonderful it was to be part of a much
bigger church there, God used it to touch their hearts to pray that He might
cause our youth group, and our church, to grow.
As I write this letter, I am in the US for a short time of visiting our
supporting churches and individuals. While there is no way I'll be able to
get done all we hoped to do this summer (before our plans were changed by
the adoption), I hope to at least be able to connect and share with most of
our supporting churches and many of our individual supporters.
We are also praying that the Lord would use this time to raise up some of
the financial support that we are lacking. Due to some churches and
individuals who have had to stop supporting us, as well as some increases in
our support needs, we are facing a deficit in our support. Please pray for
the Lord's provision, and that I would be an encouragement to those I meet
while travelling.
I apologize for the delay in getting this letter out, but I was waiting so I
could include our new prayer card with the letter. For those of you getting
this by e-mail, you should be able to get one at your church (if they
support us). Otherwise, please contact us and we will be happy to drop one
in the mail to you.
Thank you for your continued support in prayer. We really do need it!
His Servants,
Scott, Sharon, Karis & Luana MacLean
*** Italian Info ***
Which is the capital city of Italy?
A) Turin B) Milan
C) Rome D) Naples
*Answer to last letter's question:
The Italian word for soccer (calcio), also means kick (C). Note, I just
realized that the auto-correct had changed calcio to calico in my last
letter. Oops!
*** Quickly Noted . ***
* On our Website - We have expanded the "friends" section of our web site.
We now include some more specific prayer requests and news that, while not
exactly private, we still do not want publically searchable on the internet.
To access this section, click on the link labeled "friends" on the lower
left hand side of our web page. You will need to contact us for the
username and password needed to access this. If you are having any trouble
accessing this, please contact us and we will try to help.
* New Prayer Card - If you get this by snail mail, it is enclosed. If you
get it by e-mail, pick one up at your church, ask us to send you one (we are
happy to do so :)), or download it from our web-site and print it yourself.
* Move to KC - CrossWorld has completed the majority of its move to Kansas
City. Please note that the new official address and phone number for
CrossWorld below.
*** Prayer & Praise ***
* Praise for the adoption of our new daughter, and for how well she is
adapting to being a part of our family!
* Pray for Scott as he concludes his brief time in the US visiting
supporters.
* Pray for a renewed strengthening of the dollar. This would be a help to
us as we were not be able to come on home ministry this summer and renew our
support base.
* Pray for the Lord's continued provision of our financial needs.
* Praise for the new folks who are attending church. Pray that they would
continue to be faithful in attending.
* Continue to pray for the witness of two teens in our youth group to their
unsaved family members.
* Pray for a Jehovah's Witness with whom I have been having regular
conversations. I am seeking to create doubt and raise questions about what
he has been taught is true, but yet does not fit well with the Bible. There
are many JWs who live in our area.
* Praise for a couple with whom I am meeting to study the Bible. Pray that
the Lord would open their minds and hearts to His Word.
* Pray that the Lord would open doors of opportunity to speak of the Gospel
with those we know and those we meet. (Col. 4:3)
* Pray for a great working of God in the Ossola Valleys. May He draw many
people to Himself and build His church!
*** Contact Information: ***
* Field Address:
Scott & Sharon MacLean
Via Ravasenga, 2
28845 Domodossola (VB)
ITALY
Phone: 011-39-0324-482-259
* Mission address:
CrossWorld
10000 N Oak Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64155
Phone: (816) 479-7300
Financial contributions may be sent to this address or given on-line at the
mission website: www.CrossWorld.org.