Prayer Letter from Scott & Sharon MacLean
Scott & Sharon MacLean
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Moments …
June 2011 update on the ministry of Scott & Sharon MacLean serving in Italy with CrossWorld
“Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” – John 4:36 (NASB)
One evening a few weeks ago our youth group decided to get together just to spend some time together and perhaps watch a film. Things are never all that well organized or planned here in Italy, and it took way too much of my time making phone calls and figuring out what we were doing and where.
After the film was over, the group stood around talking for a good hour or more after the film. They didn't talk much about the film, or about soccer (the great love of Italian youth). No, they talked about spiritual things. They talked about their witness, about how people responded (or didn't respond) to the Gospel here in our area, about how to find people that were open to the Gospel message.
Nor was I the one that had directed the conversation to that topic. I was not even saying all that much. I was just soaking it in and marveling about this visible sign of God's work among these youth - One of whom was a new believer - saved just a few months ago. Another had spent years walking away from the Lord - and had been prayed over much before he came back a couple years ago. Others were from non-Christian families. And there we all were, all standing up, crowded in the little hallway - not taking into consideration the lateness of the hour - and talking about how to reach these dark valleys for Christ.
One of the most basic, fundamental aims of missions work is that the people you are working with get involved, excited and equipped to reach out with the Good News to their own people. To see signs of this happening in our youth group made this evening well worth while, even if I did end up getting home after midnight!
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Unexpected events had rudely pushed their way into my Thursday afternoon, so I was running late as we hurried to the park to do the children’s club. I didn’t end up having the time to go back over the lesson. I was teaching on Jesus turning the water to wine, and had not really found a good way to weave the Gospel message into the lesson (as I try to do each week).
Attracted by the big mysterious box, and intrigued by the bucket that I filled with water, there was a good group of kids that were paying attention to the lesson. As I summed up and talked about how powerful Jesus was, and that he was good and kind, one of the kids piped up and said “Jesus is kind towards the good people.”
It was a perfect opening to talk about our inability to be “good enough” to be pleasing to God. I did get to explain the Gospel and talk about just like only Jesus could turn water into wine, only Jesus could save and change our hearts. It was a wonderful special moment to see God’s hand at work right there in the park.
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Towards the end of a rather full weekend, we sat in the borrowed meeting hall and listened to one of our teens give her testimony before she was baptized. It was beautiful to listen as she shared of her salvation from sin and the joy that she had in a personal relationship with Jesus. She had asked specifically that we push the baptism up several weeks so that her friends could be there (before folks started to leave for summer vacations).
In a crowded hallway, a sunny park or a borrowed meeting hall, it is these special moments, these glimpses of God’s hands at work that encourage us and keep us going. We know that God has called us to be faithful, even when we cannot see His hand at work, but He also
allows for these special moments to bring us joy and encouragement.
Thank you for your part in allowing us to serve the Lord here, and to see His hand at work. Your prayer and financial support not only make it possible for us to serve here, but they also serve as an encouragement to us. And most of all, we serve a God that hears and answers your prayers. You are a vital part of what God is doing here! Thank you!
His Servants,
Scott, Sharon & Karis MacLean
*** Italian Info ***
Mailing a letter or post card from Italy to the US used to cost €.85. But the rates recently went up. How much does it cost now?
A) €1.00 B) €1.20 C) €1.40 D) €1.60
Answer to last letter’s question:
As of January 1, 2011, plastic shopping bags (B) were banned in Italy.
Quickly Noted …
* On our Website – New pictures, updated prayer requests, and in the “Life in Italy” section a bit of an explanation of how the soccer leagues work here in Italy.
* Health Insurance increase – For various reasons, we will be facing a rather large increase (estimated at $365/month) in the cost of our health insurance later this year. For more details on this visit the “PL Extras” section of out website.
* Travel Plans – Scott & Karis will be in the US from June 28 through July 10 for the wedding of Scott’s sister. Congratulations Anthony & Heather!
*** Prayer & Praise ***
* Pray for the children’s clubs in the park and other warm weather ministries that we will be involved with this summer.
* Praise for the opportunity to do evangelistic Bible studies with two different people. Pray that the Lord would cause seeds that were planted to grow.
* Pray for the witness of several in our church to their unsaved family members.
* Praise for a good “Emergency English” class that Scott taught this spring at the ambulance service. It was a good chance to get to know people and to share why we are here.
* Pray for safety in travel for Scott & Karis as they travel to Heather’s wedding – and for Sharon as she stays home with Luana during this time.
* Continue to pray for the possibility of getting a free piece of land on which to build a church building.
* Pray for a letter Scott has written to a JW friend, that God will use it in his heart and mind.
* Praise for a beautiful and strong testimony at our recent baptismal service, and for the guests who joined us for that special occasion.
* Praise for recent increases in our financial support!
* Pray for the Lord’s provision for the increased costs of our health insurance.
* Pray that our lives may be such that they shine as lights in the darkness as we hold forth the Word of Life to those around us. (Philippians 2:14-16)
* 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