Prayer Update from Scott & Sharon MacLean
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Scott & Sharon MacLean
Apr 5, 2013, 11:40:44 AM4/5/13
to Pray for the MacLeans Google Group, Pray for Italy Prayer Group
Attached you will find a .pdf version of our prayer letter. This will print
more neatly and is identical to the mailed version of the letter. If you
have any problems opening it, let me know. For your convenience the text of
the prayer letter is also below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------
Sun and Wind.
April 2013 update on the ministry of Scott & Sharon MacLean serving in Italy
with Crossworld
".serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted
to prayer, ." - Romans 12:11b-12
It is a bright, sunny, spring day as I sit at my computer and try to bring
you all up to date with what is happening here in
the Ossola valleys of northern Italy. The few small remnants of snow from
Monday's storm are rapidly melting away and the
thermometer tells me that it has almost reached 60 degrees outside! But if
I step out for a moment a cold wind briskly
reminds me that it is still March!
In the past few months it has been so encouraging to see God's hand at work.
We have seen good things happening,
opportunities to pour ourselves - and God's Word - into the lives of others.
It is bright and encouraging! At the same
time - there are the cold winds that blow. Problems, discouragements and
battles that can so quickly remind us that serving
the Lord is not always easy - and that working with people, while ever so
worthwhile, can be messy.
We have spent a considerable amount of time in the past couple months
helping a youth in the church who has been going
through a very difficult time. At times it has been very hard - for him,
for his family and for us as his friends. But it
has also been a great opportunity to shine the light of God's love. As
Jesus said, the world will know that we are His
followers by the love that we as Christians show for one another!
During this time of struggle, we have mostly maintained our weekly
discipleship times, and have even found times to go out
and serve together. One time in particular sticks in my mind. We went to
visit with a new acquaintance of his who was
interested in hearing more about the Gospel. At a certain point during our
visit, I just sat and listened to this young
man, who was having real struggles of his own, share the Gospel message in a
crystal clear and powerful way!
Moments like these, when we can see God's hand at work - transforming,
teaching, gifting - even in the midst of "messy"
problems - it is something that brings tears of joy to my eyes and reminds
me that - Yes, it is really worth it!
We are also rejoicing that the church is growing. We have seen new folks -
a new believer as well as others who are seekers
- who have started attending from time to time. Please continue to pray for
wisdom and provision of a new meeting place.
Pray also for these seekers that the Lord would continue to draw them into a
relationship with Himself.
We are in the midst of a distribution project offering a free DVD to those
who bring the flyer to our book table. We have
had two responses so far, and we still have many more of the flyers to
distribute. The DVD is short but powerful film which
graphically portrays our inability to "earn" our way into heaven. Pray for
the lady who took a free copy last week, as well
as for others who have purchased the DVD recently. If you would like to see
the film for yourself, I will place a link to
it on our website.
Volunteering at the ambulance house, the book table and life in general
continue to provide opportunities to speak God's
truth into people's lives. The selection of a new Pope and the season in
which we remember Christ's resurrection have both
provided open doors for talking of spiritual things. Pray that these
opportunities continue and that the seed sown will
bear fruit.
As spring moves on towards summer, our warmer weather activities (children's
clubs, open air evangelism, witnessing in the
piazza) will start to fill up our weekly schedule more and more. Pray both
for these exciting outreaches as well as for our
ability to manage our time well and make the most of every day.
In the midst of these encouraging times, I have sensed in a very real way
spiritual opposition. From the Scriptures we know
that we are in a spiritual battle, the armor the God has provided for us as
his children (Eph. 6), and even some of the
schemes that the evil one uses against us (II Cor. 2:11). And, praise the
Lord, we know that in Christ the victory is ours!
But the battle we must face - and at times it just seems more obvious than
at other times. Do pray for us as we face this
battle in His strength.
Thank the Lord with us for the way that His hand is at work. And continue
to pray for the work here in the Ossola valleys.
We greatly need appreciate and need your partnership with us as we serve the
Lord together.
His Servants,
Scott & Sharon MacLean
*** Italian Info ***
In February, national elections were held here in Italy. Who was chosen to
be the new prime minister of Italy?
A) Silvio Berlusconi
B) Pier Luigi Bersani
C) Beppo Grillo
D) Mario Monti
E) None of the above
See below for answer.
*** Quickly Noted . ***
* Support level rising - Praise the Lord with us for more support increases!
While we are still not where we should be with
support, our hearts are encouraged. For a more precise update, or for
information on how to support this ministry, please
visit our website or contact us.
:) Welcome Willard Dale - We are happy to welcome our new nephew - Willard
Dale Buller - born on March 16. Congratulations
Anthony & Heather!
* On our Website - Updated news and photos, some information on the recent
elections here (Life in Italy) and thoughts on
the newly selected Pope (PL Extras).
*** Prayer & Praise ***
* Pray for our children's clubs in the park - that there may be no problem
in getting permission, for good turnout, and for
the seeds which will be sown.
* Praise for additional increases in our pledged prayer and financial
support.
* Pray that the Lord would provide the prayer and financial support that we
still need.
* Pray for wisdom in meeting with a couple Jehovah's witnesses. One of
these is the same man I was meeting with earlier.
Pray for the Lord to open their eyes.
* Praise for how the Lord has worked in the life of one of the youth in the
church!
* Pray for wisdom in using our time as the days get progressively busier
with the warmer weather.
* Pray for our friendships - that they may be used to draw people to the
Lord.
* Praise the Lord with us for the new folks that have been coming to church.
* Pray specifically for the seekers that have been occasionally attending
church.
* 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!
**** Answer to Italian Info: ****
Although B) Bersani's coalition won the most votes, none of the coalitions
have enough votes in the Senate to form a
government. So the answer, for the moment, is "E) None of the above". Until
a new government can be formed D) Monti is still
the acting prime minister. So if you chose B, D or E - give yourself
credit! If no government is formed, new elections may
take place as soon as June.
*** 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
more neatly and is identical to the mailed version of the letter. If you
have any problems opening it, let me know. For your convenience the text of
the prayer letter is also below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------
Sun and Wind.
April 2013 update on the ministry of Scott & Sharon MacLean serving in Italy
with Crossworld
".serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted
to prayer, ." - Romans 12:11b-12
It is a bright, sunny, spring day as I sit at my computer and try to bring
you all up to date with what is happening here in
the Ossola valleys of northern Italy. The few small remnants of snow from
Monday's storm are rapidly melting away and the
thermometer tells me that it has almost reached 60 degrees outside! But if
I step out for a moment a cold wind briskly
reminds me that it is still March!
In the past few months it has been so encouraging to see God's hand at work.
We have seen good things happening,
opportunities to pour ourselves - and God's Word - into the lives of others.
It is bright and encouraging! At the same
time - there are the cold winds that blow. Problems, discouragements and
battles that can so quickly remind us that serving
the Lord is not always easy - and that working with people, while ever so
worthwhile, can be messy.
We have spent a considerable amount of time in the past couple months
helping a youth in the church who has been going
through a very difficult time. At times it has been very hard - for him,
for his family and for us as his friends. But it
has also been a great opportunity to shine the light of God's love. As
Jesus said, the world will know that we are His
followers by the love that we as Christians show for one another!
During this time of struggle, we have mostly maintained our weekly
discipleship times, and have even found times to go out
and serve together. One time in particular sticks in my mind. We went to
visit with a new acquaintance of his who was
interested in hearing more about the Gospel. At a certain point during our
visit, I just sat and listened to this young
man, who was having real struggles of his own, share the Gospel message in a
crystal clear and powerful way!
Moments like these, when we can see God's hand at work - transforming,
teaching, gifting - even in the midst of "messy"
problems - it is something that brings tears of joy to my eyes and reminds
me that - Yes, it is really worth it!
We are also rejoicing that the church is growing. We have seen new folks -
a new believer as well as others who are seekers
- who have started attending from time to time. Please continue to pray for
wisdom and provision of a new meeting place.
Pray also for these seekers that the Lord would continue to draw them into a
relationship with Himself.
We are in the midst of a distribution project offering a free DVD to those
who bring the flyer to our book table. We have
had two responses so far, and we still have many more of the flyers to
distribute. The DVD is short but powerful film which
graphically portrays our inability to "earn" our way into heaven. Pray for
the lady who took a free copy last week, as well
as for others who have purchased the DVD recently. If you would like to see
the film for yourself, I will place a link to
it on our website.
Volunteering at the ambulance house, the book table and life in general
continue to provide opportunities to speak God's
truth into people's lives. The selection of a new Pope and the season in
which we remember Christ's resurrection have both
provided open doors for talking of spiritual things. Pray that these
opportunities continue and that the seed sown will
bear fruit.
As spring moves on towards summer, our warmer weather activities (children's
clubs, open air evangelism, witnessing in the
piazza) will start to fill up our weekly schedule more and more. Pray both
for these exciting outreaches as well as for our
ability to manage our time well and make the most of every day.
In the midst of these encouraging times, I have sensed in a very real way
spiritual opposition. From the Scriptures we know
that we are in a spiritual battle, the armor the God has provided for us as
his children (Eph. 6), and even some of the
schemes that the evil one uses against us (II Cor. 2:11). And, praise the
Lord, we know that in Christ the victory is ours!
But the battle we must face - and at times it just seems more obvious than
at other times. Do pray for us as we face this
battle in His strength.
Thank the Lord with us for the way that His hand is at work. And continue
to pray for the work here in the Ossola valleys.
We greatly need appreciate and need your partnership with us as we serve the
Lord together.
His Servants,
Scott & Sharon MacLean
*** Italian Info ***
In February, national elections were held here in Italy. Who was chosen to
be the new prime minister of Italy?
A) Silvio Berlusconi
B) Pier Luigi Bersani
C) Beppo Grillo
D) Mario Monti
E) None of the above
See below for answer.
*** Quickly Noted . ***
* Support level rising - Praise the Lord with us for more support increases!
While we are still not where we should be with
support, our hearts are encouraged. For a more precise update, or for
information on how to support this ministry, please
visit our website or contact us.
:) Welcome Willard Dale - We are happy to welcome our new nephew - Willard
Dale Buller - born on March 16. Congratulations
Anthony & Heather!
* On our Website - Updated news and photos, some information on the recent
elections here (Life in Italy) and thoughts on
the newly selected Pope (PL Extras).
*** Prayer & Praise ***
* Pray for our children's clubs in the park - that there may be no problem
in getting permission, for good turnout, and for
the seeds which will be sown.
* Praise for additional increases in our pledged prayer and financial
support.
* Pray that the Lord would provide the prayer and financial support that we
still need.
* Pray for wisdom in meeting with a couple Jehovah's witnesses. One of
these is the same man I was meeting with earlier.
Pray for the Lord to open their eyes.
* Praise for how the Lord has worked in the life of one of the youth in the
church!
* Pray for wisdom in using our time as the days get progressively busier
with the warmer weather.
* Pray for our friendships - that they may be used to draw people to the
Lord.
* Praise the Lord with us for the new folks that have been coming to church.
* Pray specifically for the seekers that have been occasionally attending
church.
* 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!
**** Answer to Italian Info: ****
Although B) Bersani's coalition won the most votes, none of the coalitions
have enough votes in the Senate to form a
government. So the answer, for the moment, is "E) None of the above". Until
a new government can be formed D) Monti is still
the acting prime minister. So if you chose B, D or E - give yourself
credit! If no government is formed, new elections may
take place as soon as June.
*** 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
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