Prayer Update from Scott & Sharon MacLean
Scott & Sharon MacLean
Just a quick reminder that for a nicely formatted (more readable/printable) version of this letter in .PDF format, visit the prayer letters page of our website (www.snsmaclean.net/prayerletters.htm).
* Note that at the moment I am having trouble with my web site editing program which may delay posting of the letter.
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Good News from a Far Country …
October 2012 update on the ministry of Scott & Sharon MacLean serving in Italy with Crossworld
“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” – Proverbs 25:25
I smiled as I looked down at my computer. Marco was online with Skype. I typed a quick hello (it was “Ciao” actually) and Marco greeted me back. It had been a while since we talked. The smile on my face grew as I heard what God had been doing in his life.
He told me about the new sports ministry that was starting up and how he was going to be a part of it. He quickly emailed me a copy of the brochure that described the ministry, and asked a question about support raising. How thrilling to see how God had been continuing to direct and work in Marco’s life, to hear his excitement for this new ministry!
A few days later I exchanged emails with Filippo about how things were going in Domodossola. His reply email was bursting with encouraging news. There are signs of spiritual growth in the youth, two guys are talking about getting baptized when we get back, and one young girl who refused confirmation (required to continue attending the Catholic school) because she had accepted Christ at summer camp and was already saved.
Another day I managed to get on Facebook at the same time as one of our youth. He told me that his brother had started reading the Bible, and shared other good news about how things were going.
The internet makes it a bit easier to keep in touch with what is going on across the Atlantic back in Italy (although the internet can’t help with the time difference). And it has been good to hear these bits of good news from a far land. We are thrilled to be headed back to Italy in less than a week! It will be wonderful to catch up with the folks there and get back to the ministry in Domodossola and the Ossola Valleys.
When we get back, we will put Karis back in school and will settle back into our routines and our friendships there - spending time with friends, sharing about our trip and asking what is new in their lives. There are several folks who are interested in spiritual things. We look forward to talking more with them and seeing if they have moved closer to knowing Christ.
We will also begin getting ready for our end of the year activities. We hope to share an American Thanksgiving dinner with some of our friends again this year. And of course we will be giving away and selling Scripture calendars in the markets. The whole church will also give them to friends, family and neighbors. Scott will choose the towns where he will distribute tracts with an offer for a free Scripture calendar.
Please pray for these Scripture calendars. It is a great way to get the Bible into homes and, Lord willing, also into the hearts of the people. There is a verse for each day as well as a brief devotional (which often presents the Gospel).
Looking back, the last three months have passed quickly for us. The Lord provided marvelously on getting Luana’s documents. We were able to pick up her passport over a week before our departure for the US on August 1. Thank you for praying with us.
Since August 1 we have put over 10,000 miles on the car we have borrowed, spent nights in 17 different places, and had a wonderful time visiting with supporters, friends and family. It was so encouraging to us to see your interest in the ministry and to see how you have been praying for us and supporting us. The travel is tiring, but the fellowship and encouragement has been re-invigorating.
On our travels we were also able to visit Crossworld’s new headquarters in Kansas City, which are very nice. We attended the re-entry conference and enjoyed meeting new folks from the home office as well as having sessions on effective ways to share the stories of what God is doing in Italy.
Our financial support situation has been a bit up and down. We have gained some new support, but also have lost a bit of support. We have also seen some increases in the non salary portions of our support package. All of that has left us, for the moment, pretty much where we were when we started home ministry. But we do have a good number of folks that have indicated an interest in partnering with us financially. As we have not yet heard from most of these folks, we expect that we will see some new support in the coming weeks and months. We remain quite short of full support (and even of the target that we had set for home ministry). But we head back trusting that the Lord will supply all of our needs.
Thank you for your continued prayers and for the encouragement that you have been, especially during this time of home ministry.
His Servants,
Scott & Sharon MacLean
*** Italian Info ***
What mountain chain runs down the center of Italy?
A) Alps B) Apennines
C) Atlas D) Pyrenees
See below prayer requests for answer.
* Answer to last letter’s question:
In the European Cup soccer tournament Italy made it to the final before losing to Spain (b).
*** Quickly Noted … ***
* We leave to fly back to Italy on Oct. 29.
* Our next time of home ministry is tentatively scheduled to begin late summer of 2014.
* On our Website – Pictures of our home ministry (coming soon), updated prayer requests and more. Stop by www.snsmaclean.net.
*** Prayer & Praise ***
* Praise for getting Luana’s documents in plenty of time for our home ministry departure!
* Praise for the good news that we are hearing from Italy.
* Praise for safety in travel in the many miles we have travelled on home ministry.
* Praise for our base of prayer and financial supporters and the encouragement we have received in meeting with them.
* Praise for increases in our pledged prayer and financial support, and those that have indicated an interest in supporting us.
* Pray that the Lord would raise up the prayer and financial support that we still need.
* Pray for the Scripture calendars that will be sold and given away in the coming months.
* Pray for us as we settle back into Italy. Pray especially for Karis (and her Italian abilities) as she heads back to school.
* Pray for those who are interested in the Gospel message.
* Pray for us as a church that our love would abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment (Philippians 1:9).
* 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: The Apennines (B) run down the center of Italy.
*** 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