The Beginning of the End
Into the last week now, and yesterday the Monday night cell group had its traditional social activity, pizzas and film. It was at our house, as we are one of the few with a lounge large enough to accomodate everyone. Although with 19 people for the film, it was a bit tight and hot. (There aren’t that many in the group, but since two couples with children split their attendance with the husband going to one group and the wife to another, we also had the family members that don’t belong to the group.) So I went off to my local take away pizza shop to pick up four double and one normal pizza; still have some leftovers for lunch today as well.
For the film, we watched End of the Spear, which I saw in English at an ECM meeting in Spain in February, and which has just come out in Italian (on DVD, I don’t believe it ever appeared in the cinemas). It is the story of Jim Elliot and the other four missionaries killed in South America in 1956, although it actually does not speak much about them: it is mostly about the tribe and the son of one of the missionaries and the effects the killing had on them. It speaks a lot of the cost of following Jesus, and the power to transform that He has as well. There were some very moved people in the audience at the end.
Stefania had a great time too. She didn’t like the pizza as much as we were expecting - maybe they were not up to the standards of Daddy’s pizzas which she devours. She ate a lot of Mummy’s pop corn however. Even though the night went late for her, she is a social character and since there were three (older) children, as well as all the adults, she was very active playing the whole evening. The moment she went to bed however it was straight to sleep, and she had a nice little sleep in this morning as well.
June 28th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Hi Richard,
just read through this and your 60a newsletter. Sounds like when you renovate you new church building (clubhouse) the first priority and major space requirement will be a crying room and a baby change room! What have you been preaching there? “Only the pregnant will inherit the earth”? What a baby boom! I can just see the floor plan now - 2/3 creche, 1/3 church space.
Any of them registered for Fiat 500? People from Saudi Arabia have registered, and one Aussie from WA! Millions of Italians of course!
I intend to print off your newsletter and place it in the Richard and Stefania pigeon hole.
Sounds like the LORD has given you and your family a great opportunity to use all your gifts there in Trento. Thanks for sharing all this with us here on the other end of the world.
Gary Koo spoke brilliantly on homosexuality, and the need for all of us to 1) Use the Word to tell it like it is, but also 2) see all of us as created in God’s image, fallen short of the glory of God, and to show kindness and patience and extend the LORD’s offer of forgiveness and renewal to all - 1 Cor 6: 9 -11. I always think of what I was in terms of Titus 3:3-7, and only pray that I may be reflecting His sanctification in my life. Its a battle - and not just because I have a teenager in the family. Its a battle because my “groaning” of being in this world is often misinterpreted as dissatisfaction, but I am mindful that what ever might be hard is also character building.
Your Stefania sounds a delight and I’m sure will cherish her baby brother, especially as there will no doubt be lots of visitors. Will your mum and Dad make the trip over to see you soon?