2016-winter-v12

34 Global Harvest
Loving God in Italy
Erin Choate
About Avanti Italia
The missions program I am a part of is called Avanti Italia.
There are three primary goals: 1. to use our individual
talents in sharing the Good News of Jesus the Christ with
those who are seeking to have a more perfect relationship
with Him, 2. to learn to share Christ with others more effectively,
and 3.to participate in mutual encouragement
and edification with the Italian Churches of Christ.
Their method for achieving these goals is mainly
through outreach in teaching private Bible lessons in English.
Teachers generally work in one-to-one or small group
sessions. Much of the work Avanti Italia encourages would
be described as friendship evangelism, making relationships
with people and sharing God’s saving message with them.
Each team member is not only expected to fulfill their obligations,
but also to find ways of using his or her individual
talents to make more contacts with people. Most of the work
is centered at the Florence Bible School in Scandicci, a suburb
on the southwest side of Florence. Avanti Italia has had
an extensive out-reach since its beginning in 1986
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait
for it with patience” (Romans 8:25).
This verse shows my feelings exactly. I am still continuing
to have Italian class each week with Raffaele; and,
although I enjoy learning Italian, it can be very frustrating.
We have been learning the tenses and they are extremely
difficult. One victory in battle has been won, however. On
June 30th, Bethany and I received our permessi di soggiorno,
which is our permission to stay as residents in Italy. Yay!!!
On Sunday
the 10th of July, we
visited the Church
of Christ in Prato.
Prato is about an
hour and a half
away from Florence.
After worship
service, we enjoyed
an agape (potluck)
together. I met several of the members, and, as usual, they
were all very kind. In all, there are about 60 members there.
After agape, I met with my friend Lucia and her daughter,
Sara. Lucia is a Catholic who helps feed the homeless
on Sunday nights with the nuns and us. She and her family
live in Prato, so she gave me a tour of the town center. She
and her husband, Andrea, have sweet spirits. We talked about
the history of the city and other things. At one point, she
asked how we worship, so we talked some about that. I’m
hoping to continue to be able to meet them this coming fall
and grow that relationship and curiosity. I pray opportunity,
energy, and boldness will be given me to do so.
From Sunday the 17th of July to Saturday the 23rd,
Bethany, Hannah, and I helped with youth camp in a small
village in the mountains called Meschia. There were about
sixty kids, ages seven to seventeen, and twenty monitors.
The youth of the Churches of Christ in Italy are wonderfully
encouraged by this camp. They are all close friends and they
do not get to see each other often.
New permanent directors have finally been selected for
Avanti Italia! Praise God! Their names are Zak and Aleece
Kelley and, Lord willing, they will arrive in January.
My Prayers
1. For my Students, that our bonds may grow deep in
Christ and His Word
2. For the directors, that God will guide them
3. For me, that I will do God’s will
I cannot begin to express how much you all mean to
me! Your love and support have given me so much encouragement
and joy. I miss you all very much and I thank you
again and again for making it possible for me to be here! >
Erin Choate: daughter of Steve and Melinda; granddaughter of
J.C. and Betty
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace
always in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess.3:16).