Men, Food, Traffic and Prayer

Nino is happy to have make-believe maple syrup

This past Saturday we kicked off our first of the monthly men's meetings  scheduled for 2011.

I was so blessed to see a few of the brothers that don't typically make it out.

We've got some great plans for this year, things that men like to do. Paintball in Venice, indoor Cart racing near Treviso, Bowling, Pingpong and Billiards! Looking foward to it and hoping others will be able to join us.
 

This first meeting was held at our church building. I'm learning that if you want men to fellowship, you need to feed them.


Notice how happy they are in the pictures where they are eating or at least NEAR food. Then notice their faces during Nino's bible study without food. I rest my case! 

Jonathan is hungry and happy to have that pancake!

Next Sunday, January 30, we have our church members' meeting planned, as required by law for legal associations such as Calvary Chapel Treviso.

But there is one thing that may stand in our way. The blocco traffico totale. Translation "Total Traffic Block" set for 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM.

They always do this on a Sunday, and it's to cut down on air pollution. In the past the municipality's website offered a PDF form you could print, fill out and then take with you as an explanation and self declaration for why you MUST travel somewhere. In our case, church service.

But they aren't offering that on their site this time round. Will need to see what our options are, otherwise no Sunday service :-(

Daniel demonstrating the disappearing quiche

Pray along with us as we step into 2011 asking the Lord for clear and fresh vision, to hear his voice clearly and to love him supremely in all we think, say and do.

Pray also for Luka whose elementary school we've just chosen. He starts 1st grade this coming September and we've of course got some apprehensions about the company he'll have there, but also without getting into details I'll just say that the whole school system is a challenge here in every way, for parents and students alike. It's a political issue, the boredom of which I will spare you.

Please pray for me/us in this members' meeting to be clear and concise in those things we need to communicate to the body, such as vision, financial status etc. etc.

Lastly, we've been going through Revelation on Sunday mornings and the heaviness of the book is felt by some more than others, which is causing those few (because they are resisting the Lord) to dislike what they are hearing.
 

Despite the faces, Nino's message in Galatians 5:22 was great!

Knowing this is a battle for me but I know I must remain faithful to the Word. Pray for the whole body, as there seems to be stagnancy and some staleness in personal lives. We need a shot in the arm from the Lord. Moreover, we continue to battle with the building situation. There is always something that blocks us. We're wanting to trust and REST in the Lord through it all, but I sometimes wonder....

Christmas/New Year's Update

Bob, Renata and Lorenzo leading worship

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve service. With visitors from Padova and Montebelluna added to the mix we were quite full and that was a nice surprise.The worship was sweet and God spoke through His Word as He is always faithful to do!

Our text for the service was John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth"

Following are a couple more pics from the service. Click to enlarge them.

Edney translated for Mark

Saturday we had a great day with friends over for lunch and through out the day. Renata and I cooked (I handled the meats, sauces and sides and Renata made two killer dips, artichoke and crab in addition to the array of cookies and pies!) while our guests brought other delectables. I wont tell you all the trimmings lest you become overly jealous and stop praying for us =) I confess we ate entirely too much but loved the full day of fellowship with great company. Thankful for a sweet Christmas even though we're so distant from our families in the USA and Serbia.

Delightful cookies made with the kids' help. Renata was BUSY!

Spider-Luka and Matea on their new scooters

One of our favorite times of year is the break between Christmas and New Year. The kids have off from school, I have a big decrease in my work teaching English, and I'm off from teaching at the Bible College. Not to mention I am BETWEEN seminary courses at the moment, so the family time together has been truly awesome. We have had a little extra opportunity to slow down, cuddle and play with the kids. We're so thankful for these two sweet little faces that bring us immense joy.

Other than that, we're trying to catch up on repairing our home, rearranging furniture, correspondence with you all and a few visits with church friends. I (Mark) am even getting a chance to play some classical guitar. What a treat!

Well, we'll stop it here. More updates soon to come. Stay tuned and have a blessed New Year!