If you read our blog or get our prayer updates then you know that there is a volunteer team here from Tennessee.

This morning Paul’s group divided up and went around our neighborhood, Fuorigrotta, to prayerwalk and talk to people. Paul and a woman named Connie ended up talking to a man named Armando. Armando’s wife died of cancer about two weeks ago and today is the first day he has been out of the house.

Paul and Connie spent quite some time sharing with him the love of God and what it means to have Christ as your Savior. At the end of the conversation he prayed for Jesus to save him and be his Lord. HOW AWESOME!!!

Last week we took Casey to Sorrento, which is a town a little south of Naples on the sea. It is known for its leather products. We had a great day out. Even Cortney tagged along for a little bit.

Oooo….I like those apples.

This gentleman is making inlaid wooden boxes, something else Sorrento is known for.

Family pic…I promise Casey was there too.

Blue skies, sunny days, Neopolitans slowly shedding their coats and scarves….it must be getting warmer.

Summer is finally approaching and our lives are getting busy. My sister, Casey, is here this week (hopefully I’ll get some pictures up). Next Friday a group of 53 Tennessee Baptist youth arrive for a week. They will be doing all kinds of great fun stuff.

On June 10 Paul and I are standing by Giovanni and Francesca at their wedding. It will be a long, long day and night.

Shannon and Charlie are having English Bible Camps from June 21-25, which will require help from everyone. It is a big event. There will be two groups a day. They will learn English from the story of Daniel.

The first part of July International World Changers will be here. The day they leave everyone has to go to Rome because the next day we fly out for a meeting in Spain.

WHEW!! That’s a busy summer. I’m already tired.

If you have ever talked to us about what our ministry looks like you have probably heard us say that a lot of what we do is go back to the same place all the time in order to build relationships. It is all about being intentional with where we go and who we talk to. Well, I will be honest, I have never really seen a whole lot come from it. But….

There is a salumeria (meat/cheese store) down the street from our house and recently the owner, Ciro, opened a fruit/vegetable store even closer to our house. We have been going to the salumeria since we moved in. Paul has had some longer conversations with Ciro and Cipriano, a Romanian who works there. However, the most I’ve talked to anyone there is to ask how to make a certain dish.

A couple of weeks ago there was a team here and one day they were in one of the piazzas by our house and who was there? Ciro’s wife, Barbara, her sister-in-law, Dora, and the wife of the man who works in the fruit/vegetable store, Monica. So, we talk for a few minutes and then I had to leave.

But a few days later we were invited to go on a picnic with them. WHAT??? It was very much out of the blue and we were so excited we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. So, we went on an Italian picnic. Who says going back to the same place over and over in order to get to know someone doesn’t work? So next time you’re in Starbuck’s or the grocery store or Wal-Mart, take notice of who is helping you and look for them the next time you go. You never know, you might just end up on a picnic with them one day.

Paul spends a good bit of time at a train station by our house talking to a homeless brother and sister, Pasquale and Filomina. We were introduced to them through a friend, Franco. We initially helped give out food, but several other groups soon began doing this and before we knew it, someone was taking food to the station every day of the week. There is a Catholic church close by where they can receive clothes and also take a shower. So, for the most part, their physical needs are being met.

Paul wanted to do something more. He wanted to be their friend. There is something to be said about meeting people’s physical needs, but there is also something to be said about filling the emptiness in someone’s day by spending time with them. Friendship is something I think a lot of us overlook when it comes to helping those less fortunate than us. My husband has not overlooked the priceless gift of friendship.

Pasquale and Filomina told Paul to come by today because they had something for him. Paul came home with a fluffy white teddy bear for Lily. Pasquale and Filomina had spent their own money on a toy….a toy. Why? My guess is because they care about Paul and wanted to do something nice for him.

They gave out of nothing. They gave a simple toy to a child who will probably never know them . How selfish am I when I do not give out of my abundance? Granted, we are not rich according to some standards but compared to a lot of people I see every single day I am.

But, here I am making this about me, when I really wanted to tell you about two people who gave a simple gift out of nothing but that meant everything.

Many of you know the story of Giovanni and Francesca, but for those who do not I’ll give you a short synopsis. Our first summer here we met Giovanni and Francesca at a theater. Giovanni came up to Paul and (in English) said, “Hey, are you Paul?” In short, from there we have all been the best of friends.
When we met them, neither Giovanni or Francesca were saved. I would say that Francesca was somewhat closer than Giovanni though because of other influences in her life. Several months after we first met them, the Holy Spirit did what He does and they both came to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Saturday night we were able to witness our great friends follow in obedience in believer’s baptism. It was probably the most joyous night we have had since coming to Naples. We were able to celebrate with our friends what Christ has done for them through the symbol of baptism.

In total 15 people were baptized, including two women who were 72 and 80 years of age. Six others came forward during an invitation. Praise God for all that He is doing!

Our friend, Nicola, giving his testimony.

This lady was overcome with joy. It was very moving to hear her speak of what Jesus has done for her.

Giovanni sharing his testimony. It was incredibly moving as he thanked God for giving him Francesca and talked about Jesus being the only one who can save us.

Francesca sharing her testimony.

Get ready…

We live in a city where around every corner you could find something different. So, who knew that when we (me, Paul, Lily, Cortney, Kala, and Ellie) set out Saturday afternoon we would happen upon some craziness by the sea.

What was this craziness you ask? It was the Red Bull race cars. They were showcasing up and down the street by the sea. Here are pictures from our little adventure by the sea.

The formula one car (at least that’s what Cortney told me it was)

The Nascar

The Red Bull motorbike

Me, Cortney, Ellie, and Lily chillin’ out while Paul and Kala watch the cars

one of the drivers

Kala….way too excited about her Red Bull

Kala and Cortney and the Red Bulls that would later make them hyper. It just made Cortney do her impersonation of Nascar and Formula 1 cars…in front of the whole world.

Lily turned four months on Monday. She is “talking” more and has started laughing out loud. She holds her head up very well now and is learning how to put her pacifier in her mouth by herself. Enjoy the pictures!

Caught by surprise

Playing with Mom

Making the statement on her shirt true.

sitting in her chair

crazy face

she likes to eat fingers, toys, burp clothes…the list goes on and on.

Jason, Emily, Cortney and I were in a piazza downtown this afternoon shooting some video. While we girls were busy, Jason and an African started talking. We joined them after we finished up with our video and turns out the African is a Muslim. Jason and he were having a very good, in-depth conversation that the rest of us were able to join in on.

This man was not converted and I don’t have any idea how much of an impression was made on him (although he did say that if we wanted we could meet him again to talk more about it all). However, some impressions were made on me.

For one, this man claims to know all of the Koran by memory. I have no idea if it is a true statement or not, but why would he lie about it? That is not the point though. I think it is hard to memorize verses….VERSES and this man has an entire book memorized. I really need to spend more intentional time trying to memorize scripture. Not just to be able to say I have done it but so that I can meditate on it and so it is readily available to me.

Another thing that impressed me about this man was he believes he is right. Well, so do I, but telling someone how wrong their religion is and how right mine is will never accomplish anything. It is about showing and being Christ. Yes, I think there is a time and a place to discuss the difference between religions and why I believe what I do but it must be covered in love, not “my religion is better than yours”.