From Our April 2009 Newsletter

Monthly Report - February and March
February and March have proven to be a productive start to our ministry! For the first time since we envisioned this ministry, we had the opportunity to focus on raising support and preparing for the work that God has called us to.

Getting back into the educational system has proven more difficult than I had hoped. I’ve been in contact with the office of the Dean of Fine Arts, and there has been some delay in getting my request for enrollment processed. It now looks like the soonest I will be allowed to enroll is fall of this year. Please pray that I’ll be able to get through the red tape! One of the administrative assistants explained to me that I would not be allowed to officially graduate until December 2009 at the earliest anyway. I am extremely eager to get this phase of my education finished so that I can move on to my Seminary coursework.


Board of Directors
Abbie and I have been praying about the direction of our ministry and asking God to give us wisdom in dealing with potential obstacles for us, our supporters and the Italians with whom we will be working. Due to our shortage of experience and background in ministry, we need a strong support structure, which will allow us to borrow on the credibility of those who have years of experience and good standing in the faith community.

To that end, we have spent the last few weeks establishing a Board of Directors for our ministry. The members of our team will be charged with supporting our ministry in all areas and providing wise counsel in difficult decisions. Their first responsibility will be to review our ministry presentation and financial goals. In the area of finances, we have committed to making any necessary sacrifices for the sake of the integrity of our ministry.


Getting a Head Start
We need your help! Abbie and I, with the gracious assistance of the Austin Baptist Association, have received a list of Italian-American families in the Austin area. We would like to begin contacting these members of the Italian community, but the list is very long! If you would like to help us prepare for our first outreach event by making phone calls, visiting, etc, please call me for more details at (512) 431-1528.