Ashley Ministry Updates

May 27, 2010
Dearest family and friends,

It’s been too long and I have had you all, my support
team and prayer partners and fellow laborers, in my
heart for a long time now. I wanted to touch base and say
that I’m still alive and that I’m doing well! God is doing
so much among us! There’s much to share!

For now, I want to share a few tidbits for praise and
prayer purposes. Lord willing, more will be coming
shortly! I know that it’s not easy to remember to pray for
people and situations which are out of sight and out of
mind. Thank you to those of you who have persevered in
prayer, who have written me, and who have stayed in
touch despite a brief hiatus on my part. I have much to learn from your patience and perseverance.

This past Sunday, Fabio asked me how I was doing in the midst of all my various activities and commitments these past couple months. It’s been an unusually busy season and I’ve been surrounded by the love and support of the believers. They’ve begun to take on many of the responsibilities which were previously mine in the ministry - the yardwork, several aspects of the websites, and the odd jobs like cutting wood. It’s been such a gift to collaborate together more as a body. I told Fabio that
my head wasn’t necessarily full with all of the things to do but that I was mulling over and digesting all the many lessons which I have been learning. There have been many “heart matters” these past several months. Times of weeping and rejoicing.

In the midst of several of these heart matters I have tried to commit some time here and there to scribbling down my thoughts in my journal, for processing sake. There have been lessons about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the roles of men and women, the power of our reasoning, the significance of true love, parenting, the disease of sin and the healing found in Christ through confession, the sacrifice of Christ, the ugliness of self, the authority of Scripture, the importance of prayer, what it means to truly trust God and how to recognize when I’m not trusting Him, the grace of God (over and over and over . . . continual reminders), and oh, so much more. And this once again points to God’s amazing grace. That He would desire our growth in Christ and sometimes take painful means to accomplish His purposes in us and for us but, if we are humble to be stretched and chiseled, if we are willing to walk in this newness of life and “be grown” , we will know more of Christ, reaping tiny pieces of our eternal reward, even here in this brief life.

Some of the “happenings” for which you can praise
and pray:

Evangelization

Pray for us as a church body to have a greater zeal for God’s glory, to see Christ’s name exalted in this part of Italy. Many of us confessed our sin of apathy this past Sunday, praying that we may truly have heart changes and not forget our first love. Praise God with me for these confessions and for Christ’s free flowing forgiveness!

Pray for Kristen, an American girl whom I met recently and who has lived in Rovigo for 9 years. I talked with her about Christ and she recognized that she’s empty. She does not yet see a need for Christ to fill that void, but it is a good first step nonetheless.

Pray for our English Course. We are planning to start the Course over, in the hopes that we’ll have many more contacts.

Pray for Giuseppe and Fortuna and family. She’s a contact from December who came with her entire family (mother, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces) to our Wednesday night Bible studies for a couple weeks. I remain in contact with her. Giuseppe is reading the Bible and seems to recognize the cost of following Christ. Pray that he will see the eternal joys and benefits as well. Fortuna reads the Bible as well and very much believes herself to be okay before God. However, she doesn’t acknowledge Christ but rather hopes in religion. Pray for her to see her hopeless state before God. Also, Fortuna called this week asking if Dori and I could come read the Bible with her mother. God willing, I’ll let you know what happens.

Pray for our youth meeting every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. We’re now holding it at a park in Rovigo where we pray more youth will join us. Pray for the souls of the children in our church.

Pray for those who continue to be among us, hearing the Good News. Pray for the salvation of Nicole, Marco P., Matteo.

Giorgio and Claudia

Perhaps from Marco’s updates you heard of this young couple who decided to move here because they were seeking a place where they could receive biblical counsel and grow in Christ. Our church is not perfect but I do thank God that Marco seeks wholeheartedly to remain faithful to Scripture. Giorgio and Claudia noted this, hence the move at the beginning of April. Over a period of weeks, Giorgio showed much growth and continued to greatly appreciate the teaching, however, Claudia began to build a wall to the teaching she was receiving. Giorgio was torn, to the point of evaluating if the engagement should continue. But in the end, he decided that he wanted to stay with Claudia, and so accepted her position. They moved back to their old church in another city this week, and we were saddened by their reasoning in making the move. There’s so much more to share here but for now let me say that this whole situation impressed upon me the importance of truly recognizing and confessing sin, battling false thinking, accepting the established roles of men and women in God’s perfect economy, how easy it is for us to deceive ourselves, and what it means to live a life pleasing to God. Praise God with us for the time that we had with Giorgio and Claudia and that God’s good work in them is not finished. Praise God with us for the seeds which were planted and pray with us for them in their walks with Christ.

English Course

For the past several months, preparing for and organizing much of the English Course, which we teach twice a week, has taken the majority of my hours during the week. It has been a wonderful commitment, providing opportunity to share the Gospel very clearly with each of the English students (we started with over 35 non-believers and now have about 24 who come on a regular basis).

Praise God with us for the use of this Course in bettering the believers’ English and in bringing the Gospel to those who haven’t ever heard before. Please pray for a softening of the students hearts as they hear of Christ week after week.

Daniele and Petra and Manuel

I continue to live with Daniele and Petra and the plan, as of right now, is to remain there long term. It will be a blessing to be more stable. Please keep them in your prayers. There continue to be serious issues at home with raising Manuel. We all continue to learn with Manuel and I truly see him as a God-grace because God uses Manuel to help us see so much more of our sin.

Praise God with me for the steps being made by Daniele and Petra in recognizing and confessing their sins in parenting. Pray especially for Daniele’s heart during this time, that he may grow in greater love and appreciation and affection for Manuel. Pray for us all to learn better how to love.

Driver’s license

Another “project” that is consuming some of my time as of late is that I am diligently studying to get my Italian driver’s license now that I have been granted a long-term permit of stay here in Italy. My international driver’s license will no longer be valid as of September and I’ve been told that the Italian driving exam (both the theory and the practical) are so difficult that I should prepare to fail! Needless to say, I’m seeking time during the day to study because I would prefer, if God would will it, to not have to take the exam again. Praise God with me for the reason that I must take this exam: because I’ve been granted permission to stay in Italy long term! Pray for opportunities through this process, to know others at the driving schools and License Bureau and to share Christ with others and to continue to use, God willing, my ability to drive as a service (picking people up for church, helping the families, etc).

Support

One final note regarding my support situation. Some time ago, Marco and Sherrie and I decided to pool our support. Some of the reasoning (which Marco and Sherrie didn’t share with me at the time) is that they saw that my support levels were so low that it would be impossible for me to stay here if not for their ongoing support plus a little help from the church. My support levels continue to be extremely low. I currently have 10% of a very modest support package. Praise God that the families here are willing to host me and that I have few if any needs, this helps a lot with my expenses. However, in the long run, I need more support to be able to stay, so, I ask that you pray for my support situation. Praying that God will provide in His timing and His ways and praising Him for how He has provided for me thus far, especially in prayer support. Praise God with me that I lack nothing, neither in spiritual blessings or material needs.

I pray that this update blesses you, although it’s a bit more “bullet point-ish” than I would like, but I wanted to keep you informed. God willing, I plan to share more from the heart at a later date, in connection with some of the various lessons that I’ve been learning and am continuing to process. I will go for now, greeting you all warmly in the name of Jesus Christ, praying that you too desire more of God’s glory and aim to live a life truly pleasing to our God and King! Please pray the same for
me!

Love to you all in Christ,
Ashley