An ACCTS staff couple
recently returned from a trip to Italy where they experienced the tremendous privilege of encouraging, equipping, teaching, preaching, and praying with and for approximately 500 brothers and sisters in Christ who form the core of the Italian Military Christian Fellowships (MCF) across the country. Here's their report:
"Praise God for his steadfast faithfulness and abundant provision in opening door after door of opportunity, and richly blessing us as we walked through each one. Our month long journey took us to six cities and nearly a dozen fellowships from Central Sicily in the south to Trieste in the north, near the Slovenian border. We stand in awe of the work our mighty God is doing there, and recall Paul's words in Romans 3:11: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" While it is impossible to adequately describe the amazing ways in which God revealed himself, here are a few a few highlights:
Catania and Lentini, Sicily
- After a day's delay for an overnight "Space A" flight to Naples via Zurich, we arrived at the U.S. Naval base at Capodichino (near Naples) and linked up with Marcello, our Italian MCF contact. He asked if we could be in Sicily the following evening to teach at a local church where the MCF was meeting, and then encourage the brothers and sisters in Christ as part of a Christian rock concert the following night. In addition to the MCF, we also met with the Mayor of Lentini and members of Youth Without Borders following the concert.
Taranto, Italy
-
Following a few days rest to recover from jet lag, it was on to Taranto, Marcello's home and a place where the MCF is truly thriving. In addition to teaching on leadership, planning, and the relationship between the church and para-church organizations, we led a Women's conference focused on Christian Military Wives, and preached at a local church whose members are predominantly from MCF families. Through tears, praise, and laughter we formed and renewed bonds of fellowship in Christ. We could relate well to Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians: "So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our very lives, because you had become so dear to us" (1 Thess 2:8). God truly blessed these events and several people came forward for prayer following the sermon, two of them to accept new life in Christ. Praise God! 
Rome -
From Taranto it was on to Rome, where we taught at an MCF gathering on fellowship and discipleship, and preached at a church that has a large MCF presence. In keeping with ACCTS' vision that everyone in uniform would hear the gospel from someone in their own uniform, the message was titled "The God who sees, who sends, and who saves" focusing on the need to share Jesus' burden for the lost, particularly as God strategically places each of us within the armed forces to share His message of salvation. While we certainly hope and pray that our time with the brothers and sisters was an encouragement and inspiration to them, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to have the opportunity to preach in the city where Paul and others served so sacrificially to bring the truth of the Gospel. God indeed provided a true blessing for us both.
Novara
- Moving further north to Novara, we met the Italian MCF Vice President and his wonderful family. An active duty member of the Italian Carabinieri (Military Police), he organized a meeting in his own home with MCF members from this region of Italy. While there we not only shared a meal but were able to encourage the brothers and sisters of the MCF on investing their lives in building the Kingdom right where God has placed them. Truly a blessing for us, and we pray for them as well.
Trieste -
From Novara, it was on to Trieste near the Slovenian border. Once again, we encouraged the MCF, shared the fellowship of Christ over meals at two different events, and preached at an evening service.
Naples -
We then traveled back to Naples where we connected with some young US military couples and encouraged them in their plans to start a discipleship and outreach ministry to the US and NATO military populations
Wow.
What an amazing time with God present at every turn. We were disappointed that despite our best intentions, we couldn't go on to Spain. We both had the strong sense that God was calling us back to the U.S to visit family in Indiana and Oklahoma. While traveling, we learned that due to declining health, it was time to move one set of parents into an assisted living center. It was a trying time, but what a blessing to be with and encourage them during a difficult time of transition. Praise the Lord!
