Corso Garibaldi

Well, the repaving of Ancona's main downtown street is about 75% done. It used to be a busy, one-way street where everyone would double park and run into stores but the mayor brought an end to all that. He had the street ripped up and paved to make it a pedestrian area. The shop owners all complained about their business decreasing, but they have quieted down. It is now much quieter. People are walking more and it is safe for kids to ride their bikes. It makes downtown Ancona a bit more like some of the more popular tourist centres in Italy. Mayor Sturani, I applaud you.

Tenkay

Actually it was only a bit over nine...but check it out.

How to run 10 kilometers...

A Random Video - Haven and Grape Juice

Enjoy...

Shifting...

As any missionary knows, the closer you get to 'furlough', the more your mind, heart and calendar begin to be filled with the thoughts, concerns and tasks associated with it. I've held off as long as possible, but am now just three weeks away. I'm working on the two classes I'll be teaching at Ozark and am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm reading, researching, writing, planning and finding in the process that it is sharpening my mind, stretching my assumptions, strengthening my faith and renewing my heart for the work God has called us to.

Thanksgiving Party

Man, I've been dry lately. The Thanksgiving parties this weekend went really, really well. We had 31 Friday and 31 on Saturday. Great conversations. Very relaxed. It was great to see our team and church blend and work together. Thanks for praying for us and thanks to those of you who sent special food and decoration items - hope to share pictures soon!

A Quote

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

-Mother Teresa

Yes. The Church must take better care of youth and women facing tough decisions and dark situations, but She must also stand up for those without a voice.

Another 24 Hours of Prayer

Last week we hosted our fourth 'prayer room' in Ancona and were really blessed. We started at 18:00 on Satuday and ended at 18:00 on Sunday, just as our weekly Sunday gathering started. A total of 36 people spent an hour in the room, including two children. Heather and Jen decorated it to a 'Mask' theme to encourage our community to spend time talking to the Father about what we've been studying - the TrueFaced concept of trusting God and others with who we really are. Here are some pictures...