Debbie and Jim assist the Evangelical Christian Baptist Union of Italy in ministry to English-speaking immigrant, particularly African, congregations. This includes local church ministry and theological and ministerial training of leaders. They work to welcome new arrivals to Italy who are seeking a better life for themselves and their families.  They also work with the immigrant churches and train immigrant pastors to strengthen their fellowships and broaden their ministries. They help in training Italian congregations in multicultural matters and missions. Debbie also ministers to young women at-risk or victimized by human trafficking and prostitution.

 Debbie writes: A heavy blanket of gray has covered Padova ever since I got back from the anti-trafficking meeting in Rome last week.  I keep waiting for that strong Italian sun to burn a small hole through the oppressive layer that meets my eyes every time I look up for light.  But, I must wait.

Luke and Ben and I hardly get in the door after I pick them up at school before we must turn on every lamp to drive out the night.  Not satisfied with just the lamps, I decide to light candles, too.  But, there are things that must be done before I can stop to light the candles…a school report to read, the dog to take into the yard for a few minutes…The living flames of the candles must wait.  

A month has passed since I left for the US.  It has been a month since all four of us sat around the dinner table together.  Luke was on a school trip when I returned and Jim left before Luke came back.  Jim will be home soon.  But, we must wait.  

This Advent Season began on Sunday with all of us waiting for “the fullness of time.”
Ephesians 1: 8b-10 says, “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

God’s will, God’s good pleasure, the fullness of time...Let’s wait together.

• Pray for Jim and Debbie as they work in training church leaders and as they seek to bring Christ in word and deed to the immigrants who are arriving in Northern Italy.
• Pray for Emma, a former victim of trafficking and prostitution, who has begun a new life in Florence, Italy, working with an Italian Baptist family.  Pray that she will find a new church home and friends in Florence. 
• Pray for their children Luke (15) and Ben (13).