Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A World Heritage Sight
851 properties are included in the World Heritage List. These are cultural and natural sites that are considered "having outstanding universal value." The city of Verona was added to the list in 2000. That's the city as a whole!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
A Lot to Look Forward To
I've been reading Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven. What a fantastic place to be! Oh the people we'll meet and the things we'll see! Best of all, we get to hug Jesus!
I was recently reminded of another great aspect of Heaven. One I'm truly looking forward to. Jessica was dusting and perusing my Grandmother's books that were on the shelf. She found this: It is Benjamin Franklin's Epitaph on Himself.
The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer, like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding, lies here, food for worms. But the work shall not be lost; for it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the Author.
What a fantastic thought! It goes for all of us! Isn't the love, grace, and faithfulness of God something else!
I was recently reminded of another great aspect of Heaven. One I'm truly looking forward to. Jessica was dusting and perusing my Grandmother's books that were on the shelf. She found this: It is Benjamin Franklin's Epitaph on Himself.
The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer, like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding, lies here, food for worms. But the work shall not be lost; for it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the Author.
What a fantastic thought! It goes for all of us! Isn't the love, grace, and faithfulness of God something else!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Help My Unbelief
In Junior Worship, one of my co-workers told the story of how God provided for the Israelites as the wondered around for half of a lifetime: water, meat, sweet honey bread… even clothes and shoes. She closed by saying, “If God can take care of the Israelites with all these miracles, can He take care of you?” Their feet didn’t even swell or get blisters. Yes, I know He can take care of me… and the long list we think has to be done before this GoVerona mission gets started.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Preparation for Verona
Since arriving back in the states on October 30, 2007 we have been extremely busy. We have done much in the way of preparing for the ministry in Verona. We have been involved in recruiting and promoting the work at the National Missionary Convention and it went really well. Hopefully, soon we can announce some of the news regarding that. Angie and I went to the bi-annual Team Leader summit hosted by Team Expansion where we were trained and encouraged in leading a team. Now we are back in Tulsa and are moving into a new apartment tomorrow morning. In January, we will start giving formal presentations to many churches around the country. If you are interested in having us come and speak just email us and let us know, mcrosser@teamexpansion.org. Thanks for reading!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
A Lesson Learned
by April
In my college English class, I have always been a tough grader. One tiniest mistake made the whole answer wrong. Perfect or nothing.
However, now that I myself am learning another language... I find myself relaxing on my grading. I'd like to think of it as "having a little more grace". Yet, I want to teach my students to strive for excellence.
Isn't that the balance all teachers - all people - face? To reach high and forgive wide.
In my college English class, I have always been a tough grader. One tiniest mistake made the whole answer wrong. Perfect or nothing.
However, now that I myself am learning another language... I find myself relaxing on my grading. I'd like to think of it as "having a little more grace". Yet, I want to teach my students to strive for excellence.
Isn't that the balance all teachers - all people - face? To reach high and forgive wide.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Pumpkin Provision
We haven't been in the US for the past 5 falls. In Hainan, where we have been, there isn't much to recognize about autumn. There, the weather cools off a bit. The kids know the season has changed when Mama gets out her fall decorations. We have been enjoying the sight of the leaves turning and, while Colorado's blue and gold autumns don't draw the crowds that New England's do, we have been thrilled by the spectacle.
Bryan, who was 4 on our last American fall, has been thrilled about every aspect of the experience. He was eager for the chance to dress up and attend the Harvest Festival at our home church. But he was really excited about the prospect of carving a pumpkin. They have pumpkins and various relatives in Hainan, but they pick them quite green. We never saw one of those big, bright orange pumpkins the entire time we were there. So you can see why Bryan was excited about the prospect of his own designer pumpkin. The other kids were looking forward to it too, but not with nearly as much anticipation.
Having some experience as a Pumpkin Carver, and as a mother with a few falls under her belt, I determined that we needed to wait till the end of October to get the pumpkins so that they would not rot too quickly. So even though there were piles of lovely orange pumpkins from the beginning of September on I was waiting patiently. John suggested contacting the local pumpkin farm and letting the kids pick their own. We both tried to contact them, but were unsuccesssful. Meanwhile, I had in my head that we needed to take everyone and let them pick a pumpkin.
I imagine you can guess the next part. That final week arrived and so did a dozen extra things to do. The 31st came and we were hustling out the door when Bryan asked if we were going to get pumpkins then. There wasn't time. We figured we'd go the next day. The next day and the one after that I called all over trying to find even one pumpkin for my very disappointed little boy. I had really let him down.
But we serve a tremendous God who loves us in amazing and lavish ways. He provided the perfect payment for our sins so we could be with Him for eternity. He provides for our daily needs; a roof over our heads and food to eat. He has seen to it that we have a vehicle, a place for our big kids to take Chemistry and other things that interest them, and violin lessons for Avonlea. He also loves Bryan enough to make sure he got a pumpkin.
The big kids and I were at the store today. There in a small bin in the produce section were, not one but FOUR, pumpkins. That was all that was there. There weren't three or five, but four. You can't imagine the smile on Bryan's face or the relief in my heart. Not just one for Bryan, but for each of our kids. It was as if God had saved those pumpkins just for them.
God gives us what we need when we trust Him. He even gives us what we want sometimes. And He loves to find a way to say, "You are very special to me. I love you, see!"
Bryan, who was 4 on our last American fall, has been thrilled about every aspect of the experience. He was eager for the chance to dress up and attend the Harvest Festival at our home church. But he was really excited about the prospect of carving a pumpkin. They have pumpkins and various relatives in Hainan, but they pick them quite green. We never saw one of those big, bright orange pumpkins the entire time we were there. So you can see why Bryan was excited about the prospect of his own designer pumpkin. The other kids were looking forward to it too, but not with nearly as much anticipation.
Having some experience as a Pumpkin Carver, and as a mother with a few falls under her belt, I determined that we needed to wait till the end of October to get the pumpkins so that they would not rot too quickly. So even though there were piles of lovely orange pumpkins from the beginning of September on I was waiting patiently. John suggested contacting the local pumpkin farm and letting the kids pick their own. We both tried to contact them, but were unsuccesssful. Meanwhile, I had in my head that we needed to take everyone and let them pick a pumpkin.
I imagine you can guess the next part. That final week arrived and so did a dozen extra things to do. The 31st came and we were hustling out the door when Bryan asked if we were going to get pumpkins then. There wasn't time. We figured we'd go the next day. The next day and the one after that I called all over trying to find even one pumpkin for my very disappointed little boy. I had really let him down.
But we serve a tremendous God who loves us in amazing and lavish ways. He provided the perfect payment for our sins so we could be with Him for eternity. He provides for our daily needs; a roof over our heads and food to eat. He has seen to it that we have a vehicle, a place for our big kids to take Chemistry and other things that interest them, and violin lessons for Avonlea. He also loves Bryan enough to make sure he got a pumpkin.
The big kids and I were at the store today. There in a small bin in the produce section were, not one but FOUR, pumpkins. That was all that was there. There weren't three or five, but four. You can't imagine the smile on Bryan's face or the relief in my heart. Not just one for Bryan, but for each of our kids. It was as if God had saved those pumpkins just for them.
God gives us what we need when we trust Him. He even gives us what we want sometimes. And He loves to find a way to say, "You are very special to me. I love you, see!"
Monday, November 5, 2007
On the Road Again
Well, Angie and I arrived in the USA last Tuesday night and we are busy packing our things in order to head out once more. Tomorrow morning (Monday), we take off for a fifteen day trip. First we will go to Louisville, Kentucky where every two years, Team Expansion hosts a Team Leader Summit. This is an opportunity to grow, prepare, be encouraged, etc.... in the role of Team Leader. After that we stay in Louisville for a few days of fellowship and meetings. Then on November 15th we leave for Cincinnati, Ohio for the National Missionary Convention. We will be there for three days before we return once more to home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thanks for your prayers as we travel!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Xs and Os
I love to-do lists. I'm the kind of person who writes down things I've already done today that are normal every day things (wake up, brush teeth) on my to-do list just so I can mark them off.
Matt has arranged for our team to use not one - but two - on line sites that help us list and mark off our to do lists! So, first I get to write it with my permanent marker on my paper and then I get to put it on line, twice if I want. So, it's double, even triple, the pleasure when I get to check it off. Fun, fun!
For the last few months, Italy has seemed so far away. I've been telling people that Italy will seem more real when my to-do list has more Italy things than Haiti things. And lately, I've been doing a lot of Italy things.
I have a giant tic-tac-toe board in my classroom. I think you're supposed to throw beanbags at it. I use it for math games. I put cards with math facts on the front. Answer the question right, and you're team gets to turn it to the X or O.
Last night I dreamed that the cards on the board were things from my to-do list. Then, the Xs were for Italy and the Os were for Haiti.
Hmmm... someone would have a field day interpreting this dream! I'll leave them to it. As for me, I'm going to mark off "post on blog" on every to-do list I have.
Matt has arranged for our team to use not one - but two - on line sites that help us list and mark off our to do lists! So, first I get to write it with my permanent marker on my paper and then I get to put it on line, twice if I want. So, it's double, even triple, the pleasure when I get to check it off. Fun, fun!
For the last few months, Italy has seemed so far away. I've been telling people that Italy will seem more real when my to-do list has more Italy things than Haiti things. And lately, I've been doing a lot of Italy things.
I have a giant tic-tac-toe board in my classroom. I think you're supposed to throw beanbags at it. I use it for math games. I put cards with math facts on the front. Answer the question right, and you're team gets to turn it to the X or O.
Last night I dreamed that the cards on the board were things from my to-do list. Then, the Xs were for Italy and the Os were for Haiti.
Hmmm... someone would have a field day interpreting this dream! I'll leave them to it. As for me, I'm going to mark off "post on blog" on every to-do list I have.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Go Verona Radio - October 2007
Check out our latest Go Verona Radio podcast. This month highlights an interview with Jason Casey. It runs about 10 minutes and 30 seconds and includes topics such as ministry, prayer and working in different cities for the first time since 1997. The podcast that features Jason Casey is found at
http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/2007/10/go-verona-radio-october-2007.html
Also, if you weren't aware of last month's podcast with our Field Coordinator, Wayne Meece, and his wife, check it out at
http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/2007/09/go-verona-radio-september-2007.html
Our Go Verona Radio archive is found at http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/ and you can subscribe to the podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoVeronaRadioPodcast.
http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/2007/10/go-verona-radio-october-2007.html
Also, if you weren't aware of last month's podcast with our Field Coordinator, Wayne Meece, and his wife, check it out at
http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/2007/09/go-verona-radio-september-2007.html
Our Go Verona Radio archive is found at http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/ and you can subscribe to the podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoVeronaRadioPodcast.
It Will Be OK
A confession: I am an artistic couch potato. I haven’t ballroom danced in four years. I haven’t sung an aria in five or painted in three. So, how’s this art thing going to work? How will I get my feet, lungs, fingers, muscles, and mind to get back in shape? What if it’s been too long and neither my mind nor my body can do it?
I’ve been thinking a lot about this and wondering if it is really possible? Since our outreach is going to circle around the arts… and since we’re doing this for the Lord’s glory, shouldn’t my artistic skills be excellent? Yes.
So, this weekend, while I was watching a ballroom dancing school showoff at a hotel I stayed in, I watched with a mixture of curiosity and those haunting questions of inadequacy. And then, with the help of a very confident friend, I asked a teacher if he would dance the Cha-Cha with me. He raised his eyebrows and said, “Sure.”
And my feet remembered. My arms knew what to do. My mind read his mind so I’d know what move was next. And the teacher asked me if I knew the Salsa. Yes, I did.
A large, heavy peace settled on my shoulders. It would be OK. God will teach me the things I need to get His work done. He will lead. And I will follow one step at a time.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this and wondering if it is really possible? Since our outreach is going to circle around the arts… and since we’re doing this for the Lord’s glory, shouldn’t my artistic skills be excellent? Yes.
So, this weekend, while I was watching a ballroom dancing school showoff at a hotel I stayed in, I watched with a mixture of curiosity and those haunting questions of inadequacy. And then, with the help of a very confident friend, I asked a teacher if he would dance the Cha-Cha with me. He raised his eyebrows and said, “Sure.”
And my feet remembered. My arms knew what to do. My mind read his mind so I’d know what move was next. And the teacher asked me if I knew the Salsa. Yes, I did.
A large, heavy peace settled on my shoulders. It would be OK. God will teach me the things I need to get His work done. He will lead. And I will follow one step at a time.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
What's that Number?
This weekend, my friend and I went to the capital city. I was giving room service our room number, and the lady couldn't understand me. Finally I realized I was saying the Italian numbers instead of French. Then, for the life of me, I couldn't say them in French... or English, for that matter!
Yippee!!!
Yippee!!!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Catching Up and Falling, Too...
Our internet has been out-of-commission here in Haiti. So, I've just now been able to catch up on emails and blogs and websites from the last two months.
And what a fun day!
I've read about what is going on in GoAncona, our sister team. I've watched as the Crossers have packed up years of ministry in preparation to move North. I've chatted with Ann about Anne of Green Gables. Oh! It's been delightful.
And, I'm surprised at how homesick I've become. I browsed through photos, looked at maps, read information about it, checked today's temperature (50 F)... and I long to be there.
Isn't this exactly what God gave to us in Revelation 21? Something to long for... something to fall in love with... something to call home?
And isn't this the whole point of GoVerona? Should this project really be called GoHeaven?
And what a fun day!
I've read about what is going on in GoAncona, our sister team. I've watched as the Crossers have packed up years of ministry in preparation to move North. I've chatted with Ann about Anne of Green Gables. Oh! It's been delightful.
And, I'm surprised at how homesick I've become. I browsed through photos, looked at maps, read information about it, checked today's temperature (50 F)... and I long to be there.
Isn't this exactly what God gave to us in Revelation 21? Something to long for... something to fall in love with... something to call home?
And isn't this the whole point of GoVerona? Should this project really be called GoHeaven?
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Perbillini di Isola Rizza
Seasonal Cooks
Sometimes I read an Italian magazine called Oggi. It is similar to a People magazine in America. I was recently reading one and was very surprised to see an article about a chef from Verona! His name is Giancarlo Perbellini and he is the chef at a restaurant called Perbellini di Isola Rizza. The title of the article was “We in the North Never Cook Out of Season”. This chef talks about how you can come into his restaurant and order the same dish but it will be different depending on what foods are in season at that time. The article said that the pasta e fasiol is the dish to try. I think once we get to Verona we will have to find this restaurant and try it…in all four seasons!
Sometimes I read an Italian magazine called Oggi. It is similar to a People magazine in America. I was recently reading one and was very surprised to see an article about a chef from Verona! His name is Giancarlo Perbellini and he is the chef at a restaurant called Perbellini di Isola Rizza. The title of the article was “We in the North Never Cook Out of Season”. This chef talks about how you can come into his restaurant and order the same dish but it will be different depending on what foods are in season at that time. The article said that the pasta e fasiol is the dish to try. I think once we get to Verona we will have to find this restaurant and try it…in all four seasons!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Verona People Video
We have a new video online. This one is about the people of Verona. As you watch it, you can pray for the people you see and generally for the people of Verona.
You can view it online at http://goveronavideos.blogspot.com/2007/10/verona-people.html
Or you can download the 800x600 wmv version from here - http://www.goverona.org/video/verona_people.wmv
You can view it online at http://goveronavideos.blogspot.com/2007/10/verona-people.html
Or you can download the 800x600 wmv version from here - http://www.goverona.org/video/verona_people.wmv
Friday, October 12, 2007
Prayer Idea - Map of Verona Downtown
Follow the twelve highlighted areas found on the "tourism walking map" at
(http://www.comune.verona.it/turismo/Passeggiando/inglese/itineraryA/index.htm). As you explore the city pray for each area of this downtown zone.
(http://www.comune.verona.it/turismo/Passeggiando/inglese/itineraryA/index.htm). As you explore the city pray for each area of this downtown zone.
- Pray that the enemy would be leave the area.
- Pray that the people's hearts in those areas would be fertile soil for the message of Christ.
- Pray that our team will find out how to reach the people who live and work in these areas.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Verona Buildings Video
Follow this link to view online our latest video of Verona. http://goveronavideos.blogspot.com/2007/10/verona-buildings.html
This one features buildings of Verona. As you explore the city by looking at these buildings, pray over each inhabitant that they might come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
You can download to your computer the 800x600 wmv version of this video here (http://www.goverona.org/video/verona_buildings.wmv).
This one features buildings of Verona. As you explore the city by looking at these buildings, pray over each inhabitant that they might come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
You can download to your computer the 800x600 wmv version of this video here (http://www.goverona.org/video/verona_buildings.wmv).
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Visitors to the Website
In the past two days, since our new website launched, we have already had 57 people visit our site. They are from seven different countries including the United States, Italy, Ireland, Serbia, Germany, Norway and India! Thanks for checking it out everyone. We have also received great feedback regarding the new site. We hope that it will be a central location for you to discover more about our ministry and how you can be involved.
Additions to Go Verona Website
I know, I know....you're thinking, but the website just went live two days ago. However, we already have added a couple of sections. One you'll find on the main menu of links (on the left), that is the Team Calendar. You can see what is happening in our ministry and what plans are down the road.
The second thing is the new page describing all of the support staff that make up our ministry. The Field Coordinator role is a vocational position, the others are all volunteers! We are blessed to have a great web of support, encouraging our team to go forward while providing wisdom, encouragement and edification along the way.
The second thing is the new page describing all of the support staff that make up our ministry. The Field Coordinator role is a vocational position, the others are all volunteers! We are blessed to have a great web of support, encouraging our team to go forward while providing wisdom, encouragement and edification along the way.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Launch of Go Verona Website
Whew, after months of planning and many hours of webmastering, the new Go Verona website is up and ready for visits. You can find it at www.goverona.org. Our hope is that it helps communicate to others about the ministry in Italy and therefore involving you in the process. Feel free to explore and post your comments about it here. Thanks for your support.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Verona Highlight: Toccati Games Festival
Every year in Verona, there is a games festival. It is taking place this weekend and we wish we could go to it, but next year if God wills, we will be living in Verona and we can go then. I have been reading about it and I thought it would be a great Verona Highlight focus.
The festival takes place throughout the historic downtown Verona area all throughout the streets. All kinds of traditional games going on, as well as foods and entertainment from places all around the world. Our team has talked about the possibility of being part of this in the future to some degree.
Apparently they have guest countries' contribute traditional games and more. This year's guest country is Croatia. This is from their website.... “The guest country is Croatia. The Croatians have suggested about fifteen of its traditional games, musical groups and typical dishes of a land that is turning itself around and showing itself again after a time of war.”
Here is the Tocati official website and its in English too! http://www.tocati.it/lang/en/home.php.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Life and Times of the Blackburns (abriged edition)
Matt thought it would be a good idea to introduce ourselves. So here we go....!
John was born in the USA, but not in a state. *(see below) His family lived in Virginia, then California, then Massachusetts. He was the youngest of 3 children and the only son. Throughout his life his family attended church from time to time. In Massachusetts he met a neighbor who loved dancing and singing in her yard …..and Jesus. She invited them to church. It would change John’s life.
John gave his life to the Lord in August of 1976. Later he met some interns from Lincoln who served at his home church. He decided to attend there in August of 1980. He was at LCC 2 years. Later, he transferred to Roanoke Bible College. After a year, he decide to take the “scenic route” and came to Colorado to earn some more money for school. It was there he met Ann.
Ann is a 2nd generation Colorado native. Her grandparents came as children to Colorado via covered wagon (not the Conastoga type). She grew up in Colorado Springs, the oldest of 3 girls, where her father was the preacher at Sunnyside Christian Church. She gave her life to the Lord and was baptized in October of 1971. She attended Manhattan Christian College for the 1980-81 year and then Bethel School of Nursing. She graduated with her Diploma in Nursing in 1984.
In 1984 Ann’s sister came home from a friend’s insisting that Ann should meet a friend of her friend. “You two are so much alike!” Ann met John not long after. They became “movie buddies”.
John returned to RBC in 1985. He graduated in 1988 with a B.S. in Christian Education. He and Ann were married 2 weeks later. (You probably figured out that their relationship grew beyond the movie buddy stage!)
An old college friend contacted John that summer and asked if John would like to take his place in Guangzhou, China. So off went the newlyweds for the year of a lifetime. They were able to see God move in ways they hadn’t before and felt very privileged to be taken along on the adventure.
They returned to the US hoping to head back soon. But God had other plans. He blessed them with 2 daughters (Jessica and Avonlea), 2 sons(Luke and Bryan), John’s niece (Anna) and nephew (David), and John’s Mom (not necessarily in that order) in just a few short years. But they continued to be interested in what God was doing in other cultures.
By 2001, their family was shrinking. Anna was off in college. David returned to live with his mother. John’s mother headed home to heaven. This left them free to dust off old dreams. They rejoined Team Expansion early that year. Then, in August of 2002, they made it back to China.
This time God sent them to Haikou, the capital city of Hainan province (the large island directly south of the mainland and the largest island in China, depending on who you talk to). They spent 5 years there. They made friends with many wonderful people, both foreign and Chinese.
In May of 2007, after much thought and prayer, by John and Ann and many others, they accepted a position on the newly formed Go North team. They were thrilled to be a part of the prayer survey trip to determine where the new work would begin. They were amazed at all they learned of the need for those declaring God’s great love and grace in Italy. They were charmed by the place and the people (not to mention delighted by the food!).
So….now they are wrapping up the “China years” of their ministry and moving on to concentrate on Italy. Though China will always be near and dear to their hearts and heavily noted in their prayers, they are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Verona. They hope to bring glory to Him in that place and use the talents he has given them to help bring those people that He loves back into a relationship with Him.
*Washington, D.C.
John was born in the USA, but not in a state. *(see below) His family lived in Virginia, then California, then Massachusetts. He was the youngest of 3 children and the only son. Throughout his life his family attended church from time to time. In Massachusetts he met a neighbor who loved dancing and singing in her yard …..and Jesus. She invited them to church. It would change John’s life.
John gave his life to the Lord in August of 1976. Later he met some interns from Lincoln who served at his home church. He decided to attend there in August of 1980. He was at LCC 2 years. Later, he transferred to Roanoke Bible College. After a year, he decide to take the “scenic route” and came to Colorado to earn some more money for school. It was there he met Ann.
Ann is a 2nd generation Colorado native. Her grandparents came as children to Colorado via covered wagon (not the Conastoga type). She grew up in Colorado Springs, the oldest of 3 girls, where her father was the preacher at Sunnyside Christian Church. She gave her life to the Lord and was baptized in October of 1971. She attended Manhattan Christian College for the 1980-81 year and then Bethel School of Nursing. She graduated with her Diploma in Nursing in 1984.
In 1984 Ann’s sister came home from a friend’s insisting that Ann should meet a friend of her friend. “You two are so much alike!” Ann met John not long after. They became “movie buddies”.
John returned to RBC in 1985. He graduated in 1988 with a B.S. in Christian Education. He and Ann were married 2 weeks later. (You probably figured out that their relationship grew beyond the movie buddy stage!)
An old college friend contacted John that summer and asked if John would like to take his place in Guangzhou, China. So off went the newlyweds for the year of a lifetime. They were able to see God move in ways they hadn’t before and felt very privileged to be taken along on the adventure.
They returned to the US hoping to head back soon. But God had other plans. He blessed them with 2 daughters (Jessica and Avonlea), 2 sons(Luke and Bryan), John’s niece (Anna) and nephew (David), and John’s Mom (not necessarily in that order) in just a few short years. But they continued to be interested in what God was doing in other cultures.
By 2001, their family was shrinking. Anna was off in college. David returned to live with his mother. John’s mother headed home to heaven. This left them free to dust off old dreams. They rejoined Team Expansion early that year. Then, in August of 2002, they made it back to China.
This time God sent them to Haikou, the capital city of Hainan province (the large island directly south of the mainland and the largest island in China, depending on who you talk to). They spent 5 years there. They made friends with many wonderful people, both foreign and Chinese.
In May of 2007, after much thought and prayer, by John and Ann and many others, they accepted a position on the newly formed Go North team. They were thrilled to be a part of the prayer survey trip to determine where the new work would begin. They were amazed at all they learned of the need for those declaring God’s great love and grace in Italy. They were charmed by the place and the people (not to mention delighted by the food!).
So….now they are wrapping up the “China years” of their ministry and moving on to concentrate on Italy. Though China will always be near and dear to their hearts and heavily noted in their prayers, they are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Verona. They hope to bring glory to Him in that place and use the talents he has given them to help bring those people that He loves back into a relationship with Him.
*Washington, D.C.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Trolley of Verona
Do you remember the trolley from Mister Roger's Neighborhood? You remember, the trolley who took us to the Neighborhood of Make Believe? We got to ride it last week in Verona! Well, maybe it wasn't the same trolley, but it looked like it. While we were in Verona with our field coordinator, Wayne Meece and his wife Greta, I decided it would be a good time for us to take a trip on this little trolley in the center of town. It is a twenty minute ride for 3 euro (approximately $5) per person. It winds through many of the small ancient streets and alleyways, all the while playing over the loudspeaker tidbits of history about the surrounding area. The trolley is a great way for us to survey the city and find out more about this place. Here are some pictures...
For your nostalgia....
And as I was reminiscing and thinking about the old trolley from Mister Roger's, I was reminded of the song with which he ended every episode. Ah, days of youth. Hopefully we can bring a childlike faith to the people of Verona.
For your nostalgia....
"It's such a good, feeling
To know you're alive
It's such a Happy feeling
You're growing inside!
And when you Wake Up, ready to say:
'I think I'll make a snappy new day'
It's such a good, feeling
A very good feeling
The feeling you know
That, I'll be back
When the day is new
An' I'll have more, Ideas
For you.
And you'll have things you'll want to talk about.
I
Will
Too."
Friday, September 14, 2007
Back From Verona
Well, we got back from our Verona overnight trip last night and it was really good. We found some really tasty restaurants and tried several dishes from the Verona region. We also got all of the goals accomplished that we had hoped for on this trip, as well as a few extras. I will try to post a few key pictures here on this blog soon, but in the meantime I have uploaded all of the pictures we took on both days. You can find them at:
Verona Day One: September 11
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/verona-day-01---sep/
Verona Day One: September 12
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/verona-day-02---sep/
Hope you enjoy them!
Verona Day One: September 11
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/verona-day-01---sep/
Verona Day One: September 12
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/verona-day-02---sep/
Hope you enjoy them!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Field Coordinator Visiting
Wayne and Greta Meece are visiting us in Italy this week. Wayne is the European Field Coordinator for Team Expansion and has visited us before i the past. Greta helps him in his role, as well as is involved in other member care areas of our Home Office. They are spending time with the Ancona team and us, as the only in Italy representatives of the Verona team. We are taking them on an overnight trip to Verona and then spending a bit more time with them here in Ancona too. Pray for our safe travels and that we can continue to research Verona and how we can minister there.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Verona Highlight: Arena in Piazza Bra
In the second in this series of Verona Highlights, I want to tell you a little bit about the Arena in Verona.
From the City of Verona website (http://www.comune.verona.it/turismo/Passeggiando/inglese/itineraryA/arena.htm)
"THE ARENA
The Romans built the Amphitheatre outside Verona's first circle of city walls in the first part of the 1st century AD. It hosted games where gladiators would fight each other or wild animals before a vast public that came from all over the territory. The Arena held around 30,000 spectators and had four main entrances, corresponding to its two axes."
The Romans built the Amphitheatre outside Verona's first circle of city walls in the first part of the 1st century AD. It hosted games where gladiators would fight each other or wild animals before a vast public that came from all over the territory. The Arena held around 30,000 spectators and had four main entrances, corresponding to its two axes."
"The facade, of which there is still a small section (the so-called "Ala" or "Wing"), was entirely built in large blocks of white and pink limestone from nearby Valpolicella. In the Middle Ages, stones from the Arena were taken for use on other buildings. Later, it resumed its role as a site for shows and events: a role it continues to play today for the annual summer opera season, which began in 1913."
On our last trip to Verona, we went inside the arena. They charge about 7 dollars to get in and then you can go inside and explore. You can walk up all the steps to the top, stand at the edge and see Verona all around you. They were setting up for an opera for that evening. Here are some of our pictures.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Check Out Our New Podcast!
Introducing our new podcast, "Go Verona Radio"....
It is found at http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/ and you can subscribe to the podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoVeronaRadioPodcast.
The plan is to have a new podcast each month. If you have suggestions for topics or things that you would like to hear us discuss or explore, email me at mcrosser@teamexpansion.org. Thanks for listening.
It is found at http://goveronapodcast.blogspot.com/ and you can subscribe to the podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoVeronaRadioPodcast.
The plan is to have a new podcast each month. If you have suggestions for topics or things that you would like to hear us discuss or explore, email me at mcrosser@teamexpansion.org. Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
What a Full First Month
Whew. We are almost at the end of the first full month, of Angie and I being on the Verona team full time and can I just say.....whew, once more? There has been so much to do as we take the reigns of this ministry full time. We had planned on taking some of our vacation time and it just turned out that August was not the best month for us to do that. The Blackburns made it back to the USA and are getting readjusted to American life. April headed back to Haiti for her last school year teaching English there. Lots of communication has been going on and Angie and I completed our Field Ministry Plan for the upcoming nine months.
There are eight primary objectives of which we will be concentrating. Those eight are... recruiting, relocating, promotion & communication, research, preparation, training, relationshop building and administration. Everything we do fits into one of those areas and allows us to be more efficient and organized. Once the team starts arriving in Verona, those primary objectives will shift and include new objectives such as language aquisition and culture study. Everything we aim for is prayed over and subject to God's leading. He is an awesome God and we are so thankful to be serving Him.
If you want to see some of the graphics that I have been working on, head over to my sketchblog at http://mattsketchpad.blogspot.com/ and tell me what you think! It is mixed with other art that I work on in my spare time as well.
There are eight primary objectives of which we will be concentrating. Those eight are... recruiting, relocating, promotion & communication, research, preparation, training, relationshop building and administration. Everything we do fits into one of those areas and allows us to be more efficient and organized. Once the team starts arriving in Verona, those primary objectives will shift and include new objectives such as language aquisition and culture study. Everything we aim for is prayed over and subject to God's leading. He is an awesome God and we are so thankful to be serving Him.
If you want to see some of the graphics that I have been working on, head over to my sketchblog at http://mattsketchpad.blogspot.com/ and tell me what you think! It is mixed with other art that I work on in my spare time as well.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Fnac
Two things I love are books and coffee. Put those two things together and I am in a wonderland of delight! When we are in the states one of my favorite things to do is go to Barnes and Noble where I can wander through the books forever. Finally, I will make a selection of several books that I want to sit and look through and I head to the coffee shop. There I will get a tall coffee and spend a long while perusing the pages of books that interst me. I can spend all day there if I am allowed!
Living in Italy I have never found a place that fullfills, in the same way, that time spent at a Barnes and Noble. Yes, there are bookstores...nice ones. Yes, there are coffee shops....great ones! But in Italy I had yet to find a place that fullfilled my love of books and coffee at the same time.
However, it looks like Verona might just have something that will do the trick, Fnac. It is a store we had never heard of until we visited Verona. They have electronics, movies, video games but best of all downstairs is a bookstore! It is filled with children's books, cooking books, decorating books, magazines and so much more. I bet you would never guess what is also in Fnac? A coffee shop!!!
Living in Italy I have never found a place that fullfills, in the same way, that time spent at a Barnes and Noble. Yes, there are bookstores...nice ones. Yes, there are coffee shops....great ones! But in Italy I had yet to find a place that fullfilled my love of books and coffee at the same time.
However, it looks like Verona might just have something that will do the trick, Fnac. It is a store we had never heard of until we visited Verona. They have electronics, movies, video games but best of all downstairs is a bookstore! It is filled with children's books, cooking books, decorating books, magazines and so much more. I bet you would never guess what is also in Fnac? A coffee shop!!!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Verona Highlight: Piazza delle Erbe Markets
As we share with you the work in progress, we want to introduce you to the city where we will be living. So, we will post highlights that describe in word and photos about different areas of Verona. So for this first highlight, we will be talking about the "Piazza Delle Erbe". A piazza is like a town square that serves many functions. Meeting place, community center, an area dedicated to local cafes & restaurants, concert hall, etc.....
From the City of Verona website (http://www.comune.verona.it/turismo/Passeggiando/inglese/itineraryA/erbe.htm), here is the description of the Piazza Delle Erbe.
"PIAZZA DELLE ERBE
The Forum, centre of city life during Roman times, was situated here. The Piazza delle Erbe has continued to fill this same role for centuries: meeting place, home to the market, and also home to the city's administration. The centre of the square contains the monuments that symbolise the different rulers of Verona: the most famous is the fountain, built using a Roman statue during Scaligeri rule and later known as the "Madonna Verona". On the far side of the square are the 14th century Gardello Tower and the Baroque Palazzo Maffei. The courtyard of the Palazzo del Comune leads on to the Lamberti Tower with its suggestive panoramic views over the city."
The Forum, centre of city life during Roman times, was situated here. The Piazza delle Erbe has continued to fill this same role for centuries: meeting place, home to the market, and also home to the city's administration. The centre of the square contains the monuments that symbolise the different rulers of Verona: the most famous is the fountain, built using a Roman statue during Scaligeri rule and later known as the "Madonna Verona". On the far side of the square are the 14th century Gardello Tower and the Baroque Palazzo Maffei. The courtyard of the Palazzo del Comune leads on to the Lamberti Tower with its suggestive panoramic views over the city."
As for the market, you can still find fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some pictures...
Friday, August 3, 2007
Good Trip
We had a good overnight trip to Verona. There was lots of traffic on the way there and on the way back, but that was worth it to continue the quest to Verona. Angie and I arrived and explored some parts of the city and county of Verona that we hadn't seen before. The interns had taken the train from Rome and met us that night. On the train they had met a guy, Giuseppe, serving in the Italian military in nearby Trento (about forty minutes via car). He came into Verona today with a friend and they hung out with us as we explored Verona and then we went to lunch together. They even picked up the tab to show their friendship. Giuseppe's friend, Pasquale, has a strong desire to learn English and we talked about the English lessons/conversation will be offering once we arrive in Verona. He is excited. We exchanged cell phone numbers with Giuseppe and Pasquale to keep in touch. Then we took the interns to one of the area malls and we explored it and had dinner. While shopping, Lucia, was met by one of the interns and she was told about what we would be doing once we moved to Verona next year. Lucia speaks some English and was excited to learn how to converse even better in English.
God really led us around as we went into and through the city. My excitement is growing for the future and I can't wait to see what God is going to do in Verona. One day, we pray for a strong group of believers leading and reaching out to their peers in that beautiful city in northern Italy. And we also hope that through their willingness and giving that more churches would come from this one in the North.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Full Speed Ahead
Today marks the first day that Angie and I are both full-time team members of the Verona team. For the past seven months we have been moving forward through a gradual transition which has seen great benefits. Yesterday was our last day on the Ancona team, which leaves us singly focused for the first time in many months. So, we go forward and I hope to lead this new team, still forming, into Verona and follow the great commission and bring many into His kingdom.
We will still be living here in Ancona for the next three months before we return to the USA for recruiting, promoting, training and support raising. However, today we are driving to Verona to spend a day showing the interns, that have been here in Italy, the city that God has called us to next. I plan on posting something from our latest journey soon.
We will still be living here in Ancona for the next three months before we return to the USA for recruiting, promoting, training and support raising. However, today we are driving to Verona to spend a day showing the interns, that have been here in Italy, the city that God has called us to next. I plan on posting something from our latest journey soon.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
1913 Map of Verona
Here is an old 1913 map of Verona that I found online. It shows the main center of town with the Adige river that winds through it.
Approaching Liftoff!
We are approaching the liftoff for this mission. At this very crucial point in the life of our new team something is getting ready to happen. At the beginning of next month, our team will have two of its first few team members finally focusing solely on this new work. For the past seven months, Angie and I have been transitioning off of our old team, Go Ancona, and out of the work here in in Ancona, Italy. However, we are doing the final checklist for liftoff. At the end of this month, July 2007, Angie and I will cease to be on the Ancona team. Starting August 1st, 2007 we will be 100 percent focused on the Verona team and the new work. Part of this will be team building and recruitment, part of this will be on promotion, part of this focus will be on research of Verona and networking with current ministries; and finally part of the move from Ancona to Verona. First we'll pack up all of our things and put them in storage here in Ancona. God provided a great solution for our team. Then we will return to the states in order to promote, recruit and prepare for coming back. As soon as our first team member(s) is(are) ready we'll head back to Italy and begin the first onfield phase of language/culture acquistion. The new team members will be focused on that while we minister to them, researching the city and working on resources for the new work. We are looking at returning around May/June of 2008.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
New Logo!
If you look above you'll see we have a new team logo! We aren't Go North anymore...we know where we are headed, Verona! So, now that we have a new logo, many other things can go to the next stage of preproduction, like prayer cards, business cards, websites, etc....
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Return to Verona
So, we are heading back to Verona for a third visit (my fourth since I came here with Cliff Murphy, but we were only here for four and a half hours). This time we are taking the on field Ancona team with us. Since both Go Ancona and Go Verona are part of the same "Taking Christ to Italy" PACE project, it makes sense that the Ancona team would be involved with the research of the target city. Their field experience will be incredibly insightful as we seek to remove the enemy's grip from this city, while we seek out the spiritually needy.
We hope to spend some time in personal prayer over the city and getting to know the city better. It is quite an experience to transition from one home to another. One day, we will feel as comfortable in Verona as we do in Ancona, yet Verona will never replace Ancona in our hearts, just as Ancona never replaced Tulsa either. Our hearts have room for several "homes" especially since they all pale in comparison to our final heavenly one. And it is that home with our God that we want to share information about, within each city that we happen to find ourselves.
We hope to spend some time in personal prayer over the city and getting to know the city better. It is quite an experience to transition from one home to another. One day, we will feel as comfortable in Verona as we do in Ancona, yet Verona will never replace Ancona in our hearts, just as Ancona never replaced Tulsa either. Our hearts have room for several "homes" especially since they all pale in comparison to our final heavenly one. And it is that home with our God that we want to share information about, within each city that we happen to find ourselves.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
A Map of Verona by Henry Reed
This is a war time poem... yet, it seems fitting for us.
A MAP OF VERONA
A map of Verona is open, the small strange city;
With its river running round and through, it is river-embraced,
And over this city for a whole long winter season,
Through streets on a map, my thoughts have hovered and paced.
Across the river there is a wandering suburb,
An unsolved smile on a now familiar mouth;
Some enchantments of earlier towns are about you:
Once I was drawn to Naples in the south.
Naples I know now, street and hovel and garden,
The look of the islands from the avenue,
Capri and Ischia, like approaching drum-beats—
My youthful Naples, how I remember you!
You were an early chapter, a practice in sorrow,
Your shadows fell, but were only a token of pain,
A sketch in tenderness, lust, and sudden parting,
And I shall not need to trouble with you again.
But I remember, once your map lay open,
As now Verona's under the still lamp-light.
I thought, are these the streets to walk in the mornings,
Are these the gardens to linger in at night?
And all was useless that I thought I learned:
Maps are of place, not time, nor can they say
The surprising height and colour of a building,
Nor where the groups of people bar the way.
It is strange to remember those thoughts and try to catch
The underground whispers of music beneath the years,
The forgotten conjectures, the clouded, forgotten vision,
Which only in vanishing phrases reappears.
Again, it is strange to lead a conversation
Round to a name, to a cautious questioning
Of travellers, who talk of Juliet's tomb and fountains
And a shining smile of snowfall, late in Spring.
Their memories calm this winter of expectation,
Their talk restrains me, for I cannot flow
Like your impetuous river to embrace you;
Yet you are there, and one day I shall go.
The train will bring me perhaps in utter darkness
And drop me where you are blooming, unaware
That a stranger has entered your gates, and a new devotion
Is about to attend and haunt you everywhere.
The flutes are warm: in tomorrow's cave the music
Trembles and forms inside the musician's mind,
The lights begin, and the shifting crowds in the causeways
Are discerned through the dusk, and the rolling river behind.
And in what hour of beauty, in what good arms,
Shall I those regions and that city attain
From whence my dreams and slightest movements rise?
And what good Arms shall take them away again?
A MAP OF VERONA
A map of Verona is open, the small strange city;
With its river running round and through, it is river-embraced,
And over this city for a whole long winter season,
Through streets on a map, my thoughts have hovered and paced.
Across the river there is a wandering suburb,
An unsolved smile on a now familiar mouth;
Some enchantments of earlier towns are about you:
Once I was drawn to Naples in the south.
Naples I know now, street and hovel and garden,
The look of the islands from the avenue,
Capri and Ischia, like approaching drum-beats—
My youthful Naples, how I remember you!
You were an early chapter, a practice in sorrow,
Your shadows fell, but were only a token of pain,
A sketch in tenderness, lust, and sudden parting,
And I shall not need to trouble with you again.
But I remember, once your map lay open,
As now Verona's under the still lamp-light.
I thought, are these the streets to walk in the mornings,
Are these the gardens to linger in at night?
And all was useless that I thought I learned:
Maps are of place, not time, nor can they say
The surprising height and colour of a building,
Nor where the groups of people bar the way.
It is strange to remember those thoughts and try to catch
The underground whispers of music beneath the years,
The forgotten conjectures, the clouded, forgotten vision,
Which only in vanishing phrases reappears.
Again, it is strange to lead a conversation
Round to a name, to a cautious questioning
Of travellers, who talk of Juliet's tomb and fountains
And a shining smile of snowfall, late in Spring.
Their memories calm this winter of expectation,
Their talk restrains me, for I cannot flow
Like your impetuous river to embrace you;
Yet you are there, and one day I shall go.
The train will bring me perhaps in utter darkness
And drop me where you are blooming, unaware
That a stranger has entered your gates, and a new devotion
Is about to attend and haunt you everywhere.
The flutes are warm: in tomorrow's cave the music
Trembles and forms inside the musician's mind,
The lights begin, and the shifting crowds in the causeways
Are discerned through the dusk, and the rolling river behind.
And in what hour of beauty, in what good arms,
Shall I those regions and that city attain
From whence my dreams and slightest movements rise?
And what good Arms shall take them away again?
Sunday, May 13, 2007
And The Team Grows On...
So, in a week of news, we still have more to share. We would like to introduce you to our newest team members of the Go Verona team, John and Ann Blackburn. John and Ann have four kids and several years’ missions experience. We look forward to letting you know more about them and their family. As we move forward together you will have the opportunity to get to our entire team better. We are still looking for team members to excel in areas of music and youth, so please be praying for those holes to be filled with God’s choices.
And The City Is...Verona!
Well, we have some great news to announce, which is in some ways months in the making and in other ways years in the making. The target city for church plant number two of the Taking Christ to Italy project is Verona. In subsequent emails, we will be introducing you to this new city as we enlist you in praying us out of Ancona, where we have lived and ministered for over six years and preparing for the move to Verona.
In this email, I would like to share with you a few of the things that led us to the city of Verona. First, the Italian minister of the Apostolic Church in Verona made contact with us and showed us some of the spiritual needs of the city. The Apostolic Church is one of about four Italian speaking evangelical churches in this city of 270,000 people. The Apostolic Church is also the group in Italy that has provided the requests for us to have permission to be in Italy over the past six years. Elvio, the minister, and his wife, Paola, told us that they had been praying for more workers to come to Verona for a long time, in fact over a year ago they recruited the other members of the Apostolic Church to pray and fast with them about it. They saw our new team as answers to those prayers. He has been incredibly open to our new team, which is very strange for churches in Italy. They would love to help us get settled in the new city and find information for our new church plant.
Second, while the prayer/survey team was there we broke up into groups to explore the city throughout the day. At breakfast, a couple of us went into a coffee shop to get to know the workers. There was one woman behind the counter, who was very open and talkative with us. We asked about the spiritual condition of the people of Verona. She said there were many people who believed, but not many who went to church. She told us that she believed, but didn’t go to church, because she was not sure what she thought about the church, referring to the Catholic Church. She asked us more about what we were doing. We replied we were praying about choosing a city, out of four cities, for myself, my wife and a some friends to move to and start a new work there. Part of what we would be doing would be studying the Bible with people and being the Church, the way the New Testament describes it. She told us some of the great things about Verona and then told us before we left to come back and find her, if we chose Verona. She was the only person, out of the four cities, who told us to find her if we chose her city to move to.
Person after person, store owner after store owner, people continued to be friendly and talkative as we walked, prayed and surveyed Verona. Out of all the cities, it’s receptivity towards us and the new work seemed to be the most open. In some cities, to have conversations it felt like we were pulling teeth to get them to talk, or in other cities they simply answered questions, but in Verona the people there actually started conversations, not just continuing the ones we started. It was simply refreshing, to say the least. This was a characteristic which is foreign to us in Italy, in other words it isn’t normal.
While visiting the four cities that we surveyed, the people often told us what they thought of their particular city and the other cities we were visiting. Verona was the only city which people always had good things to say about. We prayed that God would use the people we met in the different cities to speak to us and had faith that He would. In Verona, we felt like the Christians there were asking for help and Eli (pronounced Ellie), the unchurched worker at the coffee shop, was interested in the new work that we were talking about doing. These people seemed to be clear voices in a search where we were praying for clarity.
One of the heartbreaking traits that we uncovered is that Verona leads the country of Italy in the number of divorces. This is a city that is famous for love, due to the semi-historical story of Romeo and Juliet (more on this in future months). This city of love continues to look for love in all the wrong places. The only love that will quench the thirst of their souls is the love of God, found through his son, Jesus Christ. We hope to be His witnesses in this new city.
Verona is a city of art, music, bikes, community and friendly people. Throughout the next many months we will mourn our life and friends in Ancona and greatly anticipate our life ahead in the city that God has directed us towards, which is Verona. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement as we have marched ahead in this new project for God’s kingdom.
In this email, I would like to share with you a few of the things that led us to the city of Verona. First, the Italian minister of the Apostolic Church in Verona made contact with us and showed us some of the spiritual needs of the city. The Apostolic Church is one of about four Italian speaking evangelical churches in this city of 270,000 people. The Apostolic Church is also the group in Italy that has provided the requests for us to have permission to be in Italy over the past six years. Elvio, the minister, and his wife, Paola, told us that they had been praying for more workers to come to Verona for a long time, in fact over a year ago they recruited the other members of the Apostolic Church to pray and fast with them about it. They saw our new team as answers to those prayers. He has been incredibly open to our new team, which is very strange for churches in Italy. They would love to help us get settled in the new city and find information for our new church plant.
Second, while the prayer/survey team was there we broke up into groups to explore the city throughout the day. At breakfast, a couple of us went into a coffee shop to get to know the workers. There was one woman behind the counter, who was very open and talkative with us. We asked about the spiritual condition of the people of Verona. She said there were many people who believed, but not many who went to church. She told us that she believed, but didn’t go to church, because she was not sure what she thought about the church, referring to the Catholic Church. She asked us more about what we were doing. We replied we were praying about choosing a city, out of four cities, for myself, my wife and a some friends to move to and start a new work there. Part of what we would be doing would be studying the Bible with people and being the Church, the way the New Testament describes it. She told us some of the great things about Verona and then told us before we left to come back and find her, if we chose Verona. She was the only person, out of the four cities, who told us to find her if we chose her city to move to.
Person after person, store owner after store owner, people continued to be friendly and talkative as we walked, prayed and surveyed Verona. Out of all the cities, it’s receptivity towards us and the new work seemed to be the most open. In some cities, to have conversations it felt like we were pulling teeth to get them to talk, or in other cities they simply answered questions, but in Verona the people there actually started conversations, not just continuing the ones we started. It was simply refreshing, to say the least. This was a characteristic which is foreign to us in Italy, in other words it isn’t normal.
While visiting the four cities that we surveyed, the people often told us what they thought of their particular city and the other cities we were visiting. Verona was the only city which people always had good things to say about. We prayed that God would use the people we met in the different cities to speak to us and had faith that He would. In Verona, we felt like the Christians there were asking for help and Eli (pronounced Ellie), the unchurched worker at the coffee shop, was interested in the new work that we were talking about doing. These people seemed to be clear voices in a search where we were praying for clarity.
One of the heartbreaking traits that we uncovered is that Verona leads the country of Italy in the number of divorces. This is a city that is famous for love, due to the semi-historical story of Romeo and Juliet (more on this in future months). This city of love continues to look for love in all the wrong places. The only love that will quench the thirst of their souls is the love of God, found through his son, Jesus Christ. We hope to be His witnesses in this new city.
Verona is a city of art, music, bikes, community and friendly people. Throughout the next many months we will mourn our life and friends in Ancona and greatly anticipate our life ahead in the city that God has directed us towards, which is Verona. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement as we have marched ahead in this new project for God’s kingdom.
One Phrase at a Time, Maybe Even Two
Learning a new language begins somewhere. And even though sometimes the milestones are more like tiny sand pebbles, they will eventually build a path to long conversations over an extra cappuccino on a rainy night. Today, I had two sand pebbles. As I listened to an Italian song, I understood two whole phrases. Two whole phrases.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
A Decision is in the Works
Soon, we will be announcing the new target city for the Taking Christ to Italy project. Check back soon for details.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
We're Back in Ancona
After a whirlwind tour of four prospective cities, we are back in Ancona. Our survey/prayer team had an amazing trip of seeking the Lord's guidance for the next church plant in Italy. It's not completely over just yet. A couple of the survey/prayer team members leave tomorrow, but the rest of us, with the help of the Ancona team are going to be compiling all of our data. We should have this available to our supporters and prayer partners in the next couple of days.
I should have all the rest of the pictures up tonight, so that will make it easier to pray through them. Upon leaving the four cities, we can see that the need for a church is great in all four places, however there were some interesting encounters and findings that help determine better the direction we will go. Whatever decision is made, be praying for God to work in all four of those cities and the people would be receptive.
I should have all the rest of the pictures up tonight, so that will make it easier to pray through them. Upon leaving the four cities, we can see that the need for a church is great in all four places, however there were some interesting encounters and findings that help determine better the direction we will go. Whatever decision is made, be praying for God to work in all four of those cities and the people would be receptive.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Bringing it all together.....
I have been trying to upload pictures of our time in the four cities whenever I have Internet access. Below is a list of links to see the pictures that I have posted.
To see where all the current and future albums are go here:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/
City #1: Treviso; Day One:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip--/
City #1: Treviso; Day Two:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip-c/
City #2: Venezia-Mestre; Day One:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---2/
City #2: Venezia-Mestre; Day Two:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---1/
City #3: Verona; Day One:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---3/
City #3: Verona; Day Two:
Coming Soon!
City #4: Parma; Day One:
Coming Soon!
City #4: Parma; Day Two:
Coming Soon!
To see where all the current and future albums are go here:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/
City #1: Treviso; Day One:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip--/
City #1: Treviso; Day Two:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip-c/
City #2: Venezia-Mestre; Day One:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---2/
City #2: Venezia-Mestre; Day Two:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---1/
City #3: Verona; Day One:
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---3/
City #3: Verona; Day Two:
Coming Soon!
City #4: Parma; Day One:
Coming Soon!
City #4: Parma; Day Two:
Coming Soon!
From Verona to Parma
So this morning we went out to breakfast in small groups, as has been our custom for branching out into the neighborhoods. As we go, those of us who know Italian speak Italian, the others take the opportunity to find people who can speak English. Upon finding out who can speak English, we then have more information about the need for English as a means of reaching out to the community to a desire of theirs. This morning, Eric and I went to a Cafe several blocks from our hotel. It was run by a small blond Italian. Eric and I first got our breakfast and then we began a conversation, me in Italian and Eric in Spanish/English. Her name is Elisa, but she goes by Eli (pronounced Ellie) because she doesn't like her name Elisa. She was born in Verona and lived there her whole life. She said it is a great city, because it is close to the mountains, the lake and the city is beautiful too. I asked her how was the spiritual life of the city? She said that people say they believe but don't go to church or practice their faith. She said she doesn't anymore either. I asked why. She said that she believes, but doesn't know about the church (the Catholic church). She doesn't think you have to go to church to be a christian. Then the phone rang. She came back after the phone and she asked, why we were asking these kinds of questions. I said that I am a christian and a pastor. She replied, 'oh, ok'. I said that my wife and I have been in Ancona for years and we are praying about coming to a city in the north to start a new work in that city. Studying the Bible, helping people know more about Jesus, etc... I told her that we are visiting four cities and Verona is one of them. She gave us her opinions about the other cities, but then said she thought that we should choose Verona. After we paid, she said if you choose Verona, come back and find me. As we were leaving I gave her a business card, with my cell phone number and email address.
We had other opportunities in Verona and then we caught the train. We arrived in Parma in the early evening and explored the city, had dinner and then explored the city some more. At a cafe tonight, we me Diego, Nadia and Emmanuela. They told us how there are many "believers" but they don't practice anything or go to church. Emmanuela told us she used to but doesn't anymore. We talked about other things and before we left I told her that we would pray for her. She smiled and acted embarassed, so I said we will that is if you want us to. She enthusiastically said that she did want us to. So tonight before turning in our survey team prayed for her and other requests including for us to finish strong. We have tomorrow during the day and then we head back to Ancona in the early afternoon. We will have Life Group, dinner together then on Monday, begin compiling all the data. Thanks for any of you praying.
We had other opportunities in Verona and then we caught the train. We arrived in Parma in the early evening and explored the city, had dinner and then explored the city some more. At a cafe tonight, we me Diego, Nadia and Emmanuela. They told us how there are many "believers" but they don't practice anything or go to church. Emmanuela told us she used to but doesn't anymore. We talked about other things and before we left I told her that we would pray for her. She smiled and acted embarassed, so I said we will that is if you want us to. She enthusiastically said that she did want us to. So tonight before turning in our survey team prayed for her and other requests including for us to finish strong. We have tomorrow during the day and then we head back to Ancona in the early afternoon. We will have Life Group, dinner together then on Monday, begin compiling all the data. Thanks for any of you praying.
Being There
What a blessing to get to experience this trip from half way around the world. Every evening when electricity comes on I check to see what has gone on that day in Northern Italy. I listen. I look. I feel as if I'm almost there.
And then I pray. And the Lord, with the Holy Spirit and Jesus, Himself - allows me to pray for the steps, the words, the wisdom of the survey team. I feel as if I'm almost there.
And then I pray. And the Lord, with the Holy Spirit and Jesus, Himself - allows me to pray for the steps, the words, the wisdom of the survey team. I feel as if I'm almost there.
Impromptu Message & Worship
In preparation for our trip, I emailed many different missionaries in the north. I asked for information on contacts within the four cities we were going to be visiting. I got connected with people from Verona. When we arrived in Verona, I checked my email and saw there was one from Pastor Elvio. He leads the Apostolic Church here in Verona. He invited us to their prayer night. We went and he invited me to share a few words, which I did in Italian and also English for our survey team. He then went out of his way to show us some sights and then take us out to a great gelato shop. Then they drove us back to the hotel where we prayed and then headed to our rooms. One of the coolest statements from Elvio was, for about a year they have been praying for more workers to come to Verona.
Friday, April 27, 2007
And the Trip Goes On
We arrived in Mestre last night and checked into our hotel. I had a very interesting conversation with Mauro, who ran a newsstand. He is around 25 and thinks the mafia created the Catholic Church. He does believe though, but just doesn't go to church. Then the team went out into the city, where we saw where all the people gathered at Piazza Ferretti. Then we had dinner and as well as gelato and headed back to our hotel, where we prayed before going to bed. Mestre is the opposite in many ways of Treviso. It seems less safe, more graffiti, dirtier, the people more open and poorer (but Treviso is one of the richest in Italy, so that is not a huge thing).
This morning we headed out for surveys and prayer. After our time in Mestre we had to head to the train station to depart for Verona. There was a misunderstanding on the time for the train departure so we ended up having to practically jog with all of our luggage over a half of a mile through city streets to make out train in time. I literally took one step onto the train platform as it pulled in and a minute or so later we were on the train and on our way to Verona.
Once we got to Verona, we took a bus to our hotel and walked several streets to arrive at a great hotel, four stars, which coincidentally is the best hotel we have stayed in so far and is by far cheaper than the others ($39 per person per night). We have some time here at the hotel before we go out into the city to rest our legs and our minds. I'll write more later.
Here is another picture links...
Mestre (Day 2 - Day 1 Mestre Pictures coming later)
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---1/
This morning we headed out for surveys and prayer. After our time in Mestre we had to head to the train station to depart for Verona. There was a misunderstanding on the time for the train departure so we ended up having to practically jog with all of our luggage over a half of a mile through city streets to make out train in time. I literally took one step onto the train platform as it pulled in and a minute or so later we were on the train and on our way to Verona.
Once we got to Verona, we took a bus to our hotel and walked several streets to arrive at a great hotel, four stars, which coincidentally is the best hotel we have stayed in so far and is by far cheaper than the others ($39 per person per night). We have some time here at the hotel before we go out into the city to rest our legs and our minds. I'll write more later.
Here is another picture links...
Mestre (Day 2 - Day 1 Mestre Pictures coming later)
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip---1/
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Treviso - Day One (continued)
Here are some of Angie's thoughts after our first day in Treviso.
"Treviso is a beautiful city. It looks like a painting. It is very clean and the people are beautiful dressed like out of a fashion magazine. When we stepped out of the train station we could see a tree lined street. You can tell that the city has money. My thoughts and prayers for the people tonight have been surrounded by this money. I have wondered if they are bound by their love for money. I have prayed that God would free them from that. If I could put a face on Treviso it would be Davide. I know his name because I overheard a friend say “Ciao David” as they were saying goodbye. I watched Davide a tall slender man with a firm jaw who was wearing dark jeans and a black shirt. I watched him walk away smiling and I prayed that he would know my Jesus. "
And then below you can find a link to around 30 pictures from our first day in Treviso. Also the second link is where you can see all of the links for the trips so far.
Treviso - Day One
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip--/
Pictures from 2007 (including Verona pics from an earlier trip)
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/
"Treviso is a beautiful city. It looks like a painting. It is very clean and the people are beautiful dressed like out of a fashion magazine. When we stepped out of the train station we could see a tree lined street. You can tell that the city has money. My thoughts and prayers for the people tonight have been surrounded by this money. I have wondered if they are bound by their love for money. I have prayed that God would free them from that. If I could put a face on Treviso it would be Davide. I know his name because I overheard a friend say “Ciao David” as they were saying goodbye. I watched Davide a tall slender man with a firm jaw who was wearing dark jeans and a black shirt. I watched him walk away smiling and I prayed that he would know my Jesus. "
And then below you can find a link to around 30 pictures from our first day in Treviso. Also the second link is where you can see all of the links for the trips so far.
Treviso - Day One
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/prayersurvey-trip--/
Pictures from 2007 (including Verona pics from an earlier trip)
http://public.fotki.com/mcrosser/2007/
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Treviso - Day One
We made it to Treviso, and just checked into our hotel. At the train station we were already attracted to the cleanliness outside of the train station. Trees all in front of the train station and nice buildings. We only had a short walk to our hotel from the station. In a few minutes we will meet downstairs to go to dinner and explore the city center a little. Later, I will try to post some pictures.
Briefing and Prayer before the trip
Before going to the cities, we met at our house for debriefing, lunch and prayer with the Ancona team. And away we go.....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Dinner With Friends
So tonight after the survey team learned the language and observed the Italian phenomenon of "strolling" they learned how to cook an Italian meal and then we ate that meal with several of our Italian friends. Some of those friends are part of our church and some of the others are not. We had a blast with all of them, then some of us went out for gelato before turning in for the night.
It gave the survey team a chance to spend time with Italians on a deeper scale than we probably will as we go through four strange cities. This way they could start to fall in love with the Italian people and also have something to compare their other experiences with.
Here are some pictures from the dinner together, which Angie did a great job cooking with Heather's help as well as some survey team helpers in the kitchen. Tomorrow morning the team is meeting at our house where we have a full slate planned of briefing the trip together, breakfast, previewing the evalutions and observations for the prospective cities and then heading to the train station for our first city, Treviso. We ask that God protect us and guide us on our journey.
It gave the survey team a chance to spend time with Italians on a deeper scale than we probably will as we go through four strange cities. This way they could start to fall in love with the Italian people and also have something to compare their other experiences with.
Here are some pictures from the dinner together, which Angie did a great job cooking with Heather's help as well as some survey team helpers in the kitchen. Tomorrow morning the team is meeting at our house where we have a full slate planned of briefing the trip together, breakfast, previewing the evalutions and observations for the prospective cities and then heading to the train station for our first city, Treviso. We ask that God protect us and guide us on our journey.
Learning the Language
Before we go to the four cities, the team has to learn some language. Basic things like....
Thank you - Grazie
Your Welcome - Prego
Excuse me - Scusi (Scusa - with friends)
It's nothing - Di Niente
Allow me/Permit me - Permisso
Hello - Ciao
Good Morning - Buongiorno
Good Evening - Buonasera
Good Night - Buonanotte
The alphabet, numbers...
How much is it? - Quanto costa?
My name is... - Come mi chiamo...
What is your name? - Come ti chiami? (to young people)
What is your name? - Come si chiama? (to older people for respect)
What is his/her name? - Come si chiama?
Nice to meet you. - Piacere di conoscerti; or just - ciao; or just - piacere
Where is... - Dov'e'..... (point to map, etc....)
I don't know - Non lo so
I don't speak italiano - Non parlo italiano
Do you speak inglese? - Parli inglese? (informal) - Parla inglese? (formal)
Responses: yes - si; no - no; enough - abbastanza
I speak inglese - Io parlo inglese
I don't understand - non capisco; non ho capito
Here are a couple of pictures of their language time. Thanks to our friend, Emmanuela for teaching them...
Thank you - Grazie
Your Welcome - Prego
Excuse me - Scusi (Scusa - with friends)
It's nothing - Di Niente
Allow me/Permit me - Permisso
Hello - Ciao
Good Morning - Buongiorno
Good Evening - Buonasera
Good Night - Buonanotte
The alphabet, numbers...
How much is it? - Quanto costa?
My name is... - Come mi chiamo...
What is your name? - Come ti chiami? (to young people)
What is your name? - Come si chiama? (to older people for respect)
What is his/her name? - Come si chiama?
Nice to meet you. - Piacere di conoscerti; or just - ciao; or just - piacere
Where is... - Dov'e'..... (point to map, etc....)
I don't know - Non lo so
I don't speak italiano - Non parlo italiano
Do you speak inglese? - Parli inglese? (informal) - Parla inglese? (formal)
Responses: yes - si; no - no; enough - abbastanza
I speak inglese - Io parlo inglese
I don't understand - non capisco; non ho capito
Here are a couple of pictures of their language time. Thanks to our friend, Emmanuela for teaching them...
The Others Have Arrived.
Well, we picked up John and Ann Blackburn last night. Then today, I went and picked up Trudi Logan and Eric Derry. Trudi is from one of our supporting churches, Edmond Christian Church. Eric is the Vice President of Mobilization at our Home Office of Team Expansion. Today we will start slow and lookover the schedule, have a language class for the survey team and a dinner with them, our Ancona team and some of our Italian friends. Then retire for the night and get ready for the briefings and prayer in the morning, and then traveling in the afternoon.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Things Going Well Already
Tonight, we are expecting, John and Ann Blackburn to arrive. They will be going with us through the cities on the prayer journey. Since Charles Lawyer arrived earlier, things have gone great. He has gotten to see several of the outreach ministries that we host, mainly revolving around Kids' English Club. He has also been able to visit the Life Group that meets at our house, attended by Josh Furnal (team member) and a Romanian couple, Daniel and Simona. Others have come more sporadically. It will be beneficial as we seek to see how God plans to use us in a similar fashion in the new city. Keep praying and so will we.
Booklets for the Prayer/Survey Trip
So, I am still up and it's 5:40 AM. I stayed up finishing the booklets for the participants of the prayer and survey trip. Below is a picture of the booklets as I was putting them together. They consist of objectives, evaluations, a schedule, contact phone numbers, etc... I hope they help as we seek to discern God's will for the new city.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
New Team Expansion Global Podcast
The new Team Expansion Globalcast is out and the first one features the new church plant in Northern Italy. Jason Casey, team leader for the Go Ancona team, interviewed me regarding the new church plant. You can download it here, at www.thcrossers.com/gonorth/globalcast4-11-07.m4a. Or if you subscribe to podcasts regularly, I would recommend you subscribe to the Globalcast, that way you won't miss out on any of the featured ministries around the world. Go here to get information for subscribing to the new Globalcast.
Download our Prayer Guide
Hey if you want to pray with us through the cities this week, download our prayer guide. View it by clicking here, http://www.thecrossers.com/gonorth/gonorthprayerguide200704.pdf. If you want to download it right click the link above and choose to "save target as" and choose somewhere on your computer where you want to store it.
Prep Work For The Prayer and Survey Trip
So, we are getting closer to the Prayer and Survey trip through the four cities we are considering for the next church plant. I have been working on the schedule and accompanying resource booklet for the participants. I am including maps of each city's downtown area (the area usually most frequented by Italians), phone numbers for emergencies, survey questions, items to consider as we walk through each city, as well as places to journal and evaluations as we leave each city. After the trip we plan on compiling the information and sharing with prayer partners and supporting churches, so that we can pray together for the city in which we will be ministering next. I will close now, so that I can get further along on the materials I am preparing.
Friday, April 20, 2007
The First Arrival
Today, Angie and I picked up Charles Lawyer at the airport in Ancona. Charles is a representative from one of our supporting churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Go here to follow along in his blog at http://www.xanga.com/ima_cOoL_dad as he travels with us on the prayer and survey trip. Glad you could make it Charles! With Charles' arrival it makes it that much more real that the survey and prayer trip is here. We are several months into this new work and we have been looking forward to this trip so that we could find out God's leading. Now, we are just waiting on Trudi, Eric, John and Ann to arrive in the next few days and we will then take off on the four day adventure.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wonderings about the Prayer/Survey Trip
So in about a week, we will be heading to the first city on our four city stop. Several of us have been enlisting the prayers of hundreds of believers who will be following our itinerary and praying along as we go from city to city. At this point, I am a little anxious. Not in a bad way....I think. It is mainly an anxiety of not knowing how God will show us where to go. It's not that I doubt He will, it's how He will do it. And we have our eyes open enough to see it! In a couple of months I believe that we will know, now it is just a matter of patience, faith and obedience.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Prayer and Survey Trip
From April 25-29, we will be leading a prayer and survey trip through the four cities that we have been researching and praying over to be the site of the upcoming church plant. Here are some tools for praying with us as we go from city to city. Thanks for your prayers as we go forward with this project. Email us if you have any questions (or comment below). mcrosser@teamexpansion.org.
Friday, April 13, 2007
An Introduction
Hello, all!
I'm April Houk, a new Go North team member. I'm from New Braunfels, Texas. After graduating from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, I came to work in Port de Paix, Haiti, with Sonlight Ministries. Next school year will be my tenth year teaching 2nd Grade and working with our church and Bible college.
I'll be sharing my story soon through these blogs... and am excited to be a character in this story God is writing.
It's only beginning...
I'm April Houk, a new Go North team member. I'm from New Braunfels, Texas. After graduating from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, I came to work in Port de Paix, Haiti, with Sonlight Ministries. Next school year will be my tenth year teaching 2nd Grade and working with our church and Bible college.
I'll be sharing my story soon through these blogs... and am excited to be a character in this story God is writing.
It's only beginning...
Drumroll Please.......
We have been waiting to make an announcement for the right timing. Now is that time. Our first official team member is April Houk. April is currently a missionary in Haiti where she teaches adults and children English, as well as helps lead in the church there. She will, like us, be making a slow transition to the new team. April will be remaining with the ministry in Haiti for another school year ('07-'08). Then she'll come back to the states for preparation and then arrive on the field in Fall 2008.
I have invited April onto this blog to share from the beginning her journey as she transitions into this new ministry. Feel free to check out her blog, which can be found on the sidebar, under Team Blogs & Sites. Help me welcome April to her new team.
I have invited April onto this blog to share from the beginning her journey as she transitions into this new ministry. Feel free to check out her blog, which can be found on the sidebar, under Team Blogs & Sites. Help me welcome April to her new team.
Coming up.....
We are only about a week and a half away from a prayer and survey trip we will be taking to help determine what city God is calling our new team to. In the next few days I will post information about the prayer and survey trip, as well as some tools to help you join with us in praying.
Also, this marks the release of Team Expansion's first Global Podcast. Yours truly was the interviewee and Jason Casey (Leader for the Ancona team) was the interviewer. It is all about the new work that is underway. I hope to post it here soon for you to check out. Also, I will post the new feed for all the new Team Expansion podcasts.
I love technology and the interaction with supporters that it gives us missionaries.
Also, this marks the release of Team Expansion's first Global Podcast. Yours truly was the interviewee and Jason Casey (Leader for the Ancona team) was the interviewer. It is all about the new work that is underway. I hope to post it here soon for you to check out. Also, I will post the new feed for all the new Team Expansion podcasts.
I love technology and the interaction with supporters that it gives us missionaries.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Prospective City Pictures
There have been two trips taken to the city, Verona, which is one of the four prospective cities we are looking at for the new church plant. The first trip was an overnight trip on February 16, 2007 and you can find the pictures here. The second trip was about a month later on March 15th and you can find the pictures from that trip here. Thanks for praying for Verona and the other three cities, Parma, Treviso and Venezia-Mestre.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
First Team Member
We have our first team member. It is still in stages of discretion, so we can't yet announce who will be joining us. As soon as the information is public we will announce it here. Please be praying for this team member and the others to follow. Pray also, for the guidance of Team Expansion and wisdom from God for me as we make these weighty decisions.
History of Taking Christ To Italy
In 1996, Shively Christian Church and Team Expansion, (both in Louisville, Kentucky), joined forces to launch the Taking Christ to Italy PACE project. PACE is an acronym which stands for Pray, Activate, Commit and Enlist. Basically, the object of the PACE program at Team Expansion is to adopt an unreached people group for Christ and launch a plan to reach it. Shively Christian Church adopted the spiritual responsibility of Italy. Following the acronym for PACE, the local church is to pray for the project, activate a plan, commit to following through with the plan and enlist a team and the help of other local churches to make the plan happen.
The plan was bold, also simple in objectives, yet difficult in execution. First there would be a church plant in a Central Italian city. Then two more church plants, one in the North and one in the South. Throughout the church plants, there would be a leadership school developed which would help train Italians for ministry and initiate new works led by Italians.
In 1999, five couples formed the first team and started the early stages of fund raising. One couple, felt led to somewhere else as they were praying, which left four couples. These four couples, made it to the field between 2000 and 2001 in order to attend language school. These four couples were Jason & Heather Casey, Matt & Angie Crosser, Dan & Amy Cormode and Greg & Krista Milliser. At the end of 2001, the Millisers had left the field and a single man had joined the team and started support raising. The remaining three couples were finally in the first target city, Ancona. Phase One of the Taking Christ to Italy project had begun. By Summer 2002, the Cormodes had left the field. Marcus Van Dorn made it to the field in 2003. Over the years, there were many short term groups and interns. One couple and one single man which participated in these opportunities were called by God to join our team and arrived for language school in 2005. Brian & Heidi Rotert and Josh Furnal were these recruits. By Summer 2006, all five family units were living and ministering in Ancona. This is the history of the Go Ancona team.
In the Fall 2006, a spiritual wind was blowing. Several couples and single people had been feeling led to be missionaries in Italy and had contacted various people connected to Team Expansion. Jason Casey, team leader for the Go Ancona team and Eric Derry, Vice-President of Mobilization at Team Expansion, both started thinking that maybe it was time to start looking at the second phase of the Taking Christ to Italy project; launching a new team for the second church plant. In December 2006, a forum was created and interested individuals began to be invited to join in the discussion and dreaming that was happening. Out of these initial discussions several ideas surfaced and a potential leader for the new work emerged. After much prayer, conversations, evaluation and reflection I applied and was approved to be the team leader for the new Go North team.
Once we know what city to which we will be going, the name of our team will be changed from the temporary moniker "Go North" to "Go (city name)". We have been doing research and taken trips to consider potential cities. At the end of April, we will be leading a Survey/Prayer Trip with Eric Derry. Coming on this journey will be a couple representatives from some of our supporting churches, as well as some potential recruits. As we have information or pictures to share we will link them here. We desire your prayers as we seek out God's direction for this second phase of Taking Christ to Italy. We walk in faith to a new place which God has prepared for us. Join us in prayer, financial support and encouragement.
The plan was bold, also simple in objectives, yet difficult in execution. First there would be a church plant in a Central Italian city. Then two more church plants, one in the North and one in the South. Throughout the church plants, there would be a leadership school developed which would help train Italians for ministry and initiate new works led by Italians.
In 1999, five couples formed the first team and started the early stages of fund raising. One couple, felt led to somewhere else as they were praying, which left four couples. These four couples, made it to the field between 2000 and 2001 in order to attend language school. These four couples were Jason & Heather Casey, Matt & Angie Crosser, Dan & Amy Cormode and Greg & Krista Milliser. At the end of 2001, the Millisers had left the field and a single man had joined the team and started support raising. The remaining three couples were finally in the first target city, Ancona. Phase One of the Taking Christ to Italy project had begun. By Summer 2002, the Cormodes had left the field. Marcus Van Dorn made it to the field in 2003. Over the years, there were many short term groups and interns. One couple and one single man which participated in these opportunities were called by God to join our team and arrived for language school in 2005. Brian & Heidi Rotert and Josh Furnal were these recruits. By Summer 2006, all five family units were living and ministering in Ancona. This is the history of the Go Ancona team.
In the Fall 2006, a spiritual wind was blowing. Several couples and single people had been feeling led to be missionaries in Italy and had contacted various people connected to Team Expansion. Jason Casey, team leader for the Go Ancona team and Eric Derry, Vice-President of Mobilization at Team Expansion, both started thinking that maybe it was time to start looking at the second phase of the Taking Christ to Italy project; launching a new team for the second church plant. In December 2006, a forum was created and interested individuals began to be invited to join in the discussion and dreaming that was happening. Out of these initial discussions several ideas surfaced and a potential leader for the new work emerged. After much prayer, conversations, evaluation and reflection I applied and was approved to be the team leader for the new Go North team.
Once we know what city to which we will be going, the name of our team will be changed from the temporary moniker "Go North" to "Go (city name)". We have been doing research and taken trips to consider potential cities. At the end of April, we will be leading a Survey/Prayer Trip with Eric Derry. Coming on this journey will be a couple representatives from some of our supporting churches, as well as some potential recruits. As we have information or pictures to share we will link them here. We desire your prayers as we seek out God's direction for this second phase of Taking Christ to Italy. We walk in faith to a new place which God has prepared for us. Join us in prayer, financial support and encouragement.
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