Mar-Apr 2003 (Year 4, Number 4)
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“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among
those who are being saved and those who are
perishing.”
2 Corinthians 2:15
News Tidbits
1. Johanna and Sarah have arrived! These volunteers arrived the first week of April and had a 3-week crash course in survival and ministry in Palermo before we left for our home assignment in the US. They are continuing various “L’Incrocio” ministries and building relationships during our 3 month absence. They have already reported positive interactions and conversations. God is using them as vibrant Christian witnesses in Palermo!
2. Chris and Anndee Stringer will begin a year of volunteer ministry in Palermo this September. They will be helping with the various ministries of L’Incrocio as well as helping expand our network of relationships with youth and university students. We are already very excited about their arrival, and we know that God has called the perfect couple. Their talents and gifts are a dynamic addition to ministry in Palermo. Thank you Chris and Anndee for your availability and willingness to serve!
3. There has been so much progress in Palermo in the last couple months that it was very difficult to leave. Many of the young people have been asking significant spiritual questions, showing a hunger for God, and wanting to talk with us more. Those are all signs that God is at work in life-changing ways. Keep praying for these young people who are looking for something that makes sense!
4. A huge thank you to the youth team from Southern Nazarene University who came in March. They contributed to ministry in Palermo through prayer, contact ministry (building relationships), and teaching English. God used specific conversations between this group and our friends to make a significant impact! They also helped us paint our guest room and hallway to make it more inviting as a youth center.
5. We also enjoyed a visit from Jason, Nate, Brian, Brandon who are serving in Slovenia and Croatia. They spent valuable time in Palermo interacting with our neighbors and friends. God used them to continue to communicate Christ through Christian example and through the activities of L’Incrocio. We also had the opportunity to share ideas for ministry and encourage one another. God blessed our time together!
Answers to Prayer
1. God has answered your prayers for volunteers! We are still thankful for the way God provided Sarah and Johanna to volunteer this summer during our home assignment in the US. We are also thrilled that Chris and Anndee will be joining us this fall. God is perfectly providing in his timing!
2. We enjoyed sharing with the British Isles North district during their missions convention in Scotland in March. They have expressed enormous support for L’Incrocio through prayer and giving. Thank you to the district for the special offering which will be used to purchase computers and resources for the youth center. We appreciate so much their encouragement and their partnership in ministry in Palermo.
3. One of our English students received an English Bible as a gift from the SNU team in March, and this Bible has become very special to him. He has brought it to our home several times and said, “Let’s talk more about the Bible!” Pray that God would continue to speak to him through the words of Scripture throughout this summer.
4. One of our neighbors who is an atheist told us a couple weeks ago that he prays every night to see the light! Through various discussions with us he has been intrigued by Christian faith and attracted to the joy he sees in us. He is spiritually hungry and he knows that something is missing in his heart. Pray that the light of Christ would illuminate his path. God is faithful to respond to those who seek him!
5. We arrived safely back in the US for our 3-month home assignment on April 23rd. We are enjoying time with family and sharing in churches about what God is doing in Palermo.
Prayer Requests
1. Pray for Johanna and Sarah as they minister in Palermo this summer. Pray for their safety, for possible times of loneliness and challenge, and that God would provide for their financial needs.
2. Pray for Chris and Anndee as they make preparations for coming to Palermo in September. Pray that the process of applying for visas and residence papers would go smoothly. Pray also that God would provide for them financially and prepare them spiritually.
3. Pray for spiritual renewal and rest for us while we are traveling on deputation. Pray that God would use us to encourage and inspire others in the area of missions.
4. Pray for the Field Youth Congress in Guadalajara, Spain from August 20-25. Pray specifically that God would call many youth to ministry in Southern Europe.
5. Some of our friends in Palermo that we have known for at least 6-12 months are now beginning to be challenged by some of the seeds planted in their hearts. They've had lots of time to consider and reflect on some of the things we have said or some of the things they have seen in our lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue speaking to them and challenging them to change!
Miscellaneous Notes
1. About 80% of the youth we are currently interacting with in Palermo are university students (ages 19-28).
2. You can find photos of Johanna and Sarah’s ministry in Palermo: <homepage.mac.com/johannahamilton>.
3. If you feel God leading you to intercede specifically and daily for the people of Palermo, send us an email asking to join “PPP.” As a Palermo Prayer Partner, you would receive more detailed prayer requests and answers to prayer by email a couple times a month.
4. If you would like more details about dates and times for our speaking schedule during our home assignment this summer, we would be glad to email them to you.
5. Pizza + Pasta = Pray for Palermo
Joel and Sara Mullen
Email: jsmullen@interfree.it
Website: homepage.mac.com/joelmullen
2 Corinthians 2:15
News Tidbits
1. Johanna and Sarah have arrived! These volunteers arrived the first week of April and had a 3-week crash course in survival and ministry in Palermo before we left for our home assignment in the US. They are continuing various “L’Incrocio” ministries and building relationships during our 3 month absence. They have already reported positive interactions and conversations. God is using them as vibrant Christian witnesses in Palermo!
2. Chris and Anndee Stringer will begin a year of volunteer ministry in Palermo this September. They will be helping with the various ministries of L’Incrocio as well as helping expand our network of relationships with youth and university students. We are already very excited about their arrival, and we know that God has called the perfect couple. Their talents and gifts are a dynamic addition to ministry in Palermo. Thank you Chris and Anndee for your availability and willingness to serve!
3. There has been so much progress in Palermo in the last couple months that it was very difficult to leave. Many of the young people have been asking significant spiritual questions, showing a hunger for God, and wanting to talk with us more. Those are all signs that God is at work in life-changing ways. Keep praying for these young people who are looking for something that makes sense!
4. A huge thank you to the youth team from Southern Nazarene University who came in March. They contributed to ministry in Palermo through prayer, contact ministry (building relationships), and teaching English. God used specific conversations between this group and our friends to make a significant impact! They also helped us paint our guest room and hallway to make it more inviting as a youth center.
5. We also enjoyed a visit from Jason, Nate, Brian, Brandon who are serving in Slovenia and Croatia. They spent valuable time in Palermo interacting with our neighbors and friends. God used them to continue to communicate Christ through Christian example and through the activities of L’Incrocio. We also had the opportunity to share ideas for ministry and encourage one another. God blessed our time together!
Answers to Prayer
1. God has answered your prayers for volunteers! We are still thankful for the way God provided Sarah and Johanna to volunteer this summer during our home assignment in the US. We are also thrilled that Chris and Anndee will be joining us this fall. God is perfectly providing in his timing!
2. We enjoyed sharing with the British Isles North district during their missions convention in Scotland in March. They have expressed enormous support for L’Incrocio through prayer and giving. Thank you to the district for the special offering which will be used to purchase computers and resources for the youth center. We appreciate so much their encouragement and their partnership in ministry in Palermo.
3. One of our English students received an English Bible as a gift from the SNU team in March, and this Bible has become very special to him. He has brought it to our home several times and said, “Let’s talk more about the Bible!” Pray that God would continue to speak to him through the words of Scripture throughout this summer.
4. One of our neighbors who is an atheist told us a couple weeks ago that he prays every night to see the light! Through various discussions with us he has been intrigued by Christian faith and attracted to the joy he sees in us. He is spiritually hungry and he knows that something is missing in his heart. Pray that the light of Christ would illuminate his path. God is faithful to respond to those who seek him!
5. We arrived safely back in the US for our 3-month home assignment on April 23rd. We are enjoying time with family and sharing in churches about what God is doing in Palermo.
Prayer Requests
1. Pray for Johanna and Sarah as they minister in Palermo this summer. Pray for their safety, for possible times of loneliness and challenge, and that God would provide for their financial needs.
2. Pray for Chris and Anndee as they make preparations for coming to Palermo in September. Pray that the process of applying for visas and residence papers would go smoothly. Pray also that God would provide for them financially and prepare them spiritually.
3. Pray for spiritual renewal and rest for us while we are traveling on deputation. Pray that God would use us to encourage and inspire others in the area of missions.
4. Pray for the Field Youth Congress in Guadalajara, Spain from August 20-25. Pray specifically that God would call many youth to ministry in Southern Europe.
5. Some of our friends in Palermo that we have known for at least 6-12 months are now beginning to be challenged by some of the seeds planted in their hearts. They've had lots of time to consider and reflect on some of the things we have said or some of the things they have seen in our lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue speaking to them and challenging them to change!
Miscellaneous Notes
1. About 80% of the youth we are currently interacting with in Palermo are university students (ages 19-28).
2. You can find photos of Johanna and Sarah’s ministry in Palermo: <homepage.mac.com/johannahamilton>.
3. If you feel God leading you to intercede specifically and daily for the people of Palermo, send us an email asking to join “PPP.” As a Palermo Prayer Partner, you would receive more detailed prayer requests and answers to prayer by email a couple times a month.
4. If you would like more details about dates and times for our speaking schedule during our home assignment this summer, we would be glad to email them to you.
5. Pizza + Pasta = Pray for Palermo
Joel and Sara Mullen
Email: jsmullen@interfree.it
Website: homepage.mac.com/joelmullen
Posted: Sat - May 3, 2003 at 11:18 PM
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