Nov-Dec 2003 (Year 5, Number 2)


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Ciao everyone. . .Happy 2004! We know you have probably been bombarded with Christmas email newsletters, so we will keep this one short. We just wanted to give you a quick update and let you know how you can continue praying for Palermo.


News Tidbits
1. Overall, we have had lots of ups and downs in the last two months. It seems like every time there’s a step forward, there’s another step backwards or sideways. The forward momentum among the youth from earlier in the fall has slowed down some during university exams and crazy holiday schedules. But, in it’s place, we have had increased interaction with several adults and neighbor families, some of whom we have just met. God is still bringing people to L’Incrocio (The Intersection)!
See many new L’Incrocio photos:
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/incrocio/PhotoAlbum75.html
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/incrocio/PhotoAlbum76.html

2. Once again, Christmas was a special time for us. We enjoyed good food, good friends, “warm” weather, gifts from home, a L’Incrocio Christmas party, a meal with neighbors, a church Christmas program in Catania, and opportunities to reflect on God’s gift to us in Christ. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, notes, and gifts to us. We appreciate your love and support!

3. We are preparing for some major changes in our missionary assignment. On 01 April 2004, we will become Field Directors for Southeastern Europe (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania). This was an unexpected change for us, yet we have sensed God’s guidance. We will share more soon about these future adjustments and opportunities. Please pray for us and the various ministries here in Palermo during this time of transition.


Answers to Prayer
1. Chris and Anndee have successfully received their residence papers although they were valid for only a short time. We have already resubmitted their documents for renewal. Although this is a challenging and lengthy process, we are thankful that it has gone very smoothly so far. Pray that a longer stay will be granted to them.

2. It was quite an adventure preparing two separate “Thanksgiving” meals at the end of November. The meals were a success, and we had over 25 people come to celebrate with us. It was also an opportunity for us to share what it means to be truly thankful to God for his love and provision.

3. Thank you for praying for people here by name. In the last two months, we have had numerous encounters and significant discussions with the friends and neighbors whom you have been praying for. Keep praying for breakthroughs!


Prayer Requests
1. Pray for Chris and Anndee who are serving with us here in Palermo. They are doing a wonderful job, and their involvement has become priceless to us. Pray for their continued adjustment to life in Palermo, for language acquisition, and for their ever-increasing responsibilities at L’Incrocio.

2. Pray for some of our adult friends who are showing signs of openness: Francesco, Aurora, Maria Rita, Beppe, Antonella, Salvatore and Francesca.

3. We will be returning to the US in February for global missionary training and interviews with the General Board in Kansas City. Pray for us during this time of travel and training that God might continue to affirm his calling and direction in our lives. Pray also for Chris and Anndee as they will continue the activities and ministries of L’Incrocio in our absence.


Miscellaneous
1. We are renewing a drive to collect and distribute donated Christian CDs across Europe and Asia. You probably have some good Christian music that you haven’t listened to lately! Why not give it away to someone who has none? If you’re interested, email us, and we’ll send you more information and guidelines.
For information on the CD Project, email us at: <cdproject@softhome.net>

2. An archive of all of our past newsletters (Sicilian Sketches) is now available on our website. We will soon be making other “upgrades” to our website, adding other features to give you more glimpses into life and ministry here in Palermo. Stay tuned!
See archive of Sicilian Sketches:
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/iblog

3. What is Epiphany? In Italy, the Christmas season ends with the holiday of the Epiphany celebrated on 6 January. Traditionally, this day commemerates the visit of the wise men and the giving of gifts to the Christ child.


Don’t forget the equation. . .Pizza + Pasta = Pray for Palermo


Che Dio vi benedica,
Joel and Sara Mullen

E-mail: jsmullen@interfree.it
Website: http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen (New photos added January 2004!)


Links directly to specific pages on our website:

1. L’Incrocio Youth Center (New)
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/incrocio/PhotoAlbum76.html
2. Palermo Friends (New)
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/incrocio/PhotoAlbum75.html
3. Newsletter Archive (New)
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/iblog
4. L’Incrocio Photos from 2003
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/incrocio2003/PhotoAlbum69.html
5. West Med Youth Council
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/westmednyi/PhotoAlbum55.html
6. West Med Youth Congress
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/congress/PhotoAlbum53.html
7. West Med College Students
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/westmednyi/PhotoAlbum60.html
8. Quizzing
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/quizzing/PhotoAlbum49.html
9. Joel and Sara
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/people/PhotoAlbum3.html
10. Palermo Sites
http://homepage.mac.com/joelmullen/places/PhotoAlbum19.html

Posted: Fri - January 9, 2004 at 03:15 PM      

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