Mar-Apr 2002 (Year 3, Number 6)
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News
Tidbits
1. Leviticus??? Thank you for praying for the neighbor family we mentioned in our last newsletter. The father is taking some initiative in his spiritual search. Recently, he told us that he had begun reading the Bible on his own starting with Leviticus! He found it hard to read and gratefully accepted our suggestion to begin with the Gospel of John. He wants to have faith, he just wants it to make sense. Pray that God would continue to chase him and his family with amazing grace!
2. God is raising up a generation of youth leaders on our field! Youth Leader Training events were held recently in Portugal and France. We explored together creative ways to reach youth of this generation, and we discussed how to empower other youth leaders in our churches. We also enjoyed a great retreat together with the youth in Catania, Italy. We’re thankful for how we see God working through these young leaders!
3. Coming soon: The Intersection! We are making plans to open a youth center here in Palermo as a primary means of establishing relationships. This would be a place where youth could come to a safe, Christian environment to hang out, play games, and meet new friends. This would become our primary platform for witnessing among youth, for making disciples, and for establishing Christian community. This will be an intentional step toward starting a church community. This youth center will be called “L’Incrocio” (The Intersection), and the logo will be the image of “la croce” (The cross).
Several youth have shared with us that centers like this are needed in Palermo. The first person we mentioned this to said, "I would come immediately." Others have said they can’t wait for the center to open! Other possible ministries include offering English lessons, computer courses, discussion groups, and Bible studies. Pray that God would guide each step toward realizing this center for ministry, where many youth will encounter the cross!
4. We have begun offering English lessons in our home. So far, two university students are coming regularly, and there are several others who want to begin right away. Pray for this ministry opportunity and for the relationships we are building with young people!
5. A huge thank you to all who have responded to our request for Christian music CDs! We have had an overwhelming response, and we may have hundreds of CDs donated for each district on our field! This Christian music will go to Nazarene youth and also to non-Christian youth as a means of outreach. If you are interested in donating some Christian music, please contact us for more information.
Answers to Prayer
1. We have had many opportunities to spend time with new neighbors and friends: pizza with some university students, tea with an elderly lady, a Palermo soccer game with some youth, discussions with elderly gentlemen in a cafe, an evening out with a young couple from our building. These are not just random encounters – they are God-given opportunities! We want more than anything for God to touch hearts and transform lives. Pray that he would create a hunger in them that would draw them to respond to his love.
2. God continues to confirm the idea of starting a youth center to facilitate the various ministries that we have been praying about beginning in our neighborhood.
3. We are thankful that Jason Lipscomb was able to come from Croatia to spend a week with us here in Palermo. His interaction with our friends and neighbors opened new doors for ministry to them. We also enjoyed great times of prayer and mutual encouragement. Thanks Jason!
4. We are amazed by the interest people have shown in English lessons. We haven’t needed to advertise, because they keep coming to us!
5. God has watched over us and provided for us in uncountable ways – from good health to safe travel to the encouragement of friends and family. God’s presence is a constant reminder that he has brought us to this place and that he will supply all our needs!
Prayer Requests
1. Pray that Italian youth and young adults would hear God calling them to various ministries.
2. Pray that God will guide in our search for an available building to use as a youth center and that he will provide the necessary resources.
3. Pray for the four youth ministry teams coming to Catania and Palermo in the next three months: Olivet Nazarene University (May 6-20), Southern Nazarene University (May 20 - 31), Youth in Mission (June 11-July 24), Task Force - England (July 10-24). Pray also for Darlene, a student from European Nazarene College, who will minister with us during the month of July.
4. Pray for the Western Mediterranean Field Youth Council - Ernestina Pereira (Azores), Elio Joseph (France), Joel Mullen (Italy South), Ana Fontes (Portugal North), Claudia Luis (Portugal South), and Zulema Vargas (Spain).
5. Volunteers needed! Pray that God would call volunteers to come and minister with us in Palermo. We need people willing to spend time with youth and build relationships with them. We need some who can teach English, computer, or other courses. We need others who can “staff” the youth center and organize various ministries.
Miscellaneous Notes
1. If you or someone you know might be interested in coming to Palermo as a volunteer, please let us know! We would be glad to talk with you about the possibilities.
2. We hadn’t realized that the time change in Italy was supposed to happen on Easter Sunday, and it never crossed our minds until someone mentioned it at 9pm that night. This helped explain several of the odd and crazy things that happened to us through the day because it was an hour later than we thought!
3. It takes about three and a half hours to drive across the entire island of Sicily from east to west.
4. Send us the email of someone you know who would like to receive Sicilian Sketches. We want to increase the number of people praying for Palermo! Email us as well if you wish to be added to or removed from this newsletter list.
5. When you eat pizza or pasta, pray for the people of Palermo!
Joel and Sara Mullen
Via S. Aldisio, 47
90146 Palermo, Italy
Phone: (39) 091.521635
Email: jsmullen@interfree.it
1. Leviticus??? Thank you for praying for the neighbor family we mentioned in our last newsletter. The father is taking some initiative in his spiritual search. Recently, he told us that he had begun reading the Bible on his own starting with Leviticus! He found it hard to read and gratefully accepted our suggestion to begin with the Gospel of John. He wants to have faith, he just wants it to make sense. Pray that God would continue to chase him and his family with amazing grace!
2. God is raising up a generation of youth leaders on our field! Youth Leader Training events were held recently in Portugal and France. We explored together creative ways to reach youth of this generation, and we discussed how to empower other youth leaders in our churches. We also enjoyed a great retreat together with the youth in Catania, Italy. We’re thankful for how we see God working through these young leaders!
3. Coming soon: The Intersection! We are making plans to open a youth center here in Palermo as a primary means of establishing relationships. This would be a place where youth could come to a safe, Christian environment to hang out, play games, and meet new friends. This would become our primary platform for witnessing among youth, for making disciples, and for establishing Christian community. This will be an intentional step toward starting a church community. This youth center will be called “L’Incrocio” (The Intersection), and the logo will be the image of “la croce” (The cross).
Several youth have shared with us that centers like this are needed in Palermo. The first person we mentioned this to said, "I would come immediately." Others have said they can’t wait for the center to open! Other possible ministries include offering English lessons, computer courses, discussion groups, and Bible studies. Pray that God would guide each step toward realizing this center for ministry, where many youth will encounter the cross!
4. We have begun offering English lessons in our home. So far, two university students are coming regularly, and there are several others who want to begin right away. Pray for this ministry opportunity and for the relationships we are building with young people!
5. A huge thank you to all who have responded to our request for Christian music CDs! We have had an overwhelming response, and we may have hundreds of CDs donated for each district on our field! This Christian music will go to Nazarene youth and also to non-Christian youth as a means of outreach. If you are interested in donating some Christian music, please contact us for more information.
Answers to Prayer
1. We have had many opportunities to spend time with new neighbors and friends: pizza with some university students, tea with an elderly lady, a Palermo soccer game with some youth, discussions with elderly gentlemen in a cafe, an evening out with a young couple from our building. These are not just random encounters – they are God-given opportunities! We want more than anything for God to touch hearts and transform lives. Pray that he would create a hunger in them that would draw them to respond to his love.
2. God continues to confirm the idea of starting a youth center to facilitate the various ministries that we have been praying about beginning in our neighborhood.
3. We are thankful that Jason Lipscomb was able to come from Croatia to spend a week with us here in Palermo. His interaction with our friends and neighbors opened new doors for ministry to them. We also enjoyed great times of prayer and mutual encouragement. Thanks Jason!
4. We are amazed by the interest people have shown in English lessons. We haven’t needed to advertise, because they keep coming to us!
5. God has watched over us and provided for us in uncountable ways – from good health to safe travel to the encouragement of friends and family. God’s presence is a constant reminder that he has brought us to this place and that he will supply all our needs!
Prayer Requests
1. Pray that Italian youth and young adults would hear God calling them to various ministries.
2. Pray that God will guide in our search for an available building to use as a youth center and that he will provide the necessary resources.
3. Pray for the four youth ministry teams coming to Catania and Palermo in the next three months: Olivet Nazarene University (May 6-20), Southern Nazarene University (May 20 - 31), Youth in Mission (June 11-July 24), Task Force - England (July 10-24). Pray also for Darlene, a student from European Nazarene College, who will minister with us during the month of July.
4. Pray for the Western Mediterranean Field Youth Council - Ernestina Pereira (Azores), Elio Joseph (France), Joel Mullen (Italy South), Ana Fontes (Portugal North), Claudia Luis (Portugal South), and Zulema Vargas (Spain).
5. Volunteers needed! Pray that God would call volunteers to come and minister with us in Palermo. We need people willing to spend time with youth and build relationships with them. We need some who can teach English, computer, or other courses. We need others who can “staff” the youth center and organize various ministries.
Miscellaneous Notes
1. If you or someone you know might be interested in coming to Palermo as a volunteer, please let us know! We would be glad to talk with you about the possibilities.
2. We hadn’t realized that the time change in Italy was supposed to happen on Easter Sunday, and it never crossed our minds until someone mentioned it at 9pm that night. This helped explain several of the odd and crazy things that happened to us through the day because it was an hour later than we thought!
3. It takes about three and a half hours to drive across the entire island of Sicily from east to west.
4. Send us the email of someone you know who would like to receive Sicilian Sketches. We want to increase the number of people praying for Palermo! Email us as well if you wish to be added to or removed from this newsletter list.
5. When you eat pizza or pasta, pray for the people of Palermo!
Joel and Sara Mullen
Via S. Aldisio, 47
90146 Palermo, Italy
Phone: (39) 091.521635
Email: jsmullen@interfree.it
Posted: Tue - April 30, 2002 at 11:21 PM
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