Missions: Rome
Returning to Rome in 2011, we were blessed by God to see fruit from our 2010 trip. And not only did we see fruit, but he allowed us to see this year's campers grow before our eyes!
Last summer, a young lady who had not led worship before attended camp and began developing her gifts. This summer, she was commissioned by the local missionaries to serve as a worship leader in a new church in France.
We asked Clarissa, one of last year's students, to be part of this year's worship team. For several months, we prepared together via Skype, email and Facebook. (Oh the joys of technology!) Since Rome is 6 hours ahead of us, she even stayed up all night to attend our Pack-and-Pray party night via Skype! Clarissa translated many of our choruses into Italian, allowing campers to worship in their own language. Leading on the worship team was a big stretch for Clarissa, but she stepped up to the challenge, encouraged that we believed in her. We will continue to equip her to be a leader for the youth in Rome so she can encourage and equip others.
You may remember past newsletters where we have talked about the spiritual darkness in Europe, particularly in Italy, a European center for witchcraft. So we have prayed this year for students to come who don't know about the love of Jesus. Since the camp is in a church, we wondered if that would discourage them. But there were several campers who were not church-goers who came, eager to learn music. Our team loved them and encouraged them in their musical gifts, inviting them to hang out with us evenings and on our days off. They heard the Gospel both at camp and when we shared the Good News in the piazzas. Will you join us in praying for these students, that they will give their lives to Christ?
A Special Event in Rome
We spent an evening at a dinner party hosted by Peppo and Jane, our host missionaries in Rome. Their honored guests were influential community members-a politician, a film producer, an architect, a Vatican functionary and others. Our team was able to serve them as they dined and then provided "entertainment." A couple team members had written a rap song that they performed not just once but a second time at the guests' request. Wanting to understand the song, the guests asked for the words, words that tell of God's greatness and what he has in store for those who believe. Peppo shared the Gospel after dinner, inviting his guests to receive the gift of salvation. Two people prayed to receive Christ as their Savior and a third was very interested. What an impact these people could have on their entire city!
Certainly our love for and faith in God has increased because of what we witnessed in Rome. We've been given an open door for future music camps at this same location and are already planning for June 18-22, 2012. Will you pray with us for God's leading and direction?
