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PRAYER UPDATES
Posted: December 25, 2009
Dear Prayer Warriors,
We apologize that it has been so long since you heard from us. Thanks for your prayers for my recovery. I praise the Lord that I am actually doing very well. I have preached several times at the church, and although I tire in the afternoon and evening, I am thankful to be back in the swing of things.
In the end of November we were blessed to have with us the third work group from Summit Baptist Bible Church in Clarks Summit, PA to help us with our church building renovation. God has accomplished many wonderful things in our church during the last year of work. Don't worry, if you haven't gotten in on the action yet there is still much to be done before our projected inauguration in mid-June (the 34th anniversary of when we first opened a small hall for services of the Centro Evangelico Battista).
Right now we are enjoying the visit of
Daniel, Elizabeth, and Cristina. We praise the Lord that Rachel, Elizabeth, and I were able to turn in all the necessary documents for our residency applications, and we are anticipating the renewal of our permits to live and minister in Italy. Daniel is getting much work done in the radio, and we sincerely pray that the Lord will soon send in the 30% of their support that is still lacking. Because of the weakened dollar against the EURO they recently had to re-evaluate their support level. That means more months of contacting churches and presenting the ministry with the prayer that God will soon touch the hearts of more partners in ministry, so that they can return permanently to the land of their calling. God knows how badly we need them right now. If your church would like to hear a first-class presentation of the exciting work that God is doing in Italy right now, please contact them through their website, whitmanransom.com, or you can call them at (570) 351-2075.
Rachel and I would like to take this opportunity to assure you of our prayers for a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year in the service of our Savior. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial sacrifice for the ministry here in Italy. We couldn't make it without you! We are enjoying a very fruitful season of ministry. This past Sunday there were 146 in church for our Christmas program (see picture above), many of whom were unsaved and first-time visitors. After many years of sowing we are starting to see a great harvest. We are grateful to the Lord that you have been a part of this ministry for so long (Phil. 4:18). May He grant us many more years to work together for His glory.
In closing I want to leave you with a short article I recently wrote explaining how Christmas is celebrated in Italy. I trust you enjoy it.
Yours for Christ in Italy,
Fred and Rachel Whitman
bmmitaly.com
Christmas Traditions in Italy
The Christmas season begins in Italy with the festival of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on Dec. 8.
Over the years we've seen that Italians decorate the streets, use Christmas trees, and exchange gifts much more than they did when we first arrived in Italy in 1973.
On Christmas Eve Italian families typically eat a meal of mostly fish, and then they attend the midnight mass, after which baby Jesus is very ceremoniously placed in the empty manger of their Nativity scene. Each family builds a Nativity scene, either in their home or on their balcony, whether or not they decorate a Christmas tree.
On December 25 the Christmas dinner is a family event, complete with home-made tortellini, lasagna made of artichoke stalks, and a selection of roasted meats, usually including lamb. The Italians have a saying, which literally interpreted says, "Christmas with your own (family), Easter with whoever you want."
December 26 is also a feast day in honor of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Many take a week's vacation in the mountains for skiing between Christmas and New Year's.
On New Year's Eve once again Italians come together, either with their family or a group of friends, for a large meal, consisting of many courses. If they can afford it, some will eat this very elaborate meal in a restaurant, paying upwards to $100 per person!
Panettone (large sweet cake with raisins and candied fruit in it), as well as Pandoro (a large, high star-shaped cake with powdered sugar sprinkled on top) are two of the desserts that are often served in the holiday season.
On January 7 the Italians celebrate the arrival of the kings to worship the Christ child and the Christmas season officially ends at this time. This day is also called the "Befana" for a friendly witch who brings gifts to the children that they find in their stockings. If they have been good they will find candy. If not they will find coal. For more information you can Google "Italian Christmas Traditions".
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Right now we are enjoying the visit of
Rachel and I would like to take this opportunity to assure you of our prayers for a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year in the service of our Savior. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial sacrifice for the ministry here in Italy. We couldn't make it without you! We are enjoying a very fruitful season of ministry. This past Sunday there were 146 in church for our Christmas program (see picture above), many of whom were unsaved and first-time visitors. After many years of sowing we are starting to see a great harvest. We are grateful to the Lord that you have been a part of this ministry for so long (Phil. 4:18). May He grant us many more years to work together for His glory.
On Christmas Eve Italian families typically eat a meal of mostly fish, and then they attend the midnight mass, after which baby Jesus is very ceremoniously placed in the empty manger of their Nativity scene. Each family builds a Nativity scene, either in their home or on their balcony, whether or not they decorate a Christmas tree.
