Amy Hernandez's July 2018 Update
Missionary in Northern Italy
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B U O N G I O R N O !
I hope this newsletter finds all of you well and staying cool in the summer heat! This month has not only been the hottest (and most humid) for me but also the busiest so far. From the week of VBS in Ferrara- to a one-day conference in Rome- to a house-hunting trip in Torino- these past weeks have been very full, but wonderful in many ways.
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F E R R A R A
I'm happy to share that our VBS was a success! With the help of 2 teams that came from California and Florida, Calvary Ferrara hosted a free 5 day bible camp. We were able to share gospel truths, both in Italian and English, in a fun and creative way to 60 kids in this city! On the last day, we hosted a lunch for the parents to come and see what their kids had been learning. Many families were touched by all the effort and kindness shown through this camp, which was the message that Pastor Lorenzo wanted to give: love has a cost. There was great cost to redeem us to the Father but it was done because of God's love for us.
Please be praying for these kids and their families, as the gospel message reached many of these homes, and that God would continue using Pastor Lorenzo and Bethany, who minister here at Calvary Ferrara.
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R O M A
2 weeks and an official 1-year Visa later (woohoo!), I headed down to Calvary Chapel Frascati's annual "dieci ore insieme" or "10 hours together" conference. When David was asked to preach and Denae was asked to do worship, I decided to go with them to encourage and meet the church body.
The conference was at a local agriturismo, which was absolutely beautiful! Such a lovely place to spend meditating on the word of God and having fellowship with one another. I'm thankful I was able to experience this year's conference with these body of believers.
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I was also able to see Tessa and Luis, some friends I went to bible college with here in Italy! They were just dating when we were students together! They got married, moved down to Rome to serve at the church, and in just a few weeks they are expecting a baby girl.
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T O R I N O
Lastly, we headed down to Torino to find an apartment for Dave & Denae. Since we are planning on moving in October, they needed to find something now so they can prepare for the move. And not just to find anything- but a place that has enough space for bible studies, extra room to host guests, parking available, bus stop accessible, and the list goes on. I'm happy to share that they found a place that is everything and more than what they prayed for! This is so exciting and a HUGE answer to prayer, as well as a huge step of faith. For me, it was also very important that they find an apartment so I can find one close by! However, I won't be planning on getting an apartment until January 2019 (we officially move in October- Dave & Denae leave to America in November- then I will leave to America in December- we all return mid- January!)
I admit the whole idea of going to Torino has taken some time to get used to. It's terrifying stepping into something so new and that feels so foreign. In many ways, it doesn't feel like the Italy I know! I went to bible college in the small town of Montebelluna, and am currently living in Ferrara, which is a bit bigger. But Torino, being the 4th largest city in Italy and situated right on the border of France, is a completely new adventure for me. But time and time again, God makes it clear that this is what He is leading me into. And that is why I'm so excited! Because it has always been my desire to do God's will in Italy and the strength to complete it comes from Him.
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I got to meet some new friends, Davide Sforza and his fiance Marika, who live in Torino. They're a very sweet couple that love the Lord! I'm looking forward to making more friends once I officially move in October. :-)
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Isn't it amazing to see what God is doing throughout all of Italy?! I feel very blessed to be able to visit the believers and churches throughout this country.
Much of my ministry in these initial months has been encouragement to the believers. I love when Paul writes to the Romans that he desires to see them so "that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine" (1:12). I also love the Proverb that says, "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered" (11:25). Right now I see this as my ministry to Calvary Ferrara and all the believers in this general region in Italy that I've come to love so much. I'm looking ahead with excitement of my remaining 2 months here in Ferrara and excited about what's to come this Autumn. :-)
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