Trieste Update

January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T11:21:00.004+01:00

Dear friends and family,

Happy New Year to all! Our church in Trieste greets all of you and we are all very thankful foryour prayers, support, and advice for us this last year. I read this morning :

Philippians 1:3-5 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

How true this is that we love the fact that we are partners together in the gospel. It causes us torejoice.

Some praises and prayer requests:
1) Lyme's disease: I am thankful for that tick that passed on this bacteria to me as my latestresults show that though I recently picked up the disease at the end of the summer, they alsoshow that it is not the first time that I have picked up the bacteria. I have had the disease foryears probably and I did not even know it. Now that I know it I get regular checkups to makesure things are OK.

2) Andrea (the son of a member in our church) has finished his chemotherapy. He will bechecked out soon to see if they find any more traces of the tumor. Please continue top pray forhim and his salvation.

3) We are meeting soon as leaders of the church to try to establish a plan for our ministries. Wecontinually struggle (like most I am sure) about wanting to do a ton for the Lord but strugglingto find balance in all our commitments. We really need your prayer in this.

Thanks again for all your "partnership" !

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe, and Stefano

November 6th 2011

2011-11-06T18:22:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

Greetings to all. We had a great month in October as we celebrated our youngest son's, Stefano's, first birthday. I also found out this last month that I am officially diagnosed with Lyme's disease. It seems a neighborhood tick has gotten the best of me, but thanks to its VERY identifiable bulls-eye rash, I caught it early and have already finished a 3 week treatment of it. I have an appointment in December to check to make sure things are progressing fine, but all seems under control:)

The conference that Elio and I went to was great and we will be using this material to try to improve our small group studies (both with the adults and with the youth). Andrea seems to be doing fine in his chemotherapy but we ask for your continued prayers for he and his family.

We have been asking prayer for a very close contact named Lorenza. Barbara is doing a weekly Bible study with her and she is very excited about salvation in Christ though she is working through some big questions. Please continue to pray for her.

We had another packed house at our service this morning so we are beginning to pray and look for a new larger location to meet. Our rent were we are is very low, so it will take some time and prayer to see were next to move to. We thank you much for your prayers and support and we too are praying for you all as we colabor for Him.

Praise:
1) Conference
2) Lyme disease situation
3) Growing attendance
4) Andrea's attitude
5) One year of life for baby Stefano

Pray for:
1) Preparation for our small groups
2) New church location
3) Andrea and his family
4) Lorenza

Together for the gospel,
Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe, and Stefano

September 25th, 2011

2011-09-25T19:45:00.004+02:00

From August 11, 2011

Dear friends and family,

We are busy with all the new activities that begin with the new school year. In our services we are half way through a 12 week series on Jesus in the Old Testament. We looked this morning at Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel and the Psalms.

Next week Elio and I will be attending a training about leading small groups. Please pray that we would have great fellowship together and learn practical ways to lead studies in our homes.

Also we would ask that you would keep praying for Andrea who is in the middle of his chemotherapy.

Pray for:
Conference with Elio
Andrea

Together for His gospel,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe and Stefano

From August 11, 2011

September 18th, 2011

2011-09-18T21:41:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

Please continue to pray for Andrea (a 15 year old boy who has just started taking chemo). He is having a hard time eating now but he is in mostly good spirits. Please pray for his salvation and his family.

Also keep praying for our scheduling for this year. We have a ton of great ideas but a lot less time so we are praying that we do a few things really well. Our question is which of the dozen things we want to do each week will be the best for His glory.

The women in our church are organizing an event to join the women from 2 other churches together. Please pray for them as well.

Pray for:
1) Andrea
2) Our schedule
3) Women's event

In Christ,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe, and Stefano

September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T22:06:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We are excited to be back in Trieste and ready to get to our normal routine. I am taking a pause in our studies in the gospel of Luke to look at how Christ has appeared on the pages of Scripture from the beginning. we are also praying for our program for this year and are thankful for you praying for us as well.

We had some difficult news as a church. A young teenager (15) Andrea who is not a believer but has been with our church for 7 years, has been diagnosed with Lymphnodal cancer. He will be starting chemotheropy on wednesday. Please pray for him and his family in this difficult time.

Finally, please also pray for our children that begin school tomorrow. We are very thankful for all of you and are praying for you all as well.

Please pray for:
1) Andrea and his family
2) Our church programs for this year
3) Our kids as they start school

Sincerely,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe and Stefano

April 3rd, 2011

2011-04-03T16:28:00.003+02:00

Dear friends and family,

Sorry for the super long delay in my communication. We moved into our new apartment at the end of January and we are thankful that we are just about all set up. We have it all painted, the bathrooms redone, and have signed all our papers. Our new address is :

Via San Mauro 16
34151 Trieste Italy

Our phone number is still : +39 040 300 534

We also are getting used to having three kids. Stefano has proved to be an easy child but we still feel "older" this time. I will attach some recent pics of him. He is still huge!!

Ministry is going well but we do have some hurdles in front of us. Thank you all for your prayers in these days. We will be finishing before Easter our study of Joshua and then will begin the gospel of Luke.

Pray for us also as we are trying to create a wise "strategy" to reach out into this community.

Thanks for all!

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe and Stefano

December 5th, 2010

2010-12-05T17:40:00.002+01:00

From 2010-11-21 November 21 2010

Dear friends and family,

We have good news about our house situation. This last month a family made an offer on our house that was just under what we asked for! They put a down payment on it and sent me an email tonight that their bank has approved their loan....so...it looks like we will be moving into our new apartment before the end of the year which is a real answer to our prayers.

Please pray for our family also as we are juggling all of our family, church, work responsibilities as well as the tasks (painting, boxing, taking apart, putting back together...)to make a move into the new apartment.

Please pray for our church this Christmas season as we often have a greater chance to talk with people about the good news. We want to use this season wisely.

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe, and Stefano

November 21 2010

2010-11-21T18:26:00.003+01:00

From 2010-11-21 November 21 2010

Dear friends and family,

Thanks for all your prayers this past month. We are getting used to having three in the house. I am thankful that God has given me 4 limbs: 2 kids in each arm, the other on a leg, and the other leg to stand with...I don't know how all you with 4 or more kids can stay standing?!

Stefano has been growing and is very healthy. He is pretty simple (or we are just growing numb to crying babies) and have been enjoying his first month.

Please pray specifically for our church as this last month has been a time of trial with some issues that we are going through. Things seem to be getting better and better but we really need your prayers.

Also pray for our youth. We have a middle/high school group of 6 now and they are looking at the person of Christ in Sunday school. Please pray for Elio as he leads that group.

Also pray for Gabriel, Elio and Nicoletta's second born son that was born a few weeks before Stefano. He has a problem with a tear duct as well as a minor issue with a hernia. Both will most likely need to be operated on in the next few months.

Thanks for all your support and prayers,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe, and Stefano

From 2010-11-21 November 21 2010

October 10, 2010

2010-10-10T20:02:00.002+02:00

From 2010-10-10 October 10 2010

Dear friends and family,

We are still waiting for "junior" to come the due date is really getting close...this Friday. Please pray for us as we prepare for this new arrival.

We also have some good news as Elio and Nicoletta had their second son last week, Gabriel, and all went well. Elio and Nicoletta, for those who do not know them, are a very solid young couple in our church. They organized the gospel workshop this summer.

Thank you for your prayers as I also passed my motorcycle test on Thursday! This was a huge answer to prayer as this makes things a lot simpler and I can use the scooter to take Simone to school...Fonzy style:)

Please pray for us as we also are still trying to sell our appartment. We have some visits on Tuesday.

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

September 30, 2010

2010-09-30T21:30:00.003+02:00

From Italy 2010

Dear friends and family,

I apologize for the lack of communication this last month. We have had quite an exciting last month. First, we passed out around 2000 Gospels of John inviting people to come to a 4 week Bible study based on the theme "Who is Jesus" according to the gospel. We have one more study next Tuesday so please pray for more people to attend this last meeting.

Second, we are about two weeks away from our due date for our third child. Barbara is also the maid of honor at a wedding on Sunday and wee need to travel to Milan. Please pray for the trip and that "Junior" doesn't want to come early!!

Third, we have a huge answer to prayers as we have found a new apartment to buy that has a second room for our soon to be 3 kids. It is really close to Simone's elementary school as well as the school were I teach. Please pray for us as we need to sell our apartment (ideally in the next 6 months)

Fourth, I had a meeting with a member from our gospel choir over this summer. Please pray for future conversations with him!

Finally, my father in law gave me his old scooter but I need an upgraded licence to be able to drive it. I have my exam on Thursday. Please pray for that as well.

Thanks for all your prayers this past month. They were much needed and much appreciated!

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

August 15th 2010

2010-08-15T18:16:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

Our Gospel Music Workshop was a great success and we want to thank all of you for your prayers and your support for this event. We had about 35 people in our choir and I had the chance daily to present gospel truths to them as we practiced the songs. It rained during our 3 days of practicing so much that many of the concerts in the piazza were canceled and the local newspaper (which was deperate for an article with all the cancellations) wrote an article to promote our concert!!

Saturday night, the evening of the final concert, we had around a thousand people watch our concert were I had the possibility of sharing the gospel message 2 different times, once linked with the story of the prodigal son and the other linked with the life story of John Newton after we had sung Amazing Grace! We also passed out many tracts that linked the history of gospel music with the gospel itself!

On Sunday morning we invited the choir to come to an evangelistic church service where I had the chance to explain the gospel clearly. One of the choir members emailed me claiming to be an agnostic and when I invited him to get a coffee and talk about his beliefs he excitedly responded that he would look foward to such a conversation!

Please pray for:
1) Our follow up with the choir members and people responding from the concert.
2) Specifically this man that I will meet with this week.

I will attach some pictures later on this week.

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

July 25th 2010

2010-07-25T22:28:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

I would like to ask you to pray specifically this next week for the Gospel Music Workshop. It begins Thursday and finishes Sunday morning. We will be meeting each day to practice the songs and I will be giving brief devotionals through out the workshop. On Saturday night we will perform in a main piazza in town and be able to share the gospel with many who watch. Then on Sunday morning we will invite the choir and those who watched on Saturday night to join us for an evangelistic church service.

Please pray specifically for:
1. More people to sign up. (We have around 20 signed up now)
2. Clarity in the devotional presentations
3. Good weather and lots of people for the Saturday night convert
4. Changed hearts during the Sunday morning service
5. Finances

Thanks!

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

June 20th, 2010

2010-06-20T21:44:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We had a wonderful time last week as we had a joint outreach with 3 other churches in the area. It was a wonderful chance for us to work together with others as well as meet some new brothers and sisters. Thank you all for your prayers about this.

Please continue to pray as well for our Gospel music outreach this July 28th to August 1st. There is some spiritual warfare going on with this and we really want to offer this city the truth of the gospel. Please pray specifically for 1) funds and 2) the organization. We would like to have the final concert outside in a main piazza where we could easily have a thousand people to watch and listen but it will cost us about 1,000 euros more. Please pray for wisdom about this decision. Here is a link to more information and a video about it: http://www.triesteforchrist.com/workshop/

Finally, please also pray for wisdom about the possibility of changing apartments. With "Junior" on the way in October, a second bedroom for the kids would be great, yet our financial situation for next year is a little more up in the air, not making it the best time to buy and sell an apartment. Please again pray for wisdom about this as we are seeking the Lord's will!

Thanks for your prayers and go USA in the World Cup!!

Praise for:
The regional outreach last week

Please pray for :
1. Wisdom and finances for the organization of the Gospel music workshop
2. Wisdom about changing apartments

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

May 9th, 2010

2010-05-09T21:29:00.003+02:00

From February 28 2010

Dear friends and family,

We have a couple of future events that we would like you all to pray for us about.

1. Barbara has been doing a Bible study with some women who attended our Women's Conference last November. Please pray for her as she progresses with these ladies and as they are reading John's gospel.

2. We are going to have an evangelistic concerts in Trieste on June 12 and 13th. We are collaborating with other churches in the area, so we are very excited about this event for numerous reasons.

3. We will be having our gospel workshop the last week of July that ends with a concert. Please pray for the organization and financial aspects of this event. This is a great event because we have around 75 singers that will be singing songs and listening as we explain to them the meaning behind them. Plus, the concert is a great opportunity to reach out to a lot of people at one time.

Thanks for all your prayers and support,

MAtt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

Big News

2010-04-18T19:50:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We have been waiting to send this email for a while. In early February we discovered to be expecting our third child. If you all are surprised you are not the only ones! Though it came as a surprise and will change some of our plans (certainly those that needed to be changed) we are very excited and look foward to the birth of the child in the middle of October. We are triply excited because another couple in the church (Elio and Nicoletta) are expecting their second in October as well as Barbara's brother and sister in law. We will have quite the Octoberfest!

Simone took the news very well though I am not sure Zoe gets it yet. I asked Simone if he wanted a boy or a girl. He immediately responded to want a little brother. I told him if it was a girl he might get his own room. From then on he has been consistenly rooting for a sister! Sounds normal I guess.

We also had an exciting weekend. We had a worship service last night with another Evangelical church in the area and this morning we had a few guests from Denmark. More specifically, we had 120 students form a Danish Christian school. It was great to get a glimpse of God's people all over the world and to hear young people singing about the greatness of Christ!

Please also pray for a friend of mine that does not know Christ. Simone and I spent the afternoon with him ad his kids and were able to talk about quite a bit. Pray that God would continue to open doors and opportunities to share of His greatness.

Praise:
1. The October babies
2. The worship services we've had

Pray:
1. Barbara (nausea) and the next 6 months
2. My friend and opportunities

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe, and ?

From 2009-12-12 December 12, 2009

March 21st, 2010

2010-03-21T21:15:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

I wanted to send an email with some of the pictures form Bojana's baptism. It was a great turnout (our church building was maxed out) and we were able to share the gospel through the Word and through testimony. Some of Bojana's friends and even father who are not believers attended the service. We celebrated the Italian way with pizza and desert afterwards.

Please continue to pray for us as we make plans for the gospel concert in July. We will have three college students serving with us this summer and we have plans to deliver gospel tracts to most of the city this summer.

Thanks for all your prayers,

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

From Downloads

Praise for :
1) Great baptism service
2) 3 College students to help out this summer

Pray for:
1) Unbelievers who attended the baptism service
2) Gospel music workshop this summer
3) Our goal to reach Trieste with tracts this summer

March 14th 2010

2010-03-14T22:30:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

We had our baptism service last night and it went great. I will send a second email out as soon as I get some pictures.

Other big news here is that we had our record BORA wind on Wednesday. Trieste is world famous for having one of the strongest winter winds. This week we had the strongest winds in recorded history. The speeds reached 223 km/h (138 mph)! It knocked trucks over. It knocked down scooters like dominoes. Trees were down as well as quite a few people. I am enlcosing a youtube video of some of different shots from Trieste on Wednesday(the last 30 seconds of the video you can really see how hard it was blowing.)

Matt, Barbara, Simone,and Zoe

February 28th 2010

2010-02-28T20:16:00.002+01:00

From February 28 2010

Dear friends and family,

Barbara and I enjoyed our little get away as we went to Rome for three days last week. It was a nice time to hang out together without the kids, talk together, and to think about the future. We were very amazed at the beauty of the city created by different layers from different points in history.

I will say that I was most surprised by the "Scala Santa"; 3 sets of stairs in a small church that bear an incredible promise. It is published on the wall that whoever climbs the stairs on your knees receives complete forgiveness of sins on Lent Fridays or one day a year of your choice. All other days promise part of your sins will be forgiven. I was amazed not only to see so many people climbing up the stairs but also that these promises were so plainly published on the wall. It was a great reminder for us of how important it is in this country to preach the true gospel, the true means of forgiveness of sins.

Boiana will be baptized on March 13th so please continue to pray for her studies as well as the preparations for the baptism. She will have family flying in for the occasion.

Thanks for all your prayers! We are excited to be able to share our partnership of the gospel with you all!

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

From February 28 2010

February 14th 2010

2010-02-14T19:57:00.003+01:00

From Immagini Speciali

Dear friends and family,

We are excited that the newest member to our body, Boiana, will have a baptism next month. She has been studying a ton and we have gone through several studies already. Please pray for her as she has her last University exam to pass tomorrow.

We are also excited about our gospel music workshop that we will be running at the end of July. Please pray for Elio and Nicoletta specifically as they are the two main organizers of the event.

We began the book of Joshua last week and are really enjoying at looking at this exciting account of God fulfilling His promises to His people. This is a great encouragement for us to remember that God is faithful to keep all His promises that He has made!

Please keep praying for us as we are trying to have a good plan for next year! God has been opening and closing doors and we are excited to be able to devote even more time to the ministry next year.

Praise for:
1) Boiana's baptism and studies
2) New study through Joshua

Pray for:
1) Boiana's test on Monday the 15th
2) Gospel music workshop organization
3) Next year's plan

Thanks for all,

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

December 12th 2009

2009-12-12T21:44:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

Thank you all for your prayers this past 3 weeks as we have seen some exciting things. First, our Thanksgiving dinner was a huge success. We had as many people as we could fit in our building and had the chance to talk with many of them. Caleb did a fine job presenting the gospel and we went around and shared why we were thankful. Please pray specifically for the wife of Oreste and mother of Adamo and Priscilla who are all believers in our church. She came to the event and I think she really enjoyed it and I got to talk to her for quite a while about important issues.

We also have a new family of believers that will be joining our body(Gavin and Paola). They are a young couple with three girls and they have really been a blessing to us already. They have also brought their mother and two other families of believers to attend our services. It is pretty exciting for us.

We also celebrated Zoe's 2nd birthday on Tuesday. And yes she is officially 2. Her favorite word is "no". She doesn't have to even understand the question, she knows what the answer is :). I have included pictures.

Please pray for December 23rd as we have an evangelistic outreach as we will perform a Christmas choir.

Praise:
1)Gavin, Paola and family and friends
2) Thanksgiving Dinner
3) 2 years of health to our daughter Zoe

Pray for:
1)Franca (Oreste's wife)
2)Christmas Choir on Dec 23rd

Thanks,

MAtt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

From 2009-12-12 December 12, 2009

November 15th 2009

2009-11-16T00:26:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

We are preparing ourselves for a big Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday November 25th. Our church will be inviting our students from English school, Guitar School and other friends to attend the dinner as we talk about not only what we are thankful for but specifically Who we are thankful to! Please pray as we make preparations for all these friends...we have had about 80 people in attendance in the last years...that is a lot of turkey!!

I am also starting an adult Sunday School class this next Sunday. Please pray as we are trying to equip and prepare all the believers at church. The first five weeks, we will be looking at the incarnation of Christ in preparation for Christmas. We also began a book study of John Piper's "Desiderare Dio" (Desiring God)on Friday mornings. The fisrt study was really encouraging!

Finally, please pray for Elio and myself as this Friday we are hosting a games night at our church building. There will be about 20 people coming to have kind of a "trivial pursuit" type game. Please pray that we would have a great testimony.

Pray for:
1) Thanksgiving preparations
2) Sunday School for adults
3) Book study
4) Game night this Friday

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

October 25th 2009

2009-10-25T22:50:00.002+01:00

From Immagini Speciali

Dear friends and family,

We had a wonderful worship service with quite a few new visiting believers. Please pray for us as we are growing in number but also in responsibilities. I specifically have a pastoral issue that is a little complicated and would appreciate all prayers for His wisdom as we work through the issues.

We are also preparing for a Christmas concert. Please pray for us as musicians, singers, and organizers. There is the possibility that we might be able to sing at some retirement homes and other places.

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

Please pray for:
1. Growing responsibilities
2. Wisdom for pastoral issue
3. Orginization for our Christmas concert

From Immagini Speciali

October 11th 2009

2009-10-11T22:13:00.002+02:00

From 2009-09-27 September 27 2009

Dear friends and family,

Just a quick note to let you know that the English school, the guitar school and teh choir are all off to a great start. We have some "old" students as well as some new ones. Please continue to pray for our teachers and their contact with these new friends.

We are also planning on having a big Christmas concert this December. We are meeting Friday to discuss our plan for outreach. I will report next week more details about that.

Thanks for all your prayers,

Praise: Beginning of our classes.

Pray for: New and old students
Future Christmas concert

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

P.S. Pictures are of Trieste at the sunset and a day hike I did in the Alps with our Science teacher and Ryan our English teacher at the church

From 2009-09-27 September 27 2009

October 4th 2009

2009-10-04T20:24:00.003+02:00

From 05-08-2009

Dear friends and family,

Thanks for all your prayers for our women's conference. There were about 50 women in attendance and we had the chance to have some great conversations when it was over. Please pray for us as we try to follow some of these new friends and hopefully have some Bible studies with them.

You can also pray for three long term outreaches that start this week. We begin our twice a week English classes tomorrow (taught by Caleb and Ryan), our choir on Tuesday (taught by Nicoletta) and our Guitar lessons on Wednesday (again taught by Nicoletta) These course are all free and our way of meeting new people with the attempts to share with them the good news!!

Thanks again for all your prayers!

Praise for: Women's conference
Pray for: Follow up after the conference
English classes
Choir
Guitar lessons

Thanks,
Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

From 05-08-2009

September 27th 2009

2009-09-27T21:33:00.004+02:00

Dear friends and family,

It is good to be back and back into our routine for the next school year. Barbara and I have both begun teaching and appreciate all your prayers as we try to balance ministry, work, and family. We had a most excellent and unwinding summer in Montana this past summer. Besides seeing all our family and friends, we also had the chance to make some new friends along the way. I will include some highlight pictures the next few weeks form our trip.

We have a major prayer request with our women's conference taking place on Saturday. Please pray for last minute preparations, the women who will attend, and our follow-up after the event is over. We have publicized the event well and are looking forward to a lot of attendees. The theme of the conference is "Losing your life for Christ". Please pray for all especially our sister Pauline who will be speaking.

Finally, we want to praise God as He helped the birth of my brother-in-law's first daughter Dorothea who was born a month early. We had the chance to visit her and she is doing just great! I will send along a picture of her as well!

Praise for:
1. Great Summer
2. Birth of Dorothea

Pray for:
Women's conference on Saturday

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, Zoe

2009-09-27 September 27 2009

2009-08-22 August 22nd 2009

June 28th 2009

2009-06-28T16:16:00.003+02:00

From 2009-06-28 June 28th 2009

Dear friends and family,

We had a wonderful Sunday last week with the baptisms of Oreste and Adamo. The weather held out and there were was a good chance to witness to the people at the seaside that evening. They both gave public testimonies of what they believe and we had a nice time to celebrate afterwards. I have included some pictures of the baptisms for you all to see. Unfortunately Oreste's wife Franca (Adamo's mother) did not attend. Please pray for her and their testimony at home.

I have also just finished my school year!! I am looking forward this summer to go back to the USA (July 7th till August 17th) and work on my seminary classes.

Please keep my mother in your prayers as she will begin chemotherapy in about a week.

I will try to give you other updates over the summer of specific details that you can all pray for us about while we are in the States .

Praise:
1) The baptisms
2) School's done

Pray for:
1) My mother and her treatments
2) Seminary studies (Greek/Biblical Theology)
3) Franca
4) Our travel on July 7th

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

From 2009-06-28 June 28th 2009

June 7th 2009

2009-06-07T16:31:00.002+02:00

From Immagini Speciali

Dear friends and family,

We are almost done with our school year here. Barbara has 2 days left and I a little over 2 weeks. Please pray for us as we each have a lot to do to finish everything the right way.

Thank you for your prayers for Oreste and Adamo and our studies on baptism. The Baptism will be in the Adriatic Sea in two weeks, June 21st. Please continue to pray for final preparations and that many could attend!

Finally, we have some special prayer items for some church members:
1. Marlynn (Pieter and Matilde's second daughter) broke her foot on Tuesday at our church picnic.
2. Pieter will be assigned a new title and job description at his work due to economic needs.
3. My mother will begin Chemotherapy soon for a tumor that was recently found. Please pray for a successful reaction and that my grandparents can have a smooth transition into a retirement home.

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

From Immagini Speciali

May 17th 2009

2009-05-17T21:50:00.003+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We had kind of an unusual week. Last weekend Lance Armstrong finished a stage of the Giro d'Italia (Italy's "Tour de France") in Trieste. The finish line was about 500 meters from our house. It was pretty exciting. Also tomorrow I am finishing a 2 month "Biggest Loser" weight loss competition. I have up till last Thursday 40 pounds! Don't worry, you will all still recognize me since I weigh now what I weighed before I came to Italy :)

Please pray for Adamo and Oreste and our Bible study on Baptism. We should have the baptism next month. Please pray also for Max and Claudia and their Bible study with Ryan and Caleb. Last week Ryan made a lot of progress in their conversations.

Finally pray for a busy next month. We have one month of school left, so there is a ton going on. In fact next week(25th -30th)I will be in England with the 8th graders on a field trip. Pray for Barbara and the kids while I am gone.

Pray for:
1. Bible studies with Oreste, Adamo, Max and Claudia
2. Last Month of School

Love,

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

May 3rd, 20009

Pray for: Max and Claudia

Disabled teens gospel choir

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

From Immagini Speciali

January 4th, 2009

2009-01-04T22:27:00.008+01:00

From Immagini Speciali

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all. We had a great close of 2008 this year with a Christmas Eve service. We had 3 couples come to our worship service which was really exciting for us. One couple that came was Max and Claudia that I have already mentioned. They commented that it was the only Christmas Eve service they have attended were people seemed happy. We were happy to hear that.

Max and Claudia also came to the New Year's Eve party at the church and came to our Sunday morning worship service this morning. We also had the chance to go for a walk with them after the service. Needless to say we ask you all to pray specifically for this couple. This morning I preached on Colossians 1:13 which says "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son". We are praying that the Lord will open their eyes to see the liberation that can be found in Christ!!

I have a paper left in my seminary class and we begin school again on Wednesday. Thanks for all your prayers and I will include some pictures of the kids on our trip to the snowy mountains.

Praise: The Christmas Eve service

Pray for: Max and Claudia

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

From Immagini Speciali

December 21, 2008

2008-12-21T22:58:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement. I have received some emails form many of you and am always encouraged to hear what the Lord is doing in your lives. Thanks for your prayers for Sarah and Ryan. It seems they have decided to try to stay in Trieste at least one extra year!! We are very excited about that news. I will fill in more details later.

We had a special worship service today focusing on God's holy armour. I included some pictures of our kids presenting what they have been studying in Sunday School.

I am off for the next two and one half weeks, so please pray specifically for my studies in Seminary. I will be beginning Greek and Biblical Theology. We also have a Christmas Eve service on Wednesday and we expect to see some visitors. Finally, Elio and Nicoletta are having dinner with Max and Claudia so I will let you know how that went in my next blog.

Praise:

1) Ryan and Sarah's decision to stay longer

2) Special service today

Pray:

1) Max and Claudia

2) Seminary studies

Thanks for all,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

December 14th 2008

2008-12-14T20:23:00.009+01:00

Dear friends and family,

We have just finished our English School ministry for the year and we will pick up lessons again in mid January. Caleb and Ryan, our teachers, organized a white elephant gift exchange and invited our students to a Christmas Carol concert. We had a few students go to the concert and one specific couple that we need to pray for. Their names are Max and Claudia. They are a young couple who I had a chance to talk to during the Thanksgiving dinner. At the Christmas party, it seems that Max finally understood that you can't be good enough to get into heaven, which opens up to a great future conversation. Please pray for them as they are going to have dinner with Elio and Nicoletta of our church soon.

I have one week of school left before the break and am looking forward to finishing my next seminary class on Eschatology and beginning a new one (Greek). Please pray for my studies as well. We also are having a special service next week focusing in on the God's armor.

Please continue to pray for Ryan and Sarah for the decision that they have to make on Monday. Zoe turned one last week (the 8th). We thank God for her and the first year of life that He has granted to her!!

Praise: One year of life for Zoe

Pray for:

1) Max and Claudia

2) My Studies

3) Special service

4) Ryan and Sarah's decision

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

November 30 2008

2008-11-30T16:28:00.006+01:00

Dear friends and family,

We THANK you all for your prayers for our Thanksgiving outreaches on Friday and Saturday nights. On Friday we went through two 30 pound turkeys as over 80 came to hear the story of Thanksgiving, play "Who wants to be a Thanksgiving Millionaire", hear the gospel from Psalm 118, and have a great time of talking about what we are thankful for. We had many great conversations and you all can continue that these conversations continue. Please pray for Elda, who I had the chance to talk quite a bit with.

Saturday, we went through only one turkey as we celebrated a more intimate time together with two young couples. One is expecting a baby in March so please pray for further conversations and the other are old friends. The husband is openly agnostic but very curious about what we attribute to God. Please pray for them as well.

Finally, please pray for our coworkers, Ryan and Sarah, as they have an important decision to make in the next couple of weeks. They have asked for our prayers and for God's wisdom in making this decision.

Praise: For both our Thanksgiving dinners and the gospel that was presented.

Pray for:
1) Elda
2) Our "agnostic" friend and his wife
3) Ryan and Sarah for this decision

Thanks again,
Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

November 23 2008

2008-11-23T22:07:00.006+01:00

Dear family and friends,

We are getting ourselves prepared for our Thanksgiving weekend. Please pray for us as we will have two meals with friends and contacts this Friday and Saturday night. We will have some games, tell the Thanksgiving story, play "Who wants to be a Pilgrimaire", have a time of sharing what we are thankful for, as well as present the gospel to these students. We have ordered and are preparing 4 big turkeys, so there is a lot to pray for!!

On Saturday we had a men's breakfast and studied Psalm 100. We talked about how we need to be coming prepared to our meetings and services with thanksgiving already in our heart! I have enclosed some pictures of us and the "Italian breakfast". No bacon or sausage, no pancakes or biscuits. Coffee, croissants (jelly and chocolate filled) and cookies.

Please pray for our church that we might specifically grow in knowledge of His Word, grow in holiness and fruitful living, and walking according to His power! (Colossians 1:9-11)

Pray for:
1) Thanksgiving dinners
2) Church growth in knowledge, holiness and walking in God's power.

Thanks,
Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

Per i nonni italiani (for the Italian Grandparents)

2008-11-21T23:21:00.002+01:00

Simone e zoe november 2008 su Yahoo! Video

November 16th 2008

2008-11-16T19:31:00.003+01:00

Dear friends and family,

Our first study in Acts was great! We learned how God prepares our minds before we go out and take the gospelto others. Please pray that we would see fruit from this study and that God would be preparing our minds as we reach this city.

Please pray specifically for our Thanksgiving meals. We will have two to try to accommodate all our contacts who are interested in coming. The dates are the 28th and 29th of November. Pray specifically for Caleb, Linda, Ryan and Sarah as they are organizing the events.

Finally pray for our radio ministry (Grace Theology) that will begin soon. Our first show will discuss absolute truth. Please pray for our preparations!

Praise:

1) The beginning of the Acts study

Pray for:

1) God preparing our church's minds

2) Thanksgiving outreach

3) Radio outreach

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

November 9th 2008

2008-11-09T21:48:00.003+01:00

Dear Friends and Family,

I returned from a week long field trip to Vienna with the 7th graders from my school. Maybe Charles Dickens described it best..."It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Well I'm not so sure about the first part :) Anyway, I have returned and had a few days off to work on my seminary studies.

On November 28th, we are going to have a Thanksgiving dinner with our English students. Please pray that we will have a great turnout and have many chances to talk with these students about the gospel. In years past we have had over 80 attend, and it is one of the biggest outreaches of the year. We explain the origins of the feast, organize children activities, have a time of sharing about what we are thankful for, and finally we explain WHO we are thankful to by talking about the gospel.

Finally, you can all pray for the church as we are beginning a new midweek Bible study on Thursdays on the book of Acts. We will have as a major theme though out this study; our witness to Trieste. Please pray that we would be both hearers and doers of God's Word!

Praise for:

1. Trip to Vienna, Austria

2. Time in my seminary class

Pray for:

1. Thanksgiving dinner on the 28th

2. Our study through Acts

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

October 19th 2008

2008-10-19T19:54:00.006+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We thank you for your prayers for Francesca and Alessandro's wedding. It was a wonderful ceremony and a great chance to talk to a lot of people. Everything went smoothly.

We also thank you for your prayers for Nicoletta, Caleb, and Ryan. Our English and Guitar schools are a great success. Nicoletta has students from 8 years old to 60. They want to learn how to play Italian folk songs to Rock songs. Please pray for her in this new ministry.

You can also pray for Elio (Nicoletta's husband) and me as we are starting a weekly radio program (podcast) to talk about issues like Atheism, Catholicism, the Bible and other relevant topics. Our task is two fold. We first want to use this method of apologetics to defend our faith and create some new conversations in Trieste. Secondly, we want to educate believers in Italy on these subjects. Please pray for us as we begin this ministry. The show will be called "Grace Theology", a spin off the popular TV series in the US and Italy "Grey's Anatomy".

Praise for:

1. The wedding of Francesca and Alessandro

2. The number of students signed up for English and Guitar lessons

Pray for:

1. Nicoletta's students

2. "Grace Theology"

Thanks for all,

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

October 12th, 2008

2008-10-12T21:17:00.002+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We hope everyone is enjoying the Fall this year. We have begun some of our Fall church activities, mainly our English School. We started last week and had over 50 students sign up. There are a lot of new faces and we are looking foward to getting to know these new friends and sharing with them the love of God in serving them with free lessons and in explaining the gospel to them through monthly outreaches (Thanksgiving dinner, movie night, game night...) Please pray for our two teachers Caleb and Ryan.

We also will begin on Wednesday our free guitar lessons taught by Nicoletta. Please pray for her future students and the families that we will try to impact through this ministry.

I will be preaching at a wedding this Saturday. A young couple, Francesca and Alessandro will be getting married on the 18th. Francesca attended our church for about 5 years before she moved away last year. Please pray for them and the ceremony!

I have enclosed a short video this time of Simone and Zoe. Those who receive this via email will have to visit our site www.schvaneveldt.com to see our little ones in fast motion.

Praise:

Great start to our English classes

Pray:

1. Caleb and Ryan

2. Nicoletta and guitar lessons

3. Francesca and Alessandro's wedding

October Update su Yahoo! Video

September 28th, 2008

2008-09-28T17:27:00.003+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks for your prayers for Leo and Lisa's wedding. It was very nice and we hope that we will continue to impact this young couple. They have come to church a number of times, but please pray that we will have a more consistent relationship with them when they get back from their honeymoon in the USA.

Also thanks for the prayers for Matildhe and her shoulder. She is doing much better now.

Finally, please pray specifically again for our English and Guitar lessons. We begin October 7th!

Praise:

1. The wedding was great.

2. Matildhe's shoulder is better.

Pray:

1. Leo and Lisa

2. English School

Thanks,

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

September 21, 2008

2008-09-21T21:03:00.004+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,

Caleb and Ryan have built a Sunday School room to house our kids during Sunday School in our church building. We want to praise the Lord for the funds that were donated for this as well as to the job well done.

They will also be starting on October 7th, English lessons every Tuesday and Friday. Please pray as the church is now publicizing the lessons. We are praying specifically for the "right" students that we will be able to have great conversations with regarding the gospel.

Finally, please pray for the wedding of Leo and Lisa this Saturday.

Praise: A new Sunday School Room

Pray for: 1. English Lessons
2. Leo and Lisa's wedding.

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

September 14th 2008

2008-09-14T22:19:00.004+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,

Tomorrow is back to school day for most of Italy (my school started last week). Please pray for Barbara as she will be substitute teaching 6th and 7th grade Italian, History, and Geography this year at a school that is in our neighborhood. We are thankful that God opened up a place so close to home. Simone begins as as well tomorrow. We are praying for self control.

Also, if yo could all pray specifically for the eldest son of our coworkers (Caleb and Linda Klontz)Ayden who will be staring grade 1 in the Italian system tomorrow. This will be his first day of school and in a language that he does not speak yet. Pray that he won't be frightened by the fact that he will understand little the first few days.

Finally, we are thankful to the Lord for a church in Spokane that has given the funds needed to add a Sunday School room in our church building. We have 14 kids now, so we needed to find a solution on where to have them for Sunday School during the time of preaching in our service.

Praise:
1. Close school for Barbara
2. Donated funds

Pray for :
3.First day for Ayden, Barbara, and Simone

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe

September 6th, 2008

2008-09-07T22:57:00.005+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We would ask for your prayers this week specifically for the planning of our English Schools. We have two new teachers this year, Ryan and Caleb, and they could really use your prayers to make this ministry a great one.

We just started in our church a 5 week study on the Tabernacle that Pieter (the other elder) is preaching. Pray for these lessons as well as my preparation for a series on Paul's letter to the Colossians.

Finally, we ask your prayers for Leo and Lisa who are two close friends and contacts that are getting married in a few weeks. Please pray for more opportunities to talk about the gospel message. They have been occasionally coming to our worship services.

Pray for:
1. English School (Ryan and Caleb)
2. Church teachings and preparation
3. Leo and Lisa's wedding

August 31st, 2008

2008-08-31T21:46:00.003+02:00

Dear friends and family,

Thanks for your prayers the last few weeks. I actually finished quite a bit of my seminary studies which will lighten the load for me as school starts this year.

Please pray for the beginning of school for Babara and myself. It is always our desire that we could be a great witness at the school and that we could reach many families. I will be the Middle School Principal again, so I need prayers for my leadership abilities as well. Barbara will be teaching in a new school this year that is very close to our house. She teaches Literature, Italian, and History to Middle School students.

We had to reschedule the Gospel Music Workshop to December. Please pray for our preperations for that upcoming event-

We will be starting English lessons, Guitar lessons, and choir as outreaches this month. Pray for us as we orgainze all these free lessons at the church. We teach the local Triestini English, guitar, and singing, getting a chance to know them and invite them to special outreach nights at the church. We have had over 100 students in the past years.

Praise: My studies
Pray for:
School beginning
Gospel Workshop in December.
Outreach lessons

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

August 17th, 2008

2008-08-17T22:13:00.004+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We had a wonderful week of vacation and studying, enjoying one of the beautiful northern Italian lakes. I have included a before and after picture of a huge hail storm that came and went on a lake near Barbara's grandparent's house.

Again please pray for my studies this next week as it will be one of my last opportunities to study for my seminary classes.

Finally, also we are thankful for the arrival of Ryan and Sarah Marie. Please continue to pray for their permission to stay here.

Please pray for...
1) Praise for the rest
2) Praise for the new help, Ryan and Sarah
3) My studies this next week.

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

August 10th, 2008

2008-08-10T19:52:00.005+02:00

Dear Friends and family,

We had the fun of celebrating the 4th birthday of our son Simone. I will include a picture from the party with his Italian relatives as well as a old fashioned tub shot with his little sister.

I was able to finish one of my seminary classes and will be starting the next one this week. Thank you for your prayers for me to get that done AND to learn a lot about the Bride of Christ. Please continue to pray for my upcoming studies in Eschatology.

Also if you could all pray about a decision I need to make later on this year. The Church is getting big enough where I think it needs my full time attention and care. Right now I teach at an International School that has been a huge blessing and has paid the bills with the drop of the dollar. I am praying for the wisdom to know if it be His will that I return full time in ministry after the upcoming school year. This means that I need to raise support and also this is a complication with my ministry here. I am also praying if He may want me to teach just part time next year. Anyway, we are really seeking God's wisdom and will on this and would much appreciate your prayers.

Finally, please pray for the arrival and permission to stay of Ryan and Sarah Marie. They arrive in Trieste on Wednesday.

Pray for:
1. Studies in Eschatology
2. Arrival of new missionaries Ryan and Sarah Marie
3. For my future at the school where I teach.

August 3rd, 2008

2008-08-03T16:15:00.005+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We were blessed this week to hear the good news that one of the contacts from the gospel concert, Roberto, wants to start a weekly study through the book of Romans! We thank God clearly first of all and ask that you all would continue to pray for him and the study.

This week I will be dedicating to my studies in seminary. I will be finishing my class in ecclesiology and hopefully finishing my class in eschatology as well. Please pray that I would get a lot accomplished and have clear understanding of the subjects.

Finally pray for a couple that arrives on August 15th, Ryan and Sarah Marie. Sarah will be teaching Art up at the school were I work and Ryan will be helping the church out for the next two years. Pray specifically for permission to stay here and for last minute preparations.

Please pray for:
1. Roberto and the Bible study
2. Matt's studies this week
3. Ryan and Sarah Marie

Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

The pictures are of Zoe and Ryan and Sarah

2008-07-28T21:41:00.001+02:00

July 27th, 2008

2008-07-27T22:26:00.006+02:00

Dear friends we want to thank you for all the prayers this last week for our gospel concert on Saturday night. They gave us permission to use a stage in one of the main piazzas in town and we had a great turnout of around 1,000 people. It looked as if it could have an evening storm but the Lord held back the weather and we instead had a refreshing breeze to cool us down. There was an invitation to attend our worship service this morning and we had 10 new visitors come. The gospel singers lead our worship and I preached from Ephesians 2:1-8. It really was a great couple of days.

Please pray:
1) For the conversion of the 15 unbelievers (10 new) that heard the gospel this morning.
2) For continued contact with these new visitors
3) Specifically for a young man named Roberto who has come a couple of times.

I will put a short video on the website (www.schvaneveldt.com) to see the singers in action.
We also were reviewed well in the town newspaper.

Keep praying,
Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

July 20th, 2008

2008-07-20T23:18:00.003+02:00

We have a special request for you all to pray about this week. On Saturday we are hosting a concert of gospel music in the main piazza of our city. This is a great location and will have great visibility on Saturday.

We ask for you all to specifically pray for:

1) A large crowd as we want to present the gospel at the end of the concert and make contacts with those who watch.
2) Good weather. The hotter the better.
3) For the musicians that are flying in Saturday morning from London.

Please pray that this would bring God glory as lives are changed in Trieste!

Matt, Barbara, Simone and Zoe
(I will include pictures of Simone and Zoe, as well as the singer John Fisher, as I was reprimanded for sending pictures of a car and Barby and I last week :) )

July 13th, 2008

2008-07-13T21:00:00.004+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We have begun a new study this Sunday, as we are going to look at "What the Bible teaches about parenting" for the next 6 weeks. We have 14 kids in our church (we have the same amount of adults) so we are excited about the possibility to learn from God about how to be better parents. Please pray for us as this will be our focus for the next couple months.

We have a special request. The wife of the other elder in our church (Pieter and Mathilde) just fell down some stairs and broke her arm (the ball of her shoulder socket) and is in a lot of pain. She also is stuck in Holland and is going to have a hard time returning to Italy in her current state as she can't drive and needs to really take care of it now. Please pray for her quick recovery.

Finally, we are thankful for how God has provided a "new" used car ofr us. Our little Fiat has been outgrown and we have been praying for a bigger car. We found one that is short (which helps with parking) but very tall (holds our strollers and other). We found one for sale near my brother in law and at a very cheap price. We are thankful for God's answer to our prayers.

Recap:
1) New study on parenting
2) The recovery of Mathilde
3) Praise for the new car

Thanks for all Matt, Barbara, Simone, and Zoe

July 6th, 2008

2008-07-06T18:01:00.005+02:00

Dear friends and family,

We have celebrated July 4th, Italo-Americano style, by hanging out at a pool, eating at McDonalds, and of course going out for Gelato. I have finally finished my school year and I am very relieved to finally have some more time this summer to catch up on my studies and to catch up on my communication about our work here in Trieste.

Our next big project that needs your prayer is a gospel concert we are organizing here in Trieste at the end of the month and a gospel workshop the first week of September. Two years ago a young Italian couple heard the gospel at a gospel music workshop and started to ask us questions about the Bible. A few months later they gave their lives to Christ and last year they were baptized during the gospel workshop giving their testimonies to all their friends. Pray that this year's workshop will bring similar fruit. There were over 1000 in attendance at the concert!

Please pray for me as well as I am taking seminary classes this summer. I will be studying eschatology and beginning Greek studies.

Finally, pray for two young American couples, one that has come and is trying to get all their documents to stay (plus three young kids), and another couple that wants to come and serve the church for two years and are having trouble getting a visa.

To summarize:
1) Gospel concert and workshop
2) Seminary studies
3) Klontz family and the Marie family with permission to stay in Italy

Thanks for all your prayers,

The Schvaneveldt family