The Italian Memorandum

A friend recently sent me an old photograph taken just after my baptism.    I am standing in the backyard bayou of Alton Howard in Louisiana.  Alton Howard, musicologist, needs no introduction.  I was unknown then, both to myself and others.  I was about 19, very green, and dreaming of my future.  I had cut off my shoulder length hair.  I had changed my wardrobe and bought appropriate clothes for ministry.  I was in the process of becoming useful to the Lord.  I had no wife, no children—just a belief that the Lord of history was able.

As I reflect on this old photo, I am reminded of how faithful the Lord has been through the years.  My education in Greek, Hebrew, and now Italian, has been of especial importance to me along the way. The word has always been my constant delight.  And, besides the word, he has provided me with a beautiful wife, Marla—lovely linguistics and a lovely wife!   My friends, also, have been a fruitful source of joy.  In a word, the “strength” (zeroa’) of which the prophet Isaiah speaks has been mine along the way (30:30; 33:2; 40:10; 51:5, 9; 52:10; 62:8).

We are beyond the bayou now.  Alton has gone on to finish his journey.  I have a wife, a son, and many blessings.  But, we shall not forget why we have come this far; nor for what purpose this moment in history has come.  ArrivederLa!

Some of you are aware of our former lovely home in Cape Girardeau.  How it sat stately on the corner nestled in the Woodland Hills Subdivision.  We had several Redbuds and Dogwood in the backyard and the fragrant Salsa Magnolia in the front yard.  Well, this beautiful home sold December 1, 2009.  We are at once grateful that it did sell.  And, we will always remember the excellent times that we had there.

In the photograph you may see our new living quarters.  Yes, it is an attic bedroom!  This, too, is a part of the March to Milan.  To be missionaries sometimes means that you relenquish all of the most darling things to gain the most daring of things.  In this case, it is the return to Milan.  Incidently, attics can be cool; especially January in Des Moines, Iowa; cool, as in Fahrenheit.

Please notice, also, some recent photographs of winter around Windsor Heights, Iowa.  And, yes, the icicles are real.  Some people purchase such icicles at Wal-Mart; ours’ were heaven sent.

The temperature in the Des Moines area has been around or below zero. We have slightly altered the old adage that if you end up with lemons make lemonade to “make lemon slush.”

As most of you know, we are raising our funds to return to Milan in the new year, 2010. On December 27, 2009 we spoke to the Burlington, Iowa Church of Christ. The weather was nearly blizzard conditions going and coming. The trip was a 3.5 hour drive. We made a power point presentation and taught the Bible Class, which included learning an Italian song, Ti amo con l’amor di Gesu’.

Then, on Sunday January 3, 2010 we spoke in Ankeny, Iowa. The brethren there meet in a grand old school building with artistic updates. I told them that my immediate impression upon entering was to go directly to the princpal’s office (ouch!).

As January ensues, we want you to know that your participation in the March to Milan Campaign reminds us of the missionary zeal of the early church (Acts 14:24-28). One of our contributors, in the fall of their life, have made a commitment to send $8.00 a month. That just cheers us! One of the last things that I said to the church in Milan, before returning to the U.S., was that I do not relish fund raising, but that I would do it for them, and for Milan, Italy.

In December, also, we made a trip to Harding University, where there is a concentration of former Italian missionaries and professors. The trip is reported on our web site: TheItalian Memorandum.org. You will also find current updates on the site, as well as a resource of my writings, stretching back over the last eight years or so.

Yes, we are relentlessly determined to raise the financial resources necessary to return to Italy in December 2010. You can help us by asking your congregation’s leadership if they would have us make a presentation,or simply receive a package from us about the Milan work. Our telephone number may have changed since we last spoke–(515) 988-4220. Continue to remember us before the Father.