The Italian Memorandum

We are producing a handbook for the brethren in Milan. This new work is entitled, Portable Principles for the New Christian Life (Principi  Portatili). We will post this for your perusal in the near future.

We are so excited about the Milano church! They have gone the extra-mile in leg work on their side to help make our move possible. We shouldn’t start dropping names, but we are thrilled to be a part of this fellowship. We have been told that the church in Milan is busy getting ready for our arrival and ministry. Soon and very soon!

We would like to begin this post with a word of thanks to our supporters. We have been so blessed by so many contributors; and, then, there is this unusually liberal anonymous contributor of late. We are both stunned and grateful! Our posture has been that of Psalm 25:1-2, “To you O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God in you I trust.” And, then, you showed up (in his name)!

We want to make several things clear in this post: First, we would not be leaving this August 23^rd without your timely donations. We were told when we entered this missionary venture that, “All missionaries are fund-raisers.” That has become more and more evident. We would also like to say, secondly, that the monies generated in the cause of Christ to the country of Italy will be used by us to comply with the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). In other words, as we have spelled out before, we are doing this in conjunction with the formal invitation of the Via del Bollo chiesa di Cristo. The anticipation and participation of this moment in time by the church in Milan has also been a great part of the spiritual impetus for us to continue with this mission; despite back surgery; linguistic barriers; and dozens of other matters. How do we feel about our supporters? Well, Bob and Marla want to thank you for your kind and timely gifts. In the Italian biblical text it is
written: “Benedetto colui che viene nel nome del Signore”/ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Ps. 118:26). We go together now to commence this work in Milan, Italy.

Ready to Fly

We are now into final preparations for our departure to Milan.   Tickets have been acquired for August 23 and September 2.  Marla and Jason will depart about a week after I arrive and have secured housing accommodations.  Jason is our technology expert having worked in the field for years now.

Italian with Coco

Coco and Beatrice D'Esta (painting)

Last night, Marla and I were in the company of Signor Coco, our Italian language instructor, and his wife De.  We attended the 103 Annual Art Exhibit of Des Moines at the Hoyt-Sherman Place (see photo).  We meet for language studies twice a week with Coco.  Eugenio Coco as we say has been put in the Midwest for such a time as this; this moment of linguistic training with theological priority.  He is a native of Italy where he spent his first 23 years.  His father, Francesco Coco, who now rests from his labors, was an indispensable translator for the Italian missionary activity of the churches of Christ during the1950’s and forward.  He is so well spoken of by the brethren (Rev. 14:13).  Eugenio’s grandfather, Domenico Quattrocciochi was a recognized Italian artist from the south.  Signor Coco is preparing us for Italy as a labor of love.  Language schools in general are expensive.  He has taken us under his tutelage as a free commission and continuation of the work of  his father (Lk. 2:49).

On the Mend

In addition to our language studies, we are completing our fund raising; piecing employment together to pay monthly bills; living with our son in Des Moines; and mending from back surgery.  The back surgery of September was successful.  We are grateful for having had insurance to cover the $100K  cost of this extensive operation, consisting of front and rear incisions; not to mention screws, pins, and a plate at L-5.  Yes, it sounds like a hardware store!

Why Italy?

To reiterate why we are going to Italy, we should like to enumerate: first, that our formative background was in Italian Catholicism; second, our extensive emphasis since 1977 has been in the Koine Greek of the New Testament; and, thirdly, a very saturated emphasis in the European philosophies which have served to dismantle the age-old religious structures (from the British F.H. Bradley to the existentialism of Nietsche; who, incidentally, is still being quoted on trains in Italy).  The ultimate reason for going to Italy is that the gospel is for all; for all time; and for all, right now (Rev. 14:6).

In conclusion to this brief but needful update, we will provide a gospel reference (John 20:15).  Like that misty fog (la nebbia della Lombardia) of Milan, which so often characterizes the landscape beyond the city and hovers over the streets, there is something of a gardener among the mists who clearly portrays a message.  The message, however, could not be processed until the fog of personal reflection had lifted.    The supposed gardener  of John 20:15 was not a gardener at all.

The March to Milan is a resurrection event.  Please remember us in prayer and communicate with us if you would like to participate during this critical time  (515) 988-4220.

On September 13th  and 15th, Bob had back surgery to correct a slippage at L5.  He was having acute difficulty walking and standing for many months.  The technical name of the condition is Spondylolisthesis.  The surgery was performed by Des Moines’ finest doctors.  It involved a front and rear incision.  The doctor found a grouping of nerves being compressed which accounted for the pain.  In a word, the surgery was successful.

The recovery will now be 3-6 months .  So, our departure date of December, 2010 to return to Milan has been necessarily moved into the spring of 2011.  All of this makes one ponder the Acts narrative about why ship wrecks happen (Acts 27).  Well, the worst is now over.  We are regaining our strength for the journey ahead.  I like to say that the surgery is now behind me, literally.  I am so fortunate to have had this corrective surgery.  It is a blessing from the Lord.

Thanks for your prayers.

In preparation to return to Italy with the gospel, we made our way to little Rock, Arkansas. The trip would be blessed by time spent in the company of the head of the Department of Sciences, Travis Thompson; Italian missionaries: Howard and Doris Bybee, along with Dr. Carl Mitchell (Dixie Café, Searcy); Paul Love, the lyricist of Italia, the Shackleford family (including Becca; unfortunate to miss Lucy Console by hours though); Dr. Bruce McLarty; Levy church leadership and Roger Pritchett of Pleasant Valley.

Shackelford's & Us

Shackelford's with Becca

Among Leonardo’s riddles is this—”Huge figures in human shape will loom, and the nearer you get to them, the smaller they will become” (Emery Kelen, Fantastic Tales, Strange Animals, Riddles, Jests, And Prophecies of Leonardo Da Vinci, 105). He spoke of the shadows of men carrying lanterns by night. Of course, we say, unless we did not know the solution. Perhaps, this is how it is with the God of Scripture. We know something about who he is, nevertheless within the context of these shadowlands. However, unlike Leonardo’s riddle, the closer one gets to the humanity of Jesus the larger he looms, not smaller (Col. 2:9).

Justin Martyr, prior to the Council of Nicea in 325 (about 150 A.D) used Hebrews 1:8 in reference to Jesus: “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Yes, we are aware of the Brooklyn, New York, Watchtower people who suggest a little “g” for 1:8. But, Justin Martyr (and others) certainly knocks out their premise that the Trinity was a mute point before Nicea. And, it was Tertullian (160-215 A.D.) who used the phrase,“unity in trinity.” Byron’s language is perhaps the most cogent, “If ever God was man, and man was God, Jesus Christ was both.” The Italian for John 8:58 uses the verb “io sono” (from essere, to be); a present tense depicting God as possessing a state of eternal presentness within the reality of eternity. He is also identifying with Yahweh of Exodus 3:14. How large does that loom the closer one gets. Hebrews 13:8, too, furnishes a beautiful complimentary perspective—”Gesu Cristo e lo stesso ieri, oggi, e in eterno.”

In C.S. Lewis,’ The Horse and His Boy, Lewis set forth a Trinitarian truism that is undeniable; causing us to realize that there are indeed different manifestations of God’s living and communicating being for mankind:

“Myself, said the Voice, very deep and low, so that the earth shook; and again, Myself, loud and clear. Then the third time, Myself, whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, yet,it sounded like it came from round about you, as if the leaves rustled with it.”

This past trip has brought us closer to our desired destination. We appreciate the warmth and the direction for the shadows of the night, for the Three Candles and the One Light! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Housby & Pritchett

Robert M. Housby

March to Milan via Little Rock

His theology is extremely questionable. But, Albert Schweitzer did see human suffering on many different levels. The British educated and African experienced Christian missionary, for all of his invalid conclusions about the historical Jesus (for he was surely swept up with theological German liberalism), expressed something lingering and profound, when he said, “The tragedy of life is what dies inside of a man while he lives.”

It is written in Genesis 21:33, [Italian - “E Abraamo pianto un tamarindo a Beer Sceba...”] “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba…” (ESV). There is discussion about whether this was a single tree or a grove. Both concepts are lexically possible. Genesis 21:33 reminds us of the observation that the Bible begins with “trees,” (plural); then cites a special tree among the trees; and, finally, ends with a very special tree (Genesis 1:12; 2:9,16-17; Revelation 22:2). Abraham’s tree plant was about resolution in general; and, evidently involved past conflict between Abraham and Abimelech, as well as any potential futureconflict between them. Conflict must not be overlooked as a critical biblical theme. Could it be that such resolution has something to do with life’s Beersheba’s? Could it be that a tamarindo on the horizon reminds us of the invocation of the Everlasting God during life’s most challenging moments?

As children, we were led by our teacher to a table where a slice of a tree was presented. We were encouraged to count the rings. For the rings told the story of the years. We were told that time could be measured by the circles in the wood. They go around and circumnavigate within the wood. We, as children, became interpreters, observers of what took place in the past. Now, we must look again and count the rings. For, there, on the horizon of the first-century is another tree—And when they carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb…” (Acts 13:29; 1 Peter 2:24).

“The tragedy of life is what dies inside of a man while he lives.” But, Abraham planted a tree. We would suggest that this tree plant of Abraham not only set up tamarindos in the wind, a visible spectre on the horizon; but that the winds of divine activity have rustled among the leaves of history (2 Corinthians 4:16; 5:14-15). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is an new creation…” Our progress, like tamarindo trees in the wind, has a reality in time but is interpreted outside of time. The rings do not make sense, unless interpreted through the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16-18).

Snow on the tree does not negate its rings.

Carisimmo: Basis for the Dolce Vita,  “The Sweet Life”

February is the Month of Love, Hallmark Cards and chocolate covered cherries (uhmm!).  But, there is a set of metaphysics that transcend even the sweetness and lyrics of this world.  However beautiful these may be, there is a Valentine from another place, more heavenly and much higher than Hollywood.  The purpose of this post is to get us thinking about carissimmo and the dolce vita.  (Italian for beloved and the sweet life).

The possibility of being Beloved is the groundwork for the dolce vita, the sweet life.  In the classic text where Jesus invites all men to come to him (Matthew 11:28-30), Jesus says of his yoke that it is dolce.  Dolce is sweet, dessert, pleasant.  It is translated into English from the Greek as, “easy”.  This sweet life is the life which derives from coming to Jesus.  Yes, some have assumed no conditions of allegiance to the Lord here; but this is a blundering mistake.  However, assuming that one is daily seeking him in a New Testament manner, carissimmo and the dolce vita are the promise.

The basis for the dolce vita may be seen in 3 John’s uses of carissimmo (beloved).  It occurs four times (verses 1,2,5,11).  Given the brevity of 3 John, such a frequency is notable.  This carissimmo starts four of the seven sections. Also, let it be observed that the New Testament  consistently applies this concept of beloved status.  Consider, for example, 2 Peter 3:1,8,14,17.  The plural, carissimmi, here,  is used with notable frequency.  The apostles use of this carissimmo, or, beloved status, is used to refer to individual Christians, as well as to local churches of Christ.

Chocolate covered cherries would be bitter without carissimmo status.  How will you define the dolce vita this February?

See if you can find Marla in the second photograph (click on).  Incidently, the above scenes of desserts were very common throughout Milan.

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.