Avanti Italia Spring, 2009

May 30th, 2009

A package arrived

A package arrived about April containing a DVD of the Avanti Italia program.   Before passing it along, I screened it as part of my position at the Cape.  I became intrigued by the concept; especially since I had grown up in the Italian theology myself.  The exact chronology is vague now, but I do recall phoning Howard Bybee to ask pertinent questions about the program.  We were given an invitation to come to Searcy and interview with the Avanti Committee.  We stayed with the Bybees during the interview process.

Interview with the Avanti Committee

Our meeting was held Sunday evening after service in the Rock House.  Those present included the aged, Dr. Clifton Ganus Jr., Howard Bybee, Paul and Joli Love, and others.  Marla and I received approval following this meeting to proceed.   This was an anamoly in that the Avanti Italia program in Florence, Italy was designed mainly for more recent college graduates.  We had been doing ministry for some thirty years.  Nevertheless, we were given a green light.   We were now poised to say, “We’re going to Italy;” at least, theoretically.