The Italian Memorandum

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.