They of Italy Salute You
Text of James "Jay" and Piera Young's email Report
April, 1996
-
Dearest Christian friends everywhere!
- April 17, 1996.
- Greetings to all in the name of the Savior! We are due to
leave for Ukraine in just a few days, and we wanted to get this
communication to you as quickly as possible before leaving. We
have been so busy taking care of the exciting response to our ad
for the Bible Course that we just don't have the time to write
each of you a personal note this time. Please forgive us!
- Therefore, we have asked our wonderful Mesquite, Texas
Christians to prepare this letter for mailing to you which we are
sending to them over the Internet. We've been back "home" for two
weeks now from our very intensive mission to three of the churches
in Sicily, and on May 1 we'll depart for Ukraine. Here is a
summary of our most recent programs of work. (cfr.
1
Cor. 3:6;
Matt.9:37;
Luke
8:11)
Jay Young
-
OUR PREACHING AND TEACHING PROGRAM IN SICILY WAS VERY
SUCCESSFUL
- In the month of March we conducted intensive studies of the
New Testament book of First Timothy, problem solving as well as
public and personal evangelism for 23 consecutive days in the
cities of Catania, Enna, Syracuse and Palermo.
- Our work was crowned with much success! Several obeyed the
Gospel of Christ, a major church split was avoided and the
Christians in these four major cities of Sicily were much
encouraged in the Lord. Again, as in the past, our Sicilian
Christians overwhelmed us with their hospitality and readiness to
help our poor Christians in Ukraine in this difficult period of
Ukraine's history! We were happy, however, to return to "our own
beds". All those who hosted us provided their very best, pulling
out all the stops, to make us feel comfortable, and we rejoiced to
see the spiritual development of the churches to which we have
ministered over the past few years.
- One of the nicest things said to us while we were in Sicily
was from a family suffering through an incredible family
situation: "Jay and Piera, you have made such a difference in our
lives while you have been here!" We look forward to returning in
the late autumn of this year.
-
PERSONS FROM 68 DIFFERENT CITIES IN ITALY REQUEST OUR
BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE!
- Awaiting us in Pistoia upon our return from Sicily was,
indeed, a wonderful response to our ad in the March, 1996 issue of
the Italian Reader's Digest. Already the questionnaires are coming
in and groups of contacts are being formed in 68 areas of Italy
plus an Italian living in New York State!
- I wish I had the space to include a translation of some of the
letters which have been mailed to us. Many offered us money to
assist in "furthering this very needed and noble initiative to
spread the Word of God in Italy which needs God so much!" Many
expressed the desire that through our Course they can come to know
God and His Son, Jesus Christ! Christian friends, we are praying
that the church of the Lord will be established in many of these
68 cities.
- And there will be more contacts, because not a day passes we
don't receive additional requests! And many persons who enrolled
in our course have already sent us lists of friends to whom they
requested we send the Bible Course! Continue to pray for this
effort! It takes a lot of work. Brother Joe Gibbs, our coworker in
the Lord here in Italy will assist us in visiting those enrolled
in the Bible course from the northeastern section of Italy. Other
faithful evangelists have also been asked to assist in this manner
in the other areas of Italy. The seed is being sowed and watered.
God will provide the increase!
-
YOUR AND OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED: WE WILL RECEIVE
OUR VISAS FOR RETURNING TO UKRAINE!
- The President of the University of "Kiev-Mohyla Academy" of
Kiev, Ukraine, negotiated with the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
which has now granted a "3-year, MULTI-ENTRY visa" for Piera and
me, beginning May 1, 1996! I have been asked to teach
university-level courses in the area of Biblical studies: WHAT AN
OPPORTUNITY! Two years ago I presented several lectures at this
exclusive university on the subject, "The Formation of the New
Testament Documents". Ukraine's future business and political
leaders are trained at this exclusive school.
- The "Kiev-Mohyla Academy" is Ukraine's only private,
accredited university, in which courses are taught in either
Ukrainian or English. The Russian Language is almost taboo, being
taught as a "foreign language" thus symbolizing the anger of the
Ukrainian people who were oppressed for centuries by the Russians.
I have agreed to bring courses over several weeks on the subjects
of "Psychology and Biblical Christianity", as well as "The Life of
Christ", and other such courses. I have been promised "full
classes". Just think how many will be touched with the Gospel of
Christ!
- We are excited about being able to return to Ukraine in May to
make arrangements for our teaching in Kiev and our lengthy visit
to preach and teach in the Odessa church to whose existence we
have made a significant contribution over the past four years. The
courses which I will teach will be so arranged as to allow Piera
and me to spend nearly half of our time serving in Odessa with our
Christians there. We praise God for this opportunity!
-
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HELP OUR POOR CHILDREN
IN UKRAINE
- Christian Relief Fund in Amarillo, Texas, has notified us that
some of the supporters of our children in Ukraine have not sent
their contributions for some time now. If, by chance, you find
yourself in this category, please contact Christian Relief Fund
and let them know if there has been such a change in your economic
situation which will not allow you to continue. Our kids in
Ukraine are really relying on you.
- Piera and I want to ask you to continue to pray for us.
Remember, those of you who correspond with us by E-Mail should
seek to contact us through our "CompuServe" address from May 1
until May 27. That address is:
75464.2401@CompuServe.Com.
And if you are using only the CompuServe "on line service", that
address is simply: 75464,2401. After May 27 you can once again
begin to contact us through the Internet address:
j.young@zen.it.
- Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Write
us!
The Lord's and your servants,
James "Jay" & Piera Young
Missionaries to Europe