Merry Christmas from Rome

(Photos: On the rooftop of our apartment building; the Colosseum surrounded by water, Sarah's Class at Lunch; Brian's Class Dinner; Philip and friend at the BFA Christmas Banquet; The Tiber Overflowing & Parts of Rome are under Water).

This past week has seen some of the worst flooding in Rome in 50-100 years! We read once an early Christian in Rome who wrote that Christians were blamed when there was a drought or when the Tiber flooded - because they did not make sacrifices to appease the pagan gods. Last night was spent "on alert" for those who live closest to the Tiber River. We live a few blocks to the west of the Tiber, but far enough up a hill that we did not have to worry about the rising waters. There was quite a bit of chaos in the city on Friday, and unfortunately a couple of deaths caused by the floodwaters.
Many have been asking how they can pray for us. Thank you so much for standing with us. You can pray for encouragement (read: courage) right now. In many ways we sense that we are quite alone in this new venture. Don't worry, we know that's what we signed up for, but knowing that in advance doesn't really make it any easier. We have come to Rome to start something new, to launch something in a place of spiritual need. The neighbors and other people that we have met and deal with are kind, but it is going to be many months before we feel like we are communicating effectively in Italian. We are making progress from week to week, but you understand that it is difficult to connect on a social level when you don't have language in common. We are actually thankful that the only language you can use in this city is Italian -- it forces you to learn! At the same time, it is hard when people look at you like you're an imbecile or they use the word "foreigner" constantly in your presence (referring to you). We said many months ago that God was calling out of our comfort zone. OK, we're out...way out !


Sarah is now on Christmas break from her Italian classes and will be firing up the oven to make Chocolate Krinkles to take around to our neighbors in the apartment building. Again, we have had a chance to talk with a few, but please pray that we can build some friendships over the next few weeks. We would also like to talk with the pastoral couple from the Baptist church in Trastevere. We would like to discuss teaming up with them to reach out in our neighborhood. And there are some other international friends we would like to get together with for mutual encouragement over the holidays.

Your prayers for encouragement are bound to bring fruit. The first three answers to prayer, Sarah Grace, Paul, and Philip, are already on their way to stay with us a few weeks. They all arrive between the 18th and the 22nd. Paul studied the Roman Empire and Latin longer than anyone we know, so we're all waiting for him to take us on a tour of Rome even though this will be his first trip to the Eternal City.

Another answer to prayer was the trip we were able to take for a long weekend over
Thanksgiving to the BFA campus in Kandern, Germany, to visit with Philip and be with some of our dearest friends the Garritys. We were relieved to see how well Philip was doing and glad to be there as he went to his first formal event, the Christmas Banquet (If you are a "friend" on Facebook, look at some of the videos and photos on Sarah's Facebook).

We are deeply grateful for all your support and especially your prayers for us. You are helping us launch this team! We are grateful for the friendships and kindred hearts which sustain us. Mostly we are gladdened to know the King of Kings, who made Himself small and helpless - holy incarnation! - to dwell among us and reveal God to men. Our prayer for you is that you will sense His Presence and Power in your lives and rejoice in the Good News of salvation this season.

Blessings in Jesus Christ,
Brian & Sarah