What God Has Spoken to Our Team

We have had a blessed time since we arrived in Italy. God has also spoken a lot about the spiritual situation here in Italy. We would like to share with you the things He has told us.

Milan-January 11, 2008 to January 26, 2008

While we were in Milan, we worked with a small church called Stazione di Lode. The church is alive and growing. During our time there, the Lord spoke to us concerning division and disunity within the churches of Italy. We came to find out that most evangelical churches in Milan were formed when a larger church divided. We have seen that the disunity brings discouragement to many Christians living in Milan.

Before coming to Milan, Priscilla had asked God to give her something to share with the church in Milan, and He gave her the word “reconciliation.” She had the opportunity to preach a message on the book of Philemon.

God has also revealed that the Italian people are closed to hearing the gospel. This is a stronghold within Italy, especially in Milan.

In Italy, God has given us a ministry of joy. We have seen how He has used us to bring joy into people’s lives and how it has encouraged the Body of Christ. We are continuing to pray for the issue of disunity within the churches of Milan and for those who are discouraged as well.

The people of Stazione di Lode also prayed for us during our final meeting with them to encourage us. Luigi received a prophesy about his calling as a leader and as a pioneer. He was encouraged in his desire to pioneer a YWAM base in Milan. Priscilla received a prophesy about her calling to be a worshipper and a teacher. Amanda received a prophesy regarding her calling to teach the church. And Angela received a prophecy about joy.

Pescara-January 26, 2008-February 17, 2008

While in Pescara, we became discouraged because our outreach wasn’t looking the way we had envisioned it. We began to feel useless because we weren’t seeing anyone come to the Lord. While we were piling olive branches and bamboo to be burned, the Lord spoke to Amanda. He said that in the same way we were preparing the olive orchard, we were preparing the mission field for the harvest. He said that our primary objective in Italy is to encourage the church and to build-up missionaries. This encouraged us in our ministry with Giuseppe and Cristiana Restivo, pioneers of YWAM Abruzzo.

The Lord also spoke to Priscilla through a dream. In her dream, we were ministering with Giuseppe and Cristiana. Then, in her dream, Priscilla came to find out that they had died and were buried in the ground. As she was standing at their grave, she said, “I don’t understand. I have been talking with them, and they have been dead the whole time.” She believed that this dream was from God and asked Him what it meant. He said that some people think that the ministry Giuseppe and Cristiana are pioneering is dead, but it isn’t. It’s alive. Giuseppe later confirmed the word the Lord had spoken to Priscilla. Giuseppe said that some churches in Pescara look to the ministry he and Cristiana are pioneering and doubt its prosperity.

God has been revealing Himself to us in amazing ways. He has spoken to us about our ministry in Italy, clarifying the plans He has for us while we are here. We are thankful for all He is doing in us and through us. We give Him all the glory.