As Lights in a Dark World

"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life." Phil 2:14-16

Three days and counting. We've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off...the number of details, the amount of work, paperwork, patience (or lack of) etc., reminds us that we are but dust! It's really nothing short of amazing when God chooses to use any of us for anything good let alone to have the privilege of glorifying Him by bringing the gospel to a lost or hurting world.

It does seem that with all we've been through over the last several months that two things are true. One, God clearly wants us to go to Italy...we are in awe of the things God has been doing to pave the way for us to go, opening door after door, to the point that we would be clearly sinning if we didn't go. Two, Satan definitely does not want us to go to Italy. He has tried to do everything he can to discourage us, dissuade us and tempt us to sin, doubt and depression.
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I found this old picture of Jeannettte holding up the leaning tower of Pisa (she's strong but not that strong) because it reminded me of what it has sometimes felt like. People don't do this because it is really hard! But we are so grateful that we have a great God Who has gone before us each step of the way. And though sometimes we don't like the way He provides (or delays in providing), He always provides just in time. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider! I am ashamed to admit how often I doubt, am driven by our circumstances, and sometimes, not a very good example of faith. It reminds me of one of my most favorite verses: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny His own nature."
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The last few weeks have been tough but God's way of preparing us. After moving out of our home on August 16th, we lived in a 650sq foot mobile home in my parents' RV HousePort park (see my mom and dad in pic). Though the kids weren't excited about living on top of each other, we encouraged them that there was a pool, shuffle boards, bocce ball, tennis, and a 9-hole golf course. The one salvation with a small place is the kids can go outside! But the day we moved in, Hurricane Fay came across the state and we were stuck inside for 5 days of very heavy rain and winds and wondering if we would be okay. Thankfully, Fay finally passed and we had a day where the sun actually peeked through the sky for like a half hour.
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(One hightlight of our time in the mobile home was Grandfather cooking Micky Mouse pancakes!)

Then that afternoon (the day before the presentation of our ministry at church), Jeannette got very sick, vomiting continually. It seemed like a 24 hour thing because, the next morning, though she felt weak, she felt much better. So we all went to church (we had 150 people coming to hear about our ministry and say goodbye to our family). Then on the way, Jacob vomited. We were on a street having a ton of construction so there was no place to pull over. But we were 2/3rds of the way there and we had some 150 people coming to say goodbye. So on we went. Jacob sat on the couch during the service, warning all to stay away. We'd survive somehow we thought and we prayed for Jacob. Then the service ended and our party began. But not without more fun. While Jacob was in one bathroom, Hannah was in the other...yes, you got it, vomiting! God blessed in spite of all the malaise but for the next 4 days (yes, we were still in the mobile home), our family was sick. If it wasn't so sad (including the others, our friends, that got sick), it would be comical. Believe it or not, we did finally recover! But it's clear now that God must have wanted our family to have some time stuck together under less than best conditions...probably His way of preparing us for some of the tough times we have to look forward to in Italy!

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(Three Generations of Walti's!)
It truly has been amazing though to see God's provision in this journey. From getting our religious visa to leasing our house to some godly young men to seeing God raise up funds for us to go (please keep praying, we are still short in both our monthly support and our settling-in expenses) to the most recent little miracle and blessing.
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For Jeannette and all the kids, we had to get a long-form version of their birth certificates and then, our marriage certificate (all which takes time and money). Then we had to send them back to the states where they were born and get what they call "apostiles" which verify the signature on the certificates (which takes more time and money). Then, when you finally get everything back (which we did about a week ago), then you must get them translated (more time and money) and then get the translations verified or legalized by the Italian Consulate in Miami (more time and money). Well, the first quote for just the translation was $420! Then, we got a quote for $350. Then a quote for $245 (we found out we didn't need to translate the apostiles!). But it was Thursday of last week and we were quickly running out of time. On top of it, it was increasingly looking like I (Lee) would have to go back down to Miami to walk the translated certificates through the consulate. Regardless of whether we like it or not, the Italian government loves documents and stamps!

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(All the girls including "Nana" Walti)

Then, by God's grace, we found a translator who would not only do all of the certicates for $140 but for $10 for gas, she would bring them to the consulate a half hour away from her and get them verified/legalized for us! As I sent away all of our certicates and the cashiers checks (one for $150 to her and one for $91 for the consulate), I thought, I don't even know this woman but this is the way God works! Just yesterday, we received everything back, all completed and verified by the consulate (all of this is critical to Jeannette and the kids staying in Italy, getting the kids in school, getting our marriage recognized by Italy and getting our permesso di soggiorno...translated "permit to stay") and all in less than 4 days. Simply amazing!
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Well, now the last 4 days have been spent finishing all the last minute details (we've been staying in Wycliffe apartments, cheap for missionaries...praise God for 3-bedroom apartments!). Just to give you an idea of what our days look like...this is what we have worked on in the last 4 days...

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Getting a power of attorney for my mom, getting international drivers licenses, packing and repacking, getting an ATM card that won't charge fees for overseas transactions, getting 3 months of prescriptions fulfilled, getting bike boxes (free for bikes on British Air!), packing and repacking, getting Euro AE Travelers Checks, meeting with 2 different people interested in buying our van (please pray! We still haven't sold it and we have a $106 monthly payment on it that we can't afford), locating our immunization records for the kids, buying a bunch of electric adaptors and converters, buying books for Bethany's semester at SBI, (did I mention packing and repacking 25 suitcases, 14 carry-ons, 4 bikes and 3 guitars?), changing the address on all our bills, cards, etc., buying hot pink duct tape to help us know which suitcases are ours (I think we can only rightly identify about 10 of them!), cancel our BJ's and Costco memberships, send out envelopes to those who want to give us a gift and asked us to send them, and packing all our towels and sheets for our temporary lodging...the first night being next Monday night! (are you tired of just reading this yet?!).
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One special treat tonight was getting to meet with a pastor and his wife who lived and ministered in Udine for 10 years (Dave & Beverly Bassett). What a delight! And how wonderful to hear their stories of changed lives and to get their insight on how to transition as a family into such a different culture. We plan on keeping in touch and having them mentor us a bit during our time in Udine. Our only regret is that we didn't meet them some 7-8 months ago!

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Here is a little about what we will be doing the next three days...

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Tomorrow night, we go to "Portofino Bay" where we will be meeting a couple dozen couples and singles friends to say goodbye and have an Italian evening and pizza together. They even have Italian singers come out to sing to you on a balcony!
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Sunday morning, we go to our beloved church for the last time for a long time. Oh how we will be shedding a ton of tears!!!
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And Sunday night at a little after 8pm, we depart for Udine, Italy. All seven of us. Along with our 24 suitcases, 14 carry-ons, 4 bikes and 3 guitars (it's going to take a small army of vans to just get us to the airport!!!). We'll have to get to the airport about 5pm just to get us and all our stuff on!

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Well, suffice it to say that we couldn't go without you. And your prayers. And your support. And your love. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your partnership for the gospel has made it possible! We love you and are SO grateful for your love and generosity of spirit toward us as a family. And now on to the Great Adventure! For the sake of the GOSPEL!!!! May God be glorified (may we decrease so that He may increase).

Our temporary address in Udine: Via San Pietro 11, Apt. 4
33100 Udine (UD) - probably for about a month (until Oct 1).