The Missionary's Goal

"Behold, we go up to Jerusalem."

Luke 18:31

In the natural life our ambitions alter as we develop; in the Christian life the goal is given at the beginning, the beginning and the end are the same, viz., Our Lord Himself. We start with Christ and we end with Him - "until we all attain to the stature of the manhood of Christ Jesus," not to our idea of what the Christian life should be. The aim of the missionary is to do God's will, not to be useful, not to win the heathen; he is useful and he does win the heathen, but that is not his aim. His aim is to do the will of his Lord.

In Our Lord's life Jerusalem was the place where He reached the climax of His Father's will upon the Cross, and unless we go with Jesus there we will have no companionship with Him. Nothing ever discouraged Our Lord on His way to Jerusalem. He never hurried through certain villages where He was persecuted, or lingered in others where He was blessed. Neither gratitude nor ingratitude turned Our Lord one hair's breadth away from His purpose to go up to Jerusalem.

"The disciple is not above his Master." The same things will happen to us on our way to our Jerusalem. There will be the works of God manifested through us, people will get blessed, and one or two will show gratitude and the rest will show gross ingratitude, but nothing must deflect us from going up to our Jerusalem.

"There they crucified Him." That is what happened when Our Lord reached Jerusalem, and that happening is the gateway to our salvation. The saints do not end in crucifixion: by the Lord's grace they end in glory. In the meantime our watchword is - I, too, go up to Jerusalem.

No matter how long we have been missionaries, we continue to have to learn the lesson of self-sacrifice over and over. I keep thinking that self-absorption, self-love, self-promotion or self-pitying will eventually disappear or at least eventually be so small that it will only be barely present. Only to wake up the next morning and find that I am still very selfish and self-seeking.

Even in our holiest of ambitions--leaving everything and everyone we love (which has new meaning now that we live in a different country) for the sake of the gospel--I am still intimately aware of the need of the work of God in my heart, purifying my intentions and ambitions.

I'm not sure about Jeannette as much as I am of myself...that way too much of me is often wrapped up in my life and work for the Lord. As Oswald Chambers says above (the morning devotion for today, my b-day...a big 48)..."The aim of the missionary is to do God's will, not to be useful, not to win the heathen; he is useful and he does win the heathen, but that is not his aim. His aim is to do the will of the Lord."

I want to not only do God's will but also be seen doing God's will. I want to be noticed. It's like, "Hey, look what I'm doing! I'm leaving all that matters to me to do God's will! Did you notice? Aren't you going to affirm me? Aren't you going to say, 'Wow, Lee, good job!"?

And then there's Jesus, our Lord and Savior. He didn't count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He was never discouraged from doing the Father's will...He never hurried the Father's will...and the critical truth for me? He never sought gratitude to keep Him going that He might fulfill the Father's will. Nor was He ever dissuaded from going because He did not recieve gratitude. The cross was before Him. The world behind Him. The call from the Father was to give up His life for others...specifically sinners who don't deserve anything...except hell and eternal damnation. Everything about Him, including His deepest desires and motives, were focused on loving the Father and loving others from a pure heart. His heart was such that He knew that the disciple (in this case, Himself) is not above his master (in this case, His Father).

Like Chambers says, "The same thing will happen to us on our way to our Jerusalem. There will be works of God manifested through us, people will get blessed, and one or two will show gratitude and the rest will show gross ingratitude, but nothing must deflect us from going up to our Jerusalem."

First, we have to ask ourselves, "Am I going up to my Jerusalem?" Then, we must ask, "Am I going up to my Jerusalem, like Christ, with a pure heart to do God's will...to give up my life for Him?" Maybe you are more like me...wanting to be useful, wanting to obtain gratitude in the process, or to be seen as being a great Christian as you head up the mountain? If you are more like Christ in these things, I truly am thankful for you and need people like you around me. Please find time to mentor people like me around you. The Church desperately needs your example. Be a good steward of God's grace in you...invest what you have in others.

Yet if you are more like me, let's pray that God changes us and makes us into a true missionary who is willing to go up to our Jerusalem. And then, that He might make us into missionaries who see God's will and His glory as our only true goal...the only one worthy of our passionate pursuit. And in the process, we will lose sight of ourselves and our ambitions.

Love in Christ,
Lee

48 years young!

La vita in Italia è bella! (Life in Italy is Beautiful!)

We arrived here a little more than a week ago and are just getting settled in. To live in another country, you must first leave previous ideas about life behind. As you may imagine, Italy is different and it takes a bit of adjusting. Though it's been a short time since we last wrote, we thought you might enjoy the lighter side of what Italy is like so here are some things you must learn about life in Italy:

Firstly, we’ve never seen a place that required more documents, stamps, seals and official notices! I told my friend George who is in the legal field, this place was tailor-made for an attorney! Unbelievable. Even the copies of copies of copies have official stamps and seals on them. And whoever controls the stamp or the seal has the power! So now you understand why so many seals and stamps. Even signs on doors have official stamps. Never mind if it is some relatively unimportant announcement like, “Starting April 23rd this entrance will no longer be accessible” and it is printed off an inkjet printer. If it doesn’t have a stamp, it means nothing. Everyone will ignore it. They will say, “Apparently, someone with no power or authority placed this sign up.” But if it has a stamp? Whoa, pay attention.

Secondly, everything is done according to the rules except for all that isn’t. What do I mean? What I mean is that the rules are very important here except when they are inconvenient. Everyone makes a big deal about following certain rules, traditions, ways of thinking and doing except when it’s particularly inconvenient or especially impossible…then all bets are off. It’s do what works for the moment! Italians are amazingly adept at creating rules for almost anything except they don’t allow for exceptions. And there are always exceptions. And they know that you know that there are and that you will figure something else out and do it when you can’t obey the rules or the law…and then, and only then, they look the other way. Our friends who have been here for 3 years say that it is a good reminder of the law versus grace. You always follow the law except when you can’t because there’s no other options and then there’s grace.

Thirdly, never tell an Italian more than he or she needs to know. If you tell an Italian more than he or she needs to know, then you will be sorry. Why? Because then he will make you pay the price. Though before you told him, he trusted that you were who you said you were and that he had no reason to worry…once you told him more than he needed to know, he immediately now requires you to give even more information (or documents…they just LOVE documents…especially if they have stamps or seals on them…their whole faces light up). So always let them ask you the questions (it makes them feel like they are in control). And only give them what they ask for!

Fourthly, never start any business transaction over the phone or by e-mail. They have to see your face. For the Italians, this is how they can tell whether you are “okay.” If they can see your face and they trust you, then everything will go okay. But if you start the transaction by phone or e-mail, they will wonder what you are trying to hide. They will think, “Why are they not coming to see me? Are they afraid to show their face? Are they trying to deceive me? Who is this person!? I have not seen his face so I cannot trust him!!!”

Fifthly and very importantly, if it is Italian, it is the best. Never mind that there may be a better, more efficient way. If it is not Italian, it is not so good. For example, they like these ticket machines with numbers for waiting in line. They are everywhere. But the numbers are anything but logical. The other day, we were waiting in line to file for our Permesso di soggiorno and we had to get a number. It was U035. Never mind that the numbers that were up were numbers like J001 and R305 and there was no “U” to be found anywhere. At some point, a U032 will pop up with no explanation at all. And you will think, “Oh, my number will be coming up soon.” Except after that number, an E012 will come up and you will wonder, “What happened?” Until about 5 minutes later, a U33 will come up. And finally you realize, the Italians just choose whatever numbers they want when they feel like it and it’s a game to make you go crazy and to think you are losing your mind. But it is the Italian approach and therefore it is good!!

Lastly, after doing any kind of business, you must have a cappuccino (unless of course, it is after 5pm which if you do, they will think you are crazy because no one drinks milk after 5pm and they will immediately know you are an American!). Cappuccinos are what seal the deal. If you go do some kind of business or have some kind of relationship and do not have a cappuccino or even better, an espresso, then there is something wrong with you. You are showing that you care more about the deal than you do about the relationship. And for Italians, it is all about the relationship. Even if you do not like coffee, you must meet afterwards in a coffee bar at least! You are then showing that you respect this time-honored Italian tradition of talking and relaxing and relating after everything you do.

So you see, we are learning a lot about Italian life! And it it beautiful. Challenging? Yes. But still beautiful. You really don't realize how different life in another culture is until you actually live there. Even though we've visited before, we had never lived here until now. So only now are we learning to truly be and live like Italians. Just think about it...some day soon, we will cease being beginning Italians and start being intermediate or advanced Italians. And then we will be doing everything like the Italians. Paul said, do all things for the sake of the gospel! When in Rome, be like the Romans so if in Udine, you must be like the Udineese!

Love to all our sweet friends and loved ones!

Some random pictures

Shadowfeet

There's a sweet song by Brook Fraser, the lyrics repeated here and the song is the first in our playlist on our blog here:

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
Toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing
Less and less asleep
Made of different stuff than when I began
And I have sensed it all along
Fast approaching is the day

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you

There's distraction buzzing in my head
Saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
But I've heard rumours of true reality
Whispers of a well-lit way

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you

We feel like we have had shadowfeet...wanting to stay in the shadows where it's easier and more comfortable to stay. And yet there's been this whole wide world out here dying to hear the gospel. Or should we say, dying without the gospel. Us Americans tend to be out of touch with the rest of the world. Maybe it's the news that doesn't give us much of what's happening. Maybe it's the flow of music, movies and information in general (from America to the world and not the other way much). Or maybe it's just our arrogance (mine and Jeannette's) and lack of interest in things other than good ole' USA. But suffice it to say, it really is a mysterious and wonderful world out here waiting! And like Brooke sings in her song, we are walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet (that prefer comfort and ease) toward our home (our new home) but really a land we've never seen. We've been saying, "In the shadows it's easier to stay...but we've heard rumours of true reality...Whispers of a well-lit way (Jesus)."

We do feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders now that we have arrived. And it's now official: we've spent our first 24 hour period in Udine, Italy!

On some of the details...

Amazing and very challenging. Wow was it hard to say goodbye. Over some 30 people sent us off at the airport and that was after helping us pack, disassemble bikes and pack them, and then pack them some more, etc., etc. Such sweet friends. Travelling with 23 suitcases, 4 bikes and 3 guitars is an interesting experience! It literally took a small village to get us in the airplane and off the ground. While Jeannette and I were showing the British Airline rep all our passports, explaining to her that no, this was not a large tour group that was going, etc., there was like 7-8 people writing the address of our bible center on the tags (best place since we are in a temp apt), 3 people providing moral support, 2 people helping with rearranging bags and bikes and helping to weigh them and all with a smile on our faces. And then another 20 or so wanting to help and cheering us on.

It was amazing to see God's goodness at work through loving friends! And we were the direct beneficiaries. A little stressful, yes. But still amazing. Actually, the guitars almost didn't make it. We were told they were supposed to be like a carry-on to go free. We explained that this was not what we were told when we talked to the two different BA reps on the phone. So they called a supervisor over and she said, "Well, if it's in the record that you were told this, then we will honor it." So they looked and there was the info about the guitars but nothing about it being hand carried on so, the supervisor said to our rep, "Just allow it as sporting goods." Amazing. It would have been an additional $420 - $450. So off we went with our sweet troupe following us.

It was SO hard to say goodbye...everyone was crying. The youth (all the girls friends) were crying that came to say goodbye. All the other kids were crying (ours and others, friends of our kids). Eventually, all the parents were crying. And Jeannette and I were just balling like a baby. But I really appreciated the words George Romanacce spoke in my ears when we hugged that last moment before walking through the security check, "God knows what He is doing." That really helped me make it through. I also remembered what Todd, our worship pastor had said when we met some time back...something to the effect of, "You guys have developed some many great friendships here (our church, Metro Life)" This is so true. We sometimes have thought we are literally crazy (even in London, during our six-hour layover, the tempting thought came, "What are we doing? We were so blessed and we left all of our sweet friends! We had it so good." And so then, more tears!) Truly though, the Lord has truly blessed us with such special friends and our home group at church is like family to us. We just hope everyone knows that they are not going to be able to get rid of us just because we are in Italy!

Anyway, the flight was good (the kids loved having their own little video screen and watching movies...their last American movies for a long time probably). And except for having lots of people stare at us and struggling with our carry-on luggage that appeared to be packed for Attila the Hun, we did fine. On the other end, we did rent a van as one of the two ministry vans that was going to pick us up originally was in the repair shop. However, as the team was going to pick up the rented van, the good van broke down! So the team had to go get the repair shop owner to open the shop and give them the other van which still runs but needs shocks. But finally, they were on the road and in addition to the van the ministry brought with them, we had a rented van where we literally pushed the last suitcase in (with all the suitcases, bikes, guitars, etc) and had to force the door closed. We could not have fit one more suitcase or anything. Tom Little, our administrator, was amazed. He and the director, Sam Spatola, had bet that with all the luggage we had, it wouldn't fit. But Tom acknowledged they lost the bet! Praise God!

An hour and a half later (about 9:40pm Udine time but 3:40pm our time with very little sleep!)It was so sweet that the Wells family (the missionary family who helps with the Udine church) all came to the apartment to greet us as did the rest of the team who came in from San Lorenzo so it was such a nice greeting and the kids (Wells and Waltis) got to meet each other for the first time. The temporary apartment is very nice…very up to date. We’re a little cramped with all the suitcases but we’ll survive once we get everything packed away some. No air conditioning (forget USA conveniences) but a nice breeze when the windows are open. Just watch out for mosquitoes cuz there’s no screens on most windows here either! Here you learn really quick to not expect all the conveniences and comforts. We just keep thinking, it's good for the sake of our character!

One quick thing on contacting us…please download Skype at http://www.skype.com/ and then search for a contact and plug in my name (Lee.Walti) or Jeannette’s (Jeannette.Walti). And Bethany’s is Bethany.Walti if any would like to connect with her (Hannah and the other kids can be reached on Jeannette's or my connection). We have a wired connection. By the way, we did have a router but we blew it last night when we forgot that some electronics don't have the additional allowance of voltage!

After waking up about 12:30pm (we were shocked) following our first night of sleep (pretty good night), we started getting going for the day. All the kids were already having fun (Elijah already met two friends which then allowed us to meet their mom, our very first new Christian friend/neighbor in Italy, a lady one story up named Georgina). Elijah and Abby rode their bikes around the complex once Jacob and I got the two kids bikes we brought with us to Italy put together. It turns out Georgina is not really Italian though she speaks this and English quite well...she's from Nigeria. Which actually explains why we could meet someone in Italy who was a Christian (even she was very surprised to find out we were Christians and commented that it is very rare). We did discover that she is separated from her non-Christian husband and has three kids. And though she has a lot going on in her life, she seemed very excited to meet us. So pray for her and for us, that we might have a good influence in her life (we wondered who it was that had the bible in her car here!)

We went to the Wells family for lunch then which was so nice. After a great meal and some espresso, we even played a couple games of ping-pong and then walked down the street altogether to get some real genuine Gelato! We are so blessed to be teamed with such a neat family! The kids (ours and the Wells') are got along great and clearly enjoyed having some company. I think our two families will do great together.

We spent the rest of the afternoon meeting with our new landlord to sign the contract and pay the rent for our month (praise God our new ATM card we just got the day before we left actually worked!) for our new temporary apartment (hoping to find permanent lodging before the month is up). She was a very nice lady and I think God gave me favor with her because I was able to get her printer working. Once we were done, we took all the kids (including our two new-found friends...two of Georgina's kids) on a walk to the supermercado (supermarket) and then to pizza. However, we missed the first supermercado (closest to us) by 10 minutes (Jeannette's watch was off by 20 minutes), the second one by 30 minutes (some Italians told us along the way it was open a half our later) and the third one...well, we never made it as we found that though we tried, we couldn't walk the 4 more kilometers in time...hey but it was good exercise anyway (Jeannette and I are hoping to lose some weight!). And a good lesson for all of us about flexibility...and better planning!

We did get to go to the pizzeria finally. It was a nice little neighborly place where we really hit it off with the proprietor who seemed to like us (probably because of us having all the kids with us didn't hurt as he has three...ages 10, 5 and 3...very rare in Italy). After the pizza cooked, we paid for everything and as he was packing all our pizza and drinks up, the pizzeria owner placed a bottle of "roso" wine in our bag as a gift! How kind of him. We're finding that Italians are much nicer than they are sometimes made out to be. Oh, and the pizza! Molte Bene! (very good) If you've only had American pizza, you've never had real pizza. This was incredible! So if you come visit us, we promise, as a lure to get you to come, we will buy you real authentic Italian pizza!!!

Well...here are some upcoming needs for prayer...

Bethany goes to school this Saturday at Saints Bible Institute so please pray for her. She's excited but like a lot of new things, just wondering what it will all be like. Hannah is quite concerned about what her school will be like and whether she will even be able to do any school because unlike Bethany, her school will all be in Italian and she has not learned much yet. Please pray for her because she's having the normal jitters that come with such a strange and different place where everyone speaks a different language! Pray that she will not only do great and learn Italian quick but also make some sweet friends and have a great witness. Jeannette and I told her that with her personality and all-around giftedness, she'll do great! But she's not totally believing us yet. Please pray for our other kids too...Jacob seems to have enjoyed meeting Jared Wells but also please pray for friends and his new school. Elijah seems to be having the time of his life but pray that he won't offend all of his new friends (partially kidding but partially true), that he will really try to speak Italian and that he won't be too loud for an Italian apartment complex. And Abby...well, Abby is just adorable as usual! Lastly...vehicles. Please pray that our Honda van in Florida will sell and please pray for a vehicle for us here. We do not have the money to buy one and we can't finance one here...but we probably really need to have one. At this point, we don't know where the money or the van will come from...so please pray.

Well, that's about it! Or at least enough for this post (long as usual!). We love you all! We couldn’t have made it without you. You are our partners in crime (the gospel being preached and brought to Italians!) We love you and miss you all already!!! In our next post, we'll just put pictures...lots of them!

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).

I'll be Found in You, Still Standing.

Most of us as Christians can relate to the fact that when life is the toughest, this is when we feel closest to the Lord. That would certainly be true of the Walti family in this time. Our lives have never felt more in an upheaval yet there is a certain peace that surpasses understanding. If the world were to evaluate all that is going on in our lives, they would say we are literally crazy. Yet, as God's Word makes clear...the world's wisdom is foolishness to God BUT the foolishness of God confounds the wise. We are so thankful that when all of our life around us seems to feel like it is literally disappearing before our eyes, we are found in Him, still standing. As the newer Christian music artist from New Zealand, Brooke Fraser, sings:

When the world has fallen out from under me...I'll be found in you, still standing.

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees, when time and space are through...

I'll be found in you, still standing.

Well, it turns out that the connection with Julia M. turned out to be a divine connection afterall with one of her friends, Adam H., a missionary who has spent 2 years recently in Italy on a mission, will be leasing our house with 3 of his roommates. What a blessing. The only HUGE challenge is we have to be out of the house in a week! AND, we don't yet know where we will be staying so PLEASE PRAY! We were able to secure housing at Wycliffe's Missionary apartments from Aug 25 through Sept 7, our departure. But from the 16th until the 25th, at this point, we hav no place to stay :-) No big problem for God!!! After all that we have been through and seen God provide for, this is one of our smallest challenges. We also do not have housing yet in Udine, Italy but it may be we'll have to stay temporarily with friends over there until we find permanent housing (the place we put an offer on for lease was not accepted by the owner).

Thank you for your loving e-mails, prayers, financial support and general encouragement. We could not do it without you. We never realized how hard it is for international misisonaries to reach their assignments. We see the devil's schemes at every turn. And our flesh rails against this self-sacrificial journey. Daily, we question why we are doing something so uncomfortable. I (Lee) especially have been challenged by this last leg of our journey. When the move and the transition was further off, I was full of faith. But as I've had to say goodbye to people and things, my heartstrings have gotten the best of me and I've seen how I'm emotionally attached to things and comfort and ease more than I like to sometimes admit. And sometimes discouragement comes from well-intentioned Christians who like us at times, lack faith. This is a foreign country which for most Americans is simply that...a foreign world. And many Americans cannot simply get their minds around why anyone would want to GO. But I'll never forget what Keith Green once said... "We shouldn't be asking whether we should go. We should be asking why we would consider staying."

Well, we don't know how we are going to get it all done and we could still use quite a bit more support, especially for settling-in expenses (we need at least another $15k), but we know God will be faithful just like He has been thus far.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your prayers. We can sense that you are praying and we know that we could not do this without you and your prayers.

Coram Deo,

Lee & Jeannette

God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise!

If Joshua didn't think the instructions were odd and unusual, surely the Israelites questioned the very specific directions given by God...

The LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors. You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times , and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead." Joshua 6:2-5

When our new friend, Julia, informed us that she actually wanted our place and didn't want to call because she thought she would cry, we knew the news would not be good. It turned out that the ruling was split between the girls and we lost the majority decision. It would be an understatement to say that we were disappointed. Why does God seemingly give such hope only to seemingly remove it? Well, Joshua might have asked, "Why does God lead us for 40 years in the desert only to have us win the promised land this way?" I mean, come on! March around the walls seven times and on the seventh day, we're just going to blow some trumpets and You say the walls are going to just fall down? Oh come on Lord. And You want me to have faith? It's not as if we haven't been struggling a bit out here in this desert wasteland.

But God's ways are above our ways. His thoughts above our thoughts. And He uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. In fact, that's one of the precious verses God used to make it clear that He could call even "us" to a life of full-time ministry. We couldn't see how He could use us but just as it wasn't about our ability, it isn't about us. It's about His glory. And once again, I think of how Jesus didn't go to Lazarus right away and the reason why. He was with Mary and Martha. Jesus knew that Lazarus, their brother and his good friend, was sick unto death. He knew that Lazarus' sisters were deeply concerned. But the Scripture says, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was" (John 11:5-6). What?

"When He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was!"

Why would Jesus do such a thing? The Lord reveals why in the verse just before this one (v4)...

"This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it"

We don't really know completely why God didn't make this situation work out with the girls. It seemed, from our perspective, as if God had perfectly working out His will in such a way that it would greatly glorify Him. The connections with Julia were amazing. However, apparently, He wanted to wait a few days longer, at the very least, so that He will receive greater glory!

And though in times like this, we're perplexed, we're never despairing...weighed down in our spirits, but never destroyed...hurt but never crushed. Why? Because though we clearly do not know what the future holds, we do know WHO holds the future in His hands.

JEHOVAH JIREH, OUR PROVIDER!

Please praise God with us that if even when we lack faith, God remains faithful for He cannot deny His nature (2 Tim 2:13).

A Quick Post: Please Pray!

Right now, we are praising God! We had an incredible divine connection tonight with a young lady, Julia M., who teaches at UCF for multilingual studies, has 4 Christian roommates and they’re all in the Campus Crusade for Christ on-campus group at UCF and they need a place right away! I say divine connection because the so-called "coincidences" were incredible (of course, we all know God directs all our steps!). Julia not only knows the Wells family (the father/husband, Ken Wells is who I report to with S.E.E. and they’re the family that we’ll be working closely with in Udine, IT), but she also knows my old boss at FamilyLife, David Sims and his family, attends a great church in town that we have attended (Orlando Grace), she is a totally strong Christian and loves the Lord, has a heart for missions and wants to go overseas someday to do missions work! To top it off, the girls all need a place in a week (ahhhhh....Julia thinks they might be able to work out two weeks). The girls could even use some of our furniture, bikes, etc. so we might not have to store much of anything.

We’re like blown away! God is so good. Julia said she was really beginning to doubt God's provision as the girls have to be in a new place in a week and they have been looking non-stop. We must confess that we too have also struggled some with our faith as this is the biggest issue we have been up against that is holding us back and just the desire has been to get focused on the finish line (final support-raising, locating a new place in Udine, saying "see you later" NOT goodbye! :-) and finalizing details of government paperwork & requirements).

Please, please, please pray for when the 5 girls come over to see the house tomorrow at 12:15pm. This sure seems like it may be God’s perfect provision!

Confirmation Often Comes When You Step Out in Faith

Faith is a somewhat elusive thing sometimes. It is the only thing God honors but He is the only One who can provide it. We are to have faith in God and His providence in our lives (and not unbelief) but we are made of dust, here today and gone tomorrow. As Christians, let alone as humans, we often are easily persuaded or dissuaded by our circumstances...sometimes reading into the events of our lives too much and other times, not seeing the hand of God clearly leading us. Why is faith so challenging? Why does it stretch us so? Why is it sometimes so elusive?

Jeannette and I think one of the biggest reasons is because of fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of man...fear. We forget that Perfect Love (Jesus Christ) casts out fear. We are assured by Scripture that no one can separate us from the love of God. God clearly tells us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. And yet...we still fear and doubt. I think it is because we have such a tendency to base our faith on ourselves. God will or will not be faithful because I do or do not deserve it...today, yesterday, tomorrow. However, I think God bestows faith and honors faith for two reasons alone. Primarily for His glory and secondarily to display His love for His children.

We had the most amazing time attending the S.E.E. staff conference in Udine, Italy. We really didn't think we could go (too much money, bad timing, etc). And then, we were thinking that if anyone went, it would just be me. But, after a supporter friend offered to give funds to provide for one of the tickets, we stepped out in faith only to end up booking tickets out of Miami. What, my wife said? I did it to save $300 on each ticket. Then for 24 hours afterwards, we tried everything we could do to change them and get a reasonable price. A couple of days later, it hit us...we need to get our long-term visa and the only place we Floridians can do this is at the Italian Consulate in Miami! Amazing how God blesses and guides us in spite of ourselves.

The week of staff training was filled with lots of prayer, worship, team-building events (some fun games, time at a local river swimming, etc) and lots of updates about God's faithfulness to Himself and to His will as we heard of all the Italians who are being reached for Christ through the church in Udine, mimes, skits, concerts, the ESL classes (over 200 Italians last year) and the most successful year to date for the bible institute along with accreditation by Liberty.

We also got to go with an evangelism team from McGregor Baptist once to the park and 2-3 nights out on the piazza with great success (mimes, skits, puppet shows, preaching)...God worked mightily. Many people were asking questions, wanting to know how they could learn more about God and Jesus and the Bible (most Italians have a great respect for the Bible but almost none read it or know what it says).

I also had the privilege of witnessing, along with a neat pastor from McGregor, Russell, for about a half hour to an Italian from Romania. It was amazing as this young man went from having just decided to become a Jehovah’s Witness after much study and consideration to thanking us and telling me that we had made his day. Russell, apparently quite a good study on Jehovah's Witnesses, was able to, by memory, give him each and every year that JW’s had predicted Christ’s return with no success).

It was clear that, despite what you might expect, showing him the error of the JW’s had made him very happy. And then helping him to learn that in fact, the Bible proclaims Jesus is truly the Messiah and God, one and the same. It was a glorious experience as we hugged and he thanked us and acted as if his whole life had changed.

Then, Saturday, we had a day to look around Udine and outlying areas to see a lay of the land, praying about where God might have us live. Here we were looking to find a place to live for our family of seven and we don't even yet have someone to lease or take our house in Orlando! I felt like God was saying, "This is what My wisdom looks like...it looks like foolishness to the world...but when I call my people to leave everything for Me, this is what faith looks like."

A sweet girl, JJ from Metro Life is going through some of the same things we are as she heads for England to help with a Sovereign Grace church there. We had such a sweet time of praying together at the Miami church just before we left for Italy. We shared together how God's timing is always perfect. Maybe not exactly when we want it (too early, too late) but always perfect. And like when Jesus did not go to raise Lazarus right away, it was so that God would be glorified (we just recently found out that despite any fears or doubts, JJ now has all her money and leaves for England in 5 weeks...please pray for this young fireball for the Lord!)

So after looking for 1 days (Monday), we put a pre-contract down on Tuesday on a 2nd floor apt in a small town called Colugna (a little challenging when all is written in Italian!) Thank God for Ken and Ruthann Wells who were like angels to us throughout all of this. It's not big...about1300 sq feet for a family of 7 but there's a partially-finished attic (about 500 sq feet) where we figure, we'll put the boys and lock it for time alone (just to have some quiet...we promise we'll let them out periodically). It is a very "bible-study" friendly place with a nice sized living room and a 2nd floor deck outside that would be fun for afternooon get-togethers with believers or unbelievers alike.

Well, we stepped out in faith and it will be a small miracle if we get this place. There was already an offer on it...they offered 50 more Euros a month than us, 3 months down versus our 2, and they are willing to take it starting August 1 versus our arrival in early September. The one thing we have going for us is that the lady downstairs seemed to like us (and Americans in general) and the other couple has a dog, which she does not like.

Please pray...this would be an amazing opportunity, especially given that Colugna is a somewhat small town just minutes outside of Udine with tons of opportunities to develop relationships, evangelize unbelievers and God willing, disciple brand new believers! We are so unworthy but so very thankful to have this incredible opportunity to reach lost Italians. Thank you for all your prayers. We did not really think we'd leave Udine on this trip with a possible home but God always seems to do above and beyond what we can think or imagine. La Donna (the lady) has one week to accept our offer (next Saturday, the 19th is the final day). Please pray.

We returned to Miami after a two-hour delay in Atlanta at 2:30 in the morning. Thankfully, the kids got down to Miami along with two godly friends of the girls (Bethany's friend, Kelley from the Lord of Life Church in Indiana, PA and Hannah's friend, Clarice Chin) with our sweet new friends Nando and Cindy to greet them. But it gave us a little concern to think of our eldest, Bethany, picking us up at Miami Int'l at 2:38 in the morning (instead of the original arrival time of 11:30) but Jacob and her arrived right on time despite our concerns. But to suffice it to say, we were all very tired! And we had to go in less than 6 hours to the Italian consulate in Miami! So sleep we did and the next morning, nearly 2 hours early, the entire family (minus 2 friends) went to the consulate and sat and waited for the doors to open. We'd heard about lines in New York where you had to get there by midnight the night before to get in as the first 100 which were the only ones guaranteed to be seen or considered. We had heard that Miami was a little different but we really didn't really know what to expect.

The preparation had been incredible...it felt like it must for some who do an international adoption. The paperwork was voluminous...invites from Italy to come, translations of documents, notorized documents, proof of our status as missionaries, proof of identity, proof of Jeannette's married name, proof of our children's and our citizenship, birth certificates, passports for all, etc., etc, etc. We had been told that many of the SEE team members had been rejected 2-3 times. So we knew this would be a huge step forward. By God's grace, both Jeannette and I were full of faith that we were going to walk in there and come away with our visa for religious purposes. Not that we are always that way...we too are tempted by unbelief. However, God had placed it in our hearts to have great faith.

Still, it was to our shock and amazement when 13 minutes into our time and having looked at only about 5% of our documents, we were told by the consulate rep that all looked good and it was "only an informality at this point" and we could pick up the visa the next morning (Friday, which we'd allowed for just in case). We walked out in seeming disbelief. Could it really be this easy? Could God really do this this way? The next morning we walked in, this time just Jeannette and I. The rep, Fabio, immediately saw us, held up his finger as if just a moment, and less than 3 minutes later, we had our visa!!! We walked out in amazement. It was as if God was saying, "You may think that all your effort is necessary but the bottom line is that I will show you that I will glorify Myself in spite of your great effort." What an awesome God we have...and what a neat confirmation of God's continued leading. All day, about every 10 minutes, I was exclaiming, "I can't believe it! We have our visa! God is so good!" We called and e-mailed friends and supporters to proclaim God's goodness...He is so worthy to be praised!! And He commands us to praise His name.

⁶The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

and all the peoples see his glory.” Ps 97:6

“Give thanks to the LORD,

call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.” Is 12:4

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We are so grateful for those of you who have stood so faithfully with us as we have sought God's will and to fulfill God's calling on our lives. Often, it has been incredibly challenging but to have to standing with us as often made the difference. Jeannette commented so many times while we were away, "Lee, I know people are praying for us! I know it!" And obviously God has answered our prayers. Thank you Lord. Thank you Jesus. Worthy to be praised is the Lord God Almighty!

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:5-7

Incredibile! Quante benedizioni per comprendere misura sovrana del dio nelle nostre vite!

(Translation: Incredible! How many blessings as we comprehend the sovereign provision of God in our lives!)
God is so good! We arrived safely in Udine, Italy after a six hour Amtrak train trip to Miami (usually five hours) and an incredibly wonderful time with our sweet brother and sister in the Lord, Nando and Cindy! The Spirit of God met us as we fellowshipped and ministered to each other that evening and the next day...I know this is why God's Word says, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together!" This is the sweet couple from the SG church in Miami who are housing us when we return from Italy even though they will be in Puerto Rico for a big family reunion. And they say to us, "You are blessing us by coming!" What an amazing time. We have truly made special, life-long friends. And oh what a blessing their church (Palm Vista) and pastor, Al Pino, is! We really enjoyed meeting him and being ministered to by his preaching. We also thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone else including the associate pastor and Al's daughter, Vanessa, and her husband, Fernando! God willing, we may even be able to get Fernando and Vanessa to come over and visit Italy and do some short term ministry! Who knows! God works in mysterious ways!

Though the plane trip to Atlanta from Miami went without delay, we sat on the tarmac for over an hour and 10 minutes in Atlanta wondering if we would be able to take off for our final destination. Just as we had got in line behind 10 other planes waiting to take off, a storm seemingly came out of nowhere and we saw some of the most amazing lightning storms we have ever seen. As we saw the awesome display of God's power, it reminded us of Psalm 57 which in the very beginning says,

"In you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. [You] will send from heaven and save me!"

Well, we ended up taking off as the worst of the storm had passed by and as we pulled up off the ground, the sky cleared, the sun came through the clouds and we saw the horizon filled with light. It was really beautiful. So true that the storms of life often bring us the greatest blessings...most greatest of which is intimacy with our Lord Jesus! If we'll only trust Him! We actually arrived only a half hour late in Italy but 19 hours later for the entire trip! In case you're curious, 11am Italy time is 5am our time but praise God both Jeannette and I got about 3-4 hours of sleep which is a record for us! And we are actually feeling rested (and we haven't had our first cappuccino yet!).

We are now preparing for the staff conference which starts in about an hour) the riposa (like a midday siesta) is part of the preparation (but we are choosing not to rest because they say it's better for avoiding jetlag). But we want to share that it was so sweet that the entire team of Saints Equipped to Evangelize waited around for us after they had finished lunch to arrive and saved us two big plates of Maria's famous lasagna (Maria is the cook for Saints Bible Institute and a very good cook at that!) and all of the team greeted us with hugs and kisses (you might not know this but Italians kiss and hug...much like our brothers and sisters in Miami...I even got a couple smackers from Mierco who is one of the 3 or 4 Italian missionaries with our team). Hey, we're told to greet each other with a holy kiss...praise the Lord! So we had a sweet greeting to arrive to...and what a blessing to see the joy of the Lord in the faces of those who share the grace and mercy of the cross.

Thank you for all your prayers. We are excited about what God is doing but none of it would be possible without your faithful and loving support and encouragement!!! More updates later but for now...

Ciao and arriverderci!!

Jeannette posing at Italy airport

and Lee at bible center window in dorm room where we're staying