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Greetings!
The weeks since our last newsletter have seemed like mere days as we've settled into our temporary residence and adjusted to our new part-time work schedules. Now that we only work Monday - Wednesday each week, we have been able to devote much more time to raising our missions support and visiting churches. On June 4, we launched The 90x40 Challenge and have been amazed as God has added new ministry partners to our team! (See below for more info.)
For the last couple of years we have made steps to simplify our life so that we could be obedient to God's call. We have relinquished our ministry roles and many job duties at our church. With the sale of our car last week, we paid off our last car loan and credit card debt and because of our recent move we are no longer tied down to a long-term lease. The Lord has really impressed upon us the last few days that we are FINALLY positioned to embark upon the work God has called us to in Italy.
Now things are really going to get exciting! Between now and the end of the year, we expect that life is going to become a roller coaster, but we are strapping on our seat belts and getting ready for the ride! Living every day in expectation of what God is going to do next is an amazing place to be and we are so grateful!
Until All of Italy Hears,
Stephen and Brandy
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90 x 40 Challenge Update
At the beginning of June, we were in prayer about our next steps in raising the monthly support we need to get to the mission field by the end of the year. September 1st was looming in the future as a deadline for applying for visas in order to make it to Italy before 2012. Honestly, it wasn't looking good for the home team...
To be cleared to apply for visas, we must have pledges for 70% of our monthly support and at the time we were at less than 25%. So that meant that we needed to raise 45% in just 90 days. It seemed like an impossible task, but then God gave us the idea for the 90x40 Challenge. We just needed 90 people or families to commit to $40 per month before September 1 and we would be at 70%! (Click here to read the full challenge.)
Since we launched the challenge on June 4, God has done amazing things! He has brought us 10 new ministry partners for a total of $580 per month in support! That is equivalent to about 15 partners at $40 a month, which means we only need 75 more to join with us and we will be able to take the next step towards fulfilling God's call to reach Italians with the Gospel. Would you consider becoming one of those 75 people to help us get to the mission field by the end of the year? Just click the link below to respond. Not sure yet, but interested in hearing more? We'd love to tell you about what we'll be doing! Send us an email at info@theverners.org and we'll schedule a time to get together. |
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Our Final Training
Today, July 1, we will hit the road headed towards Illinois for our last required missions training. On our way north, we'll be stopping off in Terre Haute, IN to spend the weekend with other TEAM Italy appointees, the Johnsons and the Cetolas. We're so excited to have some time with them before they head off to Italy in a few months. We hope to be soon behind them! July 4-5 will be spent in Chicago doing some fun things with the kids before settling down for 7 days of training at the TEAM headquarters in Carol Stream, IL. This final training will cover things that we will need to do during our last few months in the States, as well as what we'll need to know as we transition into a new culture upon our arrival in Italy. Want to keep up with our adventures? Be sure to visit vernerverbiage.blogspot.com for updates during our trip! |
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From Suicide to Salvation
Recently a missionary named Frank called one of our TEAM missionaries in Italy, Linda Brucato, and asked her to go visit a lady who was in the hospital in Bologna. Here is the incredible story of God's work in her life.
Frank was on a bus and as they approached a bridge over a river, he noticed that a woman was on the bridge and ready to jump off. He convinced the bus driver to stop and he ran toward the woman with another passenger. Just as they reached the spot where the woman was - she jumped. As Frank ran down to the river, the other passenger also jumped off the bridge and together they brought the woman to safety.
The ambulance came and took her to the hospital and Frank went to see her. The nurses would not let him in however, because he wasn't family. So he scribbled his telephone number on a piece of paper, gave it to the nurse and asked her to give it to the woman. He explained that he was an evangelical pastor and wanted to help the woman.
Several days passed and his church prayed for the woman. Frank found out that the nurse had given the woman his number and she was now in the hospital in Bologna. Frank called Linda in Bologna to go visit the woman. Linda took one of the ladies from the Nuova Vita Church and they went and visited the woman. After sharing with her, she came to Christ, and is now studying the Bible.
God is working in Italy! Please pray for this woman, that she would continue to grow in her new faith in Christ and would find a good church to attend. |
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Please make note of our new contact info!
The Verners
PO Box 466154
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
Stephen's NEW Cell: 706-201-5570
Brandy's Cell: 770-837-2846
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Praise Report
Since the start of 90x40 earlier this month, God increased our monthly support levels by almost 7%! That's 10 new ministry partners for a combined total of $580 a month!
We sold one of our cars last week, which allowed us to pay off the car loan, as well the rest of our credit card debt! We even had some money left over to pay for some maintenance items on our other car and bless a friend who is going on their first mission trip. Praise God!
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Quick Prayer Points
There are about 60 days left of our 90x40 Challenge and we still need 75 new monthly partners to commit to $40 per month so we can be cleared to apply for visas. Please pray that God would bring forward the people that He would have join our team.
Please pray for safety as we travel to Carol Stream, IL for our last required missions training. Also pray for health and good rest during the training since it will be a very full week.
From July 4-8, TEAM missionaries will be hosting a basketball camp in Imola, Italy with Push the Rock. Pray for Italians to come to Christ through the camp!
Stephen is slowly recovering from his back injury, but please pray for his continued healing and especially during our travel and training because long periods of sitting are difficult.
We are seeking opportunities to speak at churches, small groups, etc. Please pray that God would open doors at the places where He would have us share. |
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Upcoming Events
July 1-3 - Visit in IN with other TEAM Italy appointees
July 4 - Independence Day (celebrating in Chicago)
July 6-12 - Attending TEAM phasefour training in IL (our last required training)
July 15 - Appointment to apply for Bryson's and Laynie's passports
July 23 - Fundraiser - Miche Bag Party (20% of profit will go towards our outgoing expenses) |
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Fun Facts
Italy is a peninsula in the middle of the Mediterranean that borders Austria, France, Switzerland, and Slovenia.
There are twenty regions in Italy, each one having its own customs, traditions, and dialects.
Within each region, there are individual provinces.
Italy is about the size of California and has about 60 million people. |
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Stephen and Brandy Verner
TEAM Missionaries to Italy
PO Box 466154
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
Stephen: 706-201-5570
Brandy: 770-837-2846
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