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Greetings!
We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend the day with people that you love and care about. We were so glad to be able to share the holiday with some of our extended family. They came to our house for the day and we had good food, game-playing, football-watching, and a wonderful time of enjoying each other's company.
This time of year always brings to mind the many things we have to be thankful for! We are so grateful to God for everything He's done over the last year to move us closer to our future ministry to Italians. Also, we thank Him continually for everyone who has partnered with us in any way during this journey, whether through encouragement, prayer, or finances. Your support means more than you will ever know, so thank you!
Until All of Italy Hears,
Stephen and Brandy
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FAQ of the Month
Lately, we have been getting some really great questions about our missions process. We thought that it would be helpful for others to see the answers to these questions, so we will begin featuring a "Frequently Asked Question" each month.
If your home church is sending you, why do you need a missions agency like TEAM?
Victory World Church is in full support of our call to Italy. From day one, our missions pastor has been a key advisor in each step of our process. He suggested that we find an agency to partner with the church and help facilitate all the logistics of getting us to the field and keeping us there working long term. This includes:
- Processing monthly financial support
- Guidance with our visa application process
- Pre-field and on-going training
- Providing health insurance, retirement, etc.
Having TEAM partner with Victory to send us to Italy is very beneficial to both the church and us as missionaries. For example:
- Creates synergy and unity within the broader body of Christ for purposes of fulfilling the Great Commission
- Provides added authority and structure for the missionary serving in the field
For more information on TEAM, visit www.teamworld.org.
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Update - Give Us The BOOT
During the first week of November, we officially crossed over the 50% mark in our support raising! This was a big milestone that not only means we have made it past the halfway mark, but also that we have raised all of the monthly support for our family's living expenses on the field.
Now, we are turning our focus to raising funds for the ministry activities we will use to reach Italians - sports camps, music lessons, ESL, media training, etc. These outreaches will help us form relationships with Italians, which will lead to opportunities to share the true message of Christ.
Our next goal is to reach 70% of our monthly budget so we can apply for visas. It will only take 38 more people committing to $40/month and we can start the visa process! Please pray that God will lead us to the next 38 people that He has called to be part of this ministry.
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Kids' Korner
In preparation for Thanksgiving, Laynie decided to make a list of the things she is most thankful for. For an 8-year-old, she has a pretty good grasp on what's important. Here is her list (with the original spellings).
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Laynie rocking out with her cousin, Layla, on Thanksgiving. |
I give thanks for:
1. Love
2. Good family
3. A house and a roof
4. Frenids (friends)
5. Clean water
6. A mom and a dad
7. Food
8. Close (clothes)
9. Makeup
10. A LOVEING GOD
In his free time, Bryson has been compiling a notebook entitled, "The Personal Field Guide to Italy by Bryson Verner". He has been doing research on information to include in his notebook and so far, he has sections for geography and vocabulary. He plans to add a section on the history of Italy as well. It is encouraging to us to see him getting excited about his future home!
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Bryson with his handy field guide. |
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Praise Reports
We crossed over the 50% mark the first week of November!
God has brought us 5 new monthly partners this month!
We received $1,145.00 in special gifts since our last newsletter! |
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Quick Prayer Points
We are looking for 38 new partners to join our team and commit to $40/month. This would put us at 70% of our total monthly budget, which would enable us to start our visa process and begin to draw a partial salary from TEAM.
Please pray for continued provision for our family's living expenses while we are raising our support.
Please continue to pray for the financial crisis in Italy and all of Europe. Pray that the Lord will guide Mario Monti, Italy's new Premier, as he leads the country during this difficult time. |
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Status Update
Percentages of Funds Raised To Date:
Monthly Budget: 51%
Outgoing Expenses: 27% |
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Upcoming Events
December 25 - Christmas
January 1 - New Year's Day
January 4 - Stephen's birthday |
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Fun Facts
Health
In general, Italians think that things that are artificial are not healthy. For example, many do not have air conditioners because they think that the artificial cold air is bad for you. This is changing somewhat with the younger generation. However, most Italians do not like drafts or cold breezes because they think that they will cause a sore throat or a stiff neck. And never go out with wet hair, or you will surely get sick!
Italians also do not put ice in their drinks or like their drinks to be too cold, as they think it will cause a stomach ache. Italians never sit on the floor; they would rather stand. They also never go around barefoot. Even in their own homes, they always wear slippers. |
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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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