Siamo in Italia!! We're in Italy!! Its been 2 weeks since we first step back onto Italian soil and we are starting to get settled. We have so much to praise God for already...

• MISSIONS CONFERENCE-As you now as soon as we got back to Italy we went off to a big Christian conference here in Italy. We collected our new car from Perugia (the car in itself was a blessing from God as a believer in Peruia sold it to us for a reduced price), picked up a student and a missionary on the way, and drove up to Rimini. There were over 300 people there (about 1/3 were foreign missionaries). It was great to see so many people at a conference which challenged all of us to live a missionary life, a life totally surrendered to God's service. Giovanni and I also had a little table with information about 9.37 (national youth project which Giovanni's co-ordinating). The conference was a great chance to speak to young people about stepping out for Christ and also to meet leaders of churches form all across Italy. Giovanni also had 5 minutes in one of the main sessions to share about this praject. Pray people might be moved not necessarily to join the project but to take on the biblical challenge of Matthew 9.37.

• HOUSE-After the huge blessing of having a 2000 Euro discount off the yearly total of the rent we didnt know what to expect of the house itself, well, its absolutely gorgeous. We were so shocked when we arrived nearly crying with joy. In the house itself is all we need and we haven't had to buy anything new, there's everything cutlery, pans, teapot, bed linen etc. We've already had our first guests (a family from my home church), we shared some very precious moments with them at our house, in Church, and Siena, and thank God for their support to us. So be assured there is place if anyone wants to come and see us and the church/student work here in Siena.

• CHURCH- We have already spent quite a bit of time with the elder and his family and some fo the young people in the church which has been just great. They have all been very welcoming. Letizia the elder's wife came ladened with a food bundle including tea bags for our first few days here in Siena and has already had us round for dinner. Sunday morning we were in church for the first time and felt really at home there. We were really encouraged to see how every member of the church was involved in the service especially the young people. Keep praying for our relationships with the people in the church especially the young people/students with whom we'll be working.

Thanks for all the messges and e-mails we've had already, sorry we haven't replied. We're currently sitting in an Internet point in town and dont have internet at home.

Please continue praying for these different things and for these first steps in Siena as we look at what we can do for the Gospel here. We're off to Sicily wednesday night for a few days for our final wedding party at Giovanni's home church so please pray that we would have a good time with family and friends especially as we'll be sharing with them about what we'll be doing here in Siena.

Thanks guys.

We'll leave you with some photos of us in our new home/church..