Hi all,

 

Went to visit Robert today 3p.m.  His blood pressure was under control today and he felt a lot better.  They have done lots of blood work and tests and have ordered an MRI.  Though they got his pressure back down they still haven't found a cause for problems.  Robert will probably be in there for sure until Monday.  He was well rested and is grateful for everybody's prayers.  We are too.

 

On the building front, today we met with the owner and his attorney.  Before getting in with the attorney, we had a good heart to heart with the owner where he finally expressed some of his questions, fears, etc... Unfortunately there is an african church below and to the other side of the building that he owns who got into one of his friends buildings and haven't paid any rent in like 6 months.  It is a messy situation where the owner can't really get them out but he also can't get any money out of them.  Nonetheless, we assured him of our intentions and mentioned a type of insurance backing on commercial contracts that we had heard about and he was glad to have us bring that up.  All in all, it went well.  We agreed pretty much on what our counter offer was plus a touch more the second year.  Originally he wanted to get it to 1500 a month with us paying 1000 the first six months then 1300 the second six, finally getting to 1500 euro a month after the first year.  We countered with offering him 1000 a month for two years and then ending with 1300 the third year.  In the end we will pay 1000 the first year, 1250 the second, and 1500 euro a month the third year and following.  It is fair, it is what we expected, and we are to meet next Wednesday to look at a draft contract drawn up by his attorney and should have everything done and sealed within 10 days.  Praise God!!  We won't totally celebrate until the contract is signed, but we feel as though we have overcome a great deal and now we await these final days and phases.  Anything could happen in the next 5 days, but we sure smell victory ahead.

 

We have had the grace and blessing (Praise God) of having a couple of churches give us some one time donations which will help us almost pay the initial fees, deposit and such, but we will still need some more help.  We will need to buy some chairs, paint, materials, and such to do the bare minimum in getting started.  We'll take the rest as it comes (A/C, heating, stage, sound, a downstairs bathroom and kitchen, children's ministry toys etc... Pray for God's provision.  Maybe even consider giving monthly towards these efforts.

 

We are so excited to step into this new adventure.  An outreach team will be here in a couple of weeks so we are hoping that we are in the building ready to put them to work, do some outreach, and get some new hearts in the doors to hear the good news of Jesus' love and salvation.

 

Amy's dad is feeling better I am told.  The discovered that it wasn't actually pneumonia that he contracted but that he evidently has emphazema of the lungs.  Continue to pray for the doctors as they diagnose and treat Roy, for wisdom for Amy and her sister's family as they decide what steps to take concerning Roy's care upon his release, above all for Roy to be healed!!

 

Negists' leg is still swollen from the dog bite.  Pray for healing!!

 

One last request on a totally different front if I might.  I just heard that our brothers and sisters in India are facing great persecution and violence.  Our home church has an extensive ministry there and I personally know Guna who oversees it.  A dear and amazing brother.  Pray for him, his family, the many pastors and believers, for their safety, for the enemy to be rebuked, for provision of food and shelter for those fleeing, for their faith to remain firm and strong, and that God would use this for His glory and for many to be saved because of it.

 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your prayers over the many issues before us.

 

~2 Corinthians 4~

 

 

By Grace,

 

Brent Harrell

Pastor, CC Rome

Ciao Tutti,

 

A quick update on the building deal.  Still on a hold pattern.  We expected a final decision on Tuesday (yesterday) but got an appointment with the owner and his attorney instead... for Friday evening local time (morning USA).

 

When there is nothing you can do, it is easy to rest and wait.  We are praying, seeking God's will, and asking Him to lead and work according to His good pleasure.  Vincenzo, Robert and I had a good time in prayer at our elders meeting last night.  I'm so grateful for godly brothers to labor with and fellowship with.  Please keep lifting them up.

 

Antonella, Vinni's wife, just took a bunch of entrance tests for a new job, was accepted, then questioned about the test results, then brought in for more discussion.  Pray that this solidifies and is sealed as a long term job and contract in this for her, new hospital.  It would change many things for them.  Pray for Vincenzo as he translates Chuck Smith's teachings, is at home often with their 4 yr. old Matteo, and helps out with many responsibilities in the church.  Vinni's sister Sara still is in need of a lung and heart transplant or miraculous healing.

 

Robert is off this week as he transitions from his summer promotion at work back to his old position.  The summer hours were insane and difficult due to their ever changing nature, but going back to his old position will be less pay for more strenuous labor.  Pray for a new job or more financial support for these two guys so that they can focus more on ministry and pay their bills.  Chantal, Robert's wife, will return to work after having the summer off since she works for an elementary school.  Her work is hard and the interpersonal relationships are devious and divisive.  Not only is it a very taxing job physically but also mentally and emotionally.  Pray for a greater abiding reality that produces that persevering fruit and ability to love in the face of so much sin and selfishness.

 

For Hope and I, we are entering the school year again which will give us a bit of a break from the kids being in the house or attached to our hips 24/7.  I'm pretty sure that we lost our minds early June!!  Isy starts first grade and Livy will be back in pre-school.  Braydy is a whole 'nother deal.  We have had many pressing financial needs since the downturn hit the states about 6 months ago.  As we move towards better things for the church, it seems that our personal challenges become more and more daunting.  This can often be one of our greatest creators of tension.  We continue to seek God's face and will while trying to be faithful and believe God for practical solutions.  I can't legally work in Italy but have never been tempted more to just do something.  Please pray for these issues.  Feel free to pray for the exchange rate as well (that the gap closes more and more).  By God's grace it has come down from an all time high these past 3 months since the euros inception.

 

In all, may God grant grace and wisdom, provision and patience, power and fruit, all for His glory.

 

This is a quick glimpse into the lives of our leadership team.  Please pray for us men to be the leaders, father's, and husbands that God has called us to be.  Pray for our wives to be filled with faith, love, and a true sense of usefulness and importance as they tend to the great ministry of the home ... plus their own spiritual growth.

 

It is in these relationships and hearts as we abide in Christ, that the core foundation of all that we are doing here is set.  Thanks for your prayers.

 

Thank you as always.  Your prayers are a great source of deliverance, strength, comfort, and much more to us.  We are truly grateful.

 

 

By Grace,

 

Brent Harrell

Pastor, CC Rome

Hi Everybody,

 

A few prayer requests if you don't mind.

 

It is Monday evening here in Rome and we have a few situations that need ferverent prayer.

 

Amy was just in America visiting her family when her dad Roy fell and hit his head causing internal bleeding in his head.  The bleeding stopped, he seemed to be doing a bit better and Amy and Stefano caught their return flight back to Rome.  After only a few days, there have been problems with Roy not really being able to wake up much among other issues.  The latest is that he has pneumonia.  The were on top of it and are treating it, but needless to say, Amy will board another international flight in the morning to be with her family and her dad.  Please pray for healing for Roy; rest, wisdom, peace, and a safe trip for Amy; blessings, protection and peace for Stefano as he remains in Rome and must work; and comfort, power, love, and lots of grace for the whole family.

 

Negist was bit by a do a couple of weeks ago, unfortunately during the Italian holiday so getting the best possible treatment was kind of a joke.  Her leg is swollen and she has pain if she walks on it.  Pray for healing and for her heart to be encouraged in the midst of all of the drama.

 

Hope's brother David and sister-in-law are still proceeding with divorcing.  David seems willing to work things out but Collette is not at this point.  Both consider themselves Christians but have had a tough go the last 5-10 years of a 13 year marriage.  In speaking with David I was impressed for the need for unabated repentance and a pure heart before God.  Please pray for him to draw near to Jesus.  David needs to be overwhelmed not only by his own sin and the reaching implications of it, but he also needs to experience and understand the abounding and wonderful grace and love of God.  I still don't believe that it is too late for reconciliation but it is obviously something that God alone could produce.  Pray that God will go to great extremes to touch both David and Collette that they might give Jesus the opportunity to work in this troubling situation.  Pray for soft hearts and the will to be obedient to Christ.

 

Lastly, tomorrow we are supposed to have a final meeting with the owner of the new building we want to rent.  We have waiting patiently (mostly) and simply want to have a yes or no finalized tomorrow  so that we can move forward one way or the other in securing a home for CC Rome.  Last Sunday we met in our home and it was fine.  As people come back from Italian holiday things will get tighter quickly.  Our prayer is for God's will to be done.  May he give us grace, wisdom, and clear confirmation concerning His perfect will.  By way of praise, we have had a couple of churches graciously make a one time donation to help us a bit and one church has committed to helping on a monthly basis.  This was greatly encouraging.  We still could use a bit more help so be in prayer.  Either way, we are grateful and expecting great things.  Thank you all for your consistent and feverent prayers.  May the Lord bless you greatly on our behalf.

 

By Grace,

 

Brent Harrell

Pastor, CC Rome