A Rose in winter
On some of our darkest days nature can reflect the intricate beauty of God’s creation and it reminds us of His presence and care. This rose reminds me of how God is always working. He works all things for the good of those who love Him and He is taking what’s ugly and making it beautiful. These last few months have been of great testing. Our faith has been stretched as we’ve been waiting for this adoption process to come to a successful conclusion. We are still waiting patiently for the day we will buy our tickets to go and get the kids. We would love and appreciate your continued prayers into this next phase.
In These Past Months
Trials really open doors for conversations about God’s control, His sovereignty and His care. As we’ve shared with those around us how we are trusting God in the trials we’ve faced and in all that we’ve experienced God has used these conversations to deepen understanding of who He is and how He is directly connected in our lives and intimately caring for our needs. Andrea’s cousins, especially, haved opened up to talking more about spiritual things and we can sense our relationship growing on a deeper level. Adrien really enjoys his third cousins and we look forward to spending more time with them. We pray that God would use moments like these to reveal Himself to the longing hearts around us.
Coaches ready for the game!
Soccer continues to be Adrien’s passion. He and his team are really growing and working well together. Andrea and Paolo’s coaching has not only been teaching them to play the game of soccer, but to support one another as teammates, to practice good sportsmanship and to respect and trust one another. The parents have seen a difference in the way these kids have been coached and they really appreciate Andrea and Paolo’s dedication. So far this season they’ve only lost one game!
We enjoyed spending the holidays with our friends and family. At Thanksgiving we had several guests, including Valentina’s mom and Montse’s mother-in-law. At Christmas McKenzie’s parents were able to come and stay for a few weeks. We had many meals with many people. We celebrated Jesus and really had some great intimate moments with our group sharing and seeking God together.
This week we will be starting a six week workshop with our group that will focus on the map of our lives (past, present and future). How God uses all of it and draws us into relationship with Jesus.
Celebrating Christmas with our Community Group
Christmas Eve dinner with Vito and McKenzie’s parents
Our church’s Christmas celebration
This Christmas McKenzie worked with a group of creatives called CreAzione to make the advent season extra special. The group organized creative touches for each advent Sunday. There was artwork, music, reciting of scripture, poem reading, decorating and food! It was a step into something we will continue to develop, and desire to see God use in order to communicate His truths in a unique way. We are working on organizing a church family retreat for the spring that will also be filled with creativity.
This is the painting McKenzie did for advent, representing the hope and mission we have to spread the good news of Jesus and see followers of Him growing and shining throughout Italy and beyond!
Adrien reading a passage about advent.
First time celebrating Christmas Day together with McKenzie’s parents and Andrea’s family.
Lunch out with our teammates the Carmichael’s
One of the last photos taken with the kids. They kept saying, “Italia, Italia, Italia!”
We were just informed that after the withdrawal is official (after February 3rd) we will know when we can start the documents for the kids visas. However, since things have recently changed in the government one of us will have to be physically present in the country of adoption to sign the documents. This means one of us, Andrea, will have to make an extra trip to do so. It will be a very long trip for only one day, but there seems to be no other option. Once that is done it may be a few weeks before they communicate that we can finally go and get the kids.
Praises and Prayers
Praising God:
for the court attorney’s withdrawal of the appeal
for so much love and support from all of you and everyone praying and trusting God with us
for the opportunities God has given us to share about Him through our trials
for the wonderful times spent with family and friends throughout the holidays
for another year of God’s provision and the privilege of continuing to serve Him in Italy
Please pray with us:
for everything to continue smoothly for the finalization of the adoption
for Andrea as he travels to sign documents
for Andrea along with the elders and leaders of our church as they pray and discuss some steps that will bring changes to our congregation.
for the changes to be driven by the Holy Spirit and His guidance
for the changes to produce growth and fruitfulness for God’s Kingdom
for our community group and their commitment to doing this six week workshop
for the organization of the spring retreat
ATTENTION IMPORTANT INFO
There has been a change to our Pioneers account number. It is now 136144. If you make your donations with an automatic draft this change will not effect you. The draft will be automatically switched to this new account number. However, if you normally send a check or make donations online please use the new account number. For those of you who send donations with a paper check, you can download below the updated support slip with the new account number.
Thank you so much for your faithful partnership of making disciples of Jesus in Italy!
CHOOSE ONE OPTION BELOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY!
DOWNLOAD OUR SUPPORT SLIP HERE (instructions on the document)
SEND A FINANCIAL GIFT ONLINE HERE (after you click on the link enter: Andrea Dorigo & McKenzie Constantino, Account # 136144)