“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Summer is already well underway, and we know it's been a while since we last connected with you. Life has been full, but we're thankful for God's faithfulness through it all.

We hope you're enjoying a refreshing summer and finding moments to slow down and enjoy His presence. Below are a few updates from our family and ministry, along with some prayer requests we'd love for you to join us in.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to catch up with us. We're so grateful for your friendship, prayers, and support.

Family

The kids finished another school year, and we’re grateful for the opportunity summer gives us to spend more time at home. Even though life doesn’t slow down as much as we’d like, we’ve enjoyed working on the house, sharing meals with friends, and creating space to simply be together.

Like many families, we find that growing together doesn’t happen automatically. We still wrestle with busy schedules, tired hearts, and the everyday challenges of family life. This season is reminding us how much we need to slow down, listen to the Lord, and let Him shape us. Our prayer is that, before another busy season begins, our hearts would become more attentive to Jesus and that His work in us would overflow into the way we love one another.

Please pray that we would make the most of this time together, growing in Christ and learning to walk with Him in the ordinary moments of family life.

Encouraged Through Fellowship

This spring, we had the joy of welcoming Mark, Jen, Hannah, and Abby Oshman to Italy. Our Pioneers teammates gathered in our home for a time of encouragement, prayer, and fellowship. Jen also shared with the women from our church over a meal and led a Bible study.

Together, we visited a church in Slovenia and were encouraged to hear stories that echoed many of our own. Although every context is different, we were reminded that many believers share the same longing to see people truly hear and respond to the gospel—even when the fruit isn’t immediately visible. It was a blessing to encourage one another and to know we are not walking this road alone.

Please pray that God would continue to strengthen these friendships, give us perseverance in sharing the gospel, and open hearts to hear and respond to His Word.

Praying for Open Doors

God continues to give us opportunities to build relationships with our neighbors and friends, and we’re thankful for the conversations and connections He has provided. Our desire is to see these relationships grow into a small group that meets in our home to read the Bible, ask honest questions, and discover who Jesus is together.

So far, we haven’t found people who are ready to make that kind of commitment, but we trust that God is already at work.

Please pray that God would lead us to people who are spiritually hungry, open hearts to His Word, and establish a small group that will faithfully grow together in knowing Him.

Life at Il Granaio

One of our greatest joys this year has been watching our church family continue to grow. We’ve been intentional about creating opportunities to build relationships through men’s and women’s gatherings, monthly church meals, and times of worship and fellowship together.

As an international church made up of people from different cultures who often live far apart, building deep community isn’t always easy. We’re praying that relationships between those who live near one another would continue to grow, creating opportunities to share everyday life together and naturally invite others to discover Jesus.

Please pray that God would strengthen these relationships, help our church grow in living missionally, and give each of us boldness to share the hope of the gospel with those around us.

Creativity and the Creator

At the beginning of summer, McKenzie had the opportunity to display her artwork at evangelistic events in Como and Rozzano, near Milan. Along with exhibiting her paintings, she was able to share how God’s creation reveals His beauty, creativity, and character—and how slowing down to observe what He has made can lead us to worship Him more deeply.

We’re thankful for these opportunities to use art as a bridge for conversations about faith and pray that God would open more doors in the future.

Please pray that God would continue to use McKenzie’s artwork to point people to Christ, provide more opportunities to share her work, and use it to help financially support both our family and our ministry in Italy.

Ministry Through Soccer

This season, Andrea wrapped up another year of coaching youth soccer. We’re thankful for the relationships that have grown over the past few years and for the encouragement he received from players, parents, and fellow coaches regarding his character and the way he served.

This fall, he’ll step into a new role overseeing the club’s younger youth program. While this will bring new responsibilities, it will also create opportunities to build relationships with even more families and coaches. It also provides some financial support for our family.

Please pray that God would continue to use these relationships to build trust, open doors for the gospel, and create lasting opportunities for ministry through the soccer community.

Looking Ahead: Pioneers Area Retreat

At the end of August, we’ll gather with our Pioneers team from across Italy for our biennial area retreat. This is a valuable time to encourage one another, seek the Lord together, and prepare our hearts for the ministry opportunities that the fall will bring.

Please pray for everyone traveling to join us, especially those coming to teach and encourage our team. Pray also for us as we prepare and lead the retreat, asking that God would guide every detail and use this time to strengthen, refresh, and direct us for the season ahead.

As we look ahead to a new season of ministry, we continue to come back to the words of Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” We don’t always know what lies ahead, but we’re learning again and again that God is faithful, and that our confidence is found in Him rather than in our plans.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and partnership with us. We are deeply grateful for the ways God is using you to make His name known here in Italy. We pray that, wherever He has placed you, you too would find rest in His presence, trust Him with what is ahead, and experience the joy of walking faithfully with Him.

YOUR PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT KEEP US GOING HERE IN ITALY AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR IT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU HAVE BLESSED US.

CHOOSE ONE OPTION BELOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY!

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