Psalm 31:19 “Oh, how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!”


At the Italian Theological Academy there are many activities going on. There are already four housing units and in a few weeks the Academy will be getting two more. With these new units, the Academy will be able to house more people, which will make it a more comfortable stay for the students. There were classes all the way through May and the next will be at the end of July. 

At the end of August the course on Biblical Counseling will begin. It will be a great occasion, especially for the couples that are in charge of this ministry in their churches, but also for the Fortunas who, in their day-to-day life, meet people who are in need.

Their family is doing great. Their two children are growing wonderfully (not only in height)! Sarah is fitting in very well in kindergarten and Marco cannot wait to start kindergarten for himself in September.

Kindergarten has been a great opportunity for them to meet and get to know most of the people in Pennisi (this tells you how big Pennisi is)!

The teacher, who is very Catholic, has changed the way she teaches a little bit because she knows that she has a little Evangelical girl in her class – Sarah. The teacher has much respect for the Fortuna's and she is very curious about the work that they do. This has given them a way to be able to speak to her on a few occasions. Their relationship with the other mothers is going well; in particular with two Moms—Antonella and Anna. Vivianna has had opportunities to meet with them both in their homes.

Almost all of Pennisi, from the priests all the way to the fruit salesman, all know that there are Evangelicals only a few steps away.

They have built great friendships with their neighbors. As a church they have organized some social events and have used these events to present the Gospel to many families. Among their neighbors, there is one family in particular that seem very interested in having a personal relationship with Jesus. They have been given a Bible and when the Fortunas meet with them they talk about it together. They are searching for the Lord but they are very confused because they believe that all religions lead people to heaven. When they are with the Fortunas they realize this isn’t true and they ask many questions.

The church in Acireale is growing. The growth is largely because of Christians who have moved to the area, but every Sunday someone looking for the Lord builds up enough courage to open the door and come in. At the end of the meeting they stay and chat — some are experiencing great difficulties because of family problems, many are very confused, others want to fill up the emptiness that they feel inside, and then there are the curious ones. No matter who comes in, the Word of God is being proclaimed and many different people are hearing the Gospel.

Peppe shares the responsibility with other men in preaching and there is great teamwork between all of the men that share in this vital role.

 

• For their family: The work that they do at The Center and in church, for their children and for their parenting.

• For their financial situation: "We thank the Lord for all that we have, but we still have difficulty staying “above water” every month. We are still paying for the car, with much difficulty (we are almost finished with 1600.00 € remaining)."

• For our testimony at the kindergarten and to our neighbors.

If you would like to partner with the Fortuna's by prayer or by lending a hand with their much needed financial support, please click here.