APRIL 2025
Dear Prayer Companions,
At times, our lives seem to move along quietly, with no major events and nothing that disturbs the rhythm of our ordinary routines. But this seeming monotony isn’t a bad thing, especially if we have the discernment to be grateful for what is given to us each day. It is a good and beautiful spiritual discipline to wake up each morning and declare:
“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
(Lamentations 3:21–23)
Visit to Australia
At the end of February, we had the joy of welcoming Rev. Chris Coleman from Peace United Reformed Church in Vancouver, WA. Cristina and I were especially glad to host Chris again after 15 years! He had spent the summer of 2010 as an intern while I was laboring to develop and organize our sister church in Milan. His sermon on “Jesus Calming the Storm” (from the Gospel of Mark) was a great comfort to us. We were also blessed to spend time with his wife, Melissa, and to meet their children—Clementine, Marla, and Leif. What an encouragement it was for our small congregation to be reminded that Peace URC—and many other URC congregations—pray regularly for us! Shortly after their departure, Cristina and I traveled to Australia to visit our son Simone, his wife Alison, and our granddaughters Matilde and Lucilla. We were warmly welcomed by the TFU church, of which they are members, and we were moved by how fully Simone and his family have become part of their church community. We spent 15 wonderful days together, enjoying precious time with our loved ones, especially the joy and affection of our granddaughters. Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short due to an unexpected tragedy.
Mourning in the Family
On March 12, while still in Australia, we received a heartbreaking call from Italy. Cristina’s sister-in-law Lorena informed us that her husband, Paolo, Cristina’s youngest brother, had been in a motorcycle accident and died instantly. Cristina, Simone, and I flew back to Italy the next day to join our family in mourning. Both Paolo and the car that struck him were moving slowly, yet the impact broke his neck. He passed away within 15 minutes. He was just 48 years old and left behind his wife Lorena and their daughters: Abigail (14) and Rebecca (11). Paolo was a faithful, zealous believer and one of the pastors of a large Pentecostal church in Rome. We deeply appreciate your prayers for Cristina and her family, especially for Lorena, Abigail, and Rebecca during this painful time.
New Visitors at Church
Despite our sorrow, we’ve also experienced encouragement through a handful of new visitors who have been regularly attending our worship services. For our small flock, this is no small thing! These visitors include Maria and her daughter Sofia; Tojo and Kella (a Lutheran couple from Madagascar who lived in Perugia for some time); our second son Daniele (with whom I recently had an open and heartfelt spiritual conversation) and his fiancée Denise; as well as Roberto and Teresa.
Please join us in prayer for the following:
That the Lord would comfort Cristina and her family, especially our sister-in-law Lorena;
That He would protect our nieces, Abigail and Rebecca, as they navigate this loss;
That He would work powerfully in the hearts of our visitors, friends, and the unbelievers we continue to reach out to with the gospel.
On behalf of all the members of the Chiesa Riformata of Perugia, I offer our heartfelt thanks for your faithful prayers and generous support.
“Those who are in Italy send you greetings.” (Hebrews 13:24) ☺
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Andrea Ferrari