March 8, 2015

Dear Bobbi,

We want to share with you an opportunity we have to be part of a mission team from Twin Lakes Church that is going to Italy this September to serve there with our missionaries, Doug & Dee Valenzuela.  Maybe you’re asking why Italy?  Why Naples?  Here are a few facts….

Naples is the third largest city in Italy — after Rome and Milan. It is also one of the poorest places in Europe, with an unemployment rate of almost 13 %, and for young people in their 20’s and 30’s, the rate climbs to well over 30%.  The result is an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.  Italy is a Catholic country but less than 7% of its population practices Catholicism and less than one half of 1% of Italy’s population call themselves Bible believing Christians.  More than 70% of Italy’s 8,101 communities/cities are without an established Bible-believing congregation.  Naples is called the "Calcutta of Europe" because of crime, mafia, unemployment, drugs, and contraband.  Not exactly a tourist hotspot- check out the pictures below for a look at Naples during the last trash strike.  It does look a bit like Calcutta, right?  This is where our missionaries, Doug & Dee Valenzuela, have been ministering for 20 plus years.  They have planted 2 churches and these churches reach out to so many different types of people, from hard-core drug addicts, to former Mafia-type gang members, to many university students and so many families living in a very difficult and often-times dangerous city.

We will be serving with Doug & Dee at a large scale evangelistic outreach event for the community that attracts thousands each night, called FESTIVAL.  This huge event is held once every two years and has proven to be a very effective tool to reach many Italians who would otherwise never have a chance to hear the good news of a Living Savior.  It’s a carnival atmosphere that attracts families, young people, and pretty much everyone from the surrounding community.  There’s music, many types of booths, games, inflatables, etc.  On the main stage at the end of the evening Doug gives the message of the gospel and invites people forward for prayer.  We’ve seen many people and whole families come to know Christ and join the local church this way.
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We need to raise $3,200 each for us to go. Would you consider being a part of this ministry to Naples?  We would be very grateful.  We need both your prayer and financial support.   If you would like to be part of this mission through your financial support, please make your check payable to Twin Lakes Church and write “Italy Mission Team 2015” in the memo.  Please do not write our names anywhere on the check – the IRS has informed us that doing so will prevent your gift from being tax deductible.  An envelope is enclosed for your convenience.

Prayer support is essential to the success of this mission.  Can we count on you?  If you would like us to add you to our prayer support team email list, please send an email to myaddress@mydomain.com   We will make sure you get updates as we approach our departure date and from the field while we are there.  For those of you on Facebook you can find news and updates at https://www.facebook.com/groups/festivalarzano/ 

Thank you for allowing us to share this ministry opportunity with you.  We love and appreciate you!

Sharon & Cailin