Robert M. Housby. Via Marco Polo 5, 20124. Milano, Italia www.TheItalianMemorandum.

org

Telephone from the US: 815.897.2991 [Milan is 7 hrs. ahead of US] Italian phone: 320.376.1359 Pre-schedule Skype

Missionary Moments in Milano with Bob and Marla...

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Psalm 118:26)

Early November reporting. Baptism of a key family. On-going studies. New Sunday Bible class (attached Matthew Study).

We looked forward to starting a Sunday class on the Four Gospels. These have been received very well. We teach in a style similar to that which I use in the States, except with less rhetoric. I provide a hand-out for each class to stimulate discussion. The hand-out has English on one side and an abbreviated Italian outline on the other. I typically have blanks where scriptures are to be referenced for note taking (See attachment). Strange things can a happen in Milan. Coming home from church one Sunday, we started talking to three people on the street car. Although they live in Germany and were visiting an Italian friend who lives in Milan, we discovered that the couple once lived in the very town in Illinois where Marla and I lived as our first home together after marriage. We passed on our business card and the Milanese lady said that she wanted to talk with us further. We also finished the October Newsletter on these dates.

On the way to church this Sunday morning, Marla and I had just stepped off of the streetcar when we received a telephone call from Moreno, a spouse of one of our new families. His wife, Maria, was

baptized last year out of Catholicism. Well, to our delight, we heard Moreno speaking in an emotional manner (typically he is the analytical computer professional). He asked me if we could come out to their house after morning worship that he might be immersed into Christ. That day, heaven became dearer and nearer for all concerned. Now, Moreno and his wife Maria, two very capable and beautiful Italians want to bring New Testament Christianity to their little village of about 3000 souls. It is located just outside of Milan. They are now involved in studies to become effective and accurate disciples of the Lord Jesus. All of their Catholic friends are wondering what happened. Marla and I are arranging for an intensive December meeting to immediately proceed with their development. Marla and I were also recently invited into the fellowship of our Filipino brethren for a luncheon. We are showing a photo here of one of the families yet to be baptized, but showing signs of sincere interest. On Monday, Bob had several appointments at the church office (12-1 and 3-4). These experiences allowed him to teach the gospel and answer questions about salvation from the Gospel of John. The questions from these Italian Catholics are very exciting. They are lawyers; teachers; engineers; secretaries, and usually a well-educated circle. On Tuesday Bob ran errands: phones charged; banking; and a walk of between 5-7 miles. On Wednesday, Bob met with Maria and Matteo, as well as office time. Matteo is a young Christian who will bless the community once he receives some important Scriptural teaching. On Thursday, Bob met with Fikadu and Fausto at the church office (10-12). The theme for our last meeting with these gents concerned discipleship in Matthew. We see six fundamentals in Matthew describing discipleship. The Italian, discepolato, is a term not always understood in Milan even by professionals. Reasons for this obscurity in some instances may have obvious roots. Our job is to bring out Matthews obvious emphasis on discipleship. In addition to the six positive components of this, we raise the questionWhy do some resist discipleship? The attachment will show four reasons for this neglect.

We brought a birthday gift to one of the original members, Marisa. She is the wife of Carlo. They both

became members during the 1950s, when Carl Mitchell, Howard Bybee, Harold Paden, and others were involved in Italy. On the 10th, Bob was reintroduced to a man originally from Puglia, in the south of Italy. He operates a Cartoleria (office supply store) along with his wife. We had a good talk and I was invited to return for a third meeting. On Sunday, the 11th, Marla and I hosted Raul, Teresa, and Gabriella in our home. Kept two appointments on Monday and set up a December outreach dinner at our home for about six non-members. On Tuesday the 13th, Bob prepared for his class with notes on the Gospel of Matthew.

This coming Lords Day is a dinner after morning worship for Mario (one-year old) and a wedding celebration for Luca and Emmy. The Italians are very festive. We will now close this early November report to allow for our extremely booked December. The next report will include the second half of November and the first half of December. It would be so delightful to hear from our American friends and family. Send us an email. We tender our love and best wishes to you. Have a great Thanksgiving! Pray for Milan (Psalm 118:26).