Marty & Gloria in Rome

Winter 2014
I will never leave you nor forsake you Marty completed or ha laureato in Philosophy for the 1st cycle. He began the 2nd cycle or licenza studying at the Angelicum university. Spring is in the air as it has rained much. Still we have gone through very trying months, yet not without sensing your prayers and our Lords faithfulness in persevering us. The evidence of the power of prayer has been felt so clearly, for which we thank you for responding and standing with us in this difficult time we have been through. We feel refreshed for the coming months.

Our candle Christmas service was accompanied with a nice sunshine, something very rare this rainy winter.

Worship and Teaching: At least twice a month we have group activities following the Sunday teaching. This helps our attendees and members interact with the material we are teaching, getting to know each other strengthening relationships.

Maximilliano (with the mic) is growing in the Lord, and still without steady work, yet God provides with small jobs. Staying in the word keeps him encouraged despite family opposition. Please pray for a job for Maximilliano, for his spiritual growth and for strength as he now moved to live with his father.

We were blessed to have numerous visitors in the last few months, including our leaders from Peru. We had a time to reflect, evaluate and great fellowship. Our two years in Rome was evaluated, our present ministry and life was assessed and planning began for the upcoming two years that remain us. Please pray for us, we want to target foreigners married with Italians, pray that the Lord bring our way to those couples to share the message of the Gospel. *Our leader with the dark jacket Beside generally continue our teaching, we have formed a ministry support team which is currently made up of six faithful sisters who are gifted and help us with many activities and planning. They are also receiving some specific training to grow in their own person and also serve others. Pray as they have to leave some old wrong patterns of thinking and renew and replace it with biblical ones. Pray for their commitment that their hearts would be sold out for God and Him alone!

Realities in the Ministry: It is a joy to show the great things God is doing in the lives of our members and attendees, yet we all face many trials. So we need to share how God has protected us from those that the enemy uses to confuse and cause division. This has been a reality faced since we arrived, much due to the way things were initially formed before us. We observed these realities in the first year and sought the Lord for him to convict those plotting and intending division and make it very clear for us on how to act, this has been a careful process. Our second year provided times of interacting with other leaders at gatherings and we were given wise counsel. We also had a number of meetings with those causing division with others present. By the months of October and November 2013 we understood how to act. Timely words and scripture came in precise manner; so we asked a couple to leave and 3 others left with them. This has lifted a dark cloud and brought freedom to the congregation. The spiritual dimension became obvious when our home was broken into and money stolen the day after we asked the couple to leave. Truly, we struggle not against flesh and blood, nor with the couple causing division, but with an enemy that roars like a lion, yet we are more than conquerors! Emotionally draining? Certainly, yet our Lord is in total control for us all!

Home Bible Studies in Homes every Wednesday and Thursday

Most of our English teaching has been one on one over the last months. It is mostly tutoring when we can and helping university students prepare for exams.

Tzsecha from Eritrea was a fellow Italian language student and even attended our English camp last summer. She now works for another family from her country and we have not had much contact as she is always working. Life continues to be hard for many immigrants. She represents someone that risked much in the journey to Europe, to find a better life and support family members back home. Pray that her boss can let her go to church on Sundays.

Rome sights are many relating to believers. Beyond the artistic and glamorous of the Catholic baroque period, simplicity is hard to find. But the one that really gives us a glimpse of how Christianity was in the early church (2nd 3rd Century) are the Catacombes found down the via Appia Antica. How the early believers; not made of the powerful of Rome by no means, took care and buried their own is a testament to their love and hope in the resurrection. This is the way many of our brothers and sisters around the world live. Many find their way to Italy today, where there is no welcome. 75% of our members and attendees represent a demographic of humble, hard working, servant people. In these days of crisis and a reverse migration, many of our members have work, but the situation is not like it used to be. Some are just surviving and would be better for them to go back. Others are not being paid or have corrupt employers. Some are waiting for money for a business they sold. Some live in squatter occupations. Pray for us, as we try to minister to the whole person in these days of uncertainty and hardship.

Our worship services have music usually in playback form. All of our musicians have left Italy over the last 2 years. Pray that the Lord may provide some in the congregation to join Marty in this regard. We have a few talented ones, but they need to understand and develop in what serving the Lord means.

Family Corner - Elliot just celebrated his 3rd birthday. Gabi had a dinosaur theme party with family and friends in her home. Of course we could not be there and since our schedules dont match, the time to spend with Elliot on Skype has been rare. He is growing up fast and interested in so many things. When will see them again? We dont know but we are thankful that God is providing for them. The Lord knows we would love to visit the USA, but times are not easy and we need to be free in His time.

For Support: (Tax deductible) Checks can be sent to Orangewood Church OR:

PO Box 120963 Clermont, FL 34712 - 0963 Tel. 352-243-2030 Banzhaf/Italy project in the memo