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ITALIAN

CHRISTIAN

MISSION

P.O. Box 717 * Joplln, MO 64802

MISSIONARIES:
CHARLES S IVIA PHIPPS

Via Piaacane, 102

72021 Francavllla Fontana (BR) Italia

Forwarding Agent:
Ray Downen

"They of Italy salute you!"

Hebrews 13f24

SPRING 1986

Carmen Fellows
Box 2427
KNOXVL TN 37901

Dearest Family in the Lord,

So much has happened since our January letter to youso many
blessings to be thankful forso much to pray for.

RADIO INGONTRO is Still broadcasting 24 hours every day, reaching

souls for the Lord and ministering to the saints.

As many of you know, Charles suffered a mild heart attack January

24. Since the week-end was an Italian holiday, we were unable to get
him into a hospital until Monday, the 27thin San Cesario near Lecce.
He was there ten days for treatment, electro-cardiogram checks, various
tests, rest and the development of a regime of medicine to be followed.
He was very weak for some time, but has steadily built back up to his
regular schedule.

Some interesting and challenging additions to the regular preaching

and teaching program and the radio work have developed. We received an
invitation to participate in a panel discussion of Christian teaching
on a local r^lp_stationL, RadiQ_Libera. Charles has Jbeen made a regular
member of the group, which is composed of a Roman Catholic priest, a
Professor of Religion, and an atheistic public school teacher. Since
Charles was asked specifically to present the non-Catholic Christian
viewpoint, it is a great opportunity to speak for the simplicity of
the gospel and for our living Lord.
The chaplains at the USAF Base about 24 miles from here invited the

ministers and missionaries to meet with them to seek ways to intensify

our witness for the Lord, as well as to enjoy fellowship with one another.
Charles will be preaching in a series of services aimed at revival on
the base in June.

Another real blessing was the Youth Conference held in Bari this
year in February, where Charles was asked to bring a message on "The
Responsibility of Youth in the Congregation". We praise God for these
blessings, and for many more. For instance, the baptism of ANTONIO at
Manduria, April 6, and of Kristina Wolsieffer here in Francavilla on
April 13.

Italian Christian Mission

Charles & Ivia Phipps
Box 717 * JoPLiN MO 6^802-0717

I .I3 I

.1
Y.iPJ

SPRING, 1986 NEWSLETTER, CONTINUED

In addition to the newly-baptized, wi'B praise God for ALDO and his
faithfulness and his continuing growth Ln the Lord in the face of
opposition in his family to his stand.

Then there is CLAUDIO, and also MAR^if!E3RITA, both in the congregation we helped in Lecce. They were bap ized while we were there and
In HarKluria, VINCENZO is a
have not missed a moment in His servic
bright spirit, and is earnestly studyi {gi the Scriptures regularly with
group there.

Charles and Hichele and the rest of th^

Please pray earnestly for GIOVANNI, dK> was baptized here in

ing to services. Since his
Prancavilla, then soon afterward quit
parents are violently against the chur ti, we are unable to visit or
see Giovanni to encourage him. MARIA al30 is in need of your prayers
as she battles her family to keep her aith.
Another matter for much prayer is t B almost steady decline of
the U.S. dollar in the exchange here, 141b know this helps our American
economy, and we are thankful for that, But while it makes for strength
there, it weakens the effect of your lo ve gifts here by reducing the
amount of money you intend to reach us for use in His work in Italy,
Your prayers and any added income will be deeply appreciated.
Hell, dear ones, we'll stop for now

Please let us hear from you.

Your letters mean so much to us.

And please know we think of you oft Bn, and are grateful for all
you do to further the work of the Lord through us here in Italy.
He love you. He're praying for you tbat God will bless you as

we serve Him together.

!
CHARLES AND IVIA

PLEASE LET US KNOH

if we have your
address at all wrong...

THE

ITALIAN

CHRISTIAN

MISS I ON

P.O. Box 717 * Joplln, MO 64802

MISSIONARIES:

Forwarding Agent:

CHARLES & IVIA PHIPPS

Ray Downer.

"They of Italy salute you!"

Hebrews 13t24

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

FALL

1980

As this is written,
on this 20th of Oc-

tober in Francavilla,

the doable doors of the study, which open onto the front balcony of our
apartaent, are wide open. The sunshine streams in, and I type in my shortsleeved shirt enjoying a perfect
"Spring" day. The air is just cool/
warm

for

The

almost clear, having a high, thin

haze.

It would take hours of happy

conversation to share with my

reading friends what the follow

ing brief paragraphs reflect. I
wish we had those hours/

As things settle back into the

Fall routine, school starts,

vacationers homOf grape harvest

in, the voice of RADIO INCONTRO
continues to travel the Italian

airways bringing good news of

salvation to those so desperately
seeking.
We are thankful for the safe
return to this work of the Jin

WOLSIEFFER family.
The Francavilla congregation
meets on Thursdays for midweek
The Francavilla church building where
RADIO INCONTRO is also located.

Bible Study, Charles is teaching

a series in the book of JAHES.

Manduria.

PART OF the radio follow-up work is the group who meet at MANDURIA,
where Charles preaches Sundays and teaches Bible Study every Tuesday
evening. These young men are four of those with whom he meets.
And ANTONIO, not in the pic
ture, has returned after a period
of uncertainty, and is now faith
ful In attendance. Please pray for
Antonio that, as he studies the
Word, his faith may increase and

PRAYER

NEEDS

As the U.S. dollar continues to

fall in value here, please pray

for ALL missionaries as we strive
to survive and sustain the work.
We know God sees our need and

lead him to fulfill his obedience

will touch the hearts of those

to the Lord in baptism and a joy

who could help with one-time

gifts or regular monthly support.

ful new life in Christ.

Thank you for praying with ui. As the Lord says, "Men ought always to
pray and not to faint"!

mm
A REWARDING PART of the

work here is doing trans

lating of written material
and songs, as well as act
ing as Interpreter for

people working at the Air

Force Base, and for preach
ing when needed.

WE PRAISE THE LORD

... for a good doctor, who

helps us to maintain good

health in order to keep go
ing at what He has sent us
here to do: bring the Good
News to set the capt i ve
free.

... for continuing opportu

nity to teach Gabriele,
Lisetta and Speranza in

Jim Cormode preaching; Charles translating.

their homes.

... for the faithfulness of the little flock at Manduria.

... for the pleasure of studying the Word with the Francavfl la
congregation.

... for the privi lege of preaching in this land to Italians,

as well as on the Air Force Base occasionally,
... for each friend who so steadfastly prays for and supports
our efforts here in Italy.

rWi

IN ADDITION TO studying
with Charles at least

twice during the week

in his home, GABRIELE

is now attending
church services.
I

His l ittle nephew,

VICENZO, who is next to ;

Gabriele In the picture,

is always ready to hear
the Word as "Carlo" brines

it, and to Join in sing

ing, "SI, Gesu mi amal"
"Yes, Jesus loves me!" I

Gabriele and nephews.

LISETTA

You may remember when we asked you to pray for LIsetta,

who wrote the radio station, crying, "Salvamil" "Save mel"

Praise the Lord, once again He has answered prayer. Charles is

now meeting with Lisetta and her mother, Speranzasometimes also
with a nephew. Lisetta had written that she had no hope, that the
Lord could not love her, that she was lost forever, etc. Now she

is saying, "Carlo, what niust I do to be saved?"

Please continue to prey for them, and for Charles as he brings
them the good news.
CHARLES & IVIA

Fal1, 1986, in Italy