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)

An Italian Wedding. Gospel presentations. Marlas work with the Ladies. New class on the Four Gospels. Yet more contacts. We commence in a light way. Last night, since Marla and I do not have television, we put in a video given to us by Maria Luz. It is entitled, La Vita Meravigliosa. Yes, Its A Wonderful Life, with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. You really should hear Donna Reed sing Buffalo Gals Wont You Come out Tonight in Italiano. And, Jimmy getting into it with Mr. Potter in a heated Italian exchange! Well, I came away with a few phrases too for my future work. Well, (basta) on with the report. As indicated in The Financial Preface, we hosted in our apartment about a half-dozen brethren and lodged Tammy and Michela (former missionary to Milan) for a week. It was joyful to share meals with these outstanding people. While Tammy was here, she took Bob to meet one of the older brothers, one Enrico, who had just lost his wife of many years. He was quite dismayed, as one might expect. We shared tears with this wounded brother. He still kept his wifes art work displayed about the expansive house. Also, we received a call regarding a brother, Guiseppe, from the Genova area. He, too, just lost his wife of many years. He is coming to Milan soon to meet us. Remember these two men, now without their loved ones of many years.

The Italian Wedding was a special event with Luca and Emy being united in marriage by a Civil Magistrate (The Town Mayor). In Italy, if the ceremony is not Catholic, it must be performed in a legal civil ceremony. We include a photo which we have entitled, The Kiss. Emmanuele is the daughter of one of our leading brothers, Orazio. We continue to spend hours every week at the church office. For example, on Mondays, I meet with Gabrielle and Giovanni at 12:00 and then with Yvonne and Francesco at 3:00 pm. Prior to and after these times we often study at the building. We also had office meetings this month with Willie and Vanessa; Fikado and Fausto; Tony Console, et. al. We refuse to be bound to the office however, as most of my contacts cannot be made between four walls. Every month we generate new contacts. For example, we recently met Cola, Tony and Francesco, who wish office time to hear more of the fascinating gospel. Our autumn was also enhanced by the following events. We have traveled about three times in October to Via Giambellino where we met with Maria Luz and Matteo. We had a meal with the whole church assembled once in October which we call Agape. We were invited along with Tammy to attend a dinner where one of our members works in an exclusive Italian restaurant in Zona Wagner. We continue to work in conjunction with Vanessa, who teaches the children. She and the mothers are collaborating to make this program successful. Marla and Tammy had special meetings about how to proceed with this important class. We feel good about the current status of this class for pre-school and elementary children. Here are a few of the various activities which took place in October. Marla and I cast our U.S. ballots from Italy this year. I continue to use the new business card approach to meet people. Often, I will write additional information on the card, such as appointment times or a scripture selected for some particular reason. We have also included a certain quotation on this card as a provocative element: La domanda non e cio che guardi, ma cio che vedi (The question is not

what you look at, but what you see (from Thoreau). Anyway, the card has been a tremendous tool, in my opinion, based upon experience in Milan. We made several more trips to the Police Station (La Questura) to complete our Permesso status (to stay in Italy beyond the Passport). Marla and I were invited by one of our Catholic students to attend an evening at one of the grand Theaters of Milan. We were treated to an evening of singing and cinema from the country of Turkey. The vocalist performed Nessun Dorma . We came away with business cards from the British Embassy (private info); and one from Genova, Italy. These experiences allow us to bond with our contacts. One of the new brothers brought several to church last Lords Day, wishing that I teach them personally. Things went very well. There are several situations with which we are currently involved. These are with young professionals who, in my opinion, are unaware of Christian apologetics on any functional level. My best directive is to proceed along lines of Josh McDowells work and others. The reason I mention McDowell is that we have a work here in Italian. Englands work on Presuppositions is also appropriate for breaking into secular mind-structure. This coming Sunday I will begin teaching the Four Gospels. In Matthew, we will go first with what Jesus wants all to become (Matthew 28:19). Then, we show that Discipleship cannot happen without The Teacher (Maestro). We will also cover communication, reception and resistance, fulfillment and phrases of Jesus (an example in Italian per causa mia- 5:11; 10:18, 39; 19:29). I have entitled this Matthew Study: GESU IN STORIA: UN DRAMMA DI RICEZIONE E DI RESISTENZA (Jesus in History: A Drama of Reception and Resistance). The church is talking up this class and the leadership also changed the meeting times to allow for it to be taught on Sunday morning.

Marla is working personally with several ladies on the fringe (via email and encouragement). She is also preparing lessons from The Lords Prayer for the Ladies studies (regular ladies fellowships and privately). I must express how diligent Marla is in keeping track of the finances which allows me to run all over Milan and make my appointments. She keeps house and does the laundry. And, for those of you unfamiliar with Italian laundry in the home, believe me, this is a labor of love! As we close Octobers Newsletter, we encourage your continued support for this ministry. I know of no better expenditure of time, monies, and prayers. And, certainly we are biased (unashamedly so)! Remember us and the church in Milano. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Yours in Jesus Christ, Bob and Marla bobandmarla@TheItalianMemorandum.org (Psalm 118:26)