Dear Friend of CHRISTLIFE,
In this Newsletter Tom and Martha Di Ienno, of Gaithersburg, Maryland USA, share with us about our recent mission trip to Presov, Slovakia. We hope that some of you will have the opportunity to serve with us on one of the upcoming short term mission trips that we will be involved in. Or, if you are a young adult may want to consider participating in one of the Schools of Evangelization held in Eastern Europe!
On October 5th fifteen Americans converged upon Newark, New Jersey airport from many areas of the United States to be part of a mission team traveling to Presov,Slovakia. There was great excitement and anticipation as we greeted each other, some for the first time. We were looking forward expectantly to
what God would be doing through the power of the Holy Spirit at a three day Evangelization and Leadership School beginning October 7th, followed by an all day Fire Rally on Saturday, October 10th. Dave Nodar, Leo Rudegeair, and Tom and Martha Di Ienno attended from CHRISTLIFE. The mission was sponsored by Renewal Ministries. Tom Edwards and Dave Nodar served as leaders of this week long mission. Tom is from St. Augustine, Florida, and has been serving the Lord as a Catholic evangelist for over 15 years. Seven team members came from Florida. Also on the team were people from as far off as Alaska, California and England.
The Evangelization and Leadership school began on Wednesday October 7th. Over 250 people attended, mostly young people in their early 20s and 30s. Also a large number of priests and nuns were in attendance. Those attending the School were leaders in Light-Life, a Catholic movement that began in Poland. Friday was a special day of retreat for 70 nuns and 50 priests. Teaching for the school as well as the day retreat were given by Tom Edwards and Dave Nodar. There was time for personal prayer ministry after each teaching session which was received with great enthusiasm. Each session began with praise and worship led by wonderfully talented and gifted musicians. The praise and worship contributed to the freedom of the Holy Spirit's presence. Throughout the time of the school and rally, the creativeness of the Slovakian people was evident and they showed a great enthusiasm for taking the message of the Good News out to others. An afternoon was spent going out and practicing what they were learning about evangelism. Some went to do street evangelism, others went to the prisons, hospitals and army post to preach the good news about Jesus. Many on the team had a sense of God's little army being prepared for the harvest fields of souls waiting to be won for Christ.
On Saturday, over 6000 people gathered in a large sports arena for an all day rally. It was significant to many that the sports arena which had been built under the Communist occupation was now being used to honor and praise Jesus Christ. We heard many stories of bravery and perseverance exhibited by
our Catholic brothers and sisters during the Communist period of Slovakia. Many would have to hide in the mountains to celebrate mass or meet together to share their faith. One priest became a priest in secret and could not even tell his parents for ten years. The suffering they experienced was evident as the team prayed for them to be healed and renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tom and Pam Edwards and Dave Nodar gave the teachings at the rally. The Slovakian leaders did a wonderful job of organizing and managing such a large crowd. An inspiring Pantomime play was performed which had everyone on their feet joyfully thanking and praising God for what he has given us in his son Jesus. There was time allowed after each teaching for prayer ministry. Large numbers of people came forward for prayer. It reminded the team of when Jesus walked the earth and large crowds pressed in on him. The need of humanity for the touch of God was so real to all of us who were there.
We came away awestruck and grateful for what God had allowed us to take part in. God is strengthening his people in many places around the world. Let us continue to pray that God will raise up many to go into the harvest fields . Pray that CHRISTLIFE will continue to be an open vessel for the Lord to use in preparing and equipping the workers for work of evangelization!
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