November 2011 to April 2013
Genesis 8:11" Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf [was] in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth."
God's timing is perfect.
During our semester at Hungary in 2011 God took us on a scouting out of Italy trip - He had been putting Italy on Mike's heart through various ways and Mike kept telling me "Cindy we will be going to Italy for a period in the future...." Huh Italy what happened to Madagascar?!? Well Madagascar was not written off , but Italy was to be the next step for us. Amazingly we made some lovely Italian friends right at the start of our semester in 2011 at the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference in Austria.
Mike and Andrea
Sweet Emmanuella
So we visited our friends in Mantova Italy and took a day drive to Montebelluna where there is a Calvary Chapel church plant and a Bible college. We were able to view the church and had lunch (pitsa) with David Downs. I will never forget my flight leaving Italy and the heavy feeling in my heart of the millions of beautiful people so stuck in religion and without a true personal relationship with Jesus.
Religiosity on a (sad) grand scale
We have been home for over a year and its been a year of just waiting on the Lord and His timing for us to return to Italy. We knew that we needed to be home for this time for many areas of our lives, including our church family. It has been a wonderful time and I have been blessed to serve in the moms group and we have been having a home fellowship group for the midweek Bible study, which Mike has been blessed to teach. Mike has also been serving on the leadership team. A highlight has been for Mike and I to have a weekly prayer time for missionaries, as our hearts and calling is for international missions. It was an interesting hard year of many good-byes and new chapters in people's lives - especially our pastor of many years - Julian and his wife Monica, and their two girls who now serve at Murietta California. If you know me you know I struggle with good-byes - I praise God that oneday it will be an eternity with hey: never a good bye to loved ones - Horey!
Our visa's has come through and we Praise God for His faithfulness to bring us to this point - what a process!! Eish, will I ever get used to the visa issue in life LOL....Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus looked at [them] and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." So we are booked to fly out the 28th May 2013. Only 5 plus weeks to go..... and a Ton to do :) We will be staying in the apartment that the girl students normally use in Montebelluna / Italy for the first 2 months. Mike and I have been granted a longstay visa and the girls 3 months tourist visa's ( we have to apply for them from within Italy) we trust God to work it all out for His purposes. We go by faith in more ways than one ...
Mike sharing at a church in Mantova / Italy- they prayed for us
We want to thank all that have walked this road with us up until this point. It seems surreal that we are going out to serve with another church all the way in Italy. We know there is lots of need in South Africa, but God has clearly shown us that He wills us to go to Italy for a period. Two years at this stage to be specific. Mike got a verse in his Qt at a crucial decision/seeking point. Acts 28: 30 - 31 "Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him." 'Ironic' because we will be needing to rent our own home this time, as the church does not own its own propety to house us. God is faithful. We covet your prayers and during this time of " letting go", packing, preparation and going... We are needing prayer and financial partners - if the Lord lays this on your heart please email us or see the info below.
Acts 27:6 "There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board."
Mike, Cindy, Kiarah, Melissah and Sienah Styles serving Jesus at Calvary Chapel Montebelluna Italy.
email cndstyles@gmail.com
Missions Financial Support: Absa Bank, branch: Bellville: Account Name: MM Styles, Account Number:120303309, Account Type: Savings, Reference: Styles Family (missions support)
pray for God to continue to give us His wonderful love for Italy
Our third daughter, Sienah was a little traveller since the womb :)
The kids are excited for this new chapter. They will miss their life in SA I am sure.
Let the many travels begin - life out a suitcase :)
Italy has its perks - the worlds best Gelato :)) - temptation everyday.....
Genesis 8:11" Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf [was] in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth."
God's timing is perfect.
Mike and Andrea
So we visited our friends in Mantova Italy and took a day drive to Montebelluna where there is a Calvary Chapel church plant and a Bible college. We were able to view the church and had lunch (pitsa) with David Downs. I will never forget my flight leaving Italy and the heavy feeling in my heart of the millions of beautiful people so stuck in religion and without a true personal relationship with Jesus.
We have been home for over a year and its been a year of just waiting on the Lord and His timing for us to return to Italy. We knew that we needed to be home for this time for many areas of our lives, including our church family. It has been a wonderful time and I have been blessed to serve in the moms group and we have been having a home fellowship group for the midweek Bible study, which Mike has been blessed to teach. Mike has also been serving on the leadership team. A highlight has been for Mike and I to have a weekly prayer time for missionaries, as our hearts and calling is for international missions. It was an interesting hard year of many good-byes and new chapters in people's lives - especially our pastor of many years - Julian and his wife Monica, and their two girls who now serve at Murietta California. If you know me you know I struggle with good-byes - I praise God that oneday it will be an eternity with hey: never a good bye to loved ones - Horey!
Our visa's has come through and we Praise God for His faithfulness to bring us to this point - what a process!! Eish, will I ever get used to the visa issue in life LOL....Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus looked at [them] and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." So we are booked to fly out the 28th May 2013. Only 5 plus weeks to go..... and a Ton to do :) We will be staying in the apartment that the girl students normally use in Montebelluna / Italy for the first 2 months. Mike and I have been granted a longstay visa and the girls 3 months tourist visa's ( we have to apply for them from within Italy) we trust God to work it all out for His purposes. We go by faith in more ways than one ...
We want to thank all that have walked this road with us up until this point. It seems surreal that we are going out to serve with another church all the way in Italy. We know there is lots of need in South Africa, but God has clearly shown us that He wills us to go to Italy for a period. Two years at this stage to be specific. Mike got a verse in his Qt at a crucial decision/seeking point. Acts 28: 30 - 31 "Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him." 'Ironic' because we will be needing to rent our own home this time, as the church does not own its own propety to house us. God is faithful. We covet your prayers and during this time of " letting go", packing, preparation and going... We are needing prayer and financial partners - if the Lord lays this on your heart please email us or see the info below.
Acts 27:6 "There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board."
Mike, Cindy, Kiarah, Melissah and Sienah Styles serving Jesus at Calvary Chapel Montebelluna Italy.
email cndstyles@gmail.com
Missions Financial Support: Absa Bank, branch: Bellville: Account Name: MM Styles, Account Number:120303309, Account Type: Savings, Reference: Styles Family (missions support)
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