Every August during summer vacation (Ferragosto or August Festival), the missionaries complain because "it's hot and there's nobody to teach and everybody is gone to the sea". Presidente just keeps reminding them that he knows all those things and it's not really true because there are still people around. After all the complaining and excuse making, when the final numbers for August came in, the Italy Rome Mission had 20 baptisms during the month of August. Wow! That's amazing! Especially considering the fact nobody was in Italy all month long.
The missionaries are "Being the best they can bee!"
Because Italy is getting a temple, we feel Satan's influence continually. He is trying to stop the work of the Lord from progressing here. He might be able to hinder, but he will never stop it. Fighting the battle against evil can be tiring and depressing. Sometimes the missionaries feel like everything is working against them (and it is), but in spite of that, they are still doing great things.
Right now is one of those times when the mission is experiencing real growing pains. There is a lot of sickness and unusual things happening. It seems like there is an overabundance of depression. The work on the temple is extremely slow and not much progress is being made.
The Rome East Stake has asked the members to dedicate their fast this month to progress on the work of the temple and that the workers will be able to do the perfect work that a temple requires. As a mission, we have asked all of the missionaries in the Italy Rome Mission to be involved in this special fast. We have also asked them to include investigators so they will be touched by the spirit and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. We are also asking for a special blessing for those missionaries who are sick, injured, or ailing in any way and also to bless all the missionaries with increased vigor and strengthened testimonies as they attempt to bring others unto Christ. We called the President of the Milan Mission and asked if they wanted to join in this special fast and they were eager to do so. There is power in numbers and we are calling upon heaven to bless Italy that the work of the Lord will progress here. We have faith the Lord will hear and answer our plea.
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| Bee chart showing baptisms for month of August 2014 |
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