Italy Newsletter April/June 2012

Guido and Joyce Bassi

Montecatini Terme Italy

Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgment or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.  (It is He) who has qualified us (making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient) as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant (of salvation through Christ). 2 Cor. 3:5-6  Therefore since we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God (granting us favor, benefits, opportunities and especially salvation) we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion.  2 Cor. 4:1

Welcome to our life, oh wait this was Pauls' wait this is everyone who labors for the harvest, for the Kingdom,  and for His glory to be manifest upon the earth. Thank you for being a part of our life. Guido and Joyce Bassi

    

Let His Fire Fall

At the end of April I was able to finally make it down to Caserta and HOP Italia.  I spent 2 hours in prayer and didn’t even realize it because the presence was so strong.  It seemed I had only been praying a few minutes.  The Lord is doing great things in this nation in the prayer movement He is building.  From top to bottom fires are being lit and hearts are being transformed amen.  Until this Nation soaks itself in prayer and repentance there will be no visitation.  It has started amen.  Giuseppe Conti, Stefania Narducci, Alessandro Alise and some faithful others are making this a reality in this region.

  

Open hearts of love

Narducci/Conti Family

I was warmly greeting by the Narducci family and even invited to speak impromptu at their church.  I was so glad the Holy Spirit gave me a word because I was given like a few minute warning that I would be speaking but I delivered a word in due season they said and was blessed to be able to minister to some of the people in this small community of believers. I told Ps. Narducci how impressed I was because no one lets you speak in their church here specially if they just met you and being a woman is a bit iffy at times too.  He said well it is only a Wednesday night meeting.  I had an awesome time of prayer at HOP with Ps. Anna and really just enjoyed this new contact.  They keep asking us to come down and help, who knows what the Lord has in store for us in the future regarding this but I’m excited.   

Digging up the Roots

So while I’m down in Caserta, Guido is even further down south helping a good friend of ours from the States look up his family tree.  It was a great time (2 long weeks) for Guido to use his excellent translation skills to bless our brother, fellowship and a well needed break from the situation.  I know many of you think it would be like a dream come true to not have to go to work but unless your old and in retirement for a young man it can be very frustrating.  Although ministry support has allowed us time to do ministry work, at times I see Guido really needing a good laborious task so he feels useful.   It must be a man thing.  This wasn’t too laborious but it did stimulate his brain & his tongue.

Time for Healing/Reconciliation

Bruno, John, Joyce, Guido & Prof. Calisi

To our blessed surprise just days after Guido returned from down South, Bruno from CTF (formally Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship) emailed us and asked us to meet him and John Arnott in Rome.  Wow how cool is that.  So off we go and end up meeting Prof. Matteo Calisi who is the President of the Charismatic Covenant Communities for the Vatican which oversees 180 million born again, Spirit filled Charismatic Catholics around the world.  John & Bruno were invited to the annual meeting of the Vatican Council.  At these meetings they determine their policies concerning the Charismatic Churches.  They wanted John & Bruno to share and minister to these Charismatic leaders from all over the world.  Prof. Calisi invited them to the Vatican Offices to talk ahead of this event.  We happened to be their guests so guess what? We got to be invited too.  The Lord loves the Catholics, can I repeat that, the Lord loves the Catholics and He is moving mightily among them.  Prof. Calisi believes that there will be no real move of God in this Nation until there is real healing and reconciliation between the Catholics & the Protestants.  He also believes it is why the church in general is so split.  I mean, how many church splits has the Catholic Church had vs. the Protestant?  Just an observation. 

Family Reunion 

Just in case you didn’t already know this, Guido was born again in Toronto at CTF, John & Carol Arnott were his Spiritual mentors for the first 13 months of his walk. Guido was so blessed.  We were so blown away by God’s timing and Gods faithfulness.  This was the second time we have met up with John in Italy and I’m sure it won’t be the last amen.

Farewell but not goodbye

Bernie, Griffin, Joyce, Hanna, Guido, Albiola & Oliviah

Griffin, Albiola & Chapman

We continue at Florence Gospel Fellowship and as usual the students are leaving for home.  Sad for us but what a blessing, as we can lay hands on them and bless them.  These past few months have been so fantastic.  Worship has been awesome.  It was hard to recover after the last group left us in December & then again in March.  New students came in mixing with the ones who remained.  It is very bitter sweet to say the least and very humbling to be a part of their lives if even for such a short time.  It really makes you appreciate that we have very short moments in a person’s life to make a difference, to imprint and leave them with something.  Frankly I think we are the ones getting all the imprinting, but I know it is a two way street.  Plus some of them have left us some really cool gifts they have made.   We have no clue how will ever get them home.  Hanging out with them has become a joy for us.  We took a few of them out to the beach for some fun in the sun before they left.  Let’s put it this way, we can still run with the young ones and still have enough strength to drive home.  One young gal even gave me the honor to go and help her pick out a wedding dress for her December wedding.  Let’s just say we found the perfect dress and she will be the most beautiful bride ever in her Italian original that she designed on the spot.  I’ll post pictures in January.  I love this part of ministry.

Emergency 911

Or in our case email your whole Newsletter list.  Can I say just how humbling it is to ask for help?  We help people, we don’t ask for help.  It is also humbling and awesome to be blessed by the Body of Christ (our friends) emotionally, spiritually and financially.  Car was fixed.  Motor bike all squared away, bathroom fan replaced, frig. handles replaced and a host of other small things dealt with that we hadn’t been able to do.  Now just praying the Motor bike sales quickly to pay for car insurance amen. 

  

PRAISE REPORT

 Normally we wouldn’t share this but it really showed us how the Lord and His provisions work in each of our lives.  How each one touches another.   A missionary living here in Italy (German/Jewish man)  wrote back and said we could partner together in prayer, he said he didn’t have anything do give and in fact because of lack of finances he couldn’t buy insurance for his vehicle so he was now several months unable to drive the car.  I felt right away in my spirit to give him a tenth of whatever was sent to us.  I wrote him straight away and asked him for his Bank Coordinates to which he replied with the following: 

Dear Joyce, dear Guido,

How can I accept an offering from your side, when you yourselves have these problems with money?!?

But I know that you are spiritual and

1.   Maybe the Lord has shown you something (please tell me that if my feeling is right and tell me

      also  what you  have received) 2) You know what Isaac did in the time of famine ( Gen 26 / 1- 12 ).

 2.  I felt the following after having read your email:  I can accept under the condition of 1 or 2 and will

       make you  a friendship proposal shown by the Lord in this very moment between "Sons and

      daughters of God":

*************************************************************************************

1.  I am waiting and praying for an outcome from a law suit (highest court!) in Germany, compensation

     after 6 years according to Joel l 2 / 25 (a creditor was blocking for years monthly 220 Euro of my small

     pension thus  putting me exactly 220 Euro monthly under the minimum of social assistance in

     Germany - I could survive in  Italy only by the generosity of the Italian people giving me some

     offerings every now and then!

2.  Please intercede with me and invite also your intercessor friends for this prayer without using my

     name.

3.   First I felt to give you the tithe, but then I remembered that the tithe was already promised to the

      wonderful   ministry of "MESSIANIC BIBLES FOR ISRAEL".  But then the Lord made me

      understand, that  the second tithe is in the 3 year for the poor people (see Deut 14 / 28 ). Because I 

      have received an 8 day stay  in Israel gratis (free) as a donation, thus I can dance in front the Lord

      and celebrate the feast in Yerushalayim,   I can pass immediately to the 3 Year!

Conclusion: When the Lord will recompense the above mentioned money according  to J o e l  2 / 25 as HE already has given back after 6 years my little truck serving for feeding the poor  people, I will give you the second  tithe!

Our Conclusion

The Lord has blessed us beyond words with action from the Saints (you our dearest friends) in all manner of blessing so that our cup was and is full to overflowing.  Guido from the moment I sent the Emergency notice until I wrote this Newsletter had been working, finances have poured in from all directions, relationships have been strengthened, we have been encouraged and ministered to by various ones, (you know who you are).  It does not escape His notice and He does reward.  Ask and it shall be given.  He never ever fails us.  Matt. 7:7-12

PRAYER NEEDS

 ·  Finances

·  Wisdom, Wisdom, Wisdom and; Patience

·  Upcoming ministry opportunities, His timing, guidance & direction – going to meet up with the

    brother above as he shows us his ministry to the poor and how the system works here in Italy.

    Also meeting with prayer teams and various other ministry teams from the States.

·  Church Planting, still need a team to come together or return to USA if Church Plant doesn’t happen

    this Year.

·  Continuing with Church in Florence in September for another school year and become part of the 

    leadership.

• If any of you would like to partner with us in prayer please send us an email.
• If you want to partner with us financially and you don’t need or want a tax deduction you can go click on the donate button at the top right hand side of this page. If you need or want a tax deduction make checks payable to:

            New Life Christian Church (Clearly label (post-it or cover letter): For the support of Italy Missionaries)

            1265 B St. Hayward, CA 94541

            510-889-1304

            www.newlifechristianchurch.com

Italy Newsletter Feb/April 2012

Guido and Joyce Bassi

Montecatini Terme Italy

HE IS RISEN AMEN!!!  What an awesome reality we have that the God of the universe who not only raised Christ up from the dead has done the same for us.  What a hope we carry inside ourselves for a lost and dying world.  These last several months have been filled with many ups and downs but this one truth has been our sustaining grace.  We again want to thank you for the opportunity to share with you our adventures, send blessings upon you for holding us in prayer and maintaining us financially.  We know that these are trying times for many and so we appreciate that you turn your affections towards us as we labor together for the harvest.  May you be richly blessed with a double portion.

                                We much affection and love

                                Guido and Joyce Bassi

Sonshine…….

After months of literally freezing weather we finally were able to get out and pray the streets of Montecatini.  The Lord had instructed us to go to every street and anoint it with oil some months back and we did it.  It took us about 24 hours in total walking over a week but the weather was beautiful and as you can see from Guido’s open jacket warm for February.  We had a little spray bottle and were trying to be as incognito as possible putting oil on the corners in the main street with crowds of people or on private streets where there is little foot traffic  was quite a challenge.  People seem pretty suspicious of you praying and then pouring stuff out but we can now say we have complied.  I wonder if Jericho would have fallen if the Israelites would have just prayed from the camp.  He has called us to put action to our prayers so we continue to be obedient even if it seems bizarre to us to do amen.                      

                         

Onward And Upward

So having finished Montecatini we knew that the Lord still wanting us to start walking the other surrounding communities but where to start and when.  Jami told us about a job opportunity to pass out fliers from door to door so we applied for the job and got it.  Went to sign the contract and pick up the fliers & they gave us a list of the areas.  Can you believe it was the exact 11 communities (Valdinievole) that we had already gone and prayed at all the ancient wells a few years ago?  Very cool praying every street, every mailbox for 5 to 6 hours a day and being paid to do it.  We laid our hands on the fliers and started March 9^th & finished April 3^rd.  A total of over 150 hours given to praying blessing, grace and mercy in an around the Valdinievole.  It was hard, it was fun, it was tiring, it was battle, it was joy, and it was painful. It is totally unbelievable that we have put our foot all over this area and the attack came swift and sure a few days after we finished.  We were paid for the first 2 weeks but they haven’t paid us for the last few and they have been running us around about it.  5 trips at 26 miles each time to be exact.  We have declared in the face of the enemy that it didn’t matter if they never pay us because we were going to walk it anyway.  Now were just praying for them.  We were really not out anything and have gained in that we have covered all these cities in His presence amen.  They called a few days ago to come in and get paid and to pick up more fliers to restart the route again, yeah they were a no show again.     

In The Flash of a Moment

The youth at Marco’s church in Monsummano (Gesu e il Signore) decided to do the first ever Flash Mob for Easter here in Montecatini and in Monsummano.  There were so many participants of all ages from the Church including us doing He is Risen.  Easter Sunday it rained all day so when we got in the car to head to Florence for our service we just prayed that it would stop so that they would be able to perform.  They reported that as soon as they got out there the sun came out, praise the Lord.  The priest in Montecatini got so upset that the group was in the square that he called the Mayor and tried to get them to cancel it but he had already given them permission.  The Lord is opening doors no man can shut.  On Monday in the Open Market of Monsummano we did the Flash mob twice.  Since it was a holiday it was packed with people.   After each performance we passed out Bibles to the It was awesome fun and since we have been doing all this walking we were in shape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BfcriWmCczA

New Name Same Goal

 On March 31^st we gathered to celebrate 2 years of 24/7 Preghiera Continua.  We have seen such fruit from this prayer Initiative.  Just in the community of believers here in Monsummano we have seen incredible growth in the area of prayer.  They like many churches filled their allotted day and even when churches dropped off during the summer moved to those days as well.  They have since started to gather 30 minutes before church to pray and now have 1 time a month where they gather to pray for the whole day.

 Now of course they have other prayer days however this one is specifically for the Nation of Italy and to join hearts with the 24/7 prayer movement that is globally occurring.  This year the group leaders decided to change directions and drop the 24/7 because they felt it was deceptive to say we pray 24/7 when in fact many hours weren’t covered.  We along with others tried to encourage the leaders to keep 24/7 and gave examples of other ministries that use 24/7 more so as a goal to reach for and a mindset and attitude of moving the nation in that direction. However, it was agreed that Toscana in Preghiera would be better suited for their goals.  At this time they will be shifting more of the responsibility of each church to be more involved in prayer & prayer groups & times vs. them trying to oversee and manage 168 time slots over many diverse churches which we agree is very tough.   The agenda remains the same, prayer, prayer and more prayer amen.  We encouraged them and commended them for having taken on a 2 year project of keeping 24/7 going in the mode they had because it really was a lot of work to maintain but the ball is rolling with churches more united across denominational lines and ethnic lines than ever before and we are certain that the Lord will continue to watch over His work. 

Florence, City of Angels

At least that is what we call all the wonderful students and people we have had the privilege of hanging out with for the past 6 months.  It has been the most incredible time for us to grow in our gifts.  We have been able to pray with many of the students, have them lead worship, get their testimonies and share from the pulpit as well.  The Ps. Left us alone for 2 weeks to run everything, wow we feel so honored. Guido continues to teach on our identity in Christ, who we are.  Nicola from South Africa shared as well about our Identity.   I did my first ever Easter Service where I shared how he wasn’t a victim but a willing participant in order to redeem us back to Himself and the Father.  I shared about His great love towards us.  I finished by showing this clip from YouTube.   We were all teary eyed while taking Communion.  This past Sunday when Ps. Tuula spoke and told the group how blessed they were with us the whole group broke out in applause and then the youth all prayed for us adults, it was awesome.  Who would have thought we would be teaching in English while living in Italy.  Remind me again why I had to learn Italian. In May we will take a whole bunch of them to the beach before they all head back home.  It is bitter sweet but it is our joy to see the next generation stand and take their place in the Kingdom.

The Call Italy? 

Well I think it is no accident or mistake that Lou Engle and his family were here in Italy for a conference with a group calling themselves Generazione Senza Confini (Generation without Boundaries.)  www.generazionsenzaconfini.  They also made a stop by the first ever HOP Italia down in Caserta.  Giuseppe Conti of Voce di Sion along with the Narducci family have partnered with Kansas City House of Prayer to see their dreams realized in this Nation.  God is actively moving in this Nation in a mighty way these days and we are so blessed to see so many Italians rising up and taking the Kingdom by force for this Nation.  There is a youth movement and prayer movement that has slowly been building but has gained huge momentum just in the last few years.  We’re hoping to go down there soon and be a part of their pray movement as well and try to hook up as many youth from our area with them in order to pull it back up here to our area.  Since we have had the 24/7 prayer for the past 2 years in our area I would say it is time!!!!   Check out this YouTube video as the youth of this Nation start to cry out for more.  These are some excerpts from their conference with Lou as well as other conferences pieced together to make a cool video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6NYfuxuPzA&feature=relmfu

• If any of you would like to partner with us in prayer please send us an email
• If you want to partner with us financially and you don't need or want a tax deduction you can hit the donate button at the top right of this page. If you need or want a tax deduction make checks payable to:

             New Life Christian Church (Clearly label (post-it or cover letter): For the support of Italy Missionaries)

           1265 B St. Hayward, CA 94541

           510-889-1304

           www.newlifechristianchurch.com