NEWS

ITALY

Population: 58,103,033 (July 2005)

Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, others 2%

Deaf population: at least 70,000 profoundly deaf people (Gallaudet Encyclopedia)

Evangelical deaf: only 20 persons (mostly in Rome, few near Florence) Main citys are unreached and uncovered with Christian deaf ministries.

In the same time in Italy exist 1000 deaf Jehowas witnesses (rapidly growing), and this organisation have very strategic activity among deaf, but giving no salvation in Christ Jesus.

OUR VISION FOR ITALY:

* TO SEE VITAL DEAF MINISTRY NETWORK ESTABLISHED,

WITH STRONG NATIONAL DEAF LEADERS

* TO SEE MATURE DICSIPLES OF CHRIST AMONG DEAF, WHO

ARE WILLING AND PREPARED TO GO REST OF SOUTH EUROPE

COUNTRIES AND FURTHER

* TRAIN OUT SIGN-LANGUAGES INTERPRETERS WHO ARE

WILLING AND PREPARED TO TEACH OTHERS

STRATEGY:

* WE WILL PRAY FOR ITALIAN DEAF

* WORK TROUGH LOCAL EVANGELICAL CHURCHES

* LEARN ITALIAN SIGN-LANGUAGE

* MAKE CONTACTS WITH LOCAL DEAF AND EVANGELIZING THEM

* INTERPRATING IN CHURCH AND TEACHING NEW INTERPRETERS

PRAY FOR:

* DEAF OF ITALY (BASICLY UNREACHED POULATION)

* THAT GOD WILL SEND MORE WORKERS ON THIS FIELD

* CHURCHES, WHO WILL UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE

OF DEAF MINISTRY, AND BE PARTNERS IN THIS WORK

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

*
If you want support financially, please contact our ECPC Mission Board: misjon@eknk.ee

Our contact: ainarkertsmik@hotmail.com GSM: +372 5623 5056

HOW IT ALL BEGIN?
However Italy was in my (Ainar) heart already 1994, I just loved this country and culture.
also things in my life starts to mach up with Italy very soon: I loved italian music, I got my first
occupation as the pizza maker, I start study language because I was working in Italian restaurant (I do work there time to time even now). Other thing was, that in our honeymoon (in Finland), we meet nice young Italian couple Laura and Sergio Farotto, who become good friends of us until now.
So our first trip to Italy was in 1997/98 and we was visiting Laura and Sergio in Milan.
Also we was in Roma and meet new friends Giulio and his mother Rosetta.
Since we come back to Estonia I told Krista that one day we will go to live in Italy, she was not so thrilled about idea and I did deal with God, that if one nice day Krista will say "YES", that this will be enough "devine sign" for me.

LIFE SHANGING TRIP 2004/2005
This was nice day in May 2004, when Krista say "YES" to go again.
When we arrived to Italy in the middle of October it was still warm and first 3 weeks we lived in mountains in Laura's and Sergio's caravane, and I tried to find some job. When weather turns
colder we was looking oportunities to move other place. Actually by miricle I was meet Filippo who invited immedeatly us to his home. So we moved near Milan in the home of Filippo and Elisabetta Parisi, who become close friends. In the same time we all was going to evangelical church in Concorezzo, where we experienced love and care, and finaly we lived 2 mounths in the very Church building, thanks to Franco and Salvatore (elders).
It was really blessed time for us, not easy, but God finally got our attention, because before I personally was luke warm during long time. So it was the very place where I got my "first love"
back for Christ and I felt clearly in my heart: "Yes you are in right place now and deaf of Italy will be ministry for your family, but time is not right to stay, you need to prepare properly".
I can say it was from God, because it was so clear deep in my heart. When I sayd it to Krista she was happy, also because she could see me loving Jesus for real. Krista experienced also spiritual awakening, and since that we as a couple doing much better.
Also we was expirienced His divine providence for us. For examle: two times our old Ford Escort stops (was broken) right before house of our friends (once in Milan second time in Holland) and both times it was running 5000 km. before broking, I am sure angels helped us.
After Milan we drived to meet Luca e Giuseppina Dascoli in small evangelical church of
Colle di Val D'Elsa (located between Florence and Siena). We was welcomed warmly. After we was visiting Christians in Rome, who work in deaf ministry. After that we made nice tour around Sicily and went in back way to Holland, where we visited my sign-language teacher Kai and shes husbant Gert, our good friends. Our car died in Holland, but very next day Ad and Wim from Sion Church bought us other car, even better then we had before, thanks God He provide!
It was great to share new passion of Christ to local deaf Christians. At last we arrived home, the whole tripp took us 4 mounths and 12 000 km. but it was in fact life changing trip, where God revieled His love for us and called us for ministry!
GO FOR THIS WHAT IN YOUR HEART!!! GO AND TRY AT LEAST, THIS IS GOOD WAY TO FIND OUT!!!

Phoenix Ancient Art