MARCH 2022
Dear prayer companions,
Even though in the Lord we have fullness of joy, we cannot but mourn for the many evils that we experience in our earthly pilgrimage. While many are still suffering because of the Covid epidemic, we are now also afflicted by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which threatens to become a global war. In times such as these, the promise that the Lord will wipe away all our tears when he will make all things new becomes all the more precious for our hearts. Here are some of the most important information concerning the last few weeks.
Rev. Mike Cuneo.
Even though my whole family has experienced Covid with a small amount of troubles, our dear friend Rev. Mike Cuneo (PCA missionary to Passignano sul Trasimeno) is still in the hospital. Mike’s wife Ivana is doing well after being affected by Covid, but Mike was first hospitalized for a bilateral pneumonia and later suffered a stroke (probably caused by Covid itself). After spending about a month at the hospital due to Covid, Mike was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation because his left part of the body was paralyzed. Mike is now doing better: he began to speak, he can move his left leg and he can walk a little with the help of a stick, even though he can barely move his left arm. He is also struggling with cognition, memory, concentration and spatial orientation. Mike is supposed to stay in the rehabilitation center for at least another month before he can return home and he will need continuous therapy at the hospital. Because of this situation, besides my pastoral responsibilities for the church in Perugia I am currently preaching on the Four Songs of the Servant from Isaiah for the evening worship services in Passignano every Lord’s Day.
Organization of CCPRI
After my meeting with Rev. M. Brown and the Elders of the Church Filadelfia in Milan last December, Rev. Mike Brown (Milan), Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia (Lecce) and myself (Perugia) labored to discuss and prepare a proposal for a “constitution” which is meant to be the starting point of the Communion of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Italy. The document was refined in meetings that lasted overall about 10 hours and then was first presented to and later discussed with the elders of the three churches of Milan, Perugia and Lecce. On Monday March 7th 2022, after some revisions and corrections the constitution was adopted for the formal organization of the CCPRI. We are grateful for this first step and we covet your prayers in these first days of small things in Italy.
Matilde Ferrari
In the midst of these difficult days, the Lord caused us to rejoice for the birth of our granddaughter Matilde Ferrari! Thankfully, Matilde was born of March 6th after a short trip and a quick delivery. Alison – Matilde’s mother – recovered quickly and Simone – Matilde’s father – was very happy. Cristina and I are very grateful as the birth of this new born baby reminds us of the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the Spirit of life is at work to create life even where death seems to reign.
Please, pray with us for the following prayer requests:
pray for Rev. Cuneo, his wife Ivana, and the church-plant in Passignano
pray for the development of a growing fellowship and cooperation between the churches of Milan, Perugia, and Lecce and for the mutual encouragement and reciprocal care between Rev. Mike Brown, Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia and myself;
pray for God’s blessing on our Gospel’s witness in Perugia and in the whole region of Umbria in 2022;
lastly, pray for Cristina and myself, that I may be a faithful Christian, husband, father, grandfather, church member, and minister.
On behalf of all the members of the Chiesa Riformata of Perugia, I express a felt sense of gratitude for your faithful prayers and generous support.
Those of Italy greet you (Hebrews 13:24).
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Andrea Ferrari