What's New with Us

Recently, friends of ours and ministry supporters, came to Verona for a visit.  Our friend, Erik, asked to share a few words with you about his impression of the spiritual climate in Verona:

My family and I had the pleasure of traveling to Italy this summer to see the country and spend time with the Taylor family, who have been my friends for over two decades.  We have also been ministry partners, and I was excited to spend time with them and to really get a feel for what ministry looks like in Verona, Italy.

The Italian people that we met were nice and welcoming, but spiritually there is a disconnect.  Faith and spirituality is a cultural aspect to their identity of course, as most see themselves as Catholic, but very few are connected to their faith as an integral part of their identity.  People’s faith is in their own efforts, their wealth, and their lifestyle.  Even in the face of a downturned economy, most people are relying on themselves, and their own efforts to get by.  Looking at the Verona culture is much like looking at the American culture. The more you have materially, the less you think God is relevant for your life.  While this paints a partial picture, the fact is that God is moving in the hearts of Italians.  I met wonderful people who are connected to the Taylor family who, are having conversations about God and are supportive of the Taylor's work in Verona.

The other thing I reflected upon is that often, as Americans, we forget about the importance of missions in the western countries of Europe.  We hear how Europe is “post-Christian”, but too often our focus is to go on mission trips or supporting missionary efforts in places with material need.  I have personally been to Africa on mission and support ministry fighting things like human trafficking.  It’s easy to feel good about immediate results like children fed, or girls rescued.  And we need to keep supporting those efforts.  I would just encourage others who are reading to not forget the difficult task of presenting the “good news” of Jesus to people so accustomed to wealth that they think they have no use for Christ.  Don’t dismiss them because Europe used to be more “Christian” in their past.  God desires all be saved, and given the attitudes and culture in Verona, this is a tough place to share the gospel and seek to see a church community emerge.  The good news is that God has workers on the ground, now, in Verona.

The Taylors and their team are proving faithful, and much is happening.  Please pray daily for their efforts, for the hearts of the people they encounter, and if you are looking to support missions in a difficult environment, there is no better place to begin than giving towards the mission in Verona!
We left after 2 weeks of getting to experience this great city, but our hearts are permanently connected with what God is doing there.
                              
                                                    ~Erik Yates

So, today called for some blues and "the perfect cookie project."	I long for a stretch of time where I can coast ...all systems working properly ... (sigh) until then, I have baking, blues, coffee, and my faith.

My highly skilled taste-tester, Troy, was happy to assist me in deciding which cookie was the better of the two.  He is always up for the challenge, take'n one for the team. I can't share a cookie with all of you, but I can share the recipe :)  http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2011/05/03/the-chewiest-chocolate-chip-cookies/	/

Italy is a little short on the ingredients needed for American baking.  In fact, it is limited on lots of things that are found easily in America.  So, being a cook and baker, I've had to find ways to make things from scratch or find reasonable substitutions.  Nothing reminds me of this than cooking for the holidays. Take Vanilla for example.  Not available here.  So I had to learn to make my own.  It is simple: vodka, vanilla beans, and a lot of time.  The great thing is that it is sooo cheap to make it yourself!  Even at European prices, mine cost .91 cents an ounce.  In the US it would cost half that to make.  Wal-Mart sells pure vanilla for $3.48 for 2oz.  Very economical!

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin risotto all need -pumpkin.  Can't buy canned pumpkin here.  When they start showing up in October, I buy, roast, puree, and freeze.  Wallah!

Brown sugar is nothing more than regular granulated white sugar with molasses. Now, this works great -it keeps the chocolate chip cookies coming and syrup for pancakes on the table (yep, I have to make that too) except I can't get molasses here.  So it is a necessary import item!  This holiday season cleaned me out ...hoping a friend in England can bring me back some! I just have to make one more batch of caramel corn!!!

This is Thanksgiving dinner.  EVERYTHING here is made by hand  ...well, some things had to come from America like the cranberries, pecans and sweet potatoes.  Takes some time time and planning (and a little hoarding/saving) to pull it off.  It's worth it though.