E-0!!!

Today's the day we move!

And exhibit! We are not quite ready, but will be, one way or the other, at 4:00 pm. We covet your prayers.

Not much time to post, and may be without internet now till I return to the States, but will write my posts anyway, and post as I can. This has been an incredible journey.

And before closing out here, I want you to hear from Antonella in her own words...

For 308 people, the earthquake meant the end of life. For others, it meant the loss of a loved one or friend. For many, it marked the end to normal life; but for me, it marked a new beginning to life.

I am a student, and had come to L’Aquila for my studies. Although I had received Christ at the age of 12, I tried to live life my own way, hanging on to it so tightly that in fact I was choking it off. Jesus said, “I have come to give you life in abundance.” (John 10:10) I wanted that life, full of peace, joy, and love.

The night of the earthquake, while the earth shook under my feet, its deep groaning so loud that I had to cover my ears, I crouched under a desk in the old student house, waiting for the earth to stop moving. I was screaming to God for mercy, for the chance to live.

The earth stopped shaking and my life started from that point on, for God heard my prayer, and spared my life. I have not stopped crying and still feel fear, but now I know that there is always Someone with me, who shows me the way to overcome every difficulty. Every part of my life now belongs to Him.

That night, many cried out, “God help me!” But the next day, many were saying, “Where was God?” Only a few thanked God for being alive.

Today, I am one of many who has shared a story of living through the earthquake. My name is not important. What is important is the name that is above all names, the name of Jesus. Because by His name, you can be saved for eternal life (Acts 2:21). As His word says: “One that listens to my word and believes in the one that sent me has eternal life.”

What has the earthquake meant for you? Don’t let it be the ending of something, but the beginning. Transform it into a beginning.

More than 2,000 years ago, a group of men came to Jesus with their friend, who could not walk. Jesus did not heal him immediately; He saw the men’s faith, forgave the paralytic’s sins, and then healed him. For God, the soul is more important than material things.

That man, after being healed, went away glorifying God. I too want to glorify God here in L’Aquila, because though the city has been destroyed, my heart has been renewed. I found life in the midst of death—the true life I was looking for—and now see the city with new eyes, walls and buildings as majestic as before. What do you see?

Are you scared of the future? Or do you have peace in your heart? The law of God is written on your heart, and though you may feel far away from God, and He from you, He loves you and is seeking relationship with you today. He will never stop seeking you.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”—Rev. 3:20