It's hard to believe August is here!  Where has the summer gone?  It has nearly melted away with the 100 degree days we have "enjoyed".
However, August is a biggie for us and we could really use your earnest, fervent and constant praying.  If you are up for the challenge, read on!
Melodee's Appointment at Police Headquarters - Wednesday August 6th
Perugia Police Station
Wow!  Less then a day away.  What makes our hearts thump is that we have been waiting for this appointment practically since we arrived in August of 2006.

We are asking God for another miracle because it just happens that my (Jon's) permit runs out on September 4th.  Since Melodee's permit is connected to mine and will then expire with mine...we really need them to figure out a way for her permit to not be expired when we receive it!
 
Jon's Permanent Residence Application
PaperworkSince Jon's residence permit runs out on September 4th along with his parent's and his sister's, we have been scrambling to figure out what to do.
Jon and Elizabeth (his sister) have both become "self-employed".  Of course the pay is still the same (your support!!!), but we have to also figure Italian taxes into the mix.  How exciting!  Hey, if it works, we will have residence cards that will be valid longer and be more stable.

By next year we hope to apply for citizenship (if the laws don't change).  It's frustrating to spend so much time visiting offices instead of homes..but even office workers need Christ!  Pray for these divine appointments!
Time to Move?
Sunflowers like outside our bedroom window
We thought we would be moving into our new apartment last week.  Instead, the mother of our future landlord went into a coma.  Other complications have come about since then that need your prayers for wisdom on our behalf. Needless to say, we are still enjoying the wonderful hospitality of my parents.
Do you ever have time to work???
(a.k.a. Church Ministry Update)
Worship GatheringActually, yes!
Pray for the on-going preparation of the studies that will start in September.
Pray for the leadership training and strategic plan we are working on as a BMM Italy team.
Pray for the youth ministry as we transition into the fall. 
Pray for Giacomo, Eleonora, Gioia to be saved.
Pray for the preaching.
Pray for the home visits and discipleship.
Pray for church building restructuring (we still need $50,000).
Pray for the worship leading and training.
Pray for our witness.
Pray for Melodee's language study which should begin in September.
I am reminded through all the papers, that God has ultimately sent us here to show anyone and everyone the life-changing love and hope of Christ. 

Some days it's easy to ask God: "Why is this happening to us?  Aren't we here to reach Italians???"  God's simple answer through this time has been: "You are reaching Italians, just not how you thought you would.  The police need Me.  The city officials need Me.  The social worker needs Me.  The baker and grocer need Me.  The realtor needs Me."

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us that ultimately we are here to be contagious Christ-followers everywhere we go!

And thank you, dear friend,  for your precious sacrifice of love in time, prayer and giving toward God, toward Italians and toward us.
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Josh & Sara Whitman


August 9th, 2008

Papers are in!

Good news from our Wednesday appointment


Thank you so much for praying for us Wednesday for our appointment.  We are happy to tell you that they took Melodee's fingerprints and her request for the residence paper.  It only took two hours, a record!!!
 
After going to the police, we were also able to send in the paperwork for my renewal/permanent residence card at the post office.

Hopefully by next spring I will be able to apply for citizenship.

Our next step is:
1. Wait for my appointment (probably in December or January) to do fingerprints and whatever else will be necessary to complete the application process.

2. Wait, wait and wait some more.  The waiting time is now over a year, so there is a good possibility that by the time we get our actual residence permits they will already be expired.
But we thank God for the little victories.  To think that year ago Melodee had already left for the US for six months to wait.  Now we can wait together!!!
Prayer
Bookmark

Knock
and ye
shall
receive!
- Melodee's Residence appointment: August 6th (Wednesday!)
- Jon and the others' permanent residence application
- Housing timing and provision
- The various ministries we lead or are involved in.
- Preparation of the studies that will start in September.
- Leadership training and strategic plan for BMM Italy team.
- Youth ministry as we transition into the fall. 
- Giacomo, Eleonora, Gioia to be saved.
- Preaching.
- Home visits and discipleship.
- Church building restructuring (we still need $50,000).
- Worship leading and training.
 -Witness.
- Melodee's language study which should begin in September.