We woke up in a beautiful place to start our mission trip. Those of us who hadn’t been to Arco, Italy were surprised by the captivating mountain views and landscape around us. It was dark when we arrived, so we didn’t realize the beauty awaiting us.
Day One
Our first mission event was a concert at a local church. The local church band sang a few songs in Italian, then The Rock Music brought it home with favorites you hear week in and week out, plus original songs like Your Beauty and Over and Over. The event was beautiful, and the fellowship afterward was amazing. There was a beautiful moment when you could hear melodies being sung in both Italian and English. It inspired me to think that someday we will truly be standing before the throne of God worshiping Him in every language and tongue. I am sure we will be singing a new song (maybe even written by Steele himself). That moment will be more beautiful than my heart can possibly imagine.
I am blown away by the Testa family and their missionary hearts. I encourage you all to do what it takes to come serve alongside them and see what they are doing in a country that is lost. One piece of info I didn’t know: where we played that night was in Trento. That is where the famous Council of Trent took place—the ecumenical council that caused a huge divide in the Church and left this area in a dark place regarding the light of the Gospel. We have been sent by the Lord through The Rock Church with the love and support of our families and pastors, with special thanks to our brother in Christ, Steve McInroy. We love you, Mac, and couldn’t have done this without you.
Fishing for People
Today we all jumped on a bus for a trip with another missionary group (YWAM) from Tyler, Texas, and a few local churches. As we headed up to the Olympic venues to do some evangelism for the Lord. We went boldly and hoped to be daring. The Lord is so amazing. Interestingly, today is the first day fishing was allowed for the year here in Arco. The same day we set out to go fishing for men and women.
We finished our outreach today at the Olympic center in Predazzo, and it was both encouraging and discouraging. Discouraging in the fact that the crowds were not as big as we had hoped. Also because some were just not receptive to hearing the message we came to deliver. Encouraging in the fact that there was cooperation between local churches that hadn’t worked together in a long time to bring together local Christians and missionaries from all over the world. This was an important directive we received from the Testa family. To see the local churches willing to work together to bring the light of Christ and the message of hope to this area, which is in need of revival.
We spent three to four hours busking and speaking to locals, Olympic athletes, and visitors from around the world. We heard a few encouraging stories, including a 13-year-old boy who accepted Jesus, and our musicians played some beautiful music. The Olympic news cameras even came over to film Jet and Eli playing.
A Conversation That Mattered
I was asked to share an encouraging story of a 16-year-old teen named Gabe. He was a very smart kid who had a positive attitude but hadn’t heard the Gospel message before. I took the time to listen to him and tried to answer the questions he had. Eventually, I asked if I could share the Gospel message with him, and he said that I could. I shared the message of the Cross and explained why we need a Savior for the sins we commit. He agreed that we are all sinners and had a few follow-up questions about Christ.
I later asked him what some of the reasons were that he didn’t believe in Christ. He said, “Why would God allow wars if He was a God of love?” I told him those were very valid and great questions and tried to answer them in a way he might relate to. As we continued our conversation, he asked if we could go sit down for a drink at the coffee shop across the street.
In the cafe he told me about his sister, whom he had formerly been estranged from but had now grown close to. He shared with me that his dad had died of cancer when he was just five years old. He was a very encouraging young man who seemed to have been through so much in his early life. We spent over 30 minutes together talking about his future goals and the hobbies he enjoyed.
I asked him if I could pray for him, and he happily obliged. After our prayer, I asked him if he would consider Christ. After explaining to him that my son often won’t try a food before he has tasted it, but ends up loving it once he does. Similarly, I encouraged Gabe to give Christ a chance. He agreed to do so, and I am so very encouraged.
Please pray for Gabe.
Sending love and prayers back home to you all.
Your brother in Christ,
Michael Davis
Posted in Missions