Where were you in ministry at? How did you make the decision to go into missions in Italy? What kinds of obstacles did you face in making the decision to go, and how did you overcome those? How did you go about raising support? We have lots of questions, lots of fears too. We know we’re supposed to go somewhere eventually, but its such a huge change.

Thanks for offering your thoughts! You can also email us at srschae@hotmail.com.

Please let me know if I can be an help as you and your husband think and pray about going. I was in youth ministry just before moving here, so it sounds like we have a lot in common!

See, I was a little off! Dont really know a whole lot about Italian culture.

I’m not totally sure where we’d like to go. A few years ago, we went on a mission trip to Haiti, and when we came back, we just knew that at some point we’d be in full-time missions, though we dont know when that point will be. Of course a mission trip is so different than full time missions, but that’s when we felt the call. It took some big steps of faith to get us to Haiti, and God used that trip to empassion us and increase our faith and show us that when we do something for Him, he is faithful to love and provide and care for us. We’ve talked in the past about Italy and the Ukraine the most, which is why I’ve been keeping up with your blog. In God’s timing, and where He sends.

We currently minister at a small church in Brookfield, WI in youth ministry.

And honestly, I’m not sure the police have the resources to deal with the issue. Even though it’s heroin, which we tend to associate with one of the more dangerous drugs.

Where are you and your husband thinking of going?

Just wanted to respond to your question about what I would do. I’m willing to bet that you’ll be faced with this again, especially since the kids weren’t caught last time and it must seem like a pretty private place to them or they wouldn’t have chosen it.

I think its great that you asked what you could do, not “should I do something?” Since they’re in your area near your church, I feel you should do something. I dont know a whole lot about Italian culture, so keeping that in mind, I would do this. I would call the police, and after they were arrested, find where they are, and pay a visit to them in jail, and offer to pray with them. Take steps to building a relationship with them, not necessarily letting on that you turned them in. Basically by turning them in, you create the opportunity to share with them during a time that they would consider a hardship. They may be more receptive at such a time.

So there are my thoughts. Keep us posted.