he renovation of our facility took longer than we had expected, but working through the delays and other challenges certainly contributed to the spiritual growth of our group. In addition to the baptisms last May, we now have other people preparing. While making sure that our new members and interests are being nurtured, we are also working with new interests. Several have exhibited openness toward spiritual things.

We felt a strong burden to associate more often with our friends, so our family made it a special matter of prayer for several weeks. Interesting things began to take place in response to our prayers. Unexpectedly, a new acquaintance, a local author, invited us to attend a reception and promotion of his newest book. A variety of significant people in the community were there—some we had never met, and some we had not seen for a while. We exchanged phone numbers and reestablished contacts. Like Nicodemus, most of our friends and acquaintances are quite reserved about letting others glimpse what’s going on in their hearts.

Recently, my “brother” Zyke invited me to attend a birthday celebration in Italy for the father of some business associates. I was honored by the invitation. Our family really didn’t have any extra money for me to take such a trip, and I had plenty of other things to do, but Jan and the kids encouraged me to go. It seemed clear that the Holy Spirit was directing, so I accepted the invitation.

Also on the short excursion with us were a major plumbing wholesaler, a retired army general and a tax official. Several other passengers shared company with us during the 6.5-hour ferry ride across the Adriatic Sea. We spent a large part of the trip talking about God, the spiritual decline of society and what may lie ahead. One man, whose conversation and behavior were initially somewhat crude, thanked me later for my positive influence. When we were alone, another told me he is very concerned about what religious influences his family may be exposed to, yet he does not know how best to guide them. He asked to meet again soon to talk more.

From the ferry, our party drove another hour to our host’s home. I don’t speak Italian, and my Albanian friends had to interpret nearly everything, but the families welcomed me with warmth that needed no translation. They invited me to ask a blessing on the food and on the 88-year-old grandfather. They also made sure there was plenty of vegetarian food for me. Throughout the trip, I had opportunities to share my faith. I am arranging to have some literature sent to the Italian families who showed interest.

The whirlwind trip was a wonderful blessing to me, and I pray it was for my companions, too. Beyond my sharing in the cost of a gift we purchased together, they refused to let me contribute anything toward the expenses of the trip. There was almost a physical scuffle when I insisted on paying a café tab on the way home.

As I reflect on the events of this trip, I remember what Ellen White wrote in the November 23, 1905, issue of The Review and Herald: “Each day may have been the dividing line for some soul. Each day someone may have made the decision which will determine his future destiny. What has been our influence over these fellow travelers? What effort have we put forth to bring them to Christ?”