Once again I visited Fornaci di Barga accompanied by Mr Lucio Strada. Much kindness was shown us by the Marchi ladies who kindly supplied most of our meals during our stay. As in the past, our sleeping quarters were in the only hotel in Fornaci di Barga where the tariff was modest although during the summer season it can be costly.
It was in this hotel that we obtained a small meeting room to hold our Sabbath services. The weekly service was held in the home of the Campani family, whose kindness extended to giving us their home for one of the Sabbath services also when there was a misunderstanding with the hotel proprietors as to the actual dates of services. It is intended, God willing, that we continue to hold all future Sabbath services in the hotel or some other suitable public place, for there is more likelihood of strangers coming to the services if they are held there rather than in a private home.
It is now a known fact that the APC schism has adversely affected the little congregation in Fornaci di Barga. Nevertheless there are the few there who adhere with all their heart to what our church stood for in May 1989, and who are worthy of our help. They wish especially that we as a Church would continue to hold services in Fornaci di Barga, if possible on a more frequent and regular basis. Their desire for the future is that the Reformed Faith, so dear to them, would have a place in the hearts of many people in Foranci di Barga and indeed throughout Italy; a land so sadly blighted by the popery of many centuries. Our continuing of services in Foranci di Barga is not merely to retain the allegiance of this small group to our church, as was suggested by one APC Congregation news letter, but rather their allegiance to Christ and to the scriptural doctrine, worship and practice which pertains to His glory.
I was encouraged that there are now those in the congregation in Fornaci di Barga who make regular contributions of money towards the mission work there and who gave the Dominions and Overseas Fund £150, a sum which they have gathered since my last visit. Although it was not their practice in the past to contribute in this particular way to the work in Italy they intend to continue to do so. Also, as in the past, contributions specifically for the work in Italy continue to come from our people in the home church. Interest of this kind encourages us to look forward to a future for the Church in Fornaci di Barga. Not least there is the selfless contribution of Mr Lucio Strada to be acknowledged. In more ways than one he has helped the work, and on this occasion, as on a previous one he acted as interpreter. We are much indebted to him.
May the Lord be pleased to acknowledge and bless this small endeavour on the part of our church, to continue spreading His word. Let us take care not to despise the day of small things, as we are so liable to do when there are but a few gathering to worship God. It was but one woman that Christ went to meet and teach at the Well of Sychar, and she became an instrument for bringing others to hear Him. It was just two people the Saviour was pleased to be identified with and to communicate to on the way to Emmaus, these two being part of the then very small church, but a church which was on the threshold of receiving a superabundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit and unprecedented blessings.
“The whole earth let His glory fill.
Amen, so let it be.”
(Psalm 72: 197)