Venice used to be a very powerful trade city in Europe. Many palaces were built along its Grand Canal. When you see Venice this is very evident, but at the same time something else is very evident. That power is no longer there. Some of these palaces are still very much in use and ornately beautiful. Others are uninhabited and falling apart. They look dirty and broken down on the inside and outside. Only around half of the buildings in Venice are inhabited. It is an interesting combination of extremes.It is also an interesting representation of the spiritual life of Venice. The family that I stayed with have been there for four years. They are working as church planting and in a like Venice, it is tough. Many people will go to the local Catholic church for the major holidays, but really don't have time for God. The family realizes that it won't be through them that the most effective ministry will be done, but through the local Italians. They are the ones that can relate best to their fellow Venetians. So the ministry is as much sharing the gospel as empowering the local Christians to share.
So please pray for Venice and not just Venice but all the other places that families of these students at BFA serve.
