Giuseppe and Viviana Fortuna
Taking care of the grounds and student/staff needs at the Italian Theological Academy, as well as, ministering at the church in Acireale.
At the Italian Theological Academy there are many activities going on. There are quite a few housing units. With these units, the Academy is able to house more people, which makes it a more comfortable stay for the students. The number of classes and students is growing, so we need the space! With this you may understand the amount work involved! Well . . . Peppe & Viviana are key at the center.
Their family is doing great. Their two children are growing wonderfully (not only in height)! Sarah and Marco are fitting very well in school and are being a tremendous witness to their schoolmates and teachers!
School has been a great opportunity for them to meet and get to know most of the people in Pennisi (this tells you how big Pennisi is)!
The teacher, who is very Catholic, has changed the way she teaches a little bit because she knows that she has a little Evangelical girl in her class – Sarah. The teacher has much respect for the Fortunas and she is very curious about the work that they do. This has given them a way to be able to speak to her on a few occasions. Their relationship with the other mothers also go well and Viviana every so often has opportunities to meet with some of them.
Almost all of Pennisi, from the priests all the way to the fruit salesman, all know that there are Evangelicals only a few steps away.
They have built great friendships with their neighbors. As a church they have organized some social events and have used these events to present the Gospel to many families. Sometimes they meet people that seem very interested in having a personal relationship with Jesus. They give away Bibles and the Fortunas make time to meet and talk about it together.
The church in Acireale is growing. The growth is largely because of Christians who have moved to the area, but every Sunday someone looking for the Lord builds up enough courage to open the door and come in. At the end of the meeting they stay and chat — some are experiencing great difficulties because of family problems, many are very confused, others want to fill up the emptiness that they feel inside, and then there are the curious ones. No matter who comes in, the Word of God is being proclaimed and many different people are hearing the Gospel.
Peppe shares the responsibility with other men in preaching and there is great teamwork between all of the men that share in this vital role.
If you would like to partner with the Fortunas by prayer or by lending a hand with their much needed financial support, you may partner with us, contact us or go to the on line giving page.