ITALIAN CHRISTIAN

F"

MISSION

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We rejoice that visas according to the
requirements of the Italian government have
been granted and received already to make
possible our return in mid-March!

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The trip to Illinois, Indiana & Ohio

churches in January & February, has been ex

citing for us. We particularly' enjoyed being
with the widow of my brother Leonard for
several days on this trip. Marion Phipps has

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We have tickets to fly from Tulsa, Okla

homa on March 14th to Frankfort, Germany.

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that funds will be made available to purchase

a car suitable for the need in Italy to re

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Please pray for us. And join us in praying

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place the worn-out used car we've been driv

THE PHIPPSCharles & Ivia

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ing there. How grand it has been to see many

friends on this furlough visit!

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been a delightful hostess!

From there we rent a car to drive on home.

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OHRIST!/\rsl

MISSIO^^J

Charles and Ivia Phlpps

THE PHIPPS' 40 YEAR MISSIONARY CALENDAR

[1^2-46 Ministry: Blvd. Church of Christ, Toledo, OH]

1947

To Italy with the Guy Mayfields and Bettieen Grubaugh.

1977 Ctrarles' wife, Mary Frances, called Home by ttie Lord.

1978

Charles and Ivia many and are continuing as missionaries

In Italy.

They are rxiw ready to return to Italy after Charles* by-pass

surgery and recoveryP.T.L!

WHAT CHARLES & IVIA DO IN ITALY

TT>ey do the follow-up work for RADIO INCONTRO, FM.

Charles broadcasts several times a week on RADIO INCONTRO.

Fie preaches and teaches In local con^-egatlons and ottrer preaching

points.

Charles translates Into Italian scripts for radio programs and ott>er
study materials.

He coTKlucts tKxne Bible study sessions.

Fie Is the auttior and composer of many songs and choruses used
by ttie Italian churcties.

lvia*s witness, hospitality and counsel Is treasured by all.

They

cooperate

fully

with

other missionaries

In

holding

meetings

in public places, Christian Service Camp, Youth Conventions, Rallies,

etc.

Ivia arKJ Ctwies* ministry extends to our military families In the

area.

**

IMMEDIATE NEED **
A CAR in ITALY

It will take 20 gifts of $500.00 each or smaller amounts adct>g

ip to, ttiat total.

If you can give us a hand with this, maybe ttirough

the church, classes or some other group, so that we can deal for
these essential wheels, we will surely appreciate It!
The need is urgent We leave for Italy In mid-March!
WILL YOU HELP US?

Box 717, Joplin MO

64802

THE

I HTAU I AM

CHR I ST I AIM

P.O. Box 717 * Joplln, MO 64802

I ON
PRESORTED

Ist Class

MISSIONARIES:
Forwarding Agent:
CHARLES t IVIA PHIPPS
Ray Downen
'They of Italy salute you/"

Hebreus I3i24

Peniiit#88

Joplln HO

Howard It Gwen Ray

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

BOX

2427
KNOXVL

Spring "88
I

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RETURN to the FieldHome! f

;charles & Ivla

Spring 1988)
On March 14, with Julia Mansell, we
flew from Tulsa via Atlanta to Frank

furt, West Germany. Missionary Ray Bodley

met us at the airport, helped us load
the luggage into a rental car, and then
we were on our way home!
(over)

TN 37901-2427

Italian Christian Mission

(We hope to buv a Peugeot 205, as pictured above)

WE STOPPED in Eisingen, Germany, to see BERT & LUCY OTT, mis
sionaries. Lucy is an incredible inspiration spiritually, but
is physically very sick. They need your prayers as Bert carries
on the work, and ministers lovingly to Lucytruly valiant ser
vants of the living Lord. Then in Terracina to introduce Julia
to GIUSEPPE, ROSETTA, their two children, Roberto & Daniela,
and to Roberto's beautiful friend, Lucia. Julia appreciated
getting to meet this family she has seen in photographs through

the years.

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IN FRANCAVTLLA, Julia found warm fellowship with our Italian

brethren as well as with the missionary families, the Corraodes
& Wolshieffers. She also got to meet the Troyers in Lecce where
we used to serve. We enjoyed showing Julia what she had time to
see of the work both in Italy and also in Germany on the way.
Of course, we marveled together at the beautiful scenery in Ger
many, Switzerland, and our beloved Italy. Julia flew back to the
States on the 25th, & we settled into the work. Our year in the
U.S. with our families, and with you all, and the churches was
just great. Now we are glad to be back home.
THINGS ARE NORMAL. We can't open a bank account until
we are investigated to be sure our money is not to be used for
terrorists, etc. We can't buy a car yet, because we only have a
fourth of what's needed to pay cash, and credit is next to im

possible to us in this area. We can't be happy with the price of

gasoline if we had a carnow over $4.30 per U.S. gallon...
PLEASE PRAY FOR USFor the really needed car, for Ivia
that she may expand her ministry through American service people
at the nearby base... for Charles as he reaches out to radio
contacts and by preaching, teaching & personal witnessing...

PRAY WITH US for Gabrlele, ordered by the doctors not to use his
legs. The 2$ steps in the steep stairway to his home make him
unable to attend services. He misses & needs the fellowship!

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Italian Christian Mission - Charles & Ivia Phipps - Box 717, Joplin MO 64802-0717
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6U0N ANNO!

MERRY

CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Winter, 1988
Dearest Friends,

Just a little news...then to tell you of an Immediate and urgent need.

We are fine, not quite as fast as we were In our earlier years, but God Is good and Ivia
is in less pain from arthritis than she had been in years. She is very active both here and on
the Base with the women's groups.

Charles is fine after a year and four months since his surgery for five by-passes. He Is
faithful in his walking and is busy both in the Italian work and on the Air Force Base. We have
two more Sundays in Lecce, then back to help Francavilla and to continue as the Chaplains on
Base need him as well.
GOOD NEWSr

On November 14th, the Women's group on Base (of which Ivia is a member) had a Thanksgiving
feast and each lady invited some Italian ladies. There were 68 of us and over half were Italian,
who had never set foot in a non-Catholic church or eaten American food. They loved both!

Chaplain Peine gave a great program on our national holiday and why we are so thankful.
Charles translated for him, so he got to eat with the ladies, too! Charles and Ivia and the wife
of the Commander and that of his second In command, along with several of the ladies, had a

great chance to witness because of this beautiful Thanksgiving feast. God is truly to be praised.
IMMEDIATE AND URGENT NEED!

It's getting cold, even here In Southern Italy, and the only heat we have is a small roJI-around
bottled gas heater. For our little house we need two more to get the thermometer to read 66 .
They cost $200.00 now. Can you help us, please?

If some Bible School class or group or individual can help, we will surely appreciate It,

especially since January and February are the cM months here, and were already wearing long
johns" and coats in the office.

We miss you so much and love you so much. We feel we are where God wants us, as these
little children Charles ("Grandpa Hugs") is working with are leading their parents, and as always
there Is our usual work among Italians. Thank you in advance for helping us!
BAD NEWS

In some ways, things don't change much in Italy. One of the Chaplains and his beautiful
wife live of the guarded Base as we do. They are behind locked gates as we are, ^ a gang
of Italians broke in and stole almost every thing and scattered the rest all over the yard just
two days before Thanksgiving Day. This beautiful black man spoke at our Wednesday evening

Thanksgiving service and told how God had humbled him about things and how we should be thankful

for what we have.

We've seen this happen to four American families not far from us already and December is
the month of higher danger. The American service people have to live In nearby Italian towns
until there is a place for them In Base housing. They love Italian apartments, but are so cold

they say they "nearly freeze to death."

So many places, like our little rented house, have no

heating system of any kind.

We are somewhat behind in our correspondence, as Charles had minor surgery on a finger

and couldn't type for several days.

But he is better now and preparing for the Area Youtti Sunday

In Lecce this week.

*** PRAISEI LIST

***

A little boy and an even smaller girl (Americans), though they had never been in Bible School
before, are attending faithfully and loving it.

We are well, busy, and God has given us lots of "family" here for the Holidays.
All Italian churches are busy and growing in the Lord.
*** PRAYER, LIST

***

Pray for the parents of these two precious children.

And for us as we miss our big family so much, especially at Holiday time.

That God will protect us from vandals in our little "casa" (home).

POSTSCRIPT ==j Please note!

Please mark any offering for the heaters for that purpose and send to Ray Downen, our Forwarding
Agent, Box 717, Joplin MO 64801-0717.

Again thanks!
I

Yours for Christ, as together we serve Him!

Charles and Ivia

A Note From Kay Please address any financial help for icn to the

hission address in Joplin. It's not safe to' send cash through the
mail. It's not easy to cash American checks in Italy. Other mail for

Charies & Ivia can be addressed to Joplin.^ It will be quickly forwarded

on to Italy. The address in Italy now is

Casella Postale Aperta

72019 San Vito dei Wormanni

(MERRY CHRISTNAS)

(BR) Italy

Permit#BB

THE ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

P.O. Box 717 Joplin, MO 64802-0717

BULK RATE

AIL*

MISSIONARIES;

CHARLES & IVIA PHIPPS

Forwarding Agent:

Ray Downen

"They of Italy salute you!" Heb.13:24 I

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

HovaJfl QwTi Ray

Snx

Joplin no
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SEASON'S GREETINGS
IN THE BEAUTIFUL NAME

OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRISTr

As the year draws to an end, we have

so much to be thankful for!

Charles passed his final Rehabilitation

Stress Test with flying colors and we've been
reporting to churches in Western Oklahoma and
the Texas Panhandle, as well as here In the
area.

"God willing," through January, we will

report to churches In Illinois and Indiana. February
will find us speaking in Ohio, then back to
Neosho [near Joplin] to pack out.

Our plans are to return to Italy as soon

as possible in March, and we pray these are
God's plans for us.
PRAYER NEEDS

Travel money for January and February.

Ticket money for return to Italy.
Continuing good health.

We wish you and yours God's peace and

love through the Holidays and all 1988, as together

we serve Himf

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OUR HEARTS ARE SADDENED

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Guy W. Mayfield, the pioneering founder of the

present-day mission work in Italy of Christian
Churches, left this life to be with the Lord
on the Lord's Day morning of December 13,
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1987..'

From the days of his Chaplaincy during World

War II in Italy, the efforts of Guy and his wife,
Thelma, were unceasing and tireless In seeking
to evangelize the unreached and to teach and
edify Christians, both in Italy and elsewhere,
in Europe.

Guy was always a keen observer and analyst,

and creative in his approach to the problems

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of the mission field.

We feel deeply his loss, and are praying for

Theima, their children and grandchildren, that
the Lord meet their every need and comfort
them in the difficult days ahead.

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