The

ITALIAN

CHRISTIAN MISSION
l-'O i Li 1974

News

VOL. v.. No. 2

JUNE, 1974

CHARLES AND MARY FRANCES PHIPPS, MISSIONARIES

Street^scejjii^ a
4

all^ear<a

in^nee^aj^ing;.

Jsal^i^Oizlg

Enrico, Maria Rosaria and Lucia worked for days

every free minute they had putting our Library in
order. We >vere able to add three sets of encyclopediae

and with this huge purchase we received a complete Music

History and Appreciation Course plus a Language Course with
records. In order to make room for these additions a systematic

N/

re-ordering of the Library was begun.

The young people have made good use of all the books
purchased since the Study Center and Library opened a few years ago.
Since this is almost the end of the school year the Center will be closing
for the summer but the Library will be open three afternoons a week for
those who wish to come and read or who have to study for their exams in
the fall and need books of research.

The Library and Center have given us many opportunities to talk about
the Lord to young people who have no idea what a personal Savior can mean
to them. Pray with us for these young lives.

AMONG OUR

Mario and Olga Riondino lived here in Terra-

cina for about a year and a half. They became

members of the church here even though they

knew that Mario's work would not permit them to
remain too long in one place. During the time they lived here they were
very, very faithful in attending the services and other activities. They had

come from a city where they had not found the love and joy they found
here. When they had to leave it was a sad time because they were not sure

they could find another church where they were going. They did not,
unfortunately. However, they kept in touch with us and Charles and Giuseppe
sent them Bible Studies as well as letters of encouragement.

Bbellrang d whenMaiy
had been in Rome and had
driven down to Terracina

In our last letter to you from Italy, we said we would tell you some bits
about the evangelistic campaign that we, along with Giuseppe and Vito, our
preacher from Ciampino (Rome), are involved in. In the picture below,
Charles and Giuseppe are standing by Vito's car in one of the towns we have
already visited. The sign we are holding says: "Do you think you're a Chris
tian? Read the Bible!" This sign has caused more comments than any of the

just in order to visit us and

Giuseppe ^and Rosetta. As

They will be coming in

June to spend some time with
us and we are looking forward
th '

''

translations for one of the

UGGI .

publishing companies here in

LR 4

siEBia

Italy and she has offered to

translate some tracts for us

-^

from English into Italian so that we can have them printed for distribution.
This is one way she feels she can serve the Lord since she cannot be active

in a church as they were when they lived here in Terracina.

We love these people of the Lord and ask you to pray for them as they
are remaining strong even though they are not having the opportunity to
worship regularly as they want to.

others that are on the car. The sign on the front says: "The Bible teaches that
Jesus Christ is God,in the flesh, crucified,dead and resurrected to save sinners."

After the car is ready with the signs and the loud-speakers mounted on top,
one of us drives slowly down the streets of the towns while the other two,
each taking a side of the street, distribute hand-bills and cards for our cor

Our
^X
is not very full these days due to the disastrous
postal
service Italy is having to put up with. This is not
an excuse on our part for not having answered your letters .... we just
haven't received them! This situation has been very bad, not only for our
supporting churches and friends but also for our radio congregation. One
example: A letter from one of our "Search The Scriptures" listeners in

England, mailed on April 15th, reached us May 24th, and it was sent by
air-mail. Just as we were putting this news/prayer letter in the envelope we
received an Easter card and letter from the AUgire family of the Boulevard
Church of Christ in Toledo, Ohio. Virginia had mailed it on April 10th

(air-mail) and we received it today. May 30th! In her letter she said: "I sure
hope you'll get this near Easter." Dear Virginia: Which Easter did you
mean? (M.F.)

Please pray with us that this situation will not be misunderstood as a

negligence on our part. It is something we can do nothing about since we
have to use the postal system whether it is good, bad or indifferent. Such
is Italy!

respondence course. Many things happen but always people stop to ask:
"What kind of propaganda is this?" The answer is: "Propaganda for the
Bible." At this, some refuse to accept it, others take it and still others walk
along beside us discussing what they are reading and giving their opinion
about why they are not religious.
During this time the loud-speakers are transmitting music and Giuseppe's
voice talking about the Bible and the Lord. People stop to listen, others
come out on their balconies to see and hear.

While we were in one town,a lady called down for us to wait, then she sent
a basket down on a long rope in which we put the hand-bill and card. She
thanked us and drew it up to the fourth floor. This basket deal is used for
everything from shopping, which the "piccolo" brings from the corner store,
to getting the mail in apartment buildings where there is no elevator. But

whatever the means, the Lord's Word is getting to people. Thank you for
helping finance this campaign. We have had results from the cards offering
the correspondence course and now comes the follow-up. Pray with us
for these contacts.

NEWS TO PRAY ABOUT NOW

PRAISE THE LORD FOR-

Three sets of Encyclopediae added to the Children's Study Center Library

Safe, successful outing, May 23, with Young People and Adults ... new
people contacted . . . devotional service held outside former Royal Palace,
Caserta ... group toured Pompeii, visited Naples.

Small is

greal

A good beginning made in our TELL THE PEOPLE! program ... using
P.A. System on a car, recorded music and informative announcements...

Bible principles, teachings, exhortations . . . personal distribution of printed

page ... reply postal cards, etc... cooperation with Vito Gentile of Ciampino
(Rome)church effective and appreciated.
IMPLORE THE LORD'S HELP REGARDING -

At our Thursday evening Bible Study here in Terracina, the discussion is

not always carried on by the adults! Daniela, who is not quite four years
old, many times has her "say" concerning what she is learning about the Bible

and the Lord. People who are not around her too much need an interpreter
since many words are still too difficult for her to pronounce, but she keeps
insisting until she gets her point across.(See picture!)

Italy's Postal Breakdown ... 10,000 telegrams sent by ordinary mail every
day in Rome alone! ... a Special Delivery Registered Letter mailed in Rome
took 24 days for delivery to an address inside Rome less than four miles from
sender! ... 50 tons of registered mail backed up in Milan ...scores of sacks

"Little children, little children.

Who love their Redeemer,

of mail from the South addressed to the South found in Northern Italy . ..

His loved and His own."

trainloads of mail constitute traveling storage bins... listener's air mail from
England takes six weeks to reach us in Italy . . . from the U.S., often much
longer; record so far: TEN MONTHS! (This was a First Class letter!)

the kingdom ofheaven." Matthew 18:3

Are the jewels, precious jewels,

"Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter

"THEY OF ITALY SALUTE YOU"

Protection from violence ... a time-bomb was discovered in the school

within 200 yds. of Giuseppe's school .. . terrorism from extremists of both

the Left and Right is striking in all parts of Italy with bombings of peaceful

assemblies, kidnappings, robberies, assault and killings, designed to destroy

the Republic ... we are not crying "martyr" nor "wolf we simply ask to

H*brw 13:24

* Radio Ministry
"Search The Scriptures"
* EVANGELISM IN ITALY

Please write to us in cere of our

FORWARDING AGENTS:
MR.& MRS. HOWARD BATTIN
2209 CHESTNUT STREET

COLUMBUS,IN 47201

live and witness for Christ.

The possible loss of our meeting place in Terracina ... the landlord has

said he needs it... if he insists, we will lose the place for the Children's Study
Center,our Bible School,and almost surely the place of worship of the church,
as well. We have no Building Fund. Places to rent are both extremely ex
pensive and scarce. "Where can we go but to the Lord?" Pray with us,
please.

The Italian Christian Mission News

Published Quarterly by
Oak Grove Christian Church

Milligan College, Tennessee 37682.

Charles Phipps
Mary Frances Phipps

"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS ..."

Even for these problems, we thank the Lord.

To paraphrase a Bill Gaither song: "If we didn't have any problems,we
wouldn't know that He could solve them!"

Editor
Assistant Editor

Second Class Postage

Paid at Milligan College, TN

Vl-^e_
"THEY OP ITALY SALUTE YOU" '
H=br.wa 13:24

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RADIO MINISTRY
FORWARDING AGENT

"SEARCH THE SCRIPTURESEVANGELISM IN ITALY

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inTif
July/
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Mr.&Mrs.
Howard
H.Battin
2209 Chestnut
Street
Columbus, Indiana 47201

Dear Ones:

bui lding!

is going on right out in front of our apartment

This is the weekend of the "Festival del Mare" held in

honor of Saint Mary of Carmine and Saint Rocco who are the patron
-sai nts~ of-t-he f ishermen of T^rraci na.-

The gypsies, carnival people, sel lers of anything from

peanuts (noce americane) to furniture have been moving into the

city since last Wednesday, The l ights have been put up al l along
the streets which the procession wi l l be fol lowing this evening on
the way to the port. The boats are at I ready to fol low the lead
craft on which wi l l be placed the two statues of the saints For the
trip up the coast and back to Terracina,

The fishermen vie with

each other to see who wi l l win the honor of carrying the saints and
who wi l l be given prizes for the most beautiful ly decorated boats.
The noise of records being played from almost every stand to
cal l attention to the wares for sale is deafening,.,to the point where
we cannot hear each other talk, the door-bel l ring or the sound of the
phone! Tomorrow night wi l l be the final night with a musical program
topped by one of the popular Ital ian singers.
There have been huge stoves bui It just across the way from us

where 660 pounds of fish, donated by the fishermen, wi l l be fried and

given free to al l comers. We have had guests from America here other
years during this weekend and ai l of them have found it unbel ievable,
especial ly since it is done in the name of"re( igion", Oh yes, during

this thime electricity is usual ly off in order to give the power to

T:he"~de^T'~aT:T6ns and since ear Ty'today "we haVe been without water I

Thank you for your loving SUPPORT

and your prayers. We cannot
carry on the work here without both. We thank God da i ly for you
and ask that you continue to real i ze the vital need to bring these
people who place their faith in statues of wood and stone the
Word of the Living God,
Your m i ss i onar ies.

"

The

ITALIAN
CHRISTIAN MISSION
News

LD

September, 1974

Volume V, Number 3

CHARLES & MARY FRANCIS PIIIPPS, MISSIONARIES

i
I

lemem beri/ourUr^or

that we thank you for your continued support for the work here and for
our personal support, but we wanted to say so:

&^cL 1&\c.xx

Charles,Zia Maria, John Paeplow

We were happy to have had a visit from Mr. John K. Paeplow who was
forwarding agent for us when we first came to Italy in 1947 and until 1953.
Then he continued the same work for other missionaries until this past year.
John was an elder in the beginning days of what is now Boulevard Church of
Christ in Toledo, Ohio when we were privileged to work with him and others
in the establishment of the church. He has always been a friend and we
could count on him and Delia, his faithful wife now gone to be with her
Lord, to help in any emergency.

One of the things that John looked forward to was getting to know Zia
Maria who has been a faithful Christian for years notwithstanding many
problems with her family and friends. The week-end John was here Zia
Maria was out of bed and able to enjoy the visit without her usual problems
of asthma and dizziness. She is looWng forward to the time when she will

be called by the Lord to be with Iflni but always says: "If the Lord wants
me to work for Him here even though I am ill I will stay and know He will
give me the strength." What a wonderful attitude to have in the face of all
kinds of problems not only physical...they are, in a way, the least of her
problems, but the cynical, indifferent attitude that reigns in the home she

shares with relatives. She is a real example of what Jesus was describing when
He said: "In your patience posses ye your souls." (Luke 21:19)

and since we have not given you the chance for a long time to try an Italian
dish, how about "Co.tolette Wpiene"? That only means pieces of beef sliced
very, very thin filled with ingredients and then fried until brown. This is the
way to do it.

If you will look back through your issues of the Italian Christian Mission
News you will notice that we have made very few appeals for funds and only
when there was a real emergency. We do not believe in crying ^'wolf, nor do
we believe in begging the brethren to contribute. We do believe that the
"laborer is worthy of his hire" and God has provided for us through you

during the many years we have worked here in Italy. This is NOT an appeal
for funds but just a word about conditions here.

At the present time gasoline is costing $1.85 a gallon. I made the conversion
from litres to gallons so that there would be no confusion on this point. A new
tax on every automobile, new or old, goes into effect at the end of September
and a tax on each room of any living quarters, costing an average of $12.00 per
room, must be paid by the end of December. This is over and above the

1 slice of meat for each person (or more depending upon the appetite of
the various members of your family!)

Lay the slices out flat and pound them until tender. Place on top of each
slice of meat a piece of Swiss cheese and on top of that a piece of boiled ham
.if you have any left over. If you use the baked ham be sure it is sliced very,
very thin. Roll up the slices of meat with the filling and fasten with tooth
picks. Beat an egg (or more depending on the number of rolls you have

made) mixed with salt, pepper and grated cheese to taste. Dip the meat rolls
in the egg mixture and then in bread crumbs imtil completely coated. Fry
them in ofl or fat deep enough to keep them from sticking to the bottom of
the pan. Turn them frequently so that they are browned well on all sides,
lower the flame to the minimum and cook for about 15 minutes. Serve

with a mixed salad of various kinds of greens and raw vegetables and mashed
potatoes, seasoned with butter.

monthly rent. The cost of food has gone up 19 percent since January and
this increase is not on luxury items but on things such as bread, milk, meat,
cheese, fruits and vegetables.

The dollar has seriously gone down in value in Europe. The recordings for
the radio ministry, "Search the Scriptures" must be paid for in German Marks
and here, also, the Mark has fallen from 3.96 per dollar to 2.28 in the last
several months.

These are situations which are not only hitting us, personally, but other
missionaries as well and we ask you to prayerfully consider your missionary

giving and avoid, if possible, "switch-giving" (taking from one field to give
to another).

These thoughts are written prayerfully and in no way as a

complaint....we are sharing with you and trusting in your understanding.

RFFIMWI
tiON

HfBlR

VITB trERHl

KIDSSniFF
Our "Sette Giomi" (Seven Days-VBS) was a really enjoyable time, as usual,
this year. Our space was limited and therefore noise was at an all time high
level, especially during hand-work time but the children were enthusiastic
and learned much during the busy week. Vito Gentile, our preacher at

Ciampino (Rome) brought eleven of his young people down. They camped

The tape ministry we carry on for people who cannot read or write has been
growing in the past months. Giuseppe and I (see picture) have been busy
recording new tapes of the Scriptures and sermons for the people to hear.
Some of our young people also have been involved in this work. It has been

a real blessing to have the people among whom the tapes are circulated tell
us the joy they liave received in hearing the Word of the Lord over and over
and how they have liad opportunities to let others hear.
Speaking of tapes, we now have the announcements we use for the evan
gelization campaign in new towns, through the use of the loud-speakers,
translated into German by one of the young Christians I work with when I

near Tenacina and participated in the activities each day. Some of the
children had never attended a program such as this so it was interesting to
see how they reacted to the songs, prayers and lessons.
Two of our young people wrote religious words to a popular song and
everybody was enthusiastic about singing it. In fact, it almost became the
theme song for the week and to hear an average of 52 children singing it at
least twice during the opening and closing at the top of their voices made
people going by stop and listen. Many of them asked questions about the
activities going on and gave us the opportunity to talk about the Lord with
them. We ask you to pray with us that these opportunities will bear fruit.

"THEY OF ITALY SALUTE YOU"

Hebrew 13:24

* Radio Ministry

Please write to us in care of our

FORWARDING AGENTS:
MR.& MRS. HOWARD BATTIN

"Search The Scriptures"

-k EVANGELISM IN ITALY

2209 CHESTNUT STREET

COLUMBUS,IN 47201

go to Germany to record the radio programs. Hans did a very good job and
since, during the summer, this area in and around Terracina, is peopled
by German speaking tourists we have the privilege of letting them know
about the Lord through the words coming over the loud-speaker in their
own language and the cards we distribute for the Bible Correspondence

Mir^SION SERVICES
BOX H7

Course.

KEiMPTOW. IMDI.^KA

We thank the Lord for this opportuunity and Hans willingness to help us.

ATTN.

The Big Postal Snafu

m. McGILVREY

The Italian Christian Mission News

Published Quarterly by

is still with us! Some letters are getting through, many others are not. If
you haven't heard from us, try again! We know of letters sent in January,
February and April which we have not received. How long this situation

will go on we have no way of knowing but our dependable, hard-working

forwarding agents, M/M Howard' Battin are doing their best to keep us in

OAK GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Mllligan College, Tenr)essee 37682

CharlasPhipp*

Editor

Mary Francas Phipps Assistant Editor

touch with you as are M/M Don Holben who do such a marvelous job of
printing our Italian Christian Mission News Bulletins.

We thank the Lord

for these people who are loving and caring.

Second Class Postage Paid at Milligan College. TN 37682

46049

.N

SEP

41974

THDMB-NAIL SKETCH FOR MISSIONABT FAMILIES

Phis information will help with the preparation and publicity of "ttie Missionary Picture Book,
1975.
Husband's

Bom (Place) Omaha^ Nebraska

r!lna-pTg.g v.. PVtippc

Name

Date

August 3, 1916

Wife's

Bom (Place) M;^r-inn, Qhi n

Maiden Name Marv Franrpq F-jpldg

Date

Address Palazzo Cnnrn-rd-ia, Via T-ni pm i

Nation

: November 5 1917

City/state n^ni Q Tg-p-r^tm'wa

ITALY

ZIP Code

tt^at.v

n^m q

FORWARDING AGENT

Name
Address

City/state

m/M Hmira-rfl
2209 Chestnut St.

Col umbxis, xSgxiSia

Charles E. Phipps

SCHOOLING

School Wai tp Ht gVi .q<-hnnT

College

City/State

Sincinna1 SYbye^^lmina^v

Seminary/Graduate

R.

ZIP Code B)XSXXX

47021

Tole'^o,

City/state

na-py City/State

j oviio

When & Where Baptized

City/state Central Woodward Ghr, Ch.. DPfrnitr M-irh., IQgR

Married

FAMILY PACTS

Single

CHILDRM
Names

Month/Day/lear

Place of Birth

CHRISTIAN SERVICE
What

Where

When

SEE ATTACHED SHEET B FOR BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

LIST OF TERMS OP MISSIONARY SERVICE

Starting Date vsrwr. 1QA7 Furlough Date apptt,^ iQc^nMission Location rapt, TTAT.y
Second Term
Aug. 1QS1 Furlough Date mav,
Mission Location rapt, TTAT.v
Third Term

Nov. 1958 Furlough Date MARCH 1964Mis3ion Location BARI. ITALY

Fourth Term

Nov. 1964 Furlough Date MAY, 1 968

Mission Location BARI, ITALY

Fifth Term

map, iqi^q Furlough Late mav^ 1 ogy

Mission Location T^T?T3PAPT|jf\ ^ TTrtTrY

Short summary of present missionary service and accomplishments:

(Use back of this sheet or second sheet, if needed.)

Paeplows

American Forwarding Address

John K. Paeplow
529 Ogden Avenue
Toledo 9, Ohio
Address on The Field
Mediterranean Christian Mission

Cassetta Postale 296, Bari, Italy

ITALY

Coffeys

Charles and Mary Frances Phipps

Betheen Grubaugh

Troyers

Evelyn Jones

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to the Lord's church here in Terracina one of our young teen-agers.

Bruno was baptized in the Mediterranean Sea by Giuseppe one beautiful

sunny day this fall. None of his family was present because they were not in
agreement with his decision. In fact, some of the family were really hostile.
However, Bruno knew what should be done and he was courageous enough to
go ahead in faith.

On November 1 and 2 the Churches of Christ (non-instrumental) here in

Italy held the annual Youth Conference which tliey hbfd every year in
Florence. Young people and their sponsors from all the churches are invited
and it is really a wonderful time of fellowship where the young people can get

together and "rap" to their heart's content. This year we took four of/our
young people to the Conference and since it was the first time any of them
had been there they were exposed to a lot of new experiences./ They
discovered there is joy in living a life in Christ as it was presented by some
very capable young Christians. They also realized that we are not isolated

even thou^- wg are too far from other groups -to have much regular
fellowship.

'
We rented a bus for the trip so that everybody could travel together. The
Conference was over at noon on Saturday but before leaving Florence we
took the kids down into the historical part of the city and Giuseppe gave
them a live lesson in history. A stop at an overhead restaurant on the

and far between.

His example gave food for thought to other of our young people with
whom we have been working and praying. Some of them were really
impressed with the fact that Bruno went against his whole family and one of
the girls said: "1 don't think 1 could do that." Bruno's answer was: "If you
believe enough you can." Pray for Bruno that through him others might be
won. Bruno is a very capable person with a winning personality and has many

These young people need your prayers and your help as they can be
brought closer to the Lord through excursions such as this.

lead.

"Autostrada" for supper on the way home as our guests was also a thrill for
them since travel in their lives is very limited and treats such as this are few

talents. All can be channelled into the Lord's work as Brimo lets the Lord

In Italy there are many regional superstitions, customs, ideas which are
sometimes good and often bad. In a certain town in the South, if a young girl
lives in a house which is near an oleander tree the superstition is that she will
never find a husband.

The mayor of this particular town wanted to beautify the main street so
he ordered enough oleander trees to plant the length of the street on both
sides. However, all of the people who lived on the street and had marriage

able daughters killed the trees by pouring the soapy water which they used
for laundry and scrubbing on them. When called upon to explain their

Your letters and your support have been so much appreciated in this
period of time. Italy's cost of living rose 22% in the past year (from Septem
ber, 1973 to September, 1974. We thank you for continuing to care for the
work here and for us personally. May God bless you richly.

actions their answer was this: "We liave been taught to believe this from our
ancestors and we do not want to run any risks."

One other reason, among so many, why Italy needs the Gospel. If the
people think in this way about unimportant things how imperative it is to
teach them things in which they can believe for the salvation of their souls.

'THEY OF ITALY SALUTE YOU"

Hebrew 13:24

2209 CHESTNUT STREET

"Search The Scriptures"

COLUMBUS,IN 47201

* EVANGELISM IN ITALY

Mr.and Mrs. Howard Battlii

2209 Chestnut Street

MRS.

GHEEN

BOX 177

KEMPTON, INDIAt^

Columbus,Indiana 47201

We would like to ask you to check this address against any you,the church,
the missionary committee, the board or any groups in the church might have.

The Italian Christian Mission News

Mail has been sent to an invalid address and we have lost some. Please be sure

Published Quarterly by

that this address is in your files.

FORWARDING AGENTS:
MR.& MRS. HOWARD BATTIN

* Radio Ministry

Please send all funds and correspondence to our forwarding agents:

Please write to us in care of our

OAK GROVB CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Milligan College. Tennessee 37682

Charles Phlpps

Editor

Mary Frances Phipps Assistant Editor

46049