End of the Year Programs - Part 2

Samuel's program was the same as Emma's, but with much more disorganization and chaos. But hey, trying to get 45 kids to cooperate is no small task. Here is Samuel square dancing with the other 5/6 year olds. Jonathan helped translate the song for them, but in the end they just did their own thing anyway. I suppose having a knowledge of square dancing lingo might have helped.

There were 8 graduates in his class and just one of those (Andrea [Italian for Andrew]) as far as we know will be joining him at his elementary school next year. So he will be making many new friends this coming fall. Samuel said his favorite part of the day was wearing his square hat. He lost another front tooth too the day before and now has an adorable toothless smile and lisp to go along with it.

Nenny & Vittoria are going to miss Samuel!

Samuel breaking out the moves

End of the Year Programs - Part 1

This week the kids have their closing programs for the scholastic year, even though there are two more optional weeks of school. There are four sections (classes) within the school each with children ages 3-6, and yesterday Emma's section along with another had their "festa." Last year Samuel was not here for the full year so this was our first experience. I guess taking the general meaning of the word "party" we were anticipating a time of fellowship and interaction when we got there. However, it was a much bigger deal than that. Extended families were there with their cameras and video cameras as we gathered on the playground to watch the kids' program full of songs and dance to express to us the things they learned throughout the year. Luckily we did bring our little snapshot camera and were able to capture a few moments of video for you. Today we will be more prepared as Samuel and his classmates in their last year of scuola materna will be graduating and receiving a diploma.



Emma was quite excited about the whole thing full of smiles and energetic dancing as you can see. I put in the picture below so you can see Emma's "look-a-like" in the forefront. Seriously, from the back they are easy to confuse!


Luca was entertained initially by playing on the playground equipment, however, as the program got started he saw the kids speaking in the microphone and lining up. So what did he do? He weasels his way through the crowd as only a 3 year old can and stands next to the kids. There was no way I could easily get to him as the "stage" was either roped off or blocked by people. Then he ran to stand next to the teacher awaiting his turn to speak into the microphone. It was quite embarrassing as I had to try to casually, but yet swiftly apprehend him with all eyes gazing on in amusement. Mamma mia!! Today needless to say we are bringing the stroller!

Emma with Marisa & Patrizia
(they will be her teachers again next year)

Emma's Story

This is a story that has been our intention to write for the past week and a half. In no way does our delay in relating this story to you mean that we were not ecstatic and overjoyed by this life changing decision in Emma's life. It has just been a matter of time to sit down and give the recount the attention it deserves.

On Friday, May 29th Emma trusted in Jesus! It is a precious story and one of which I will always reflect upon with a huge smile and great joy. As I was tucking Emma in for the night and about to close the door, she said "Mamma, I have a surprise for you. But you can't peak." So I covered my eyes with my hands and when I removed them she said "I TRUST IN JESUS!" Totally not what I was expecting her to say at all! She continued to say "I don't have to wait, I can trust Jesus right now. And now I don't have to go to the lake of fire. I can go to heaven because I trust in Jesus!" Her little squeals of delight as she talked were so precious that I'm positive they tickled the ears of Jesus. I then sat down on her bed and asked her a number of questions in relation to Jesus, the cross, sin and repentance. All of which she answered in confidence according to Bible. We then prayed together and then Dada came in to hear his big surprise and pray with her as well.

We have been working our way through the Gospel of Mark as a family and we had just finished reading the section on Jesus loving the little children. "'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." (Mark 10:14b-16) We rejoice in Emma's expression of faith as a child!

We found it very interesting how this announcement is so fitting with her personality. She doesn't do much without first having worked it through in her head. Once she "gets it" then she will express herself, like learning Italian. She didn't want to talk much unless it was right. So she worked her need of salvation through in her head (with the help of the Holy Spirit), prayed to Jesus on her own and then told us. Even when asking her follow-up questions the next day her responses were like "Mamma, I already told you. I trust in Jesus. Yup, I'm going to heaven." It was a matter of fact and spoken with such confidence.

Samuel has been praying that all five of us; Dada, Mamma, me, Emma & Luca, will all be in heaven together. Now it is so sweet to hear him and Emma pray for Luca to trust in Jesus. What a precious gift our children are to us. We pray for Samuel and Emma's growth spiritually, for their conviction of sin and desire to learn about God and walk with Jesus. The responsibility as parents to guide them and direct them continually to God's word is no small task. We covet your prayers in this process and for God's grace to abound all the more when we fail. And of course continue to pray for Luca's salvation.

Our Italian Anniversary

Torino's Mole Antonelliana landmark

Today marks FOUR years since we arrived on the field of Italy. It is an important day for us as we reflect and give praise to God for his amazing grace that has kept us and sustained us through all the major adjustments of cross-cultural living such as: language, culture, separation from family and so much more. All points in which are still a daily challenge for us.

June 2005 - Our family upon arrival...we've changed just a tad don't you think?

We are so thankful for the ways in which God has stretched and matured us in our faith and for the love he continues to give us for this country. We are blessed by the friendships we have here, for the progress in God's work and for Him allowing us to be a part of it. We are thankful for the ways in which in our children have embraced life here and for their vital role in our ministry. We could go on and on in reflecting on the joys of trials over the past four years. God is so good and it is our great joy to be in His service in light of what his son, Jesus Christ, accomplished for us on the cross. We anxiously anticipate what God will do in and through us this coming year.

Lastly, we want to thank YOU our supporters in both prayer and giving. Both acts of which we would not be able to serve without. Your role of love, giving, sacrifice, encouragement and deep concern for our entire family is so invaluable to us. We love & miss you all!

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Philippians 1:3-4

30 Years Ago Today...

...God brought in to the world a new life. This life was known before the beginning of time, his days were preordained and his future given to bring glory to His Creator. This person was none other than my own precious husband. That's right, Jonathan has finally reached his thirties! No tears are being shed over the fact as with age one gains credibility here. A few months back he was even thrilled to see a gray hair in his goatee! (I'm not so thrilled about my head of grays.) We were talking last night how when we met each other we were still our teens and now we are in our thirties. Where has the time gone?

I am so thankful for Jonathan; for his love and devotion to Christ, for his spiritual leadership of our family, for his gifts as a communicator, teacher and musician, for being a wonderful father and amazing husband. I can't imagine walking this life without him by my side. It is a joy for me to be his help meet!

Wishing you a year of great blessing and joy as you continue to draw closer to God! We love you so very much!! Happy Birthday honey (and Dada)!

Summer Reading

With the summer months upon us, there is nothing like taking a good book outside to enjoy. In light of that we wanted to give you some book recommendations for your "Summer Reading List." Jonathan reads about 5 books at a time and is a much quicker reader than I, but it is a very important discipline for both of us. There are a lot of books dealing with church planting and theology on the list--for an obvious reason for us. Please don't be intimidated by the titles. Why not stretch your mind and challenge your thinking with some very powerful books?!

Top picks for books that we have read this year or are currently reading:

• The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism by Tim Keller
• The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller
• Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
• Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia by Roberto Saviano (Hard read that gives a true, disturbing picture of the Italian Mafia. You WILL be more burdened to pray for this corrupt and dark country!)
• Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community by Ed Stetzer & David Putman
• Christ, Our Righteousness: Paul's Theology of Justification by Mark Seifrid
• Dominion and Dynasty: A Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible
  by Stephen Dempster
• Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World by Tim Keller and Edmund Clowney
• The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin
• The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians by D.A. Carson
• Death by Love: Letters from the Cross by Mark Driscoll
• God's Power to Save: One Gospel for a Complex World? by Chris Green

The Kleises 2009 Summer Reading List:

• The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
• Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God by Bruce Ware
• New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ by Thomas Schreiner
• Jesus and the Logic of History by Paul Barnett
• Jesus according to Scripture: Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels by Darrell Bock
• The Gospel According to Mark by William Lane
• The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark
• Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for Renaissance Florence by Lauro Martines