An Inexpressible Joy

I cannot believe project has been over for nearly two weeks! Memories of strolling along the Lungomare (the Salerno boardwalk) with gelato in hand, listening to my teammates' laughter, and enjoying the breathtaking bus ride through the Southern Italian mountain range to campus frequent my mind.

Although I miss Italy very much, this week and a half has been a sweet time of meditating on what I experienced the LORD do on project. Not only meditating, but truly allowing the power of the gospel to continue to resonate in my soul, drawing me to a deeper place of worship and adoration before Him. This summer was simply amazing. Besides the fun memories made with my teammates and new Italian friends, I feel like I can speak for our team when I say each of us has come to a deeper place of understanding and experiencing the gospel and our magnificent God. We saw the power of the gospel change unbelieving hearts to hearts that desired a personal relationship with God right before our very eyes! We saw Italians reaching out to other Italians... sharing with them the love of Christ that was demonstrated on the cross for our sin. We saw the Holy Spirit causing Italian students to wrestle with the truth in the message of Jesus Christ. We saw people find salvation. All this to say, we saw the LORD do incredible things in that place and we trust that His Spirit is still at work in mighty ways.

Haswell Beni, a man on staff with Crusade in Italy said at one of our briefing meetings that "Italy will strip you of everything but Jesus Christ." Personally, this statement holds a significant amount of truth in my individual experience on project. There were times when I had never felt more emotionally, spiritually, and even physically drained. However, it was in those times of weakness when I experienced such strength and comfort from the power of the gospel. I learned that it's in the gospel that we come to experience the life, blessings, power and glory of God. The fact that in Christ's resurrection, He has overcome this world and that His Spirit dwells within in also empowers me to overcome the troubles of this life. The call to draw near to Christ never has been so real than over the course of my time in Italy. This passage from 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 was especially encouraging for me: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body." It was in those times of weakness that I was sustained by our gracious God and His gospel.

Really, this entire summer was a testament to the LORD's grace and faithfulness. There was no reason for God to use us in the manner He did, apart from the fact that He is gracious. Even as I reflect now, I bask in the glory of the LORD's grace and love, which is truly astounding and humbling.

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayer. It truly sustained and encouraged us. Please continue to pray for the ministry in Italy; pray for the students you have heard about and that the LORD would continue to raise up and equip laborers to serve in that beautiful country.

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:8-9

By His Grace,
Ashley Cedeno