FOWLER'S UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2013

Summer’s End Convention at Florence. Sponsored by Harding University Florence, this convention brought together, as usual, many young people and church leaders. They asked Harold to lead the worship music at the convention and at the Florence Church of Christ. He was a little “rusty” because he does not lead the music in our home church, because other brothers do that. However, in this loving, friendly context he made it through.

Enid sold lots of books and booklets. “Sold” is a relative word, because we are not selling for profit. We are distributing our books, asking our readers to contribute to our cost for the replacement of material. More often than not, they give an offering that more than covers our cost. We have some customers who have purchased a copy of everything we print! Sometimes they ask for several copies for distribution among their own churches.

We bought a new book binder and photocopier, the first since we were given one free in Germany in the 1970’s. Back in June our aging photocopier crashed in June, so we replaced it. Replacing both was urgent, as they are the backbone of our printing ministry. Now Enid is able to print and bind more books.

Gay Rights in Italy. The homosexual movement is making its demands and views known to the Italian  population. The pseudo-logic of this movement threatens to infect even Christians on the mistaken belief that loving the homosexuals must allow the full acceptance of its ungodly practices. These things are not new to the American church, so we ask for your prayer as we respond. Harold has published two booklets in Italian: “Homosexual and…Christian?” and “Homosexuality and the Christian — An Anthology of Various Christian authors”. While proclaiming the Bible standpoint, we tried to plead for balance.

Taxes in Italy. Please continue to pray about our tax situation here in Italy (Must we pay taxes to Italy or not?) Practically the entire population faces many new (for them) tax questions, because many are completely “below the radar” and complete unknown to the taxation department. We do not wish to evade taxation because we are 100% in favor (a la Romans 13), but it seems that confusion reigns about who is to be taxed and how much and for what! We have not heard anything else after we were told we might be taxed for much as 20,000 euros or $26,000. And so we pray…

Thanks for your loving care!

Harold and Enid Fowler