Project restart multifunctional building Issacar, Rivoli, Italy

Four years ago, we wrote about the new construction project of the Christian Evangelical Community Issacar, just outside Turin in Northern Italy (read those reports HERE).

Pastor Filippo and Emma Felice founded the congregation in 2003. The church has been providing shelter and assistance to the homeless and displaced for years.

Various rooms in the church are used for preparing and distributing meals as well as for emergency shelter. We (Jan and Marja) visited in November 2022.

Because the current church space (which they rent) became too small for all the activities, construction began of a multi-purpose center two streets away. The building will have a strong social function; more rooms and facilities for sheltering distressed people, and also a nursery center to enable mothers to have some free time and rest.

Two years ago, we received news that the roof of the future multi-purpose center had collapsed during the pouring of the concrete. Miraculously, no one was injured.

For two years, the church had to patiently wait for a positive court ruling, the authorities' recognition that they had done everything according to law and building instructions, and for the site's release. Meanwhile, fundraising continued.

And now, finally, construction can resume. First, a great deal of rubble needs to be cleared. A new architect and contractor have been hired. In the photo is Pastor Filippo (right) with Gabriele, who is in charge of the scaffolding, now that work has resumed.

Patience is a virtue, as the saying goes, and in this case, it was a matter of great patience. Above all, it was about not giving up and, despite all the setbacks, continuing to believe that this project was placed on their hearts by God.

It is estimated that only 1% of the population in predominantly (culturally) Catholic Italy is Evangelical Christian. That could make one feel lonely, but fortunately, it doesn't have to be so. Traveling Light would like to send a generous donation as a token of support and encouragement!

If you would like to help, please send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention Issacar.

You can also give by card or donate directly via our website!