This summer, several East Cooper members traveled to Catania, Sicily, to support The Evangelical Church of Grace and Truth in their efforts to be a light to the community there. This was the third consecutive year ECBC has sent a team to the area, and according to Morgan Tuck, who has been on each trip, it was the best one yet! 

The primary purpose for the trip was to help the local church host Vacation Bible School for the children in the community. The entire church came together to help with the event, which includes crafts, games, music, and, of course, Bible stories led by beloved Pastor Peppe Fortuna. One of the most exciting parts of the trip this year was seeing one of the teenagers come to know the Lord. This individual had been coming to help out at the camp for the past three years, but this was the year that she understood and accepted the gospel. Everyone was overjoyed!

Morgan remarked that one of the best parts of the trip was seeing how the relationships had grown so strong after partnering together for three years in a row. She commented, “The Italian people knew more English, the American people knew more Italian, and after a few years of partnering together it has become a natural, Jesus-focused relationship. We cry when we get there, excited to see the people who have become family and we cry when we have to leave!” 

Please be in prayer for the people of The Evangelical Church of Grace and Truth and especially the pastor and his family. Below are some specific prayer points: 

• Pray for Pastor Peppe Fortuna and his wife Viviana, along with their family. Viviana is working through some health complications, and their family as a whole is struggling with finances as they near retirement age. 
• Pray for Sarah and Marco Fortuna, the oldest siblings, as they try to determine where God is leading them in their adult life. 
• Pray for the kids who heard the truth during VBS, that they would come to fully understand and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.