new place project for Usa and Uk
New hall for Mani del Maestro
“New Place Genova Project”
There is no doubt. The Gospel of Jesus is the definitive answer to man's needs. Together with the gospel, we also want to love our neighbor and offer help.
The non-profit organisation: Mani del Maestro has over the years been our social arm, allowing us to have contact with many people to whom we have taken the Gospel in one of the most needy neighborhoods in the city of Genoa. Over the years, together with a team of missionaries, we have been able to reach hundreds of people, not only with food and clothing, but also with the power of the Gospel, as we consider Christ more important than anything else. Even now we continue to reach many families with the hope of the gospel, the distribution of food and clothing and Christian counseling. Obviously the urgency of the Gospel remains our first priority, but at the same time we do our utmost to respond to basic needs here in this very needy area of Italy with: a high rate of unemployment, increasing psycho-emotional distress, family problems, crime, violence, addictions, problems related to intercultural coexistence - given the presence of various ethnic groups here coming from all over the world. And this is just to mention a few of the challenges here in the area.
SOME HISTORY
From 2011 - we started our activities. Soon 'Encounters with Jesus' began taking shape in places where people gather: cafes, piazzas, homes ... With simplicity we invited people to encounter Jesus, while giving them at the same time a hand in practical things.
From 2016 - we rented a hall (the current one). We set it up and ove the years we have been able to distribute 80 tons of food and 30 tons of clothes! We have also invested countless hours in listening to and helping people through Christian counseling. We have also contributed to facilitate the integration of foreigners into the community, bringing hope where there is no hope.
Currently - in this really difficult and hard context, a small church has started: “Encounters with Jesus”. It is made up of people from 6 different nationalities and is growing and having an gospel-impact among the people we come into contact with. Currently three leaders (two non-Europeans and an Italian) are engaged in a training program. We are also starting a new church, north of Genoa, in the Piedmont region, not far from Alessandria and are trying to understand how best Mani del Maestro can help people in that area too, both with the gospel and practically.
TWO THOUSAND & TWENTY
This year has been a difficult year for us all, because of the pandemic. We lost a close family member, a sister in Christ, several brothers and we ourselves experienced Covid-19 and had to stay at home for months without being able to do much, while the poor increased in number, and despair, depression, fear and social hardship became ever more evident. Still we are grateful that this year, thanks to generous gifts, we were able to donate 224 gift cards for food shopping to 112 families in serious economic difficulty. During our months at home we still were able to maintain an intense and encouraging online contact with our church. Much prayer, sharing, and significant closeness. A difficult yet very beautiful moment. Since we were able to resume our activities in the hall we have had to comply with the stringent regulations. Bear in mind that we serve more than 400 needy people with food and clothing though we are not allowed more than 4 people in the hall at a time! Church meetings are also limited to a maximum of 10 people.
It is very difficult to carry on in these conditions. Even meeting in home is not allowed with more than 6 people. We therefore increasingly see the need to have a bigger place where we can carry on activities to help those who are in difficulty and where we can also carry on the church activities.
A NEW PROJECT
In these days we have found a place that is perfect for our growing needs and also for the opportunities we face. It is more than double the size of the current hall, more central to the neighborhood where we serve and it would allow us to accomplish the ideas we have to continue developing our ministry. We want to buy it!
Here are some of the possibilities:
- more space: we would have more space to continue serving the many people who have humanitarian needs and also to expand the preaching of the gospel to the many people we are in contact with. We would also be able to hold
Sunday meetings, respecting current Covid social distancing regulations, have greater space to stocking food and be able to distribute everything with greater safety to more needy people.
- create job opportunities: open a music rehearsal hall, as well as being able to offer music lessons given by one of our members as well as creating a small hairdresser’s
business. This, as well as providing much needed employment opportunities, would also allow for a reinvestment in the association of a percentage of the earnings. In the midst of a difficult context we continue to want to continue to be more effective in reaching people with our eternal Hope, and help them practically, for the glory of God alone.
THE COSTS
The purchase of the ‘New Place Genova’ hall requires an investment of €120,000 ($145,000 / £ 110,000)
The cost breakdown:
• €69,000 - purchase amount
• €10,000 - change of ownership and agency costs
• €20,000 - costs for renovation and safety requirements
• €20,000 - furnishings for a music rehersal hall and hairdressers
We are already sharing news of the project to our contacts both in Italy and elsewhere and the first donations have begun to arrive. Having launched this fundraising initiative, we are committed to keep the process active until the set goal is achieved. All funds raised will be used only for the stated project.
AN APPEAL
We ask you to pray for this initiative and we are grateful for your support for this project. We firmly believe in the power of prayer and encourage you to actively pray for the work in Genoa. We trust in God, and ask that He may use our service for the advancement of His Kingdom.
We encourage you to consider contributing any amount - even a small gift. After all, let's not forget that the ocean is made up of many small drops of water!
Many thanks for your partnership in the work of the gospel here in Italy. Let us pray together that all might be done to bring glory to God in everything.
We send our warmest greetings in Christ,
Francesco e Claudia.
Giving in the UK:
1.Go to give.net - Italian Ministries: https://www.give.net/20239733 2.Choose whether you wish to give a One-off gift or a Monthly giftMONTHLY GIVING:
1.Select Give Monthly
2.Choose from: Optional: Choose project 3.Select ‘Genova project - Mani del Maestro’ 4.Indicate monthly amount
5.Indicate Payment day
6.IMPORTANT!! Click on ‘detail and/or your reference number’
7.IMPORTANT!! In the ‘Donation details’ box, indicate: Genova - New Place
8.Decide if you want to share your contact details with the recipient you’re supporting or indicate you like to remain anonymous
ONE-OFF GIVING:
1.Indicate the amount
2.IMPORTANT!! Click on ‘detail and/or your reference number’
3.IMPORTANT!! In the ‘Donation details’ box, indicate: Genova - New Place
4.Decide if you want to share your contact details with the recipient you’re supporting or indicate you like to remain anonymous
Should you have any questions, please contact: amministrazioneim@gmail.com
Giving in the USA:
- Via Italian Ministries: https://sforce.co/2JSGcwV and please indicate in section 3 (Additional Information) how often you would like for this gift to occur; also write: ‘NEW PLACE GENOVA’ in the Comments box.
- Via Avant Ministries: https://avantministries.org/give
If you are interested in supporting the project on a regular basis, send us an e-mail or donate directly on-line.
To give by check: Make check payable to ‘Avant Ministries’, include a separate note designating the gift for Mani del Maestro, project Act #71814 - “New Place Genova” and mail to: Avant Ministries, 10000 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155.
Giving directly in Italy from other countries:
Associazione Mani del Maestro ODV
Crédit Agricole
Filiale 00149 Genova Bolzaneto
COD. ABI: 06230 COD. C.A.B: 01407
IBAN IT15I0623001407000040527151
BIC CRPPIT2P149
