February 2026 Newsletter
Greetings from Michigan! Still cold here even if the temps are rising towards spring. After taking care of the many doctors’ visits about my asthma, the time is approaching to return to Sicily/Italy. In the end, it seems that the cause has to do with some allergies. Glad that it is over.
The month of March will find me here with family visits and birthdays to be celebrated soon. Many things have happened since the last report. As you remember, for the past two years, we have sent many children to a Bible camp in Sicily. I did preach in Ispica last time I was there and visited the camp. Last year, a young man accepted Jesus as his personal Savior.
We hope to do the same this year. Last year we sent six kids; this year there is the possibility to send between eight and 12 kids. A leap of faith? Yes. We trust that donations will arrive so that these kids can be sponsored to go to camp. Why so many, you may ask? Niscemi. What is that, a password? No, it is a town in the middle of Sicily that was devastated by a landslide that started on January 16th and may have stopped sliding on March 4th.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people were evacuated in a town of 24,000. Some believers lost their home and possessions. So far, about 500 people are hopeful in returning to see if they can recover their belongings or might be able to save their houses. I will go there and offer to send their kids to camp; otherwise, they won’t be able to go. For elementary children, it costs about $150 for a week of camp; for high schoolers, it costs about $200. So far, we have enough funds to send three kids. Do pray that the Lord will provide for this cause. God is good and He rewards us in many ways.
On the home front, we have been blessed that our family is doing fine and we rejoice in our children’s accomplishments. Our oldest now has been in secular work after serving in various churches as a worship pastor. Joshua has been recognized with an award that you can see from the photo included. This year, Benjamin will make his third mission trip to the Navajo nation serving with his church in blessing literally the “least” of these, like our Lord says in the Bible. He is currently raising awareness about the trip and finances to be able to go again. Cristina, our daughter, has transitioned now from active duty to the reserve so that she will be able to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool their two children. After serving our country for almost 20 years, she will reach her goal in a couple of years in the reserves. We praise the Lord for giving us our kids and the strength to be Christ in their lives. God is good.
My schedule is already full for the next few months and we ask you to keep praying for the ministry of ANM. Continue to pray for Annamaria Montroni in north Italy for continued healing of her Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She is improving every day. She and her husband Daniele are serving alongside ANM near Bologna. God is good. Also, we have been praying for another fellow brother in Louisiana, Howell Carter, who finally had his kidney transplant after three years. He is doing well after receiving a kidney on March 4th. Praise the Lord.
Keep our friend and coworker Edwin, who is also dealing with cancer, in your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God is truly good. More news to come from the files soon.
As always: Let’s go fishing (really) for one more for the One.
God bless you and keep you.
Serving together, Giuseppe and Pennie Collesano
Ciao for now.