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Handbook Index:
Allow us to introduce ourselves What is Avanti Italia?
Avanti Italia. That's Italian for "Onward Italy," and it is also the name of a forward-moving mission team composed of college graduates or people of college-graduate age who have devoted two years of their life to spreading the Gospel in Italy regardless of their personal career choices or national origin. Avanti Italia (A.I.) had a forerunner in the 60's and 70's, but the new program was initiated in 1986 by Howard and Doris Bybee who continue to work with the program as States side recruiters. Gary and Jennifer Williams direct the team at our home base, the Florence Bible School in Scandicci, Italy, a suburb of Florence. The mission team is sponsored and carefully guided by the College church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, through a subcommittee appointed by the elders. The members of the committee are Howard Bybee, Bob Corbin, Don England, Clifton Ganus, II, Fred Jewell, Carl Mitchell, Don Shackelford (ex officio), and Evan Ulrey (chairman). Index
Our primary goals are simple:
1) to use our individual talents in sharing the Good News of Jesus the Christ with those who are seeking to have a more perfect relationship with Him,
2) to learn to share Christ with others more effectively, and 3) to participate in mutual encouragement and edification with the Italian churches of Christ. Index
Florence, Italy
Dec. 12, 1987
The presence of the young people of the Avanti Italia program in our congregation, for the work they have done and are doing in Florence, is for all of us reason for joy and encouragement in the work of the Lord.
During the time they have been in Florence, after having overcome the first hurdle of learning the language, they have created in other young people interest in and love for the truth of Christ; and their efforts have produced fruit.
Our prayer is that they can continue with the same determination to influence the souls of young and old in order that we may all labor together for the realization of the plan of God in our city of Florence.
(Signed by the members)
What do we do?
Our main method of outreach is teaching private Bible lessons in the English language. In advertising, we are completely up-front about our purpose. Our team members teach an average of 15 Bible lessons a week, and we often have to place names of interested persons on a waiting list. We have developed our own curriculum, which includes basic grammar lessons, a set of "bridge" lessons that span the gap from grammar review to English conversation about the Bible, our own editions of the Shawn Daggett "English Using the Bible" books, and advanced studies in the core Gospel message.
Besides our private lessons, we organize an evangelistic study in Italian at the Bible School on Tuesday nights. On Thursday nights, we attend another Bible study at the church building for discussions among Christians. In addition, we strive to serve the members of the churches of Christ throughout the entire country by sponsoring seminars with guest speakers and sending invitations out to all of the Italian congregations. In August, we help with a yearly retreat sponsored by the Florence congregation. At this lectureship we meet Christians from all over the country who often invite us to help with their projects.
Much of our work could be described as friendship evangelism. We make friends with people and share God's saving message with them. To get to know our students better and to help them get to know each other and the members of the Florence congregation, we often organize evenings of games, music, food, or a video. Sometimes we help with summer camps for our students and for young people from the Italian churches. Once every two months we invite young people from the area congregations to attend a one-night youth retreat.
Whether we are having friends over, going to eat at someone's house, or taking an excursion together, we're never lacking opportunities to share the love of Christ with our friends.
Each team member is committed to finding ways of using his or her individual talents to contact more and more people for God's glory. For example, some have become members of the Scandicci band. As a result, several of our students have come from the band, and two have been baptized. Other A.I. members have coached boys' basketball, taught music in the public school system, helped with a local ambulance service, and volunteered at the local hospital. Each member tries to find his or her niche. Index
Most of our work is centered at the Florence Bible School in Scandicci, which has a living/dining room, kitchen, large classroom, library, offices, and private living quarters. We also teach some Bible lessons at the Florence church building located in Florence proper, and occasionally we travel to other cities to help out with special projects or seminars. After sufficient orientation and language study, A.I. members may be assigned to work full-time with congregations outside of Florence. In such cases, the workers are closely supervised by the local church leaders and by the Williamses on a regular basis. Index
We are supported by congregations across the United States as well as by family and friends. Each member of our team raises his or her own support before joining us in Florence. (See RAISING SUPPORT.) Index
Before leaving the United States, A.I. members attend a two-week training session in Searcy, Arkansas. During this time, classes are taught by Harding Bible professors and former Italian missionaries. Their stay in Florence begins with ten days of orientation to help the new members adjust to Italy, take care of official business, set group goals, learn how to teach the curriculum, and learn more about their teammates. Since speaking Italian is a priority, all members attend language school for about three months. This serves as a springboard into the language and culture. Index
Avanti Italia got off to a good start in 1986. Scores of people were taught the Gospel and 13 were baptized in the first year and a half of the program. Since Florence is a cosmopolitan city, we have been able to evangelize people from other countries, having taught and baptized students from Kenya, Taiwan, Nigeria, Argentina, Albania, and Korea. During the five years previous to the beginning of 2002, eleven people had been baptized in Florence itself. However, the first part of 2002 has been an exceptionally fruitful period because during the first five months seven people have come to the Lord in baptism. Although evangelism is about as challenging in Italy as it is in the U.S., we are convinced that there are many who are seeking to know God's will for their lives.
We have also had a positive influence on two young people who were baptized in another congregation nearby. Currently we have many Bible students whom we believe are very near a point of decision in their lives, and we are experiencing a definite increase of activity at the Florence Bible School. We feel that there is a spiritual awakening in this city. Our neighbors have thanked us for "reviving" the school, and many people who have called about lessons have mentioned that they are just as interested in knowing more about the Bible as they are in improving their English. This is the work of God in the hearts of our friends and the result of much prayer. Index
One of the strengths of Avanti Italia is the way that the Lord takes a group of very diverse people and melds them together so that the talents of each member compliment those of teammates. Our diversity becomes a strength; and yet, there are certain qualities that we look for in every applicant.
Above all, an Avanti Italia member must love God and seek to serve Him wholeheartedly. Each member of the team must be fully committed to our primary goals: sharing the Good News of Christ with our friends, seeking to serve Italian Christians, and encouraging God's people everywhere to be rich in faith and good works. A desire to promote these principles must be the main motivating influence for anyone who wishes to join in our labor.
There are many secondary motivations one may feel for wanting to work with A.I. -- love of Italy, excitement of living in a different culture, interest in meeting new people, fascination with foreign languages, love of good Italian food, thrill of travel, interest in the arts, a passion for history, etc. As long as these secondary motivations are honorable, we praise God for whatever means he uses to send workers our way. There are, of course, motivating factors that are not as noble, therefore we pray that you reflect deeply on your rationale for wanting to join Avanti Italia and prayerfully decide whether A.I. is a part of the Lord's plan for your life. Index
We seek missionaries who possess spiritual wisdom. The Avanti team member invariably faces every ideology from atheism to pantheism. There is no way to prepare for every question you will face, but you must be a searcher for truth who is able to handle these situations with spiritual understanding.
Many different personality types prove effective in our ministry. Whether introverted or extroverted, what matters most is that you are truly committed to our evangelistic and ministerial call; but since we live and work closely together, and since so much of our work involves meeting new people, those who are communicative -- who converse freely with their friends, family, and roommates -- tend to adapt better than others to the challenges of our everyday environment. A generally positive outlook on life is a key to effective communication of the hope that we have in Jesus.
Avanti Italia is not your normal 8-5 job! A.I. members are subject to considerable demands and sacrifices, and often work long and irregular hours. Consequently, we seek mature individuals -- those who have attained stability in their lives and who have proven themselves to be self-starters. Above all, flexibility, tolerance, and patience overflowing with a generous serving of love are the main ingredients for maintaining harmony within the group. Things like gossip, impatience, tempermentalness, selfishness, procrastination, and laziness seriously impede our labor.
"Well then?" What do you think? After having said all of the above, we wish to clarify that we don't want to discourage you from aspiring to work with us; on the contrary, we pray that the Lord will send many laborers. The above guidelines were written to help you determine if the A.I. mission team is right for you. We know that you will ask the Lord to lead you to the decision that is best in light of the magnitude of our task.
Life as we know it: The Bible School is a comfortable, three-floor building in the suburbs on the southwest side of Florence. It consists of rooms and bathrooms on the third floor for housing A.I. workers and guests; the director's apartment on the second floor as well as an office, library, office and computer/workroom; and on the ground level a kitchen, laundry room, living room/dining room, and a large classroom. Life here is a mix of communal and family-style living. We spend quite a bit of time together, and as mentioned earlier, for this it is imperative to have good communication skills and a lot of patience and tolerance. Index
There are several yearly events that either occur at the Bible School or are planned by the A.I. workers. We host about six seminars a year and a youth retreat approximately every two months. Besides the events we organize, we also participate in meetings conducted by other congregations. Index
Our team members have 3 weeks of vacation per year, to be taken at times approved by the director, in addition to 2 weeks for the Christmas holidays. Sometimes extra days are given to those who make a trip home in a given year. One of the best times to take vacation days is in August (except for the days around and during the August Retreat) when most Italians are on vacation. Vacation time is not cumulative from one year to the next. Index
For A.I. family members and supporters who want to visit, we would like to explain our housing policy. We are usually able to accommodate guests, but due to financial constraints, it is necessary to request reimbursement in the form of a suggested contribution from each one. Except in the case of dire emergency, it is necessary to make advance reservations. During high tourist season (mid-April through August), it is often necessary to contact us 6-8 months in advance to reserve a bed. Of course, availability of beds is also dependent upon our schedule of evangelistic activities. Index
Uhm... Dad, can I borrow some money? The core support needed for Avanti Italia is $1000/month. The A.I. committee requests that prospective team members not seek pledges for more than this amount without consulting first with the committee. An exception is made when extra is needed to cover a student loan payment. The following shows how the monthly support breaks down by categories:
$500----Room and board contribution to the College Church of Christ
$100----Health insurance
$400----Personal items and everyday needs, transportation, taxes, etc.
There are also three one-time expenses for which you will need to raise funds. They are:
3 months of language school (about $1000 total)
Airfare to and from Italy (You can get a one way ticket to Florence for about $450. However, remember that you will need a return ticket in 2 years.)
In addition, some of our workers have chosen to buy bikes to help them get around or for exercise. Both new and used bikes can be purchased for reasonable prices, and you may want to include the cost among your initial one-time expenses. If you would like to know an approximate price range, contact Gary Williams.
Index
You are required by Italian law to have health insurance while you sojourn in Italy. If you do not already have international insurance coverage, you may want to contact Marsha McGrath of Wiggins & Company and request information about their coverage with Aetna Life and Casualty (Bermuda) LTD for missionaries from the churches of Christ. Her addresses and telephone numbers are:
Marsha McGrath
Wiggins & Company
7 East Mockingbird, Suite 610
Dallas, Texas 75206
Tel. (214) 827-7830
Fax (214) 827-1534
Internet: insurance@wiggins.com
It is always wise to compare policies; therefore we also recommend contacting Scott Finley in Searcy, Arkansas, with whom some of our members have received coverage. Scott's address and phone number are: 409 Llama Dr.
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
Tel. (501) 268-1312
If you are an American citizen, you are required to pay U.S. income taxes unless you are a bona fide resident of a foreign country or you meet the conditions of the "physical presence test." The latter requires that you be physically present in a foreign country 330 full days during a period of 12 consecutive months beginning on the date of your arrival on foreign soil. Due to complications involved in seeking residence status, we encourage our workers to seek exemption based upon the physical presence test.
Here's a plausible scenario based upon physical presence: You arrive in Italy in September 2002, and the first 4 months of your two-year stay fall at the end of the tax year. Using form 2350, you request an extension through the end of September (you are allowed an additional month after the 12-month period) 2003 for filing your 2002 taxes. This allows you to finish a 12-month period in Italy, thus you do not owe income tax on the 4 months spent abroad in 2002. The complete tax year in the middle of your two-year sojourn is exempt because you are physically present in Italy for 330 days of that year. (You must, of course, not spend more than 35 days in the United States during any 12-month period.) You return to the United States in July of 2004, and the income you earned while living abroad during that year is exempt from income tax since you meet the physical presence test for the 12 months leading up to your return and ending on the date of your arrival in the U.S. Your affidavit stating that you were residing abroad (accompanies your 1040) is reported on form 2555.
Most American ministers and missionaries are required to pay Social Security self-employment tax regardless of whether or not they are paying U.S. income tax. Some ministers and "ordaining" churches have a conscientious objection to paying social security tax due to religious convictions (in such cases an application for special exemption is submitted on form 4361). Thankfully, the matter has been investigated by the Avanti Italia overseeing committee in Searcy, and based upon the same exemptive regulations in the Social Security code cited by the Mormons, it has been determined that it should not be necessary for our workers to pay this hefty 15.3% tax (which would be around $110 per month for A.I. workers). Part of the reason behind this decision is that, technically speaking, it can be sustained that you do not really have an income for the next two years. You are merely volunteering your time to your sponsoring congregation who provides you with what you need. If you choose not to begin paying Social Security, you may want to use the following statement:
Dear Sir,
I include this letter to explain that I am on a two year subsistence income mission for the Church of Christ and for that reason am not obligated to pay Social Security for this period. This is based on articles Reg. 31.3121 (a-1)h and 31.3121 (a-3) that are also understood by other religious groups such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as exemption under such circumstances.
Sincerely
Of course, if you prefer to begin making Social Security payments, you should do as you wish. If you choose to begin making payments, check with the Williamses about how to make the "Estimated Tax" payments.
By the way, filers living abroad have a 2-month extension on the April 15 filing deadline, but interest on anything you owe will accrue daily during the extension period. If you decide not to pay Self Employment tax, you will need to indicate that on your 1040 (long form is required) with the section of the tax code upon which you are basing your exemption. Some of your sponsoring congregations will probably issue you a W-2 or a 1099 form at the end of the year declaring how much was paid into your personal account. Make sure that this amount does not include money that was sent to the College Church. Index
Now we come to what may be the hardest part of your preparation. Raising funds is an activity that has the potential of discouraging even the most qualified servant, but if the Lord wants you to go to Italy, he will help you find the way. Before anything else, pray, then seek advice from as many people as possible. Former missionaries are generally helpful. Meanwhile, begin looking for an overseeing or "sponsoring" congregation (see Your sponsoring congregation and Organizing a home support system below). This could be the congregation you grew up in, or it could be another with whom you have spent a significant period of time. If you are unable to find a sponsoring congregation, the College church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, will take the role of receiving funds for you. When you have found an overseeing church, begin coordinating your efforts with them.
Prepare an attractive folder including a cover letter which makes your request personal, a description of the program, a letter of recommendation from the A.I. committee and other letters of recommendation, an explanation of your financial need, and necessary addresses and phone numbers. Try to find a balance between presenting too much and too little information. After your originals are ready, make plenty of copies for your prospective supporters.
Next, create a list of all family members, relatives, friends, and churches who might consider supporting you, and give each one of them a copy of your folder. Make sure that you mention when you will be getting back in touch with them.
Send one to everyone on your list, for there is no way of predicting who might help you. It often happens that those you felt sure would help will not be able to, while many you thought were too committed already may respond positively.
When contacting churches, you should request permission to make a presentation either to the congregation, to the elders, or the missions committee. If you know someone in the congregation, it is usually more effective to have them deliver your materials to those concerned and request a meeting on your behalf. Plan to spend a lot of time on the phone. After making initial contact, don't let much time lapse before you call back, and always make appointments for personal visits when possible.
When making a presentation, whether by letter or in person, be sure to stress the positive aspects of involvement in your mission to Florence. It is helpful to point out that while all of us share the responsibility of taking the Gospel to all the world, most people feel they are unable to leave their homeland and take the Gospel to Italy or to any other country; however, we all have an obligation to "preach the Good News to all creation." Demonstrate how God has prepared you for this mission, and how you would like to join into a partnership with them to take the message of grace to Italy in the same manner that the Philippians supplied for Paul's needs on his second missionary journey (Phil. 4:10-20). In this way, together, you fulfill the Great Commission. You will also need to explain your financial need and ask for a specific amount of monthly support. We have learned that it is always correct to keep your presentations brief and to the point. When making an oral appeal, you should confine your remarks to no more than 7 minutes if possible. When answering questions, respond directly with concise answers. If they want more information, they will ask for it.
We want to emphasize again the need to follow up on your contacts with phone calls and letters. It is also wise to send out progress letters and remind them of your need. Keep looking for new contacts and pray, pray, pray. Contact Gary Williams and the team in Florence by e-mail, phone, or letter. They, too, will pray for you and try to keep you encouraged. Talk with others who are raising support or have done so in the past to get ideas and encouragement. Keep an optimistic attitude. God's work is worth the effort. Index
Your sponsoring congregation and organizing a home support system: As previously mentioned, you need to find a sponsoring congregation as soon as possible. The better they know you, the easier it will be for them to encourage you while you are in Italy, and the greater their motivation will be to keep their commitments to you. If the elders of that congregation agree, we strongly suggest that you find a very dependable member who is willing to serve as your coordinator. This person, perhaps working with a church secretary, should be responsible for collecting, recording and transferring funds, and should communicate all necessary financial information to you regularly as well as oversee the distribution of your newsletter. We suggest that you create an outline describing your entire support system in detail (handling funds, sending out newsletters, etc.) and give copies to the main people it concerns.
A faithful coordinator is a lifesaver! Some workers of the past have had to deal with negative situations due to the negligence of some members of their sponsoring congregations. For example, if a coordinator does not communicate to a worker that some of the monthly support did not come in, the worker runs the risk of a bounced check. This tends to be a bigger problem in Italy than in the U.S. and also reflects badly on the Bible School. Do your best to find a trustworthy coordinator. Index
Your coordinator should have the names and addresses of all of your supporters. You may also want to make a chart so the coordinator can check off the funds as they are received monthly. You must tell your supporters the date they are supposed to begin sending their checks made payable to your sponsoring congregation. Even though a sponsoring congregation may have its own way of collecting and distributing funds, many churches have chosen to proceed in the following manner:
1. Your monthly contributions are received by your sponsoring congregation.
2. A designated person records and deposits checks into a special "holding" account that they have set up for your funds (or in some cases the general church account.)
3. The designated person is also responsible for writing a $500 check each month from your fund to the College church for your room and board. For tax purposes, be sure that the room and board money is not deposited into your personal account so that there is a clear separation between your personal income and your room and board money.
4. The remaining amount of your monthly allotment should be deposited into your personal checking account on the date that you have agreed upon with your sponsoring congregation. It may be convenient for you to have your personal checking account at the same bank that services the church's accounts. It is imperative that the person making the deposit informs you immediately if the amount deposited is different from the monthly amount you agreed upon.
5. Bring a supply of checks from your personal checking account on which you will write the amount of your personal support in order to receive the equivalent funds in Euro at the bank that services the Florence Bible School in Scandicci. Another very convenient way to receive your funds is with an ATM card. They are easy to use in Italy and always give you a good exchange rate.
6. If necessary, your coordinator, a family member, or some trusted individual may also need a supply of checks from your personal account to pay any recurring Stateside bills.
7. Your coordinator should inform you of any unexpected contributions so that you can send a special thank-you note.
8. Your coordinator should kindly and promptly get in touch with any of your supporters who, for whatever reason, fail to follow through with their commitment.
Some sponsoring congregations consider it wise to open the "holding" account with a generous amount of "floater" money from their own funds. If they are willing to do so, this is an excellent buffer for you in the event that some of the monthly support checks from your contributors are received late. In this manner they are still able to deposit the normal amount into your personal checking account on the established date despite the fact that some funds might arrive late. For the same reasons, other sponsoring congregations might suggest that you request 25 months of support instead of 24 and have your supporters begin sending their checks one month before you leave the U.S. This is also advantageous for when you are reestablishing yourself at home after your two-year sojourn in Italy. You may also want to investigate whether your bank will contact your representative in the event of an overdraft. The penalty for a bounced check is considerably more expensive in Italy than in the United States. Index
Since the Bible School is on-line, the most convenient way for you to communicate with your coordinator is by e-mail. Before leaving home, you will be assigned a personal e-mail address which you can access upon arrival in Florence.
You should plan on sending a newsletter home by e-mail. You will have access to a computer for your e-mail. Some workers bring laptops and that, of course, gives you more computer freedom. Index
The information in this section will need to be modified for citizens of countries other than the United States. The passport should be in your possession at least 3 months before your departure date. An application can usually be obtained from the city hall or post office in your respective county seat. When you submit the application, you will need several passport photos which can be made by a photographer, at Kinkos copy centers, and at many other locations. You will also need a birth certificate with a raised seal and about $65. It takes about four 4 weeks to receive your passport. Index
While you are working on your passport, you should also request information and an application for a student apprentice visa from your regional Italian consulate. You must apply to the consulate in the region where you are residing (see list below.) The Italian consulate will probably want the following documents, etc.:
1. a completed application
2. a passport
3. a passport-size photo
4. a proof of support letter (request three notarized originals of this letter of financial security since you will need them in Italy; see example below)
5. proof of health insurance
6. copy of document in which the Italian government recognizes the Florence Bible School (obtainable through Howard Bybee or Gary Williams). Due to occasional difficulties in obtaining a visa, send in the required documents at least 6 weeks prior to your departure date. Cultural hint: Rubber stamps with an official air always make a good impression on officials in Italian government offices. Index
For the ME, MA, NH, RI, VT area:
Italian Consulate General
Boston, MA 02116
100 Boylston St. Ste. 900 Tel. (617) 542-0483
For the CO, IL, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI, WY area:
Italian Consulate General
Chicago, IL 60611
500 N. Michigan Ave. Ste. 1850
Tel. (312) 467-1550
For the IN, MI, OH, KY, TN area:
Italian Consulate
Detroit, MI 48226
535 Griswold
Tel. (313) 963-8560
1840 Buhl Bldg.
For the OK, TX, AR, LA area:
Italian Consulate General
Houston, TX 77056
1300 Post Oak Blvd. Ste. 660
Tel. (713) 850-7520
For the AZ, southern CA, NM, NV area:
Italian Consulate General
Los Angeles, CA 90025
12400 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 300
Tel. (310) 820-0622
For the FL, GA, SC, AL, MS area and various islands:
Italian Consulate General
Miami, FL 33131
1200 Brickell Ave., 7th Floor
Tel. (305) 374-6322
For the CT, NJ, NY area:
Italian Consulate General
New York, NY 10021
6900 Park Ave.
Tel. (212) 737-9100
Responsible for several counties in NJ:
Italian Consulate
Newark, NJ 07102
744 Broad St. Ste. 2800
Tel. (201) 643-1448
Italian Consulate General
Philadelphia, PA 19106
1026 Public Ledger Bldg.
Tel. (215) 592-7329
100 S. 6th St.
Responsible for the DE, MD, PA, NC, VA, WV area and several counties in NJ:
Italian Honorary Consulate
Baltimore, MD 21201
5 Light St. Ste. 600
Tel. (410) 727-6550
For the AK, northern CA, ID, MT, NV, OR UT, WA area and the American Samoan Islands:
Italian Consulate General
San Francisco, CA 94115
2590 Webster St.
Tel. (415) 931-4924
For the District of Columbia and two adjacent counties:
Italian Embassy - Consular Office
Washington D.C. 20009
1601 Fuller St. NW
Tel. (202) 328-5553 Index
[Church letterhead]
[Date]
[Address of Consulate]
To the Italian Consul,
This letter is to advise you that [name] is an American citizen and that we are sending him/her to Florence, Italy as a student apprentice for two years. He/she will have our complete financial support including room and board for a period of two years beginning [date] and ending [date], after which he/she will return to the United States. We will provide for every eventual need, financial or otherwise, including the cost of repatriation, and we guarantee that [name] will work exclusively as our missionary and will not seek any gainful employment while under our sponsorship.
Faithfully yours,
[Signed by your sponsoring church's elders]
ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Subscribed and sworn to or affirmed before me, a notary
public in and for the county of ______________________, in
the state of _____________________, United States of America,
on this the _______ day of ______________ , 20____.
Signed _________________________________Notary Public
My commission expires: _______________ Index
We suggest that you bring a valid driver's license with you since it is sometimes useful as additional identification. There are also occasions when the director is not able to drive the school van and needs for a member of the team to drive. If you think that you might be interested in serving in this way, you should either obtain an international drivers license from AAA or get a declaration from the Italian Automobile Club after you arrive in Florence stating that your license is valid. The cost is about the same for both, but the Italian declaration is valid until the expiration date on your license, whereas the international drivers license must be renewed yearly. No one will be thrown to the traffic wolves immediately after arrival. Anyone who serves as a driver will be trained and will have plenty of time to study the traffic patterns and play lots of recommended video games. Index
The best advice that we can give you about booking a flight to Italy is that you should seek the help of a good travel agent. Here are a couple of agents that we can recommend:
Bill Spear with World Travel in Searcy.
Call: 1-800-525-8270
Marsha Gifford of the Preacher's Wife Travel Agency.
Call 1-800-249-3070
For future reference: the Williamses have a good friend in Florence who is an excellent travel agent. He is always willing to help whenever you need to make travel arrangements from Italy.
Before making reservations, check with the A.I. committee and Gary Williams to get approval for your proposed arrival date. If you are joining A.I. at the same time of year as several other members, be sure to coordinate your plans with the others so as to arrive on the same flight. If this is not possible, try to arrive on the same day. In order to get settled into the Bible School with enough time to complete the orientation before entering language school, new members should arrive in Florence near the end of January or August. Our orientation in Italy lasts several days.
It is most convenient if you can make arrangements to fly into Florence. Meridiana, Sabena, Lufthansa, and Alitalia are a few of the airlines that service Florence. Many times you can fly to a European hub with another airline, then switch to one of those that have flights to Florence. If this is either not possible or economically feasible, then you could fly into Pisa, Bologna, Milan, or Rome. The Bologna and Milan airports have buses that will take you to the train for Florence. The Pisa and Rome airports have direct train links to Florence.
If you plan on returning to the U.S. to visit within your first year in Italy, it would be to your advantage to buy a round-trip ticket. If you get a round-trip ticket, make sure the return is valid six months to a year. We also suggest that you ask about a religious or student discount (sometimes you need a student I.D., and the ticket must be obtained while you are still a student), keeping in mind that a discounted ticket at one airline may cost more than the regular price of a ticket from a more competitive airline.
Finally, before packing for the trip, be informed of the maximum number of bags permitted without additional charges, maximum weight, restrictions on carry-on luggage, and extra charges to expect when applicable Index
Be prepared even if you're not a scout: As with any major move, "What do I bring?" is always the big question. You can find almost everything here in Florence, but things are often more expensive than in the United States. Since packing for your Italian sojourn can be a bewildering task, we have included the following suggestions to help you to know how to fill your suitcases. Keep in mind that it is often cheaper to pay for an extra bag on the airplane than to ship things air mail; but on the other hand, you don't want to put your health insurance policy to the test while trying to lug everything around.
If you can't bring everything with you when you come, there are several ways of mailing your things with the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS, or Federal Express. You may want to send books and other printed matter separately since there is usually a cheaper rate for such items, however, make note that there is a distinction between "books" and all other printed material. If you choose to send things by USPS surface mail, expect at least a 3 month wait before the package arrives. Just for the record, not all our surface mail, which is routed through Naples, has arrived in Florence untampered with. Sending things USPS or by any private courier can be costly. As we have mentioned before, the best plan is usually to bring as much with you on the plane as you can.
If at all possible, don't plan to have medicines mailed over. They are very hard to get through Italian customs when mailed, and most medicines can be bought in Florence, or at least you can find an equivalent. Bring any medicines that you want with you on the plane. If you need to bring a large supply of a particular pharmaceutical, it is best to have a letter from your doctor explaining why you need it.
You should also be prepared that customs officials often stop to check the bags of people who have lots of stuff. Expect it. To get through customs smoothly, it helps to make all new items look used -- even expensive electronics, if possible. Try not to bring anything over in the box from the manufacturer. If asked about a computer, radio, or any other personal item of greater value in your possession, make sure that you clarify that it is used and it is yours.
You will not need to bring sheets and other bedding or towels since we have them at the school. You will not need to buy an Italian Bible before coming since we can easily get them in Florence. Index
materials for children - if you would like to be involved in teaching the young
Italian grammar textbook
English grammar book - to help you in teaching. Some have found The Little Brown Handbook to be useful
filing system and supplies - if you use these things to keep your ducks in a row. American-style note cards, manila folders, etc., are not available here.
originals (if at all possible) - your birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, social security card, proof of support letter (at least two), and any other documents you think might be needed
copies - your birth certificate, diploma/s, marriage certificate (if applicable), passport, visa, social security card, proof of support letter (at least 5 copies), and all other documents that were needed for your visa
computer (not a necessity, but if you have one...) - The school computer is a PC if you are concerned about compatibility. You would probably find a lap-top to be most convenient.
books - inspirational, travel, etc.
telephone calling card (if possible) - Keep in mind that it is much cheaper for people to call you from the United States. The smaller calling-card companies sometimes don't have an access number in Italy, so check it out before buying.
contact lens supplies - can be found in Florence, but rather expensive
photos - family, friends, home town, state, etc. Students enjoy seeing "America".
anti-perspirant - not easy to find in Florence (deodorant is readily available)
medicines - for pain relief or stomach upset, allergies, vitamins (if you use them), and any personal prescriptions - A prescription from an Italian doctor is required to buy antihistamines in Italy.
battery-operated alarm clock
portable radio/CD player - (not a necessity) Converters can be bought in Florence.
tapes, CDs, 8-tracks, victrola disks, etc.
personal hygiene items - however, feminine hygiene articles are easily found everywhere
dual voltage personal appliances - you may just want to buy your hair dryer in Florence (some inexpensive curling irons in the U.S. are dual voltage) Index
Even though the outdoor winter temperatures are not too extreme, the Bible School is cold in the winter due to the high cost of heating oil. You will want to be prepared for only about 12 hours of heat per day. We pile on the layers in the winter. In the summer, it can be very hot and humid outside. The marble floors and thick walls help to keep the building cool, but the lack of air conditioning is sometimes a drag. Below are some general guidelines for appropriate dress:
Basics
comfortable walking shoes
house shoes
robe
socks
jeans
casual shirts
a few dress items
other basic necessities
tennis shoes
Winter
long johns
sweatshirts
sweaters
rain resistant shoes
T-shirts (undershirt type)
coat
gloves and scarf
hat
Summer
cool clothing
shorts
skirts
sandals Index
Just a few words about cultural adaptation: An Avanti Italia member must be willing to relearn ways of doing things he/she has been taught from birth. For example, Italians, in general, tend to be event-oriented; therefore, Italian life necessitates a great deal of patience for time-oriented Americans. The diversity affects everyone, but it has at times been overwhelming to some. When in a new country, it is natural to make hasty and ethnocentric judgments; however, a mature person recognizes and fights this tendency. You will hear much more about this during the orientations, but in the meantime, we suggest that you read the following or find other such publications: The Ugly American
Culture Shock - Italy
Italy Today, by Mario B. Mignone Even fewer words on language acquisition: It's hard. Don't believe people when they say, "Just two months and you'll be speakin' like the I-talians." It doesn't happen that way. Language learning is a never-ending process and will be very discouraging at times for most people, but we have seen that all of our members, when perseverant, have achieved a very high proficiency level. The Williamses and the other A.I. team members will help you through the process, but expect it to be tough. The more self-study or course work you do before you come, the better. In preparing for your evangelistic work with the A.I. Team, we recommend the following two goals:
1) Read several books on the topics of personal and world evangelism, world religions (especially Catholicism), philosophy, Christian Evidences, time management, etc.
We especially recommend:
Once A Catholic, by Tony Coffey, Harvest House Publishers
Ordering Your Private World, by George MacDonald
2) Be active in evangelism with your home or university congregation. Make contact with missionaries on the field, especially those already working with A.I. Ask about experiences, feelings, reactions, advice, etc.
If you have gotten this far in our handbook, you must be interested, so why not apply? Remember that you must be an active member of a church of Christ and be recommended by an eldership, by several Christian brothers and sisters, and/or by several faculty members of a Christian college. If you attend a university or plan to enroll, you must complete your studies before leaving for Florence. If you are not in college but are at least 22 years old, you may apply as well. We also require that you are willing to abide by all of the policies laid out in this handbook and those currently in effect at the Florence Bible School, and that you uphold the high standard of Christian living that we expect from our team members.
After completing and mailing the application, any letters of reference, and a resume (if you have one) to Howard Bybee, you will be informed of the selection procedure. Please contact Howard if you have any questions.
Howard Bybee - Avanti Italia
College Church of Christ
712 E. Race Searcy, Arkansas 72143
Internet: howard@avantiitalia.org
Tel. (501) 268-7717 office
Tel. (501) 279-2866 home
Feel free to contact also Gary Williams in Florence at the following address:
Gary Williams - Florence Bible School
Via A. Spadini, 24
50018 Scandicci (FI)
Italy
Internet: director@avantiitalia.org
Tel. from United States (011-39) 055.257.13.89 office
Tel. from United States (011-39) 055.25.34.12 general school phone
FYI: The general school phone number is the main number that you want to give your family and friends for when they call you in Florence. The office and private residence number of the Williams family should be given out as an emergency number only. Index
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