1st February 2026
Counting down...four weeks to Day One!
In 4 weeks' time, on Monday March 2nd, the very first Good News Only DTS will commence here in Francavilla al Mare!
Our students are all preparing to come now, looking at the packing list we've sent and wondering if they can possibly manage for 5 months with the contents of a backpack or a small suitcase, because...if you can't carry it yourself you've got too much!
Many already have air tickets and their full fees, but some are facing major challenges, maybe to obtain visas in places that don't issue them easily, or still raising funds - but they are all very determined to be here.
We have been able to find a great location for the school at the Lido Asteria, a local beach hotel which at a very good rate is going to provide us with both accommodation and meeting rooms, together with a daily lunch and a beach cafe open for "incidentals"!
We're excited that all our teachers have confirmed their dates with us. A couple are coming from Australia and some from the USA, also from Scotland, England and continental Europe. We're confident that everyone's going to have a blast!
Next week from 2nd-5th February Joe and Phil are going to Berlin for a regional YWAM meeting, a chance to meet old friends together with a change of scenery and a definite drop in temperature.
As you can see, it's still winter weather here, and our downstairs cafe is a wonderful warm and dry place to be. But Lisanne has managed to convince (?) Sue that cold water swimming has huge benefits, and they are now fairly regularly taking a dip in the icy Mediterranean - a swift dip, it must be confessed, though there is video evidence that we do swim, and Joe has been known to participate as well. Local people tend to look on in amazement, because it's definitely a counter-cultural activity!
Since returning to Italy we've welcomed Pablo (the Citroen Picasso) into the family. Yes, we now have a car! As well as being a lot of fun for us, and easier shopping too, we're happy that it will also come into its own during the school when people need transport. The buses here are good, but sometimes not exactly what's needed.
In our last blog post I mentioned that there were four people here in Francavilla preparing for the arrival of our students and overseas staff. In fact at present there are just the two of us. Our good friends Phil and Lisanne Goldney who are leading the work here, have had to go to the UK for a while because of serious family illnesses there. Please keep them in your prayers.