9n

3rance3 Phippi
November 1917 September 1977

By Charles Troyer
going

SSSS?S8SgSSSS?5?=?s?=^^

N JUNE 13, the day before

to the

States

and,

no

doubt,

many will ask about us.

Please

tell

them

that

am

tranquil and at peace. If the

Lord has plans for me, other
than

what

the

doctors

have

jII AEY FRANCES FIELDS Was bom

in

Marion,

Ohio,

Novem

ber 5, 1917. She graduated from

Western Bills

High

School in

Cinoinnati, Ohio in 1935. On

January 13, 1937
she married

ready for the Great Victory." I

Charles E. Phipps. She received

the B.S.L. Degree from Cincin
nati Bible Seminary in 1941.
The Phipps served the Monroe

catch our flight to New York,

we stopped at Terracina, Italy

have never seen one

Street

to visit

moment.

said,

that will be fine.

If,

we were to leave Italy for

however. He does not have other

a brief

plans,

States,

furlough

on our way

in

the

to Rome to

with Charles and Mary

Frances Phipps

for

as

tell the folk

Mary Frances

that I'm

so

was

serene

at

that

Church

becoming missionaries to Italy

in 1947.

a few min

utes. We had known for a number

(now Boulevard)

of Christ in Toleda, Ohio until

We know that in the days and

Except for the

five-year

of months the gravity of Mary

Frances' illness, and also had

intense pain;

known that the doctors had told

faith

them

moment.
She was at peace with
Him and was ready to go to be

working with young-women,

with the Master.

Frances continued

there

was

nothing

more

they could do for her.

Having known Charles and Mary
Frances

for many,

weeks

want

years

follow

she

was

however,

never

wavered

in

her
for a

many years,

in Italy,

we did

to visit with them before

leaving on furlough. We knew it

Mary Frances
Charles' side

had stood at

as he ministered

one

of

our

Bible

colleges,
at his side

here in Italy

have

a few minutes

them

many years.

Together they made

In

seen
of

the many
life,

years

of my

I have

never

a more beautiful
of

faith

Charles

Frances that day.

was smiling
us

example
than

and

the

Mary

Mary Frances

and laughing

as she told

with

of some of her

experiences in the hospital.

Having passed six weeks in a
hospital
just a few months
before, we had a number
stories to exchange.
When the time came

good-bye,

she also worked

a wonderful team

Christian

witness

and

we had

ter;

the Mas

and we have no doubt that

her testimony
ness

for

for

during

and at the time

will live on

all of us

her ill
of death

in the memory

here

Christian folk

in Italy.
here

that

of

The
she

loved and helped teach of the

Master will never forget the
beautiful example she set for

to

say

and

then Mary Frances turned to me

and said, "Chuck, you folk are

in

Mary

in her dedi

in

Italy. Mary Frances kept up the

vast amount

of sec-

work

that

over Radio Monaco.

Mary Frances left

her home in
Terracina,

Italy for

her eternal

^
^

"/X/

j )//

home the first

day of September.
The epitaph on her

torrb in the Terra-

W^

cina cemetery is in
Italian. Translated

all in her life and at the time

it says, "Tireless

\J

of going to be with Him.

in doing good."

[jir]

of

prayer,

active

and effective labor

is necessary to follow up their program

in

to

Christian

she was

fessor

however,

that day.

and

retarial

would be difficult to say good

with

music

in the States, as he was a pro

bye;

we did want

period (1953-1958) of service

at Midwest Christian College,
where Charles was professor of

cated

and having worked close to them

these

to

* Missionary,
Lecce, Italy

'itiey u| lloly soiulu yiiu"

Hebrews 13:24

ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS

Cherles Phipps

RADIO MINISTRY

^ ,/

"Search ihe Scriplures"

^.

EVANGELISM IN ITALY

FORWARDING AGENT
M/M Howard R. Ballln

2209 Cheslnul Sr.

Columbus, IN 47201

N um be r 2

February, 1978

1 947-53, 1 958--

DO YOU REMEMBER?

One year ago this month, Mary Frances wrote to you saying: "All it takes is
just sticking to it..." and then told you abouo some of the letters from
listeners to

our

broadcast.

Well, the radio ministry is still news - and good news.

Not too many preachers have the privilege of preaching every week to a known
audience of over 1,500 people - and I have had the honor for the last 21 years
and 11 months to be the only one of "ours" doing so in Europe, as far as I
know - and it continues to be both an honor and a deeply satisfying pleasure.

Word like the following reminds us that, as Mary Frances wrote in that letter,
"the radio ministry is worthwhile." A lady in England wrote this a few days
ago: "I must again say that I do really value this booklet that you have so
kindly sent to me...this will enable me to explain to others more adequately
my position in the Christian faith." Another letter: "I am a constant list
ener to your program, I am greatly interested in it, as it is very good."
Still another: "I wish to write to express my appreciation of your programme,
which I heard for the first time this morning. I followed the programme with
my Bible and found the lesson most instructive and helpful...helps to bring
the Bible alive."

Here's a tho't...if all the compliments that are given to the preacher at
the door after services had to be communicated to him by means of a letter you

would have to sit down and write and pay postage (extra for out of the country)
to send

him, how many would

he get?

Especially if the preacher were someone you had never personally met and
couldn't see while

he

was preaching?!

The hand-shaking at the door is practically a guarantee that the preacher

will hear some kind of response, isn't it?

Which is great!

But it makes me

appreciate all the more, the letters listeners write after hearing my voice
with His message.

I just PTL like madi

UP-DATING/ SEE THE OTHER SIDE FOR FURLOUGH INFO

The local work moves deeper spiritually and closer to numerical increase.

People have asked about my needs, so right now: funds to help pay for my
Olivetti Copia 1500 (photocopier), essential to my contact with you and
radio people...$232 monthly for 10 months.

froio*o
There is an important word to add... ^
ks things have developed, I must be back in Italy the 1st week in September
of this year; this concerns my permit to stay in Italy.
So my furlopgh will be a very short one.

In order to make the best use of the time available, I am "pulling out all ^
stops" and making every effort to be able to leave Italy by the 1st of this
coming May.

This will give mo four months in the USA, during which time I will do my
best to report to as many as I can.

It is probable that this will mean that I should return to the USA for the
next furlough - another brief one - sooner than Mary Frances and I were in
the habit of doing.
|

Ordinarily our furloughs were spaced quite far apart in time.

(It has been

six years since we left for our last one, - I mean it will be six by the time
I leave this time).
It is obvious that four months will not give me time to visit as many of

you as I should and would prefer to do -- so I am sure the Lord will lead
in all the cssenLials involved in tlxis impoi'tant matter, and that lie will

show us when we should get together the next time in the States, for the
sake of His work here in Italy and in other parts of Europe and Great
Britain.
I

In the meantime, I can only repeat that jyour prayers are most vital to His
work - and that they are just as precious to me.
DO NOT FORGET ROMANS 8:28!

He still means every word of it...thank God!

k

Because of what seems to be ambiguous wcjrding in the Postal Regulations,

my personal letter style might cause you to pay extra postage for my

news to you (it did to some here in Italy), so I decided to change the
approach - technically - and had these letterheads printed, and I'm
letting the form take the shape of a nevfsi bulletin. BUT it is a mere
I

matter of externalities. . .my heart is still in this to you, just as it

was when I wrote "by hand" my signature and some personal word to you.

Please know and be assured that nothing has changed except the "outside".
Remember, the Word says that man looks on t!ie outward appearance, but the
Lord examines the heart. I hereby sign (by typewriter and fotocopy),Charles.

</

'They of llaly solule you"

Hebrews 13:24

ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS

Charles Phipps

RADIO MINISTRY

FORWARDING AGENT

^earch Ihe Scriplures"

MIM Howard R. BalMn

22C)9 Cheslnut St.

"EVANGELISM IN ITALY

Columbus, IN 47201

9197^
Number

March

1947-53, 1958

- August, 1978

1978 - SHORT FURLOUGH

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

UNUSUAL CONSEQUENCES

After having had to postpone our furlough two years in a row, I will leave
Italy on April 2S 0r the States. Unusual circumstances have arisen; a
legal complication here involving my permit to be in the country forces m.e
to be back home

here by no later than early September.

In addition, our dedicated, highly efi^ie.nt_ F o r wa r d i ng^.

t s , Howard and

Charlotte Battin, who have served with unstinting faithfulness for so long,

find it necessary to resign due to restriction of time imposed upon them by

new and unavoidable

b Tl^gK't ions.

F ijidi n_g and brie

s-o meone to do the

J-K^iTo rk they have been doing will take time, and both time and travel over

If some distances are involved in getting the other "non-report" tasks done.
These tasks are essential to the progress of the work and must be done while
I am in the States on this furlough.
This combination of circumstances makes it impossible for me to tour Co the

extent Mary Frances and I always did.

1 have cTone my best to work olTE a

schedule that would make it possible to do at least four months' worth, so

to speak, of that which we did, and still do the rest.
It is impossible.
THEREFORE,

1980.

I w i 1 1 split my furlough between this

During these four months,~T

will

do

the

year and either 1979 or

above-mentioned

things and

visit Living-Link churches (those providing personal support), and visit

whatever others 1 can in the course of accomplishing the rest.
I hope to
-find

Lime

tu

be

with family, also.

These unusual consequences are not Co my liking.

ing all of

I look

forward

to visit

you and am greatly disappointed at this turn of events.

would be of especial inspiration and encouragement to me just now.

work comes first; it is His and He never fails to help

This will be my Last newsletter until Fall.

not

allow

time

to do

it

while

therein""

It

But the

us do our part in it

I know furlough will

'

I pray your indulgence, your continuing prayers, and ask that you
remember that while I am in the States the needs here do not stop your

regular support is as essential as ever.

You hove my heartfelt opprecLotLon for oLL

uiork through

us ond

pledge

my

you hove been doing for His

best to moke It count for the saving

of the precious souls He sought and seeks.

*

Of
'They of Italy salute you!"
Hebrews 13:24

ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

Charles Phipps
\

EVANGELISM IN ITALY

RADIO MINISTRY

"Search the Scriptures"

Broadcasters:

Forwarding Secretary
Mrs. Patricia Wilson

f^

P.O. Box 1764

^01^

AugUst 28, 1978

Jopiin, Missouri 64801

Tim Wilson

Charles Phipps

Dear Friends,

As this first peirt of my split-furlough draws toward its close, I have

a suprizing announcement to make...! say *suprizing* because I was con
vinced after Mary Frances' death that such would never take place.
G
On Monday, 21 August this year, Ivia May Norris, of Jopiin, MO, became
my wife.

O
D

She is a dedicated Christian and has been working for the past few years

in the Counseling Section of Revival Fires in Jopiin. Her daughter,

Sheryl, 17 will go with us to Terracina.

L
Q

Needless to say, I am very happy about all this and feel sure that both
Ivia and Sheryl will be effective missionaries in the work there.

We have reservations .to .fly_ from Misimi to Rome on September 18. Our

reason for departing from Miami is thai'^WS'^hTend to leave the Toyota

I bought there with my friend, the dealer, who has offered to re-sell
it or to keep it for us until we return next year, whichever we decide

y
o

GJ

seems to be the wiser course to follow.

This period of time in the States has been full of activity and most of

it both rewarding and affording great pleasure. It has been most fruit
ful, what with the Lord's having led so that the needed Forwarding Sec

retary was found (she is delightfully efficient and dedicated) and my

hoped-for new format for the Search The Scriptures radio program made

possible by finding Tim Wilson, Patricia's husband, as my co-broadcaster.

My visits with you and those churches I have been able to be with have
meant so much to me personally.

Your fellowship and expressions of Love

and concern have greatly helped me at a time when I needed it most.

wish I could tell you how much.

I am glad to say that we will be in touch with you very soonI

Keep us in your prayers, please; we and the Italian work need them.
Remember that God Loves you....and we do, tool
Charles, Ivia and Sherri

They of Italy salute you!"

Hebrews 13:24

ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

Charles Phipps

EVANGELISM IN ITALY

Forwarding Secretary

RADIO MINISTRY

Mrs. Patricia Wilson

"Search the Scriptures"

OCTOBER 1978

Broadcasters:

P- O- Box 1764
Joplin, Missouri 64801

Tim Wilson

Charles Phipps

Deax Christian Friendsp

Greetings in the najne of our Lord Jesus Ohrist!

This letter finds the three of us very well and praising the Lord for a

safe journey to Italy and for the many blessings we receive every day.

We left Miami, PL Sept. 18, and after a good flight we arrived in Rome at

3*30 p.m. on Tuesday the 19th. Upon our arrival we were pleased and very

happy to find four carloads of the brethren and feunilies at the airport to

greet us. Shops had been closed, work left, to allow the time to welcome
"Signor Carlo" and his new family.

L,
Q
y

They all loaded back into the cars and followed us to our home, where we

enjoyed pastries and ice cream. Then we all gathered around the piano and

sang and had beautiful fellowship together. Although Ivia and Sheri did

not understand the Italian, the language of the Spirit of God and love is

universal. Also there were beautiful Welcome flowers, both at home and at

the church meeting place in Terracina.

Everyone here has made Ivia and Sheri feel very welcome and loved. After the

first Lord's Day services we attended, Ivia's comment was that although the
attendance is small by American standards, the people are big in the Lord!
We would ask your prayers for the work here, especially in Fondi, where we are
praying for direction from the Lord, since we will not have use of the rented
place there after December 31 of this year.
All three of us wish to send a big THANK YOUI to all our friends Stateside for

your hospitality and the many beautiful gifts and cards we received and for the
expressions of love concerning our msurriage. We are truly happy and at peace
with each other and very much one in our precious Lord.

We are very busy with the work and answering correspondence from the radio ministry, but hope soon to get out a printed news bulletin with pictures, etc.

Please continue to pray for us as we pray for you. God bless and keep you all.
Remember!

God loves you...and so do we - -

"The Phipps" ^ 'Charles, Ivia and Sheri

P.S. Sheri just told me the first phrase she learned in Italian by herself...

"Che barba!" - meaning "What a drag!"...(she doesn't mean her life here!)
You might know a teen-ager would learn a bit of local slang ri^t off the
bat!

I'hcy ot Ituly suluic y^u!"

Hebrews 13:24

ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

Charles Phipps _ and now,
IV]

EVANGELISM IN ITALY

arjcl Shoi'i , loo.

Forwarding Secretary

RADIO MINISTRY

Mrs. Patricia Wilson

P. O. Bo* 1764
Joplin, Missouri 64801

"Search the Scriptures"

Broadcasters:
Tim Wilson

Charles Phipps

Greetings to my new tamily in the lovcU - iliousii I have not. met- all of you, I praise
God for you, our family and prayer-partner.s. Charles has LoJd me what wonderful friends

and family you are in the Lord. I find further evidence of this from the reports and
from feelinf^ your prayer's as God continues t.o bless us in a mifdity way.
At this very moment, as J writx' to you, Chai les is wr-itJoti to some of the radio listeners,
who are hunfli-y for God's Woi'd. We have reeeived letters lium Hol land recently, from
as far away as Finland, and just last week I tom behind Hut "Iron Curtain" a listener
wrote from Hungary. We just praise God tor this means of conmiunic:ation which allows

Charles to get the Word out, and for concerned iXiopLe like you, wIkj by your earnest

prayers and laithfully provided support money, allow us to continue in this work.

We had a gofnl flight home, arriving in Konie .Sept. 19 at .^:30 in the aft.ernoon and

were weic(xned by four carloads of the brethren oL' Ter-raci.na. They were so happy
to see Charles and, of course, he was so glad to see them he wept for- joy. They

made Sheryl and me feel very welcome and loved, and we Jove them so much.

There is so much mail to answer and I want to know you better. Miiybe the next time
I won't be so nervous and can remember names, etc. Then, too, ther-e simply wasn't
time to visit all of you. This is the reason I'm writing this letter, so that I
may be better acquainted with all of you.
Sf*n(]

prayer rotjuests we'd like to share with you...I've met Charles' precioLXS

Giancarlo; what a sweet, sweet spirit this man has. lie really studies God's
Word, prays much and listens to ever-y word Cliarles says. So we pray never to
let him down. And our deepest concern at this time is his wife, Anna Maria.

She really needs the Lord and she told Charles that Giancarlo had r-eally changed
as one should when becrxning a Christian, but Satan really works on her, discouraging
Irer by the fai lure of some professing Christians among" her acquaintances and en
couraging her- stubborn spirit. They have three lovely" little girls, who need
a Christian mother, so please pray much for the salvation of Anna Mai-ia.

Antither retiuest.: I would ask you to remember Charles, as he broke a front tooth on
the plane home, so he's in for much time in the dentist's office, since 12 teeth
must be pulled and a par-tial plate put in. lliis will take much strength on his
part, precious time and an unbelievable amount of money - and all mu.st be done

around proaching, calling, working in the study and broadcasting times.

I'm so thanklul to be a part of your family now! We love and pr-ay much for you.
Together irj^Christ,
Ivia Phipps

S
y
o
u
f

IT"

*They of Italy salute you!**

^ -

Hebrews 13:24

ITALIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

-THEPHIPPS-

CHARLES ^ND IVJA

evangelism in ITALY

^ RADIO MINISTRY

Terracina, n Deconber I978

Forvwarding Secretary

* Search the Scriptures"

Broadcasters:

Mrs. Patricia Wilson

P.O. Box 1764 .
JopJin, Missouri 64801

0 jy

Tim Wilsort

Charles Phipps

Dear Bill,

Just fifteen minutes ago we received

c;^

with its excellent coverage of the work of

sincere congratulations to the entire staff of^M

top-notch ,oh in recognition of th^:: tSL^

Ivxa andI have but one regret th;it

^ ^

h-,4

to contribution infonnation concerning oufdeScIt^Tlnd'^^^^^

System Since .on woul. un^uestiWhat hTar^r ft:f"

tte1ta\\'sTr^LfXs\"^

I in

time Ihad r.ot remarried, at least the

nnd at that

tield woul d have heen ve;,

/

mJ]/

' loTeSlaLTL" iTsLT^^^^^

can get it to us, the rerslTprlh": fs

in the only English 1Wgrra^rprOT^cSff
("Sea^h The Scriptures., is the

doing the broadcast and consenner^^- fr.n

her
co-broadcaster
fTT

oadcast.j Ihave been

n- IS
-ic now a.transmitted over
consequent
follow-up
It
Radio Monte
Carlo work
i c ,since
T

Aor-il ' loco

arlo, 15 minutes, once everv

week wfl
r 1. Luxembourg and Radio MANX (l^le of 7^7.
week,
was -Frtt-wickMi
formerly on Radio

Tm Wilson is the anchor man on KOAM-TV news, Pittsburg KS wh' h

the area of Joplin, MO and Miami Ok

Tim and Patty hav^ two^U^' i

have both attended Ozark Bible Coll^ f'
a capable musician an^L
a
Patty worked for some time ^t'^REmk
oH

having rather extensive de l- l

i a

"urg, KS, which covers

Christian radio.
"^nnne, 2. They

Tim graduated. He is

being lacking because I am

.........

return and, briefly^ subLquenHven^^

our

G
O
D

L
O
y

s
Y
o
u
/

<!
_/

"/
/

/
/

page, Bill, but postage costs

Please forgive ny usdi the obverse thisc)ared
With 31 cents from the
are HIGH here: about 37 cents for 5 gr,Js is 28 grams! Do I make the point.
US overseas for 3 ounces...and one oum
,5ing the aforementioned
^ ^
Again to save weight, rather than encl^ to be newsworthy, just omit it...okay.

ifiL And if you think it is too latejrloufih" (to be completed in 1979),

Duringf his brief working "split-fcSirof :roplin, MO, on

V
iJ*''

/I

August 21,

Charles Phipps married Ivia May N Pi 17, arrived in Italy, September

1978. They, with her dau^ter, ^ by four carloads of brethren and
19 and were met at the Rcane airpc ive and work.
friends of Terracina, where they

in the office work and planned to

Sheri proved to be a valuable he:].]> tool by correspondence. However,

complete her final year of HighiV<3i that this would not be practical
extremely slow mail service

le United

and she has since returned to thgm

States.

missionary. The heavy

to their radio broadcast.

loaci^of correspondence wxth list ners
Stateside brethren, plus involvement

"Search the Scriptures", and witlUch of her time. However,

in the local work, has occupied Italian language, which she finds hot
making progress in learning the in order to communicate with the
beautiful and much to be desiredve her already.

people whom she loves and who 1|>

That's about it for this time. Bill,

especially to Claudia.

Our loving greetings to all there;

T<)get

,44imi

"The Phipps" - Charles and Ivia

P.S. **

The air-time for the broadcast

gospel broadcasting mission.

Is paid for by funds sent to the