The Basis for Doing Missions

As a missionary in Milan, Italy, it is not difficult to feel discouraged at times. Beyond the ordinary challenges of adjusting to a new country, language, and culture, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of a sprawling city with almost no gospel witness. It is a spiritually dark and godless place. Aside from our mission work, there is only one other Presbyterian congregation in metropolitan area of 8.2 million people, hardly enough to serve the population. Moreover, our church building, a tiny converted computer store on the outskirts of the city, cannot complete aesthetically with the breathtaking architecture of the empty cathedrals like the Duomo (pictured above) which sits in the city center, attracting tourists and visitors throughout the year, yet offering them no good news. In such a place, how can a missionary stay encouraged?