Sarah Di Vito is spending some time working with CEF Ireland. We sat down with her and asked her a few questions about herself and life in Italy. Make sure you come and say hello to Sarah who will be at Easter Conference this year!

1 Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Sarah Di Vito and I am 29 years old. I live in Northern Italy in Milan. I have a degree in child psychology. For the past two years I have been a primary school teacher. My hobbies include cooking, reading and meeting my friends for pizza. I live with my parents and my brother.

2 How did you become a Christian?

I became a Christian when I was 7 years old. I attended a Sunday school. My Sunday school teacher was talking about Jesus one day returning to earth. How his followers would go to be with him, but others would be left behind. I realised that I was a sinner, and if Jesus returned that very day I would be left behind. That evening I asked the Lord Jesus into my life. I was the only believer in my family, other than my grandparents. Everything I learnt about Jesus and God was at this church. This is why I want to work with children, because it was through my Sunday school teachers that I heard the Gospel and became a Christian.

3 How did you get involved in CEF?

My Sunday school teachers used CEF materials, and I knew about CEF through them. My best friend Ester is a worker for CEF and had already done the training and she encouraged me to get trained and to get involved. Henry Berry also came to our church and did a presentation about CEF. I completed my first part of my CEF training in Switzerland, but I go back in August to finish.

4 What are your thoughts so far on Ireland? And the work of CEF in Ireland?

The people are very friendly and funny. Everyone has been very kind, and I appreciate the work of CEF here in Ireland. It is very strange for me, as there are very few workers in Italy. We do not have the opportunities that are here. It is unusual to go into schools and have assemblies, as they are not allowed in Italy. When I saw my very first school assembly I was very excited to see that the whole school was there, but they also were listening to a Bible story. There are many workers here, but this reminds me even more that we need to pray for the work of CEF in Italy and how we have a great need for more workers. Please pray for my country, that more people will have a desire to evangelise boys and girls.

5 What are your plans while in Ireland? What are you most excited about?

I will be spending time with many of the different CEF workers. I will work one week in the office, seeing the different departments. I also get to see the local work in many different areas: Jennifer McNeill in North West Ulster, Rosalind Patterson in Dublin, and Johanna Austin in Wexford. I will also get to attend the Easter Conference. I am looking forward to working with the children and all of the Good News Clubs. I am very excited to use the many different materials that are on offer in Ireland. We do not have access to so many in Italy.

 6 What are your plans for when you return to Italy?

There are many plans that I have made for my time after Ireland. Some are happening, many I am still praying about and waiting to see if they are in God’s will. My church are planning to have a time of evangelising children in the local park. This will be from 25th May till 8th June. There will be songs, Bible lesson, and plays. There is a lot that still needs to be organised for this. In July, there will be a camp held by CEF workers in Sicily for children. I will hopefully go back to Switzerland and complete the second part of my CEF training. In September, I could potentially be involved with a program that helps to evangelise Italian Muslim women. This is a great opportunity, as this can be a time to talk to them alone, and many of them bring their children giving opportunities evangelise. Finally, I hope to set up a Good News Club with a spiritual sister. She has a language degree and we hope to teach the class half in Italian and half in English.

7 Have you any prayer points you would like to share?

  • For improving my knowledge of the English language.
  • That God would use this time to change me, use me, and to show His way for my life.
  • That I would be able to learn from all of my experiences in Ireland, that I can use them in my ministry here and back home in Italy.