“Kamusta mga kaibigan namin?”
“Come state amici nostri?”
That’s how you say “How are you friends?” in both Tagalog (Filipino Language) and Italian. Why are we greeting you guys in Tagalog and Italian? Because the Lord is leading us, Di Leonardos, to Italy to reach the Filipinos residing there!
Why Reach the Filipinos in Italy?
First Reason
Jesus said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” - Mark 5:19
Who are our ‘own people’ ?
To the Di Leonardos they are the Filipino and Italian people. Alessandro is both Italian and Filipino, while Allison is Filipina. After a short vacation trip to Italy, we were surprised to see many Filipinos residing in Italy. After a few conversation with Italian missionaries, online research, and a short vision trip, we quickly discovered that there are many Filipinos living in Italy for job purposes, mostly working as live-in domestic workers, being home only for a limited time. With a schedule like that, it is very difficult for them to be part of a Christian community. In fact there aren’t many Evangelical Christian churches in Italy that focuses in reaching the Filipino community. The few Filipino churches that do exist are overseen by overworked Filipino pastors who often are either working a full time vocational job or pastoring multiple churches due to the lack of pastors.
Second Reason
The Di Leonardos have a desire to meet that need. We will be moving to Cisterna di Latina, a 20 minute train ride from Rome. In Cisterna, during our vision trip, we connected with a Filipino family
and friends that has been meeting on a weekly basis, holding Sunday worship services for the past three years. They have been praying for an Italian Filipino pastor to lead them for these past three years. How crazy that the Lord placed the desire first to go, and then introduced us to the specific place He wants us in. Only God can do such things!
Here’s our plan:
Move to Cisterna di Latina, Italy by April 2019
Pastor and disciple the current group
Raise up leaders within
Reach the Filipinos residing in Cisterna di Latina (over 800 registered Filipinos)
Empower the church members to engage and participate in the fight against any social injustices that are taking place in Italy
Empower the Filipinos, which most are trilingual (Tagalog, English, and Italian) to reach both the Italians and African refugees that also reside in Cisterna di Latina.
How can you partner with us?
Pray with and for us!
Invite us at to share the vision at your church or schedule a meet with the Di Leonardos to personally share the vision
Become a financial partner by:
One time giving in the amount of $_____
Monthly givingfor two years in the amount of $_____ (e.g., $150, $100, $50, other)