'allora, da los angeles...a valmontone?'

'So, from Los Angeles to Valmontone?'

This was the curious release of a guy I met this week while visiting friends in one of the small Castelli towns, Valmontone. Other curiosities: vegetarianism, my job, my silence (cuz I can't say a ton yet... though I'm getting a LOT better!!)... most times my mere presence (like on the 6.40am bus, for example) just SMELLS of 'foreigner'. The (nice) lady at the town hall laughed as she commented sarcastically, 'Ma sei sicura della scelta?' -- 'But are you sure about this choice [to live here]?' Well... Yeah. God is good.

SUNDAY

I am excited to announce that a young lady I've been praying for (who hasn't been to church since she became pregnant out of wedlock 6 months ago, but has met with Pastor Robert here off and on) CAME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY! She is NOT going to be an easy one to get to know, and she speaks no English, but I believe God wants me to be her friend, so please pray for L. Pray also for me (and the other leaders in the church) as we define programs and roles. I will be prioritizing Children's Ministry and a new Young Adults home group as my areas of focus, as well as taking on some admin things. Pray that God leads us, instead of us just running around doing a lot of 'stuff.'

WORK

I LOVE my job. Albeit we've just been doing prep type work as a staff, and I do think this is going to be the hardest professional year of my life, BUT it's a really great fit. God knew :)  My fellow teachers include: a Swede, an Iraqi-Swede, an Italian, a Pakistani, a Maltese, a Canadian, and an English. Pretty fun! I am putting in 8 to 10 hour days at the school (depending on the day) and trying to work out what kind of load I can take on at the church. Obviously both are 'ministry,' but I want to be healthy. The Lord knows what I can handle, what the needs are, and how He wants to use me. So please pray for energy and joy in work and church. Apparently, Italian private-school parents are INCREDIBLY difficult to work with. So please pray that I can earn their respect, and show confidence in my teaching starting next Friday (7th). I want my students/class to be filled with peace.

 

Thanks for praying. I really need it!!! Please continue to pray and spread the word about my little bro and film school (see below). Above is a pic of my (unfinished) classroom and my pastor's wife Chantal & I (testing out the flip button on the camera of my Italian mobile).

XO, Allie

technology, mafia, translation & the devil

OK.

This week has been really wonderful. A singer I met in LA came through the church with her folk band, and it was fun to see some Americans! Yeah, I already miss you guys after 1 week ;) I am slowly absorbing more Italian, though it remains very difficult to speak. But I sense the Lord's grace.

Technology & the Devil

Virtually everything in my pastor's house is falling apart. First the kitchen faucet, then the laundry machine, then MY computer.... Yes, my computer died and (thanks to the Lord's provision) I was able to buy a new Italian laptop after a few days. Trying to get used to the strange keyboard! Anyway, I think there's just a lot of spiritual warfare. My pastor never rests and this is his one week of vacation--and he's spending it fixing things and taking me back and forth to the town hall! Speaking of which, Signora Pasquale (the NASTIEST lady) is slowly becoming my friend, over at the town hall where I'm having complications getting residence. PRAISE THE LORD today she finally started to fight for my case, and everything should be settled next week. Even got a smile out of her! God is good. Please pray that we can fix the house problems and that nothing else breaks. Pray also for Signora Pasquale and everything regarding my residence (can't get an apartment or bank account without it).

Mafia

Just a side note. We went to the beach as a 'family' yesterday and it turns out that one of the beaches we almost went to (but passed) witnessed 2 mafia gangs in a little battle for territory. One mafioso shot and killed the other. Beyond this extreme violence, there's just a lot of aggression and unrest among the people in general. People yelling at each other for this. Accusing people of that. Little grace. Little respect. Please pray for peace here. Pray also that I don't let this attitude influence me.

Translation

There have been quite a few funny moments getting lost in translation. My favorite so far has been a guy at church who insisted my name was a 'cognome' (surname). His thought process was this: JohnSON, AnderSON, RichardSON...AlliSON. Haha.

€5000.

One more thing. My 'little brother' here dreams of going to film school. But he can't afford it and is super discouraged. The family of 5 adults shares one computer. One car (which they can barely put gas in). All that to say, film school costs €5000/year. Nothing compared to American university! If you are at all able or interested in sponsoring him, please email me: alliecase@gmail.com.

Ok, if you made it to the end of this, GRAZIE! I know it's not that exciting, and I don't have any photos :(  I appreciate your prayers so much, and ask that you remember me Sunday night as I start work on Monday and am relying on public transport! God bless you richly, as you bless me.

XO, Allie

"ben tornata!"

Those were the words an older man spoke to me as he entered our house-church today: "Welcome back!" It's not a visitor's welcome. I kind of liked that.

Yes, I am here in Frascati! My Italian passport worked perfectly, and tomorrow begins the hard initiation to Italian systems. What, the post office is a bank?! Oh yeah, supermarkets close every day from 1-4pm. Wait, if I rent an "unfurnished" apartment that means it has NO kitchen (counters, stove, etc.)?

It comes as no surprise that LANGUAGE has been the most overwhelming aspect of living here. It always has been. It's hard enough being an introvert--and yet how I long to speak!! I understand sermons, casual conversation...but I'm completely lost at family dinner. I can't understand TV programs. Long road ahead.

Church was so sweet tonight. The sister of a church member here, came from Genova (they did a church plant--north) to share her testimony with us. She had a fatal, incurable heart disease. She battled it 6 years and was dying. This year she was healed and, I must say, is the most radiant beauty. A miracle. I was choking back tears the entire time. Her husband shared a message from Habbakuk: "Oh Lord, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear? Or cry to you, 'Violence!' and you will not save?" It was so powerful to hear of what God brought them through.

Something in Habbakuk caught my attention: "So the law is paralyzed and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice never goes forth." After a long talk tonight with my pastor, I really feel that this is what the young people in the church are struggling with. Really caught in the confusion of worldly friends and church life. There are virtually no Christian peers. But they've learned to compartmentalize so they almost don't like Christian peers. We're praying to start something really honest and inclusive, next month. A regular sort of Bible study of some kind. If you have any ideas as you pray, let me know!

I hope my next update includes a photo of my new apartment! Pray that my friend Tania has a successful time leaving her parents' home to live with me, and that she opens up, and we live peacefully to spur each other on.

Thank you!
Allie

PS, attached is a pic of the fridge when I arrived at my pastor's house. His sons had messages for me :) Spanish? Don't ask me why.... :)

thursday, august 16, 5.30pm

Hi Friends!

Wow, it's been a crazy few weeks, leaving California, Oregon, and now my home in Washington. I'm about at the  limit of my "goodbyes", and am ready to say some "hellos"!

THANK YOU to those who have encouraged me and supported me--from the time I was young, to recent months. I am so undone by the kindness of my friends and family, and the great love of God.

SO. I fly out this THURSDAY. Arrive in Rome on Friday. I have ten days before starting work on the 27th. In that time I must:
-Register in the city
-Register with a doctor
-Get a phone/number
-Get a local bank account
-Find an apartment
-Furnish my apartment/move in

I'd really appreciate your prayers for my emotional health, clear thinking on decisions, and anointing with the Italian language during this time. I want to be Spirit-filled and open to people and opportunities from the Lord.

Grazie! XO, Allie