Since I last wrote: I participated in a world-record breaking flashmob in Rome. I was gifted some fresh-picked olives and taught how to cure them. My friend found a 'Thai' restaurant and we tried it out. I paid my first bills successfully (a few bumps, but...done). I held my friend Lorenza's precious baby in my arms. I've had some good conversations with my room-mate, Tania. I've stayed healthy. I went to the bank by myself without a friend to help me. Let's just say God is good, and I am learning to breathe here. Trying to keep a record, to remember to be thankful. It's so so so important.
MINISTRY UPDATES
The Albano Bible study is going really well. Last week we had 4 new people!! I want to help Lorenza now that baby Giulia is born and she is exhausted raising two children alone. But she lives out in Albano and I don't have a car. Plus my schedule is very tight. Please pray for God to work something out according to his will. I am inviting the 4 young girls from that study to lunch next week. Not sure yet what kind of devotional God is putting on my heart--something about relationships and worship? Please pray for Tania and I as we seek to reach out to Valeria, Claudia, Sara and Veronica. We also have another unwed and pregnant friend (pictured with us below) in need of lots of love and truth. So much opportunity--so much room for the Lord to move!
Tuesday night Biblestudy is also going well. One of the members, Hilde (German-Italian) is in need of lots of prayer. Her husband died 3 years ago and she is currently astranged from her daughter in a very messy web of events. She leaves for America for 4 months, but her son (my age) and his girlfriend (who attended our study twice) are really on my heart to pray for. I don't want them to fall through the cracks just as we're starting to make a connection. Lots of confusion in this family. Another member Jenny has had a third robbery in her home this year. Her car just broke down today. Her sweet daughter has a rare Leukemia. Also, Chantal my pastor's wife and Italian mamma, continues to battle her own rare blood disease and pulmonary complications. Please pray for complete healing and wisdom and care from the doctors.
Just a lot of needs for love, truth, reconciliation, health and maturity in our church!
On a positive note we had a BLESSED and FUN sleepover event with our junior high/highschoolers last weekend!! We started the evening off with 30.000 other Romans in Piazza del Popolo and went home to cook, play, pray and eat together. May God continue to bless the kids here!! Click here to see the mob: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNvKe8BNRl4&feature=relmfu
Mariarosa: Oh Allie, it's nothing! Just go to bed and snuggle up under the covers with a good film.
Alessandro: Blood!! Did you call the ambulance?!!
Giulio: Daddy...knife...cheese...blood!
Haha. I love them so much.
Hope you are well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for praying for me and the people here in Italy. XO, Allie
*To donate to the Marriage Conference fund, click: http://www.chapelmissions.org/where-we-work/italy/location/frascati-calvary-chapel-frascati
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