christmas & important info for the new year!

Merry Christmas Dear Family & Friends!

Here I am about to pass my first Christmas without family and I must say I am missing you all. Frascati is full of festive spirit with Christmas markets, lights, and street performers. Rome is even more spectacular. So far, I am enjoying my 2-week break, which will include visiting Bracciano Lake district and heading south to find some relatives when my uncle comes. We have our citizenship through my great grandfather born in a small Puglian town, Bovino, so we are heading on an adventure to discover our roots!

This year has been full. I’ve seen my students through a 2nd year, and formed new and deeper relationships with my coworkers. I’ve been teaching Sunday school, serving in hospitality and secretarial capacities at church as well as hosting Tuesday night Bible studies and attending Friday nights. I’ve been busy with an anti-sex trafficking ministry in Rome called Schiavitù Mai Più, seeking to move prostitutes off the streets and into the arms of Jesus. Not a dull moment! And all by God's grace and your love, prayers, and financial sacrifices.

THE BIG DECISION

As the year comes to an end, I want to reflect on the reasons why I believe God called me here. I don’t want to just assume things are going right or that I should stay here or keep doing what I’m doing year after year. I want to stay tuned to His Spirit. That said, I have a big decision to make by the 2^nd week of January. My boss has requested that I inform her whether or not I would like a teaching position next year. Honestly, it has been a very stressful place to work and I feel that my inflexible schedule inhibits some other ministry I would like to do. Conversely, the love I receive from my students is very special and I know I would miss them and my coworkers.

Here is the alternative. While many things pull my heart to yearn for 'home' in the States, I don't think my time here in Italy is finished. I have been praying together with some other missionaries about starting a coffee shop, and have already had an encouraging meeting with an accountant! I do not come from a business background, but this project sounds stimulating and worth trying if the Lord is really inspiring us. The ideas are these:

1) To have a living-room like place with tables to sit (not common in Italian coffee shops), play games, talk, eat American treats (bagels, muffins, things can't get elsewhere)....

2) To have a place that will host events for community such as: English courses, sewing classes, cooking classes, music lessons, lectures, concerts, open mics and more.

3) To have a place young people can go to stay out of trouble, and be met by Christian staff who can build bridges between them and God/the church.

Our non-profit would need to pay at least 2-3 salaries (the baker, barista, cashier), but my manager type role would be covered by full mission support. This is something I am interested in starting and potentially handing over full time to the Italian team that will be with me. I want to commit one year to this. We would be spinning off of some other models and using volunteer help, but it gives me great joy to know I could have created a job for even one person in a country of very poor economics.

In the new year, we will meet again with the accountant to get an estimation of costs. Roughly, I am estimating 50,000€ start-up costs for the first year, not including paid salaries (rather rent, furnishing, utilities, supplies). This is a discovery stage. We will move forward until God slaps the door in our faces, at which point I will be more than happy to do something else--including staying at my current job! 

However, because of the time constraint on my own job situation, I would ask you to pray about personally sponsoring me in this year, starting next summer. Also, if you have any insight into raising funds for a project like this, I would love to hear from you! Either way, I am taking pledges now, to have an idea and help inform my decision as finances are PART of the equation.

I ask you, as people who have faithfully prayed for me the past 16 months, to pray and seek the Lord with me on this next step. I trust that the Lord will speak to us all. Let me know what God reveals to you as you pray. If I get continued confirmation, I will step out in faith, and you will receive an invitation to donate to the cafè on "KickStarter." If not, God is good and I will continue another year at the school! Or whatever else God has in mind.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! 

Jesus, the amazing God wrapped in flesh, is the hope that makes this weary world rejoice. Still. 2000 years later. Praise the Lord! 

Lots of love from Italy. 
Allie

 Above: church Christmas dinner next to a table of Croatian priests-in-training singing Croatian folk songs! I was very proud of the 4 Albano girls and Tania--our dramatic presentation went SO well and the church was blessed!

 Above: my faithful little Lorenzo (4) and I making baby Jesus/mangers on Christmas Sunday at 'Sunday School'...

Above: some pomegranate cheese I admired at the Christmas markets...

las vegas, christmas, and other random stuff

RADIO

This Wednesday at 2:30pm Las Vegas time, I will do a radio interview for my book, "The Wall: A Conversation for Single Women." Thankful for this opportunity when I am able to do very little marketing from Italy. I would REALLY appreciate your prayers for clear thinking (late at night for me) and that I can summarize the parts of my book (or add new thoughts) according to what the Holy Spirit has in mind!

CHRISTMAS

We are having our first rehearsal this Friday with the young girls from Albano. Tania and I have modified a mime skit and these girls (baby Christians) will experience something like this for the first time! Pray that I can direct well without Tania as she'll be working. This is for an event we are hosting with the Comune di Frascati (town hall): showing The Nativity Story film in Italian with the skit and a little gospel sharing. Please pray for every facet of the event on December 20! We really want to reach this community.

I am also knee-deep at work with Christmas recital (which right now is so horrifyingly bad I am quite nervous about my kids performing!) and tomorrow and Wednesday I have my parent-teacher meetings for midterm reports. Please pray I can communicate well in Italian--especially with parents of some of my problem children.

OTHER MINISTRY

Thanks to those who wanted prostitute ministry updates via WhatsApp...I've got it set up now, the only problem is that my phone died after the first text. Will be better prepared next time! We met a transexual Evelyn (Brasilian) and some Romanian, Albanian, and Russian girls. This was in a different zone we hadn't been back to in a long time. Honestly it was so hard for me to get out of the van. I don't know how they stand out there in the freezing cold wearing nothing in the middle of the night. But God gave us strength. Pray especially for Evelyn and the healing POWER of the Holy Spirit to open more doors and more meaningful conversations. So far all of the girls will talk to us, but with some it is hard to get past the superficial.

Church is going well. Please pray for Jenny in my home-group and her daughter Giulia with cancer. Things are very difficult financially for them and Giulia's health has not been good. She struggles with a lot of normal teenage stuff right now too. Just pray for them.

I would like prayer for Sunday School. That I can be more creative and joyful about teaching when it is not my favorite thing.

Please pray for my colleagues Olga and Raffa... I love them!

That's it for now. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I made pumpkin pie for the first time from fresh pumpkin and it turned out! A lot to be thankful for... and you are included.

xo

but i don't.

Some of you may have heard me joke about how much I do NOT enjoy taking the bus on the return from work. It's a different company than the local one I take in the morning, and I have to walk out on a busy street where there is NO sign post or anything, so I literally feel like a prostitute sometimes. I have even had cars with men stop a few times. Lots of honks at least (this is the gross/after-work me!). The reality is, when that car slows down...there are some girls that have to get in. But I don't.

My involvement with Schiavitù Mai Più continues to progress. We are back into our pattern of every other Friday outings. Please pray for us. If you would like to receive free texts (for those with smartphones, download WhatsApp) or emails DURING our Friday evening (US daytime)...we will send you play-by-play updates as we meet girls during the night. Just email me your number or email if interested: alliecase@gmail.com.

2 weeks ago I met Stella, a Hungarian girl from before. I really love her. It's not like these girls smile, but there's something about her that is almost welcoming. She had a cough. It is getting SO COLD here now. We kissed like friends do when we parted ways (because a car of controllers came up). It was sweet. I also met a new, young, smiling, Romanian girl, Delia. She apparently has some std/infection and is hoping to get out of this 'work' and back to Romania when she has enough money. Please pray that I can see her again THIS FRIDAY when we go back out. We ask for Divine intervention on every level and protection.

CHURCH

Lots of great growth going on in our home groups. Please pray for our Christmas outreach--Tania and I are organizing a small skit with the girls from Albano. Pray we can get things together in time and that it is a formative experience for the girls' spiritual lives. Pray for me as I organize the Children's program.

FUTURE

The meeting with the accountant went so well. Thanks for praying. We felt quite encouraged by this man which is rare. We know he will be in our lives for an eternal reason as well. Please pray that we can organize in a Spirit-led way this dream of opening a coffee bar next year.

WORK

A bit overwhelming. Always. But especially this period before Christmas. Pray for joy for me, creativity, energy, and miracles in the hearts of my little Ephraim, Nicolò, Alessandro, Liam who are QUITE DIFFICULT. Tania did not get hired at my school. Please pray for a stable job for her.

INTERVIEW?

I have been contacted to do an interview for a radio show in Las Vegas regarding my book. This was surprising but fun! Pray that it works out and that God continues to use my little book to bless people and gives me more opportunity since I have no time/resources to market it anymore....

May you all be blessed richly this week! As Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for YOU. I'll be making my first pumpkin pie from scratch. Wish me luck :)
xo

fish

I inherited a fish tank of sorts...and the gadgets that went with it. I was supposed to inherit the fish that lived inside as well, but it died right before my friend moved back to America. I took the stuff anyway, since I had already gotten used to the idea. I like having a little bit of life around the house, even if it seems cruel to confine them in such a small body of water.

Sitting here staring at my two fish tonight, I am thinking about what Jesus said to his new friends--an odd bunch of men to ever be expected to work together on any sort of task--"Go and be fishers of men." But men are just as slippery as fish. And I am convinced that different "baits" will "catch" different "fish." God draws people to Himself in many mysterious ways. I am thinking a lot about evangelism these days. Partly because I notice a lack of boldness and conviction in my own life. And partly because I don't always know what bait to use. Truth is truth. But I mean...how should WE in Frascati approach THESE Italians with the hope of Jesus? Where do we cast our net? Pray with us for inspirition and guidance. Write me if you have an suggestions.

Church

I write the above also because I just returned from a prayer walk around Frascati with Pastor Robert and our church member Monica. It was a beautiful and humbling experience. Monica is very childlike in many ways, but very bold in her faith. In one hour only TWO guys took a tract that we had. Yes, maybe soliciting is not the most effective approach, but the coldness of the people was really startling to observe. People of all ages. Anyway, Robert went up to a group of young people and started talking with a guy in dreads, Ryan. Pray for him. He was quite defiant thinking he could scare off Robert with his first comment: "Yeah well I don't believe in God." But Robert prayed that he may know Jesus and lead his group to Truth. Monica and I talked with a guy, Michele. "I am God...I don't need anybody"...that was his speech. I want to pray a specific prayer that GOD WOULD REVEAL HIMSELF TO MICHELE in dreams and visions that he would know His presence. I invited him to our Tuesday night group even though he refused our tract. Pray I can run into him again out and about.

Otherwise...we continue to pray for a place to meet, for spiritual growth and reconciliation, for Sunday School help (I will do a training this month), and for our Christmas outreach in December.

Work/Personal

Last night I had my colleagues over for dinner. Like last year, I had comments: There is such a peace in your house! Well praise God. Mostly my boss and our secretary dominated the conversations but I was thankful for the chance to just laugh and be together. Pray I have more opportunity to talk about Jesus and that I can be a good testimony at work. Olga, a new colleague, wants to hang out soon. ALSO, yesterday Tania interviewd to be my assistant at LGI. Pray that she gets hired if God's will. Pray for the challenging behaviors of some of my students. Ahhh I love them so much.

I need direction on what to take on what to cut out...feeling a bit exhausted.

Finally got together with a friend (of Tania's), Anais, to meet her new baby on Sunday after her dedication! What a precious little angel. Children are GIFTS.

On Sunday I am headed to the President of the Republic's estate with my friend Livia. Her parents invited me (Dad works for president). Never know what connections that may bring...if anything I can spend more time with her and her family! They have invited me to be with them for Christmas. Pray for wisdom in this decision because I want to be where God wants me to be.

Schiavitù Mai Più
Wonderful outreach with the girls from Without Words Movement. There were not tons of people, but it was a good effort. We start up again with our street outings November 15.

American-Style Coffee Bar

In 10 hours I will be waking up to go to a meeting with an accountant to ask about quotes and licensing needed to open a coffee bar for outreach purposes. After this meeting I am hoping to have a better idea of how to proceed. If we go forward with this, I would leave my job for next year. There are soooo many coffee bars here. One on every corner. What we have in mind is really unique, but we don't want to move forward if it isn't the Lord's will. It is a project COMPLETELY out of my league. Please pray for direction and confirmation.

Lots and lots to pray about. Thanks for being faithful. It blesses me!!
Allie

                                                       Baby Grace! xxx

Girls who participated in our Stop Sex Trafficking Flashmob at Piazza Navona :)

42

CHURCH

42 was the count on Sunday. Pastor Robert's little house was exploding. You can't tell from the hall but people poured out into the hall and kitchen. Only 3 little kids were in the boys' bedroom with me for Sunday School, and maybe 2 new people came by. It was mostly just the strange situation of people from our various studies deciding to come on Sunday (and still many were missing). We are typically about half that size on Sundays.

This makes me repeat our urgent prayer request: PLEASE ASK THE LORD TO PROVIDE US A PLACE TO MEET. We would like the city hall to offer us something for free. Or a place for cheap rent. Or...God knows.

SCHIAVITU' MAI PIU'

This is the prostitution ministry I work with. We have a lot going on this month as we kick back into gear. Monday we welcome two award-winning dancers from America. They will be coming from Romania to Rome to do various courses (daytime), flashmobs, and then 2 performances (free thanks to grant from Ravi Zacharias) at the Teatro Furio Camillo. Their themes are sexual brokenness and restoration in modern dance. We are so honored to have them help us do outreach as they have huge hearts for Jesus! We hope to raise awareness in the city. I am personally inviting friends and colleagues so pray that Jesus uses this in my life as an evangelism tool!

Next, we will start our street outings in November. It is hard for me because it means I will skip every other Friday night Bible study. Pray that God arranges a way for me to still keep up with the girls in Albano....until we start doing outings on the weekend in the DAY here in MY area...probably in the new year.

Here is a link about the dancers: http://vimeo.com/53354270

WORK

Two new colleagues: Olga the Italian teacher and Martina my student teacher. I really love them and hope to get to know them better. My students are quite challenging. Liam, Ephraim and Alessandro that is. Please pray for patience, love and creativity for me. And calmness and attention from them. I also talked with Matilda's mom yesterday. She has cancer and 'received some bad news this week' for which she has to 'make some difficult decisions.' I pray I can be used how God wants me to be used in the lives of all my students.

REST

Need help prioritizing my time.

COFFEE BAR ETC.

We need direction on moving forward with this business plan. I need direction on whether to leave my job next year for full-time ministry.

If anyone wants to come on short-term teams we are open wide!

THANKFUL

My bus schedule changed 30 mins earlier. I was upset about the loss of sleep. Now I am thankful for extra time to read my Bible. In prayer for 'friends' (my age, to get connected etc.) God has put my two new colleagues in my life, I ran into Alberto at the market, and Fation & Roberto and I are playing facebook-tag. Anyway, any contact is encouraging. Pray I manage to get together with everyone before December. This is a goal of mine for November. Also Lorenza and Laetizia. My friend and fellow minister Heather has gone back to America to raise support to come back next year. In the mean time I met another American Christian girl this week who is here as an au pair. Also, I re-connected with Fjori an Albanian Christian girl I want to get to know better. God provides. It is just TIME needed for all these things. ALSO, this week Tania and I were able to have tea with Jenny (mom of Giulia--14 yr old with cancer in our church). It was sooo sweet and I thank God for that encouragement.

Thanks for the love and prayers. Thanks also to those who financially support me--I just found a bunch of postcard thank you notes I wrote I think in August. Ooops. Coming your way now! Better late than never?

Alla prossima!
Allie

                     Above: prayer at the roman aqueducts this morning... Jesus is Living Water!

                                                    Above: crowded church!

                                            Above: silly Sunday school time!

111 deaths and counting

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/04/world/europe/italy-migrant-boat-sinks/index.html

COMPLETELY forgot to link this tragic, important story to my last update. Please pray for this ongoing problem. Pray for North Africa (I am praying about when to go back to visit). Pray that the corrupt, disorganized Italian government gets its act together.

hope and the cage

Thankful to have this rainy Saturday to reflect and catch up on some things. It's been one of those full weeks that should have been much fuller, but by God's grace, some people cancelled different things, and I've had some breathing room.

I've been thinking today about God's hope. The hope of our salvation. The hope that we cannot see. The hope that does not disappoint. I've also been trying to figure out why I have been so angry these last two weeks. It's like a cage. Rabbia. Rage. You don't feel angry. You don't think you are. But then you hear your student mocking you, 'I'm the teacher: That's enough! Stop it! Sit down!'...all he thinks of me is shouting. And I've certainly lost control. And my colleague asks, 'Are you ok?' to my shock because everything is 'fine.' Ok then if I'm not angry, why does it feel like my joy is in a cage?

Missionaries have many faults. One is to ask others to pray...for them...and then not pray themselves. To write lists, to do and do and do but without heart. I just want to be honest that I've had a reality check. I have some really exciting things coming up...things I don't deserve to participate in. And I want to do them with hope, and joy, and fullness of heart. I pray also that you will be filled with this vision wherever God is using you.

CHURCH NEWS

Tuesdays nights are growing to a steady 12 people...sometimes more. It is the JOY of my week. So excited especially to see the growth of Raffaele and Patrizia...also Matteo who prayed aloud for the first time Tuesday (once a month we have no study, but just a prayer evening). It was nice 2 weeks ago to see Andreas (Hilda's son) come out as well and stay for dinner (and also make fun of my disastrous bedroom condition when he gave himself a tour of our house haha). Monica has been coming as well. She has seen a doctor and is officially NOT bipolar.

Friday nights are growing as well. SUCH a different flavor. But we continue to have Simona and her daughters Sara and Veronica as well as their little Lorenzo (4) who needs lots of prayer but whose best friend I have become whether I like it or not! I praise God, because it makes him excited to come to Sunday school. Claudia and Valeria continue to come with their parents which is so sweet. We have a new lady Barbara...a dietitian I've met with, who is so sweet and sincere and coming out of a strange cult to walk in the Light.

Association LA SPERANZA. We have had our first meetings for our non-profit The Hope. It is a bit overwhelming. As secretary the lot of book-keeping has also fallen to me. This is all in Italian and has to do with NUMBERS. Not my strengths. Please pray for me. And pray for us as we get organized. We are seeking someone to come do a Christmas concert outreach for us. We are praying for evangelistic teams to come work with us. Whatever your talent is we can use it!

OTHER MINISTRY

I am attending another show of the INCREDIBLE documentary on prostitution, Nefarious, and bringing Tania and Matteo. The non-profit I work with, Schiavitù Mai Più is starting up it's street outings again this month. We are also hosting 2 Christian, American dancers at the end of October who will do flashmobs, classes etc. to raise awareness of the sex trade here in Rome. We are REALLY excited about this and have rented the amphitheatre at Furio Camillo downtown. Please be praying for this from October 22-30. Pray for the girls I hope to reconnect with: Adriana, Christal, Stella, Christina.

Coffee Bar. Some of you have heard that I have the opportunity to collaborate on a project to open a (Christian) American-style coffee bar here in Frascati. We want to create a culturally relevant center for people to get together and for us to hold events such as classes, debates, concerts... We had our first official meeting Wednesday to brainstorm planning. It is too much for me right now. It means opening another non-profit and starting from scratch. Businesses are SO hard to start here. Even if we have a few connections. It will be a miracle. Please pray that God CLEARLY guides my friends from a neighboring church in Monte Porzio and us here in Frascati. A joint venture could be awesome on so many levels, but we still need the right personnel and confirmation.

If you are at all interested in sponsoring the start-up costs of a business like this that will be used for evangelistic purposes, please let me know. This also means that I am prayerfully considering not renewing my contract NEXT year, but going full-time into these projects. Lots to think and pray about.

Thanks everyone. Lots of love from Italy.
Allie

         My sweet Aunt and Uncle stopped by Frascati for dinner this week... LA via Berlin! 

 Tuesday night gatherings. You can't see everyone very well, but it's very international and intergenerational!

faith and love

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Galatians 5:6

If I don't have faith, I don't live honestly believing and hoping in what I believe. If I don't have love, my faith is rendered powerless. Our bodies and minds give us many excuses, but the only thing that counts is that--through tiredness, injustice, inconvenience--I express my faith always, to anyone, in love.

In my case, love wants often a lot of courage: to speak up even if I make language mistakes. To go out, even if I'm alone. To submit, even if I feel overwhelmed. It's hard. But God is with me and God IS love. I hope you are encouraged to love today. 

ANSWERS

Well, God answers prayers in 'funny' ways although I have to admit I still don't find it too funny. In the end, my boss did not force me to teach Saturdays, but I will be taking on a Wednesday course (same thing) instead. I am VERY thankful to have my weekend. And now I pray that God gives me energy to teach this other course and divinely appoints the students in it.

Sunday school has been going pretty well. I am thankful for Elijah (highschooler) who serves with me, and for the kids that have been coming. We've decided for now that the highschoolers will sit in with the adults on Sundays and that we'll do special events with them 1-2 times/month, as I can't teach both them and the little ones on Sundays. I will have a Kids Ministry training day sometime in October as a few people have expressed interest in helping. Praise God.

Had a great first week of school! Loving my class. Have really great parents this year. Now just praying I can get all of my term plans done this week, between church events and visitors. Ephraim, my new adopted boy, is doing well...he doesn't quite understand boundaries: not touching things, not walking out of the classroom, not climbing on the shelves, etc. Haha it's a bit crazy. But he is very sweet and full of kisses and hugs and has a great sense of humor. Gosh, sometimes 13 kids feels a bit overwhelming. I know it's a small number, but they are so sensitive and vulnerable and change so fast! If you'd like to pray for these bimbi, I would be very grateful.

Ephraim-adopted last month from Congo
Moise-Also from Congo (adopted as baby), noticing attitude/spoiled this year
Azzurra- I wish I could be as cool as her
Ludovica- my snuggle bug
Chiara- insecure, but bright and lovely
Mariarosa- loud. Oh my goodness, very stubborn and quotable
Liam- very smart with some behavior problems...most difficult parents?
Giulio- freaking cute. Period. Tough home situation
Nicolo- such a love...he is all boy, but also very attune to emotions of others
Matilda- new, one of the oldest, very sweet and curious
Miriam-new, older, Muslim father...very sensitive but eager to participate
Manuel- knows what he likes...a bit older than the rest as well, new
Alessandro- lived before in Spain...very hesitant about school, but warming up!


REQUESTS

Favor with my boss to get all time off requested for my brother's wedding next Spring.

God's direction for our NGO the church has started... future coffee bar? Peace, unity and vision if we are to work with neighboring missionaries to open up the coffee bar/bookstore next year.

Scheduling...that I have time to be with people...on priority list for October: Fation & Roberto, Lorenza & Laetizia (another lady from Albano home group), Maison (ex-colleague), Monica, Andreas.

Tania- wisdom and boldness in how to counsel her and love her.

Teams!! We really would love to host some teams from America or anywhere that would come and help us with evangelism...concerts, classes, kids clubs...anything. Please contact me if you're interested!

Thanks so much and God bless you richly this week!
Allie

Below: some pics from Venice with my friend Heather (fellow missionary in Rome)...sad she's moving back to the US for a while next month :(

back in the swing of things...

This will be quick because I have got to get to bed!!

I know I've written this multiple times before, but 'ben tornata' I think I my most favorite words ever. This week I heard them from my colleagues. From the guys at my local coffee bar near work. From some people I still hadn't seen at church. It is just lovely: welcome back! The 'back' part hints at belonging. I'm just so thankful when things seem disorienting, that God settles my heart here.

WORK
It's only been one week back at work but I can tell it's gonna be a bumpy ride!! I am (at the last minute) actually going to teach the next level up, which means I will have my old students from last year. This is a huge answer to prayer because I see God wants me in their lives another year. I also have some new students, of which include a classic know-it-all, aNOTHER adopted Congolese boy (but this one JUST came to Italy and only speaks French, yikes!), and a girl whose mom has cancer. I will also be working closest with the 'new teacher'...I hope this is more of a blessing than a burden, getting him off on a good start! My boss is pressuring me to work Saturdays, something that was not healthy for me last year. Please pray I can communicate my needs in a loving way and that she understands. So far it has been quite difficult. On a positive note, I was quite worried about buses but I found that works great...at least on the going end. It's also been SO sweet seeing my colleagues again.

OTHER

Tania and I ran into ANDREAS our friend and son of HILDA (who has a home here/member of our church but travels much of the year) while we were rushing across the piazza to get olive oil before the market closed. It was actually quite a comical situation. We almost got coffee together with his friends, then they decided to go--long story short--he seemed recovered from the mysterious throat surgery and doing well. He's back from Milan now and told us to come by the house anytime. Anyway, pray we can get back in touch with him and that he turns to JESUS!

MONICA--we've been running with her a few mornings a week. I helped her translate a letter to her ex-husbands parents in America. I also had lunch with her last Sunday and saw her daughter Erica for the full ten minutes she emerged from her cave-room. They need lots of prayer. Depression is gross.

My pastor, ROBERT, lost his father on Sunday. He hadn't been back to Africa in years, so imagine how it feels, but he is thankful to have talked to him on the phone before. Pray for the Diamubeni family, that God blesses and sustains them. I was encouraged to see that our little church raised €1000 as a gift to bless Robert in this time...he is always giving, giving, giving.

PERSONAL
I'd love prayers for my health...already deteriorating now that school has started...that I can sleep. I also need to get my health card from the city office since I haven't received it (supposed to come in mail) but it's complicated with my work schedule.

Anyway, THANK YOU for lifting these things up! I promise the next update will include funny kid quotes...I've already got a great list going.

Peace. Allie

back in italy :)

A huge thank you to everyone who's been following and praying for me this past year! August 17 marked my 1 year Italian anniversary. Thanks to those of you who just joined this prayer-blog list. You are awesome!!

THE USA

It was great. It was fast. But it also felt paced. I typically have difficulty switching between cultures, but I felt so much strength this trip and was able to enjoy my time in peace. I appreciate all of my friends who drove out to see me, gave of time/resources, and came to any of my events. Loved.

BEING BACK

One big praise is that my Italian has not seemed to have suffered. If anything it is getting better. I am thankful for that! This is always a priority prayer request--that I develop my language skills. I am praying for time and energy to devote to study this year.

I've been making my rounds and visiting people. Thankful for some extended time off work ( I now don't return til September 5). Some updates on that end:

• Concetta moved house. Still living with son, but seems to be doing better. Keep praying for her. 
• Monica has decided to leave Bruno and is pressing into the Lord. So cool! In the end, her daughter Erica (20) did NOT come to stay with us during the break-up. We are still praying about how to reach out to her. But Tania and I will be jogging, praying, and other things with Monica to support her desire to pursue healthiness....
• Livia is moving to Colorado in November in search for someone to sponsor her as pastry chef. I am sad that we never seem to stay in the same area for long! Praying nonetheless to have some good times and God-conversations with her before she leaves.
• Spend the day with Valeria and Claudia and family (from Albano study) at their beach home last week. Glad to have connected with them again. So sweet. Pray for the salvation of this family.
• Saw Roberto the other day and we plan on getting together Fation when we all return from the holiday. Pray for these dear friends of mine. Not always sure how to maintain my friendship with them...praying for creativity and opportunity.
• Matteo (new believer) is still coming to our Tuesday night group which just started up again last night. We are trying a new format, more discussional and applicational. It was awesome!! Praying more for the Holy Spirit to move make us grow. Thankful for addition of the SWEETEST elderly couple, Raffaele and Patrizia!
• Bought some material for Sunday School. Praying for grace and direction this year.
• Lorenza has been going through a rough time. Baby Giulia was also in the hospital but is now better.
• Teenage Giulia (cancer) was admitted to the hospital as well when I was gone. Apparently she was unconscious for a time. We continue to pray for her healing. Also her brother Leo is back from Florida and we saw him yesterday. He wants to have us over to 'tell everything'. So cute. Pray for Leo that he can know Jesus.
• Visited with friends Marti and Danny who are church-planting in a nearby town. We are praying/in beginning stage of collaborating to open a (Christian) coffee shop here in Frascati. I am super pumped about this idea. It is also a dream of Tania's. We are hoping to open next summer, at which time (prayerfully) I would leave my job to work with this project. More info to come!  
• Also on that note, (Marti and Danny are part of Schiavitù Mai Più, the prostitute ministry) we hope to start street visits again in September. Possible day visits in my area as well (a bit risky). Sadly, a few of our solid team members will be missing this fall. So we pray for the Lord to guide us.

That's it for now! I would love prayers for a good, joyous, strong start to work next week! Praying for the families that will be in my class, and my colleagues (old and new). 

Love to all.

Allie

Above: making Congolese doughnuts with Tania's cousin from France (R)& our friend Brenda (M).

                          Me with Valeria, Tania, Claudia and Tania's cousin at the beach.

july update 2 *includes US trip details

Ciaoooo!

I'll be quick with a few updates and then let you know about my US schedule :)

BIG praises for some things I've been able to do in the last 10 days:

• Albano girls: Sara, Veronica, Valeria, Claudia. More good convos with these girls. Valeria and Claudia (sisters) attend regular and profess Jesus as Lord and have got their parents coming now too!! Sara and Veronica (sisters also) come from a broken home and are a bit more unsure of things. Either way, we pray the Lord continues to open hearts to confidence and hope in Him! 
• Lorenza: I had a wonderful afternoon with her and the kids!! She opened up to me about some really personal things and we were able to pray together. I am just so blessed with how the Lord lets me be part of things when I feel so weak. She is looking for a babysitter full time. Honestly, it kills me because I'd love to do it, but I can't. Pray for her, her children and that she can make peace with the father of her daughter, and that the father of her son comes to know Jesus. 
• Rome & the prostitutes: I had an amazing evening with my friends at Schiavitù Mai Più. We are a new organization trying to evangelize prostitutes through direct contact on the streets, directing them to clinics and other help, looking out specifically for those being trafficked. We will meet again in September after summer to discuss future approaches. I definitely want to be more involved. I was amazed by a lot of things. How relatively 'easy' it was to talk to the girls. We were out 3 hours and talked with only 6 girls mainly because we had really long conversations. We prayed with 4 of the 6 (whom the team had met the weeks before). Please pray for Stella (Hungarian, 24), Christina (Romanian, 25 with son), Adriana (28, Romanian with son), Christal (24, Bulgarian with 2 kids), Claudia (20, Romanian). I really love these girls and hope to see them again...and one day in another context. We pray for miracles. For less 'business' demand. For other available lines of 'work'. For cultural shift here in Italy (and sending countries) to respect humankind. 

We have baptism coming up this Friday! Pray for those getting baptized, that their lives glorify Jesus! Sadly, I'll be on the airplane.

Please pray also for Concetta, a Sicilian lady from my Tuesday night Biblestudy group. She lives with her son in a very volatile relationship. She wants his love so badly (he's in his 30s), but he is quite harsh with her and she is stuck dependent on him financially. Pray that she trusts in Jesus. Pray for Orazio that he leaves Buddhism for TRUTH.

Please pray also for my friend Andreas, son of our church member Hilda. A few months ago he moved to Milan. Anyway, last week he was admitted to the hospital, he couldn't breathe, had some lumps around his armpit. He came out and was readmitted this week. Please pray for his physical AND spiritual healing. May Jesus touch his heart! And may Hilda know how to help him as a mother.

Please continue to pray for Fation. May he surrender to Jesus.

I am going to miss my home for a month. But thankful for many homes, and that I am able to return. Here is some general US info:

CALIFORNIA (Jul 26-Aug 3)

JULY 28, SUNDAY- 7:30pm (after 3rd service Reality LA) picnic at Griffith Park. Bring something to eat and drink, a blanket, etc. I thought this way I could talk with everyone better than in a crowded restaurant! Entrance: Los Feliz. My #425.736.3295

JULY 30, TUESDAY- 7:30pm I will be at South Glendale Community Group, Reality LA.

JULY 31, WEDNESDAY- Dinner with Biola friends in Diamond Bar. Contact me for info.

AUGUST 2, FRIDAY- Rhetoric2013 Spoken Word event in Long Beach, 8pm! Buy your ticket and come with us! It's gonna be such a blessing!

WASHINGTON (Aug 10-16)

AUGUST 11, SUNDAY- 

5:30pm 'The Wall' book event hosted by Calvary Chapel Eastside. I will talk about my new book, as well as some new thoughts, and engage in a time of Q&A! Pizza included!

7pm Missions Dessert Night at Calvary Chapel Eastside, Bellevue. I will share about this past year in Italy and some things I am looking forward to for the future! Showing pictures! http://cceastside.com/ 

I will also have some openings for getting together outside of these events (if you promise not to make me eat Italian food :) ). 

See you soon!

xo, Allie

                                           Above, L-R: Veronica, Claudia, Valeria, Me, Sara

Above: me at the park freeing a baby pigeon that had been stuck behind my window...still praying the pigeons go away!

july update

Thanks so much for praying for me this month! It's been a blessing to have a flexible schedule without work, and I am seeing the Lord answer prayer.

Lately I have been able to:

• Meet up with the 4 girls (2 groups of sisters ages 17-21) from Albano. It ended up being a short time, but sweet and we are planning a beach day in August.
• Meet up with Marti and Danny...missionary friends doing a church plant in a neighboring town. We hope to do a lot of collaborating between our churches. Such an encouragement!
• Scheduled a get together with Lorenza and the kids next Thursday! This was her idea so I'm super encouraged and going with it...I ask for lots of prayer because she is quite an intimidating person and carries a lot of pain.
• Today I had lunch at Monica and Bruno's. It was really good. They are very open about problems in their 7 year long relationship and understand the need to get married, but there is a lot of fear and dysfunction in their hearts and home. Pray for them! I also got to chat a bit in the beginning with 20 yr old daughter Erica and boyfriend Matteo. They are so sweet and I know Erica suffers a lot from her mom's manic-depression, and she is far from God. I got her number today so pray we can connect more!
• Tonight I am headed off for the FIRST time to a zone in Rome that is heavy with prostitution. The group I am connected with (been on the prayer team since they started in March) has mainly met Eastern Europeans...though apparently Chinese prostitution is growing here and the Nigerian group is well-established. Pray for safety as we talk to these women, and wisdom for me as I ask God how He wants me to be involved when they start up again at the end of summer. We want to offer hope and freedom and healing in Jesus.
• Been spending lots of time with Tania as she is home studying for exams. Please pray that God reveals Himself to her, that she knows His love, that she makes some critical decisions in her life according to His will!
• We had a wonderful basketball game with the youth last week!! Leo, Giulia's 17 yr old brother came. We love him so much and pray for his salvation!! We have another basketball game scheduled with the youth July 17, before Leo leaves for Florida to improve his English. Pray for our youth that they grow strong in the Lord. Tania had a really hard/good talk with Moira who is apathetic about her life and full of anger in a very passive way. I talked to Elijah about worry and anxiety. Giulia is enjoying popularity...I think with her cancer she just wants to fit in, but is drawn by the world.

The rest....

• Dinner with Livia (21 yr old pastry chef friend) fell through because she ended up going out of town...hoping to re-connect before I leave.
• I am really hoping to connect with Fation before I leave but I know he is studying for exams and I'm not sure how to reach out to him.... 
• Also hoping to get together with Melinda, the young woman attending my Tuesday night community group. 

Everything else has pretty much been on hold for when I return. The Bible study in my home on Tuesdays has been growing really well. We had another new lady last week, a single mom from Cameroon. We also had Ivano (friend from church in Rome) come out to add to our male group! Zenovia has not returned (our neighbor)....we continue to pray for all these things. Baptism coming up soon!

I was able to visit the medical offices here (something I could never do during work hours) and register officially with a doctor. God was gracious and it went so smoothly! Sometimes I get nervous doing these things by myself. But God is always before me! I know He is helping me with language and I've been able to study a bit, and get out more in Frascati.

BIG THANKS to everyone who has been so welcoming and accommodating regarding my upcoming US trip! I feel blessed to know such wonderful people and am really looking forward to seeing you all. Expect a blog next week with my schedule.

xo, Allie

Below: local bubble-man in town square; Tania and I on a midnight passeggiata to get gelato :)

july

Well I've finished with work!! I can't tell you the sensation I have knowing I will not be leaving early for work tomorrow. I take it as a great gift from God, this month of freedom.  I just ask for wisdom to know how to schedule my time. Also for energy and confidence with Italian language.

I want to take a moment to thank Jesus for bringing me through quite an interesting and difficult year of work, for teaching me a lot, and loving me gently througout.

Some things on my July to-do list:
(please pray for prioritizing and for God to be glorified in all of my friendships here)

• Going to lunch at Monica's (manic-depressant church lady with 20 yr old daughter Erica, not Christian).
• Meeting up with Livia again.
• Going to the beach or rock-climbing with my random group of guy friends (not Christian): Fation, Roberto, Alessandro?
• Having Alberto and room-mates over for dinner.
• Meeting together for our discipleship group Marco, Michelangelo, Tania, Me. We didn't manage in June because of our schedules. I'm up next to share. Pray that God moves and knits us together!
• Sleepover: I want to take Lorenza's kids for the night to give her a break. Pray she accepts the idea!
• Hanging out with Veronica, Sara, Valeria and Claudia--the young girls (16-21) from our Albano Biblestudy. They are so precious and so broken and in need of Jesus and encouragement.
• Meeting up with my American friend Marti who is planting a church in a neighboring town with her husband...just to encourage one another!
• Getting together with my colleagues for dinner.
• Daily study of Italian. Ask God to anoint my tongue, my mind. I need to improve!
• Do my 1st street visit with the prostitute ministry I am hoping to be more involved with in Rome.

Other church and personal requests remain:

• We continue to have TUESDAY NIGHT Bible Study in my home. Pray for more men. Pray for those getting plugged in: Matteo, Melinda, Concetta, Jenny (Hilda is out of town for while), and for our neighbor Zenovia (not a Christian) who joined us for the first time last week!!
• This month we will have a baptism for Laura (sister of Lorenza) and Paolo and Simona and whoever else....
• Please continue to pray for our church leadership (wisdom and grace) and the spiritual maturity of all members. Praise God my sunday school lessons have been going ok!
• Personally I feel a great insecurity about sharing my faith right now. Pray for the Lord to reveal himself to me, and help me to love, believe, live and communicate effectively.
• TOMORROW we will have a basketball match and dinner with Moira, Elijah, Giulia (our youth kids) and Leo (Giulia's unsaved 17 yr old brother). Pray that these kids are ignited with the love and knowledge of God. Pray for healing from Giulia's cancer. Pray for Moira who failed her classes this year and will be held back for the 2nd time. Pray for Elijah who is struggling with not having many friends.

USA TRIP

I will write further detailing my CA-OR-WA itinerary. But since some of you have already asked, I'll write a brief sketch here:

July 26-August 4 Los Angeles
August 4-10 Sunriver
August 10-16 Seattle
August 16-18 Los Angeles

During my first week in LA I have a wedding and an event for my book. I am thrilled to be able to make it to Rhetoric 2013 this year in Long Beach if anyone wants to join! Looking forward to spending time with family and friends. I'll be seeing my parents' new home in Seattle which will be quite a change! Not certain about my car or cell phone situation, but I will update here as soon as these things are hammered-out. It's gonna fly by but I am SOOO looking forward to seeing your faces! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your prayers and support.

Love, Allie (sorry I don't have any pics!!)

of prodigals and prayers

Tonight was amazing. It was a combination of:

• Excitement to finally see growth in the Frascati Tuesday night community group!
• Tania re-joined the group after many months...
• God specifically spoke in ways that answered a year of prayers (even prayers of Pastor Robert and I just yesterday!) through a new lady coming, Concetta, and Robert was given the opportunity to elaborate on some really pertinent truth for both Matteo and Tania who were present. The love and grace of God was demonstrated.
• Melinda, a young 30-something single, raised-in-Christian-home but confused etc. woman came again for the second time.

Continue to plead with God with us for the hearts and lives of our church members in all 3 community groups: Colleferro, Albano and Frascati. Pray for 13 yr old Giulia who is sick again with fever. Ask God to heal her cancer. Also 16 year old Moira is sick and will be held back from school a 2nd year. Pray for Monica who needs to trust Jesus with her life and not fear making the right decisions regarding the boyfriend she has. Ask God to guide. Comfort to Laura. More men to come to faith....

Next Monday at my house will be the monthly dinner/accountability prayer time with Marco, Michelangelo and Tania...we are the '20-somethings' of the church. We've started taking turns testifying/confessing of what God is doing in our lives. Tania shared powerfully last time. I will go next. Please pray for me that I hear from the Lord and that each of us continues to be honest before God and each other and seeks to know and live for Him.

Thankful for my American friend Heather who let me crash at her place when I got stuck in Rome Saturday night. Public transport has been SO frustrating these weeks. So uncertain. Thankful.

I had a great time with Livia last week. We are already making plans to see each other again next week. I adore her. She told me of her dreams to move to America in the fall to look for work. I'm bummed to see her go, but also excited at the possibility for her. Anybody looking to sponsor an Italian pastry chef for a visa??

I am wrapping up the school year this week. Then I teach one week of summer school and July welcomes summer! Please ask the Lord to give me grace, humility and love for my boss, colleagues and students. Specifically for Raffaella--I need wisdom, boldness and opportunity to speak more openly with her (& Maison!) about Jesus. PRAISE Jesus for my precious precious students and how much love I have received from them this year. What a year it's been.

xo

watermelon gelato = best thing ever

community

Community. I spoke with Robert about how we can foster deeper community between our home groups spread out among the Castelli. We want to be sharing life together in a Biblical way. We want the believers to make personal applications to what we are studying. Continue to pray this prayer with us. Maturity and filling of the Spirit. Communion with God and Man.

Association: in final paperwork! Huge blessing: this lawayer is a Christian and would not charge us. We plan on using the money we set aside for our new tracts!

Livia. Meeting up with her this Wednesday finally! Praying for a wonderful, intentional, open time with her. May she (and family) hunger for Christ.

Fation. Don't really know how he's doing. Continue to pray for him and family (mom who tried to kill herself etc.). If you look 5 pictures down on the right side of the blog there is an old photo with me, Alessandro, Roberto and Fation...continue to lift these friends up. Salvation!

Tania. Continue to pray for her. For wisdom, diligence, healthy communication, healing. Praise God for growth.

Matteo. He came to our Bible study last week! He has so much to learn but seems very earnest as a new Christian. Pray for his body, mind and heart and that Robert can support him well.

Lorenza. On Friday she asked me again about tutoring her in English. I have NO TIME in June but told her I would love to in July. Pray for this, and that ultimately I can encourage her in her faith. Also, Sunday we had GIULIA'S dedication. It was a joyous event bringing most of our 3 Bible study groups from Frascati/Roma-Albano-Colleferro together! Lorenza gave a testimony to how the Lord transforms and how His love is faithful when ours isn't. She wants to raise her children in the Lord, 'with pride' she said. I cried.

Veronica, Sara, Claudia, Valeria. These are my precious 16-21 year old girls from the Friday night Bible study. V & S have been coming regularly again. Please pray that the love of Jesus becomes real, vibrant and personal to heal and transform! Pray I can get together with them in the coming weeks.

Visitors. It's been SO sweet having Stephanie visit in the beginning of May and Brittany and Marc just recently. Thankful for my amazing friends who catch the vision for what God is doing here and came all this way to spend time with me!

Book. My new book for women, The Wall, is available on Amazon (paperback and Kindle). Feel free to spread the word! Thankful for this project...am already receiving feedback. Need wisdom on how to respond to ministry from this book. http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Conversation-Single-Women/dp/1432795120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370297499&sr=8-1&keywords=Allison+Raven+The+Wall

Thanks for your love and prayers. God is sustaining in ALL THINGS.

PS, check out this gorgeous hymn I sang at St. Frances' Basilica in Assisi last week! http://www.mljmusic.com/Portals/0/Lyrics/Gather%20us%20In.pdf

'Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven light years away, but here in this place the new Light is shining, now is the Kingdom, now is the day! Gather us in and hold us forever. Gather us in and make us Your own! Gather us in all peoples together--fire of love in our flesh and our bones.'

Below: Steph & I in  Assisi, 3 pics of Giulia's dedication @ new Christian Paolo's home, Brittany & I at Frascati park.

tesori

In Italian 'tesoro' means 'treasure'. It can also be an endearing name like 'honey' in English. On Sunday I was teaching about Mary the mother of Jesus in Sunday School (interesting especially since Eli brought a Catholic friend!). This morning I was with my students thinking of Luke 2:19 that says, 'And Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart'. I know I wrote about this a few months ago too, but it still touches me. Sometimes treasuring feels a bit like hoarding. We don't know how to love and let go. But I am learning this, this freedom. I am thankful for the countless moments that no parent will ever ever get to see...only me. The teacher. And I find that God fills my days with treasures, those that don't rot and rust and destroy: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Just a thought for the day.

Some prayer updates:

CHURCH tracts/location/association: Thanks to those of you who asked about giving toward our gospel tract fund! What a blessing. We are still waiting to hear from the city offices and our lawyer regarding available church location/signing associating contract. Italy....

CHURCH people: Lorenza (single mom) has a sister Laura who has recently given her life to the Lord and is growing a lot. Think that when I first arrived in Italy she was trying to kill herself. We are thankful for her growth and for Paolo (another new believer) and for Simona, Sara, Veronica (daughter/grandkids) of Anna who attends the Albano study. They are not believers but are becoming open and hosted the study at their house last week! Baby Giulia will be dedicated in June as well as a baptism at the end of the month! The Colleferro study (which I don't attend) is really growing and maturing as well. Praise God. Giulia--the 13 yr old with cancer--has had fever for 3 days and her mom is taking her to the hospital tomorrow. We saw each other tonight and she was in tears. Continue to pray for healing. Praise God also that for once I felt I taught a somewhat smooth lesson in Italian last Sunday!

WORK: Still lots of chaos. It will be like this til the end of June. Anyway, please pray I can be a good witness and not succumb to the dysfunction or attitudes around me or in my own flesh! Pray I have energy to balance all I have going on this month with work, church, visitors, etc....

FRIENDS: In our monthly meeting, Tania Marco & Michi have decided to take turns giving testimonies of what God is doing now in our lives. Tania started last night. It was a really big deal that she open up about her past and present with her brothers and I'm really thankful at God's transforming work. It was a sweet time. Continue to pray for these--going against stream always for their faith. Also, I hung out with Fation last week and he said his mom had tried to kill herself. Home continues to be turbulent. He and his family need Jesus.

Thanks so much and love to all.
Allie

At coffee with friends sunday morning we witnessed this elderly lady pulling a basket of goods up through the window on rope from the top floor. That's one way to do get your groceries!

sono grata (i am thankful)

I know it's not November. But I am giving thanks. Like, really, intentionally. I'm thankful for this lesson God is teaching me. A few days ago I arrived home exhausted, frustrated, feeling manipulated and half-Christian...I was thinking about all of the bad things from that day. Then the Holy Spirit stopped me. I began to recount the GOOD things. Because--believe it or not--there were quite a few: Remember Mario your coffee barista who gave you a muffin he made at his house? Then you arrived at school and the twins gave you 'flowers' they made out of napkins? Then Azzurra's mom gave you SUCH a nice compliment. And Raffa is such a great colleague to work with.... I started to write these things down on little post-it notes. I put them up in the kitchen; a section for me, and one for Tania. It is fostering a new spirit of thankfulness in our hearts...and I am thankful. The Lord is gracious.

Three big praises:

TANIA. Only a few hours after writing my last newsletter last Sunday, Tania and I had a good talk and I see some great fruit of 'transformation.' This is a work only the Lord can do. Thanks for your prayers. Continue to pray for love and wisdom on my part. May we love and follow Jesus always.

BOOK. Haven't written about this in some time, but my book, 'The Wall,' will be out by the end of the month. This is really exciting and a long time in coming. You will be able to purchase it (before I get a copy, no doubt, with the Italian postal system) on Amazon. Details to come ladies.

TRACTS. Thanks to my amazing German friends Dorit and Stephan Spielau in Gorlitz, I was able to get translated (from German to English to Italian--what a process!) some really awesome gospel tracts with our church information. Stephan designed them and they are really relevant and engaging. We are so thankful and excited to get some printed. Praying for funding (around €300).

Other requests still stand...friends (Fation, Roberto, Alberto, Erica), church family (Monica, Lorenza, Concetta-new), colleagues (Raffa, Iram, Peter, Annamaria, Maison, Ruhma), etc. We are still hoping to sign our Association contract to become an official NGO this week (the church). We are also hoping to hear this week about a location for our church to meet (praying the county gives us one--they are deciding). Praying for Matteo (new convert) to get plugged into church. Praying that my boss does not require me to work in July.

Thanks! Remember to be saving some time for visits the first week of August for those in LA! Looking so forward to it. xo

Me and baby Giulia before church. I love this girl so much it hurts.

MAYhem

'No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.' From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 'You do not want to leave too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' John 6

This morning I am thinking about the Lord's faithfulness. Every time I meet new people, the first question is, 'WHY DID YOU LEAVE AMERICA!?' Italians have a very idyllic view of the States. And much of it is true. On a human level, I can't explain it. Who in there right mind would leave the best family, friends, church, home, job, comforts anyone could ask for?! But I echo Peter: where else could I go? It doesn't matter where I am as much as WHO I am with, and that I live for Him. There is another thing that Jesus said that is also hard. The enabling. I need Him to open the eyes and hearts of people around me. I need to see miracles. The hardness of hearts is such a dark reality. Please pray with me that God opens eyes and reveals Himself to my friends here. Pray that they would follow Him for His glory to be exalted in this region!!

UPDATES:

Fation & Roberto: Yesterday I spent time with them at Fation's birthday. It was a crazy group of drinking people. Alllll kinds of people. I felt so THANKFUL that God kept me safe and gave me some great conversations with people (personally because I'm shy and limited in Italian) and that I am able to know and love them. It is hard though. They need Jesus so very badly. Please pray for them and Andrea, Alessandro, Lele, Federica, Niccolò that I got to know particularly last night.

Erica. Haven't seen her again but hoping to reconnect with her, and maybe get back to the house to see Monica (mom) as well....

Livia. Is starting a full time restaurant job this week so we are still working out our schedules to get together. Please pray that we can work things out though because she is so smart and precious and different than many people I know here. I want her and her family to love Jesus!!

Lorenza. She is going through ups and downs always as a single mom and because of choices she's made. I don't know how to help, but I am hoping to take her kids a bit when I am done with work in June!!

Tania. Continue to pray that she listens to the Lord and that I can be used in her life for boldness and truth.

WORK: Basically tons of drama and manipulation. Please pray I can be a person who doesn't gossip, who does my job well and respects my boss. Pray for integrity and respect among staff. My boss is highly unorganized and uses certain staff members in manipulative ways. Please pray for a peaceful, professional working environment. I am still renewing my contract one more year. I am praying to move up a level with my current students. Pray for God's will in my role at this school.

I often breeze through a week thinking, 'How did I get through THAT?' And can only say the Lord is very very gracious and your prayers are heard!! Thank you so much for your love and prayers.

xo

My class on a fieldtrip at a farm about to make bread from fresh wheat! Loved this Italian lady who taught them :)

'ma invece hai riso'

Well, report cards are done. I'm looking forward to a random day off tomorrow (Italian holiday) and then the big push to the end of the school year (3rd week June)! It's already boiling here...summer is arriving.

Looking forward to visits from Nonna, Stephanie, Brittany&Marc, Betsy&Debbie in May/June!

Also, thanks to the Lord providing a work-free July/August, and the financial support of many of you, I am headed to the USA so mark your calendars!! *Just a note of warning I will be eating only Thai and Mexican food so please don't try to feed me anything Italian haha :)

• Will be in Los Angeles July 26-August 5... and again August 16-18.
• Will be in Seattle (still not official dates) August 10-15.

SOME FUEL FOR PRAYERS:

MONICA & ERICA. Monica is a long time member of our church in her 40s. I really love her and am inspired by her sincere, childlike heart. She suffers from bipolar disease and her heart and life are quite chaotic. On Sunday I spent the day at her home for lunch. She had been wanting me to meet her 20 yr old daughter ERICA. Erica's father (American) left them when she was small. She is amazing. The family is full of trouble and pain--Monica deciding whether to kick her boyfriend of 9 yrs (also a church member) out of the house. Or marry him. Oh goodness it's a long and winding story. Anyway, pray I can spend more time with them. And that I have the love and wisdom to do so. Cool thing: Erica works just down the street from my house(unfortunately at a gelateria--I'll have to break my loyalty to my fave gelato guy Marco at Blanca's every now and then to go see her!!).

RAFFA. I just love her so much! She seems better but we haven't really talked about how she's doing emotionally since I last wrote. We are spending time together on our holiday tomorrow, and then having tea with Tania Friday after work. Pray I can share more of Jesus with her. Just love her as He loves me. Pray she opens her heart to wonder and ask and want to know Him!

FATION. I saw him today as I usually do on Tuesdays. He is quite mysterious and I know he suffers a lot with his family, depression, loneliness, godlessness.... please pray for him. Pray that I know how to be his friend in a way that cares for him and points him to Jesus.

LIVIA. Cool thing. My Roman friend Livia just messaged me and she is back in Rome (was living in the north for cooking school) a few weeks in May and then most of the summer. She wants to get together. I love her parents/little sister as well. And Livia is just SUCH a lovely, strong young woman. Pray we can get together and have a good time and that she grows hungry for Jesus. Pray God's Spirit is with me so I know how to share exactly what she needs.

SUNDAY SCHOOL. A bit of a mess. Hard with young ones and old ones in one bedroom with my weak abilities. I need help!

PRAISE... I do feel that my Italian is getting a bit better. It takes a lot for me to say that, but I think it's true. I am looking forward to getting some tutoring this summer to focus on some grammar points.

PRAISE... last night Marco, Miky, Tania and I had our monthly dinner/prayer thing we're doing. It was really sweet. These guys are going through a lot it breaks my heart. They are the only Christians among their peers and it's just a big battle of beliefs, ideas, practices, philosophies, relationships.... Pray that they are strengthened in the Lord! Pray that together we can foster a new kind of community among young people here! If you are at all interested in sponsoring any of them at university (may have to drop out for financial reasons), let me know. By that I mean like $1000 per person, it's not a lot here.

PRAISE... our church member Hilde has returned from 4 months in the US. Her son ANDREAS has become a friend of mine, but since he spent Christmas with my family, despite attempts by Tania and I, we haven't seen him. Tonight I saw him again as Hilde hosted Bible study in her home. He arrived after since he had another obligation, but I am SO PLEASED to be in contact with him again. He is such a great guy and I just know God loves him and wants to fill him with purpose. Pray for ANDREAS and ELEONORA (girlfriend) that we can hang out and that they walk with Jesus.

PRAISE... as I mentioned last time, our church has become an official 'Association' or nonprofit in the county. La Speranza can function as a church but also coffee shop, bookstore, tutoring centre, and lots of other things we dream to be for the community. We are praying now for a location to move out of our house-church phase. This also requires maturity and unity of our members. Pray with us!

Love to you all!
A


    
Above: my home--may it be used for kingdom purposes!  
Below: me @top of Castel Sant'Elmo, Napoli last weekend :)