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