the mustard seed

Hi Everybody!

I'll give some quick updates since my last post.

1. Did not end up making it to Bovino last weekend. I'm still hoping for an opportunity to see these new friends...will have to wait til summer I think!
2. After LOTS of scheduling difficulties and drama, we are moving forward with our girls' breakfast/tea THIS SATURDAY for the young girls in our church. We will talk about Biblical Sexuality. Please pray for Tania, Marti and I as we prepare. You can't even imagine the questions we get...please pray for Sara. Her sexuality is the one thing keeping her from surrendering completely to Jesus. We want to have a deep, honest, fruitful time and establish support for these girls!
3. Heading out again this Friday to visit with the "treasures" on the streets. Pray I can re-connect with S and M and that God allows us to meet with girls outside "work hours."
4. Radio: I might have the chance to play some songs on an Italian radio show...connection through the buddhist son of a church member. Never know what God has in that! It's an answer to prayer as well because I am wanting to use my musical gifts despite feeling shy or busy....
5. Matilda. My lovely student Matilda's mom is dying. I don't know how much time she has, but there is no cure and she is at the end. Please pray that she may know Jesus and that God helps me to know how to support Matilda and her family...and the rest of my class when it "happens."

THE MUSTARD SEED

Recently I'd read story about a missionary in Ivory Coast. She would visit a remote village each month and pray for a crippled woman. Each time she returned to her town, she felt guilt and burden. Why couldn't she just say, "Get up and walk!"? Her faith was so small. This really tormented her. After much study and counsel, she was encouraged by the words of Jesus (Mt. 17:20): I say to you if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move!'" A few months later, she returned emboldened to the remote village. The crippled woman was not at her usual post! The missionary knocked on the door of the house. The crippled woman opened the door. She was walking! The missionary, astounded, asked what had happened. The lady explained that each time she had prayed for her, she felt a little better. But then her family would give her tribal medicine and chant demonic prayers over her, and she felt worse. She noticed the connection between her health and the missionary's prayers. One day when her family was enforcing their ritual upon her she said, "That's enough! I will walk in the name of Jesus!"

This story touched me to tears. So often I feel like this woman. I moved across the seas, and yet my faith is still SO SMALL. But even if I had the greatest faith in the world it would be small to the Lord. I can't impress Him. It's not about me. HE WORKS. With any offering. Last week my coworker Raffaella came to me as school started. "I need to talk to you," she said, "I think I need a Bible...I wanted to go to my priest but then thought, 'I'll talk to Allie.'" This was my mustard seed sprouting! I brought a Bible the next day with a daily devotional. She has been eating it up!! We haven't been able to talk much, but are organizing a time we can get together. I see her so open. Such a miracle. I love her more than anyone in Italy!!! God knows. God works. When I am weak. Then He is strong. Please keep Raffy in your prayers.

I'm sorry that I don't have time to recount so many stories. There is so much to say that my blog becomes very list-y. But know that God is working! Thank you so so so much for your love and prayers.

xo, A