convinced & involved

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Things going well over here. Last night I dreamt about being in Seattle for my brother's wedding. I must be getting excited! The beginnings of spring and sunshine are causing me to think long thoughts of the LA coast as well.... Home is always home. At month #19 here in Italy, I can say March has probably been one of the most dark and difficult. For various reasons: major conflict with someone here; stressful and tragic conditions at work; physical exhaustion; heating/hot water problems (a month of bucket showers!); spiritual growing pains.... It has all been good. I am thankful for it all.

I've been reminded of the persuasion of Paul: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, NOR ANYTHING ELSE in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). God's love is a cosmic reality AND a personal experience. It is pure. It is constant. It is rageful. It is gentle. It is indestructible--neither by the finality of death nor the distraction of life. Nothing. Can. Separate. Us. From. That. Love.

So what are we waiting for? What can't we do?! We've already overcome it.

SINCE I LAST WROTE...

• Raffaella remains difficult to pin-down. Please keep praying for this precious friend/coworker to know Jesus!
• I was able to resolve the conflict by God's grace. 
• We have someone (after a million failed visits from our repair guy) coming to replace our boiler on Tuesday.
• I did a short Sunday School teaching training with sisters Valeria and Claudia last week! We have seen them come consistently and take the Bible teachings to heart, so I've asked them to come on board! They will shadow me and then we will start rotating in April! Just in time for me to leave for America. But the exciting point is: they're being raised up!
• Had a great lunch with Monica (older lady from church) last week. Since she has made some drastic decisions to follow Jesus (kick boyfriend out of house, take care of her mental/physical, spiritual health, etc.) God is doing great things in her and I am very proud of her! It was sweet to be together. Her daughter Erica says she will come to church tomorrow. It would be a miracle! Please pray for this.
• Schiavitù Mai Più has been unable to hit the streets this month due to logistical difficulties...but we have met for prayer and are excited about these things: new team member Fjori, getting an anti-slavery/prostitution petition passed, that we have a contact cell-phone for the 'treasures' to call, 4 of us women (yes, PRAISE JESUS after some difficulty my boss gave me the day off I needed to go) will be headed to Turin in May for an international anti-trafficking/prostitution conference, we hit the streets again next Friday!
• WORK. My student Matilda's mom has passed away. The week before I discovered Nicolò's dad has stomach cancer. I got a new student last Thursday from Poland. My emotionally-behaviorally challenged students continue to test me (I am at 15 4-5 yr olds and no assistant). My heart is so full of love for these kids. Pray for patience, energy, creativity...leading of Holy Spirit as I comfort my little Matilda.... Also to stand firm amidst gossip and manipulation among staff....
• Our church CC Frascati has decided on a day retreat June 30 and God provided a place at low-cost. 
• We also have the New Zealand Christian rock-band RED RAIN coming to us the end of July for outreach. We are so excited!!!
• My dear friend Heather is returning to Rome (missionary) next week!!

HOW YOU CAN BE MORE INVOLVED...

Currently, there are some specific ways you can be more involved in the ministry here:

• If you would like to be on the bi-monthly prayer chain to pray on-call as we are out with the 'treasures' every other Friday night, download WhatsApp on your smart phone and email me your telephone number. You can also like Schiavitù Mai Più on facebook. 
• If you would like to receive CC Frascati's newsletter blog updates (about 6/yr), send me an email alliecase@gmail.com. 
• Financial needs of the church: printer (€200), funding to host NZ outreach band (€500 their costs + €500 food, gas, advertising, renting a place=approx 1,000)
• My personal financial needs: washing machine (save on outrageous laundromat prices--€600), Italian driver's license (€400). 
• Come! We are always interested in ways you can use your gifts and talents to edify the church here and reach the lost.

Donations can be made to Calvary Chapel Eastside: 5130 164th Ave SE, Bellevue WA 98006 USA. Please write on check memo "Allison Case Italy-washing machine" for example so we know where the money should go! 

In any case, thank you for the love, prayers, encouragement, finances.... Tomorrow my coworker Olga has agreed to come to church with me. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. Pray she doesn't bail! More miracles please Jesus!!!

xo

                                                 (Keep Calm & Have Faith)

Ave. SE

Bellevue, WA 98006, USA

suspended.

Ciao.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and prayers. Been feeling sustained in addition to a lot of other feelings :)  One of the words that Requestscame to mind when I sat to write now was "suspended." Lots of things that should happen (real chat with Raffa, guitar practice with Olga...), and things that will happen (deaths, moves, events). Though I am not sedentary, I am trying not to just survive each week. New vision to be proactive. We will see how it goes.

Praises (sorry I should include them every time!)

• Sexuality event went VERY well. I messed up my Italian discourse and managed to land it with some kind of understanding, but the others were excellent!!! Sara, Veronica and Moira did not come which was very sad to us. But we are thankful for Barbara, Claudia, Valeria and Giulia that came and pray to do another event like this soon!
• I am continually thankful for the Diamubeni family. Love.
• Those of you who have written me, prayed for me, and have communicated about supporting me financially. 
• Music. Today in the piazza. Brought to tears by a disabled band singing and playing and dancing. JOY.

Requests

• That we can resolve problems with our furnace/hot water heater thing.
• That I can organize a small team of children's ministry leaders. 
• EASTER. Our next outreach. We need a location. Ideally I'd like to organize another sketch with the girls but I need inspiration. And time....
• Church unity, purity, maturity...and a meeting place.
• WORK. That I can be a good witness. That I can be a good teacher. That my students have PEACE. My nerves are on end. I need a real miracle for Giulio especially. I have also discovered that besides Matilda (losing her mom), my student Nicolò may lose his dad soon to cancer. So strange that both of these are in my class. To lose a parent is tough at any age. Please pray as the Lord leads you to pray.
• Tania. For her growth and that I would know how to challenge and support her.
• Fation & Roberto. Back in touch with them and saw them at Fation's graduation dinner last week. God's will be done with these friendships.
• Schiavitù Mai Più...pray we can go out this month. Lots of complications logistically with our team but we don't wanna miss! Pray also that my boss gives me the day off for the anti-sex-trafficking training conference I hope to attend in May. 
• My license. Pray that I make the time to study for the "impossible" driver's tests. If at all possible for me to still qualify for an international license, pray I can get one when I'm home in April instead.... And that I can budget the maintenance of a car etc.

Lots of randoms. God will understand.

Thank you!! Love and blessings.

                Above: the band today. Below: Coworker Olga and I at the school's Carnival Party!