new friends

FRIENDS

Since being back, all of my old friends began writing me to get together. I felt very loved. Tania and I are also noticing a pattern that God has been bringing "new friends" into our lives. This is exciting, but also overwhelming. How do we reach all of these people? How do we find time? Please pray for us in this. God has really helped us to unite peacefully towards His purposes this month, and we want to hear from Him.

For Tania:
Egyptian Muslim girl on bus
French girl Maeva (we are learning a lot about her and think she may be in a slave-like situation)
Laura (ex coworker)

For Me:
Michela (Romanian babysitter of one of my students--wants to be friends)
Claudia (new coworker)

I am growing closer or trying to connect with these dear non-believing friends:
Fation (told me yesterday that he is filled with fear before he goes to bed)
Roberto (likes dark, pagan things)
Luana (and Andrea P.--Andrea P's girlfriend pursuing music therapy for kids)
Andreas- struggling with depression and addictions
Livia- living for herself
Olga- manipulator, curious
Paolo- lost
Raffaella-sweet coworker, needs to know Love

We'd like to have some kind of party or something to mix our Christian (very few!) and non-Christian friends. Pray for creativity, time, etc.

There are also quite a few fellow missionary relationships I'd like to invest in here in my area. NO. TIME.

WORK

I was devastated to find that my schedule had been altered to work more hours than last year. This has been very difficult to accept. But I am praying for strength to be a good witness. To have a good attitude. I miss my old students, but my new class is excellent. Please pray for:
Giulia
Delisha
Viola
Ginevra
Paolo
Pietro
Filippo
Daniele
Francesco
Melissa

There is also a new autistic boy in my old class. Pray that I can help or that his situation is handled in an appropriate way.

I am also trying to figure out times to tutor Alessandro and Matilda (mom died in March) who have moved to other schools in Rome. Please pray for God's guidance.

CHURCH

Baptisms were BEAUTIFUL. Pray for more growth and desire to be baptized among other members: Matteo, Veronica, Simona, Alessandro, Stefano...

SCHIAVITU MAI PIU

Our training went well if low-attended. We keep seeing lots of new girls on the streets. We are asking the Lord for more workers. Specifically ITALIAN and ROMANIAN and ALBANIAN Christians. So far we are all Americans plus Fjori who is Albanian. We have a big awareness campaign from October 1-18 and would like prayer for this. Personally, I hope that the subject of sex-trade comes up more among my friends so I can share God's heart of FREEDOM.

PERSONAL

I have dropped studies for my license. No time. In the meantime God provided coworkers to get me to and from work and couches to sleep on if I'm stuck in Rome. My cousin Dylan will be in Rome 2 months. Please pray that he opens his heart to Jesus.

Thanks so much for interceding with me!

                                                  Sara and Julienne's baptism at sea <3 p="">

                                              My Sunday School eating after church <3 p="">

Flowers we bought this morning from our Bangladeshi flower seller friend on the street. Agash is a man who has suffered much. He is returning home for 5 months because he has a new daughter there. We are trying to think of a way to bless him before he leaves in 2 weeks. Pray for Agash!

the return: year 3.

I'm back in Frascati!

It's been nice the last 6 weeks to detach a bit from technology and just enjoy visiting people and being at the whim of the moment. If I saw you while on the West Coast, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My travels home included: 1 taxi, 2 planes, 1 bus, 1 train, 1 subway ride...an airport strike waiting for my luggage, a long line waiting to buy tickets, and my pastor and his wife who graciously met me at the end of the subway line to take me HOME. Maybe that's why I slept 10 hrs. straight last night!

UPDATE FROM SUMMER MINISTRY

God held back the rain for our 2 concerts. It was so miraculous. All 4 guests I invited came, even if they didn't stay the whole time. Our church was encouraged and unified by the event! We hope to have more people come out next time and to improve with advertising. Red Rain was a huge blessing!

I was also able to delegate 4 youth to teach Sunday School and various members volunteered to bring drinks for Sundays. I hear it went well and am eager to be back tonight in Church!

STATESIDE SUMMARY

California, Oregon and Washington were great. I rested. I "tried" surfing. I got some new clothes and teaching supplies. I went to the beach. I saw THREE musicals. I biked with my cousins. I ate Thai, Mexican and Indian. I went to a rooftop wedding. I saw loads of friends and family. I attended my churches. I saw my sister in concert. I said some really hard goodbyes.

Please pray for me as I consider many things for the future. The next few months I will be deciding what to do "next." Before I left for the summer I told my boss that this year 2014-15 would be my last year at the school. I really need to hear from the Lord about what to do after July 2015, so if you can keep that in your prayers I would be very grateful. Send me any verses or words God gives you!

Meeting my "nipotino" Noble <3 p="">

                                                                         Cousins :)

                                                         Siblings in the hot-tub

                                             Austen's show with my aunt and uncle <3 nbsp="" p="">

RLA Community Group Dinner

WHATS UP

I go back to work tomorrow. Please pray that God renews my strength, joy and creativity to welcome a new class of students this year! I am sad to be passed up by my old students and pray that I can somehow stay connected with them. Please pray for solid, uplifting communication between all staff.

Next Sunday, September 14 we will do church at the sea as Sara (17 yr old sister of Veronica 19, and Lorenzo 5) and Giulianna (Togolese, mom of Leo 9 and Dylan 2 in Sunday School) get baptized!!

I need wisdom to grow up other members to share in serving with Kids Ministry and Hospitality. Pray that others would see the value and commit. Please pray that someone raises up to takeover accounting because it is too much for me.

Schiavitù Mai Più (anti-trafficking/prostitution ministry) is back in full-swing. We have a meeting with a US Government labor official Sept 12, an outing Sept 19, a Training Day for new volunteers Sept 20 and our Freedom Days Campaign the week of October 18.

I am thrilled to host my dear friend Michelle from Japan (Biola) and her parents next week! I am also very thankful to have my cousin Dylan in Rome for 2 months...arriving in 2 weeks! God knew I needed a piece of "home."

Coming back to Frascati was difficult. But I am praying for a deeply fruitful year. I want to be loved and used of the Lord. I feel a bit like Job's friends: "Tell us! What are we to say to Him? We are unable to prepare because of the darkness" (Job 37:19). Thanking God He is Light.

Love to all!
Allie