I highly recommend the film RISEN, if you haven't seen it.
This time last year I was celebrating Easter with my sister and the Believers in Frascati. I am praying for their outreach this weekend.
Since my last post...
ITALY
I have made the difficult decision to NOT transfer back this summer as hoped. I am not ready financially or emotionally.
However: I have been in contact with Robert and various members of the church in Frascati. Their website remains active thanks to Michelangelo: www.ccfrascati.com. I have helped them set up a PayPal account for anyone interested in donating to Robert's family or to their summer outreach with our wonderful friends, Red Rain, who will return! They need about $500.
I have also been in touch with Schiavitù Mai Più founder and mentor in Rome, Sarah. She has been clear that there is much work to do if I am interested in rejoining them, possibly under the umbrella of the newly crafted national coalition, begun last year. Our team in Rome greatly diminished as three of us women left the country and our co-leader had a new baby. Needless to say, SMP's presence on the street has been slow and we plead against the devil for an outpouring of God's healing and justice in Rome as we are seeing in some other cities.
Last week I recieved a phone-call from my sweet 6 year-old Alessandro who wanted to talk to me about la Pasqua (Easter). It made my day to hear his voice! I miss my old kiddos in Rome. I miss my friends. I am thankful for technology that allows for calls and messages and photos. Please keep my friend Fation in your prayers as he is super discouraged and needs to open his heart to Jesus!
USA
In Los Angeles, I have been blessed to spend great times of fun and fellowship with some of my dearest friends. I am involved in a local church and discipleship group that has helped me grow. At my part-time job I am experiencing much favor and opportunity to build relationships with my coworkers that has been a blessing, and I am trying to not feel relationally overloaded. The world is so full of broken people! My family here is still very closed to the Gospel, but I am happy to be here. My grandfather's health hasn't made too many significant changes.
Next week I complete my certificate in counseling for abuse/trauma care at the Seattle School. I am so humbled and honored to have been able to do something like this. I really don't have any words. I've grown so much and am so thankful.
SOME THOUGHTS ON CALLING
As I've held a return to Italy with open hands, I've had to address my strengths and weaknesses and giftings according to the "kingdom" in which God has placed me. It is very clear that these passions include, in general: Women, Children, Advocacy, Education, Writing. In particular they include third-culture or immigrant children, racial and sexual justice issues, writing children's curriculum/books, writing poetry, learning language.
This said, I will begin to explore more opportunities in these realms and less in church-planting or administration which are not necessarily areas where I thrive, and I unfortunately am not super-human and can "do it all" as I was attempting.
With that, I ask you to continue to pray that God would guide my steps and that I would follow. For now, I am set to keep working in LA and dedicate some time to writing, as I help out my grandparents. I wait to be back across the sea!
PS, Here's a good article Relevant just produced on missions:http://www.relevantmagazine.com/reject-apathy/5-ways-do-mission-work-will-actually-change-world
SUMMER
For financial and practical reasons, I have declined many international invitations this summer including Korea, Australia and Ireland. And of course, Italy! However, I am considering one: my DEAR missionary friends, Kurt and Tiffany Ibbotson have requested that I help run a conference for missionary children in Sweden this summer. They are a family I know would not ask if they truly did not trust and need the help. The task is so suited to my passions, and though I started typing to decline their invitation, have decided to pray about it. I will need to decide soon!
These six months most of my earnings have gone to pay my certificate course in Seattle, and unfortunately I could not fund the trip with my current job. If you are interested in donating a plane ticket or any contribution, they would be so appreciated. Estimated trip cost: $2,000. Likewise, if anyone knows someone good with international children and organizing Bible lessons and activities, please let me know! Whoever is supposed to go, is much needed! I am sure that if I go, we will need supplies, so those would also be helpful donations.
Thank you for praying and supporting me in a time of transition.
Love, Allie
