fish

I inherited a fish tank of sorts...and the gadgets that went with it. I was supposed to inherit the fish that lived inside as well, but it died right before my friend moved back to America. I took the stuff anyway, since I had already gotten used to the idea. I like having a little bit of life around the house, even if it seems cruel to confine them in such a small body of water.

Sitting here staring at my two fish tonight, I am thinking about what Jesus said to his new friends--an odd bunch of men to ever be expected to work together on any sort of task--"Go and be fishers of men." But men are just as slippery as fish. And I am convinced that different "baits" will "catch" different "fish." God draws people to Himself in many mysterious ways. I am thinking a lot about evangelism these days. Partly because I notice a lack of boldness and conviction in my own life. And partly because I don't always know what bait to use. Truth is truth. But I mean...how should WE in Frascati approach THESE Italians with the hope of Jesus? Where do we cast our net? Pray with us for inspirition and guidance. Write me if you have an suggestions.

Church

I write the above also because I just returned from a prayer walk around Frascati with Pastor Robert and our church member Monica. It was a beautiful and humbling experience. Monica is very childlike in many ways, but very bold in her faith. In one hour only TWO guys took a tract that we had. Yes, maybe soliciting is not the most effective approach, but the coldness of the people was really startling to observe. People of all ages. Anyway, Robert went up to a group of young people and started talking with a guy in dreads, Ryan. Pray for him. He was quite defiant thinking he could scare off Robert with his first comment: "Yeah well I don't believe in God." But Robert prayed that he may know Jesus and lead his group to Truth. Monica and I talked with a guy, Michele. "I am God...I don't need anybody"...that was his speech. I want to pray a specific prayer that GOD WOULD REVEAL HIMSELF TO MICHELE in dreams and visions that he would know His presence. I invited him to our Tuesday night group even though he refused our tract. Pray I can run into him again out and about.

Otherwise...we continue to pray for a place to meet, for spiritual growth and reconciliation, for Sunday School help (I will do a training this month), and for our Christmas outreach in December.

Work/Personal

Last night I had my colleagues over for dinner. Like last year, I had comments: There is such a peace in your house! Well praise God. Mostly my boss and our secretary dominated the conversations but I was thankful for the chance to just laugh and be together. Pray I have more opportunity to talk about Jesus and that I can be a good testimony at work. Olga, a new colleague, wants to hang out soon. ALSO, yesterday Tania interviewd to be my assistant at LGI. Pray that she gets hired if God's will. Pray for the challenging behaviors of some of my students. Ahhh I love them so much.

I need direction on what to take on what to cut out...feeling a bit exhausted.

Finally got together with a friend (of Tania's), Anais, to meet her new baby on Sunday after her dedication! What a precious little angel. Children are GIFTS.

On Sunday I am headed to the President of the Republic's estate with my friend Livia. Her parents invited me (Dad works for president). Never know what connections that may bring...if anything I can spend more time with her and her family! They have invited me to be with them for Christmas. Pray for wisdom in this decision because I want to be where God wants me to be.

Schiavitù Mai Più
Wonderful outreach with the girls from Without Words Movement. There were not tons of people, but it was a good effort. We start up again with our street outings November 15.

American-Style Coffee Bar

In 10 hours I will be waking up to go to a meeting with an accountant to ask about quotes and licensing needed to open a coffee bar for outreach purposes. After this meeting I am hoping to have a better idea of how to proceed. If we go forward with this, I would leave my job for next year. There are soooo many coffee bars here. One on every corner. What we have in mind is really unique, but we don't want to move forward if it isn't the Lord's will. It is a project COMPLETELY out of my league. Please pray for direction and confirmation.

Lots and lots to pray about. Thanks for being faithful. It blesses me!!
Allie

                                                       Baby Grace! xxx

Girls who participated in our Stop Sex Trafficking Flashmob at Piazza Navona :)

42

CHURCH

42 was the count on Sunday. Pastor Robert's little house was exploding. You can't tell from the hall but people poured out into the hall and kitchen. Only 3 little kids were in the boys' bedroom with me for Sunday School, and maybe 2 new people came by. It was mostly just the strange situation of people from our various studies deciding to come on Sunday (and still many were missing). We are typically about half that size on Sundays.

This makes me repeat our urgent prayer request: PLEASE ASK THE LORD TO PROVIDE US A PLACE TO MEET. We would like the city hall to offer us something for free. Or a place for cheap rent. Or...God knows.

SCHIAVITU' MAI PIU'

This is the prostitution ministry I work with. We have a lot going on this month as we kick back into gear. Monday we welcome two award-winning dancers from America. They will be coming from Romania to Rome to do various courses (daytime), flashmobs, and then 2 performances (free thanks to grant from Ravi Zacharias) at the Teatro Furio Camillo. Their themes are sexual brokenness and restoration in modern dance. We are so honored to have them help us do outreach as they have huge hearts for Jesus! We hope to raise awareness in the city. I am personally inviting friends and colleagues so pray that Jesus uses this in my life as an evangelism tool!

Next, we will start our street outings in November. It is hard for me because it means I will skip every other Friday night Bible study. Pray that God arranges a way for me to still keep up with the girls in Albano....until we start doing outings on the weekend in the DAY here in MY area...probably in the new year.

Here is a link about the dancers: http://vimeo.com/53354270

WORK

Two new colleagues: Olga the Italian teacher and Martina my student teacher. I really love them and hope to get to know them better. My students are quite challenging. Liam, Ephraim and Alessandro that is. Please pray for patience, love and creativity for me. And calmness and attention from them. I also talked with Matilda's mom yesterday. She has cancer and 'received some bad news this week' for which she has to 'make some difficult decisions.' I pray I can be used how God wants me to be used in the lives of all my students.

REST

Need help prioritizing my time.

COFFEE BAR ETC.

We need direction on moving forward with this business plan. I need direction on whether to leave my job next year for full-time ministry.

If anyone wants to come on short-term teams we are open wide!

THANKFUL

My bus schedule changed 30 mins earlier. I was upset about the loss of sleep. Now I am thankful for extra time to read my Bible. In prayer for 'friends' (my age, to get connected etc.) God has put my two new colleagues in my life, I ran into Alberto at the market, and Fation & Roberto and I are playing facebook-tag. Anyway, any contact is encouraging. Pray I manage to get together with everyone before December. This is a goal of mine for November. Also Lorenza and Laetizia. My friend and fellow minister Heather has gone back to America to raise support to come back next year. In the mean time I met another American Christian girl this week who is here as an au pair. Also, I re-connected with Fjori an Albanian Christian girl I want to get to know better. God provides. It is just TIME needed for all these things. ALSO, this week Tania and I were able to have tea with Jenny (mom of Giulia--14 yr old with cancer in our church). It was sooo sweet and I thank God for that encouragement.

Thanks for the love and prayers. Thanks also to those who financially support me--I just found a bunch of postcard thank you notes I wrote I think in August. Ooops. Coming your way now! Better late than never?

Alla prossima!
Allie

                     Above: prayer at the roman aqueducts this morning... Jesus is Living Water!

                                                    Above: crowded church!

                                            Above: silly Sunday school time!

111 deaths and counting

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/04/world/europe/italy-migrant-boat-sinks/index.html

COMPLETELY forgot to link this tragic, important story to my last update. Please pray for this ongoing problem. Pray for North Africa (I am praying about when to go back to visit). Pray that the corrupt, disorganized Italian government gets its act together.

hope and the cage

Thankful to have this rainy Saturday to reflect and catch up on some things. It's been one of those full weeks that should have been much fuller, but by God's grace, some people cancelled different things, and I've had some breathing room.

I've been thinking today about God's hope. The hope of our salvation. The hope that we cannot see. The hope that does not disappoint. I've also been trying to figure out why I have been so angry these last two weeks. It's like a cage. Rabbia. Rage. You don't feel angry. You don't think you are. But then you hear your student mocking you, 'I'm the teacher: That's enough! Stop it! Sit down!'...all he thinks of me is shouting. And I've certainly lost control. And my colleague asks, 'Are you ok?' to my shock because everything is 'fine.' Ok then if I'm not angry, why does it feel like my joy is in a cage?

Missionaries have many faults. One is to ask others to pray...for them...and then not pray themselves. To write lists, to do and do and do but without heart. I just want to be honest that I've had a reality check. I have some really exciting things coming up...things I don't deserve to participate in. And I want to do them with hope, and joy, and fullness of heart. I pray also that you will be filled with this vision wherever God is using you.

CHURCH NEWS

Tuesdays nights are growing to a steady 12 people...sometimes more. It is the JOY of my week. So excited especially to see the growth of Raffaele and Patrizia...also Matteo who prayed aloud for the first time Tuesday (once a month we have no study, but just a prayer evening). It was nice 2 weeks ago to see Andreas (Hilda's son) come out as well and stay for dinner (and also make fun of my disastrous bedroom condition when he gave himself a tour of our house haha). Monica has been coming as well. She has seen a doctor and is officially NOT bipolar.

Friday nights are growing as well. SUCH a different flavor. But we continue to have Simona and her daughters Sara and Veronica as well as their little Lorenzo (4) who needs lots of prayer but whose best friend I have become whether I like it or not! I praise God, because it makes him excited to come to Sunday school. Claudia and Valeria continue to come with their parents which is so sweet. We have a new lady Barbara...a dietitian I've met with, who is so sweet and sincere and coming out of a strange cult to walk in the Light.

Association LA SPERANZA. We have had our first meetings for our non-profit The Hope. It is a bit overwhelming. As secretary the lot of book-keeping has also fallen to me. This is all in Italian and has to do with NUMBERS. Not my strengths. Please pray for me. And pray for us as we get organized. We are seeking someone to come do a Christmas concert outreach for us. We are praying for evangelistic teams to come work with us. Whatever your talent is we can use it!

OTHER MINISTRY

I am attending another show of the INCREDIBLE documentary on prostitution, Nefarious, and bringing Tania and Matteo. The non-profit I work with, Schiavitù Mai Più is starting up it's street outings again this month. We are also hosting 2 Christian, American dancers at the end of October who will do flashmobs, classes etc. to raise awareness of the sex trade here in Rome. We are REALLY excited about this and have rented the amphitheatre at Furio Camillo downtown. Please be praying for this from October 22-30. Pray for the girls I hope to reconnect with: Adriana, Christal, Stella, Christina.

Coffee Bar. Some of you have heard that I have the opportunity to collaborate on a project to open a (Christian) American-style coffee bar here in Frascati. We want to create a culturally relevant center for people to get together and for us to hold events such as classes, debates, concerts... We had our first official meeting Wednesday to brainstorm planning. It is too much for me right now. It means opening another non-profit and starting from scratch. Businesses are SO hard to start here. Even if we have a few connections. It will be a miracle. Please pray that God CLEARLY guides my friends from a neighboring church in Monte Porzio and us here in Frascati. A joint venture could be awesome on so many levels, but we still need the right personnel and confirmation.

If you are at all interested in sponsoring the start-up costs of a business like this that will be used for evangelistic purposes, please let me know. This also means that I am prayerfully considering not renewing my contract NEXT year, but going full-time into these projects. Lots to think and pray about.

Thanks everyone. Lots of love from Italy.
Allie

         My sweet Aunt and Uncle stopped by Frascati for dinner this week... LA via Berlin! 

 Tuesday night gatherings. You can't see everyone very well, but it's very international and intergenerational!

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

back in italy :)

A huge thank you to everyone who's been following and praying for me this past year! August 17 marked my 1 year Italian anniversary. Thanks to those of you who just joined this prayer-blog list. You are awesome!!

THE USA

It was great. It was fast. But it also felt paced. I typically have difficulty switching between cultures, but I felt so much strength this trip and was able to enjoy my time in peace. I appreciate all of my friends who drove out to see me, gave of time/resources, and came to any of my events. Loved.

BEING BACK

One big praise is that my Italian has not seemed to have suffered. If anything it is getting better. I am thankful for that! This is always a priority prayer request--that I develop my language skills. I am praying for time and energy to devote to study this year.

I've been making my rounds and visiting people. Thankful for some extended time off work ( I now don't return til September 5). Some updates on that end:

• Concetta moved house. Still living with son, but seems to be doing better. Keep praying for her. 
• Monica has decided to leave Bruno and is pressing into the Lord. So cool! In the end, her daughter Erica (20) did NOT come to stay with us during the break-up. We are still praying about how to reach out to her. But Tania and I will be jogging, praying, and other things with Monica to support her desire to pursue healthiness....
• Livia is moving to Colorado in November in search for someone to sponsor her as pastry chef. I am sad that we never seem to stay in the same area for long! Praying nonetheless to have some good times and God-conversations with her before she leaves.
• Spend the day with Valeria and Claudia and family (from Albano study) at their beach home last week. Glad to have connected with them again. So sweet. Pray for the salvation of this family.
• Saw Roberto the other day and we plan on getting together Fation when we all return from the holiday. Pray for these dear friends of mine. Not always sure how to maintain my friendship with them...praying for creativity and opportunity.
• Matteo (new believer) is still coming to our Tuesday night group which just started up again last night. We are trying a new format, more discussional and applicational. It was awesome!! Praying more for the Holy Spirit to move make us grow. Thankful for addition of the SWEETEST elderly couple, Raffaele and Patrizia!
• Bought some material for Sunday School. Praying for grace and direction this year.
• Lorenza has been going through a rough time. Baby Giulia was also in the hospital but is now better.
• Teenage Giulia (cancer) was admitted to the hospital as well when I was gone. Apparently she was unconscious for a time. We continue to pray for her healing. Also her brother Leo is back from Florida and we saw him yesterday. He wants to have us over to 'tell everything'. So cute. Pray for Leo that he can know Jesus.
• Visited with friends Marti and Danny who are church-planting in a nearby town. We are praying/in beginning stage of collaborating to open a (Christian) coffee shop here in Frascati. I am super pumped about this idea. It is also a dream of Tania's. We are hoping to open next summer, at which time (prayerfully) I would leave my job to work with this project. More info to come!  
• Also on that note, (Marti and Danny are part of Schiavitù Mai Più, the prostitute ministry) we hope to start street visits again in September. Possible day visits in my area as well (a bit risky). Sadly, a few of our solid team members will be missing this fall. So we pray for the Lord to guide us.

That's it for now! I would love prayers for a good, joyous, strong start to work next week! Praying for the families that will be in my class, and my colleagues (old and new). 

Love to all.

Allie

Above: making Congolese doughnuts with Tania's cousin from France (R)& our friend Brenda (M).

                          Me with Valeria, Tania, Claudia and Tania's cousin at the beach.