Hi Friends!
This will be to-the-point. I have some praises and requests.
First, I've now had 2 interviews with the Rome International School. The principal is South African and the vice principal is Scottish. So fun. Basically, they want to hire me but must wait until my Italian passport comes through before they can do anything official. So this is a praise that things have gone so well.
Also, I've been able to communicate a lot of things about roles and expectations with my pastor in Italy, and feel much more confident, and on the same page. Another praise. He's so awesome and I feel honored to serve with him.
I'd like to request prayer for my Italian consulate meeting on June 8, 9.30am. This is when I order my Italian passport. The problem is that I've yet to receive the official letter I'm supposed to bring to this appointment and my lawyer is out of town until June 5. I need a miracle, now that I have a job on the line. As God wills!
Also, my poor church in Italy is going through a LOT. Specifically on my heart is spiritual maturity and strength in general, but also for my pastor's wife Chantal. She's been in hospital now about 5 weeks and there are still complications. Please ask God for healing. Also a sweet young woman, Lorenza, is pregnant out of wedlock with a man from a sister church. Pray for wisdom for the church leaders, grace & compassion (not gossip and rejection) from the church body, and repentance and courage for Lorenza and Valerio.
Finally, it's starting to kick-in.... I may have had a tear-headache last night. Starting to get a bit emotional about everything. I'm very desperate to be Spirit-led on all of these decisions. It just hurts to leave people I love. So you can pray for that.
Thank you so much for your love and support. I don't take it for granted that someone is interceding before the throne of the High King of Heaven on my behalf! I'm sure I don't even know what that means, but may my life show the impact of it! Amen.
XO, Allie
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Benvenuti! Welcome :)
IN ITALIA
The real mafia are in Italy
The most dangerous are in Italy
The ladies on the street are in Italy
Eat hand-made pasta in Italy
Then a thief enters your house in Italy
You can't find stable work in Italy
But you kiss your crucifix in Italy
There are the monuments in Italy
The churches with their paintings in Italy
The people with their sentiments in Italy
The country and its rapes in Italy
There are things no one will tell you...
Things no one will give you
You're born here and you die
Born here and die here in the country of half-truths.
Where will you flee?
The above excerpt is my translation of a rap by Roman rapper Fabri Fibra. It moved me years ago, and continues to do so today. I'm slowly cringing less when I tell people I'm relocating to Italy. "Oh I've always wanted to go there!" they squeal. But MY Italy? Rome? Rome has a growing influx of refugees, constant tourism, ancient ruins, good food, hopeless youth, beautiful fashions, jobless masses, religious exteriors, rebellious hearts. Such a land of contradictions.
It is my desire that God continues to build His Church in Italy, by whatever means He sees fit, and that I always remain open to how He wants to use me to that end. Italy is far from my identity. Life is an adventure, and my heart stretches to and from so many places on the globe that I sometimes feel it will burst. But recently reading "Kisses from Katie" has put me back in perspective. Christ is my identity. He is my beginning. My end. My goal and my prize.
If you are new to this journey, welcome! I am so honored and humbled by your participation. I thank you in advance for your patience in this time of transition!
Ok...drum roll...the Italian Consulate says I can receive my Italian passport by end of June. This is HUGE!!! Although I've been pressing forward to a January 2013 move, I was recently made aware of a dream job that would have me potentially moving this AUGUST! So: please pray that God would miraculously give me this job and help me move in August if that is His will. Pray for my Pastor's wife, Chantal, who suffers from a rare blood disease and hasn't been well lately. Also for the church building (a new place with low rent that includes a room for Sunday School). Pray for maturity and depth of faith in the believers at Frascati! Thanks so much.
Love, Allie
Check out CC Roma's vid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYt7GIbYc0
The real mafia are in Italy
The most dangerous are in Italy
The ladies on the street are in Italy
Eat hand-made pasta in Italy
Then a thief enters your house in Italy
You can't find stable work in Italy
But you kiss your crucifix in Italy
There are the monuments in Italy
The churches with their paintings in Italy
The people with their sentiments in Italy
The country and its rapes in Italy
There are things no one will tell you...
Things no one will give you
You're born here and you die
Born here and die here in the country of half-truths.
Where will you flee?
The above excerpt is my translation of a rap by Roman rapper Fabri Fibra. It moved me years ago, and continues to do so today. I'm slowly cringing less when I tell people I'm relocating to Italy. "Oh I've always wanted to go there!" they squeal. But MY Italy? Rome? Rome has a growing influx of refugees, constant tourism, ancient ruins, good food, hopeless youth, beautiful fashions, jobless masses, religious exteriors, rebellious hearts. Such a land of contradictions.
It is my desire that God continues to build His Church in Italy, by whatever means He sees fit, and that I always remain open to how He wants to use me to that end. Italy is far from my identity. Life is an adventure, and my heart stretches to and from so many places on the globe that I sometimes feel it will burst. But recently reading "Kisses from Katie" has put me back in perspective. Christ is my identity. He is my beginning. My end. My goal and my prize.
If you are new to this journey, welcome! I am so honored and humbled by your participation. I thank you in advance for your patience in this time of transition!
Ok...drum roll...the Italian Consulate says I can receive my Italian passport by end of June. This is HUGE!!! Although I've been pressing forward to a January 2013 move, I was recently made aware of a dream job that would have me potentially moving this AUGUST! So: please pray that God would miraculously give me this job and help me move in August if that is His will. Pray for my Pastor's wife, Chantal, who suffers from a rare blood disease and hasn't been well lately. Also for the church building (a new place with low rent that includes a room for Sunday School). Pray for maturity and depth of faith in the believers at Frascati! Thanks so much.
Love, Allie
Check out CC Roma's vid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYt7GIbYc0
Monday, January 9, 2012
a new year
Buon Anno Nuovo a Tutti Voi!
UPDATES:
I have decided NOT to take the Italian class this term. This way, I get to go to church. I am getting together a brunch invite so pray people from my class will come!! I am also trying to get another part-time job, audit a class at BIOLA, and finish my book (for which I am lacking in motivation!). I've discovered I am great at starting things, but loathe the finish-line. A big hug again to those of you I got to see while in Seattle (and Portland) for the holidays.
NEWS:
I started looking at teaching (primary school and TESOL/TEFL) jobs in Rome. I got SUPER overwhelmed. The thing I know: I want to be a support to my friends in Rome. The things I don't know: 1) WHERE to look for jobs (Rome is huge and people from my church are spread out), 2) Whether to pursue full-time or part-time positions because I am concerned about having enough time to serve the church, 3) When to move. I could move in the summer if I got a job. Otherwise I am waiting for my Italian passport. 4) Finally, I really have no idea how to get residence, etc. so I am just now needing to research all of this and ask my expat friends.
I don't want to rush leaving California. I LOVE my friends. My family is precious to me. But I don't want to stay when God wants me to go. I am trusting a lot of these things will fall into place as I pursue different options and doors open or close. The reality of living on my own, in a VERY FOREIGN country appears more and more vulnerable as the days pass. I'm so thankful to have the model of a few female friends who are off in their fields already. A visit from my dear friend Michelle (Japan) last week was a great blessing :)
Well, to close, I think I'm going to join an Italian choir because I can't totally abandon the Instituto all spring! Haha, I'll keep you posted if I do.
Lots of love and thank you ever so much for you prayers.
UPDATES:
I have decided NOT to take the Italian class this term. This way, I get to go to church. I am getting together a brunch invite so pray people from my class will come!! I am also trying to get another part-time job, audit a class at BIOLA, and finish my book (for which I am lacking in motivation!). I've discovered I am great at starting things, but loathe the finish-line. A big hug again to those of you I got to see while in Seattle (and Portland) for the holidays.
NEWS:
I started looking at teaching (primary school and TESOL/TEFL) jobs in Rome. I got SUPER overwhelmed. The thing I know: I want to be a support to my friends in Rome. The things I don't know: 1) WHERE to look for jobs (Rome is huge and people from my church are spread out), 2) Whether to pursue full-time or part-time positions because I am concerned about having enough time to serve the church, 3) When to move. I could move in the summer if I got a job. Otherwise I am waiting for my Italian passport. 4) Finally, I really have no idea how to get residence, etc. so I am just now needing to research all of this and ask my expat friends.
I don't want to rush leaving California. I LOVE my friends. My family is precious to me. But I don't want to stay when God wants me to go. I am trusting a lot of these things will fall into place as I pursue different options and doors open or close. The reality of living on my own, in a VERY FOREIGN country appears more and more vulnerable as the days pass. I'm so thankful to have the model of a few female friends who are off in their fields already. A visit from my dear friend Michelle (Japan) last week was a great blessing :)
Well, to close, I think I'm going to join an Italian choir because I can't totally abandon the Instituto all spring! Haha, I'll keep you posted if I do.
Lots of love and thank you ever so much for you prayers.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
in class
Friends!
THE END OF ONE ROAD...
I want to pause and thank God for the opportunity to attend BIOLA and for all that I've learned in my many years there. Yesterday finished my last assignment for my Masters in Teaching, and it is bittersweet. I took some time to reflect on all of the professors who have influenced me and all of the people I've worked with. I am truly humbled and grateful. I only pray God continues to open doors for me to use and sharpen these things I've learned, for His purposes.
OF ANGELS & DEMONS...
That said, I will continue to be one of those "life-long learners." NO. I am not getting any kind of doctorate. Not happening. However, as I've been involved for about a year and a half now with the L'Istituto Italiano di Cultura (LA's Italian Cultural Centre), taking language courses and attending other events, I am praying about a few things. Up to now, I have moved up with the same class and the same professor. We have become a sort of family: an Indian business-man, a high school exchange student from Spain, a newly divorced female film producer, a gay man who works in marketing for Disney, a middle-aged business woman with a daughter named Allison, a recently retired engineer who I've inspired to get HIS dual citizenship.... Each of these have a story. They have shared the most personal things and my heart just goes out to them. They all have different worldviews and burdens and I am the only Christian.
This past Monday we got into an intense conversation about spirits and the supernatural. Please pray for Camela who regularly sees a palm-reader (the producer), and my professor AnnaMaria (from Rome!) who is TERRIFIED of the presence of the supernatural. She admitted she's been in therapy for it before. She can't sleep alone. Pray for Zita (from Spain) & Sanjay (India), who don't believe in God or spirits at all.
Here are some things for which I need direction: I want to host maybe a monthly luncheon at my grandmother's to combine my Christian Italian speaking friends with those of my class. ALSO, next term, the class is potentially moving to Tuesdays. I told my professor that I have my church home-group on Tuesdays and ANY other day but that would do! She started asking me all of these questions about it, what we do, etc. Please pray it does not move to Tuesdays and that I can continue with my same class. Pray also that I can invite people to church. Pray that God helps me to be bold and truthful. Pray that He anoints my tongue to speak Italian.
Thank you so much.
Allie
*Also, check out the pictures I've posted at the bottom of the page!
THE END OF ONE ROAD...
I want to pause and thank God for the opportunity to attend BIOLA and for all that I've learned in my many years there. Yesterday finished my last assignment for my Masters in Teaching, and it is bittersweet. I took some time to reflect on all of the professors who have influenced me and all of the people I've worked with. I am truly humbled and grateful. I only pray God continues to open doors for me to use and sharpen these things I've learned, for His purposes.
OF ANGELS & DEMONS...
That said, I will continue to be one of those "life-long learners." NO. I am not getting any kind of doctorate. Not happening. However, as I've been involved for about a year and a half now with the L'Istituto Italiano di Cultura (LA's Italian Cultural Centre), taking language courses and attending other events, I am praying about a few things. Up to now, I have moved up with the same class and the same professor. We have become a sort of family: an Indian business-man, a high school exchange student from Spain, a newly divorced female film producer, a gay man who works in marketing for Disney, a middle-aged business woman with a daughter named Allison, a recently retired engineer who I've inspired to get HIS dual citizenship.... Each of these have a story. They have shared the most personal things and my heart just goes out to them. They all have different worldviews and burdens and I am the only Christian.
This past Monday we got into an intense conversation about spirits and the supernatural. Please pray for Camela who regularly sees a palm-reader (the producer), and my professor AnnaMaria (from Rome!) who is TERRIFIED of the presence of the supernatural. She admitted she's been in therapy for it before. She can't sleep alone. Pray for Zita (from Spain) & Sanjay (India), who don't believe in God or spirits at all.
Here are some things for which I need direction: I want to host maybe a monthly luncheon at my grandmother's to combine my Christian Italian speaking friends with those of my class. ALSO, next term, the class is potentially moving to Tuesdays. I told my professor that I have my church home-group on Tuesdays and ANY other day but that would do! She started asking me all of these questions about it, what we do, etc. Please pray it does not move to Tuesdays and that I can continue with my same class. Pray also that I can invite people to church. Pray that God helps me to be bold and truthful. Pray that He anoints my tongue to speak Italian.
Thank you so much.
Allie
*Also, check out the pictures I've posted at the bottom of the page!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
a thought and a prayer
In light of recent elections in Tunisia, October 24th, that dear country has been on my heart. For those that don't know, I spent two months doing cross-cultural fieldwork in Tunisia (2008) and studied Sicilian-North African connections. I don't know what kind of involvement God would have for me regarding these places I love so dearly, but I ask that you pray for the governments and people of Italy and Tunisia, from Mafia to Arab Spring issues. May YHWH's peace surround and may His people be bold, and His church grow! Pray that God would direct me and those workers already in country.
Shukran and Grazie.
Watch below to understand the continuing problem:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13747560
Shukran and Grazie.
Watch below to understand the continuing problem:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13747560
Saturday, October 15, 2011
where i am...going to be!
I am busy texting and calling and emailing, and jumping up and down inbetween!
I am in process now with an Italian lawyer. He just "approved" my case and I will be sending my application for Italian citizenship out to him shortly. This means a 10-12 month wait process. I still have much to research about how to gain residency once I have citizenship, but at this very early stage I am praying about the possibility of moving around January 2013. I will likely need to raise support for the first 6 months or so to help with my transition until, Lord willing, I find a job. This is the greatest blessing about citizenship: I can work!
In the meantime, please ask the Lord to guide me in all wisdom, patience and courage. Ask Him to anoint my tongue to really grasp Italian (I am in class now). As far as timeline goes, I have a lot to pray about, and would appreciate your prayers. I don't want to do anything rash, but rather be Spirit-lead.
Again, for those of you just joining, I am hoping to work in the community,and partner with Calvary Chapel in Rome-Frascati. I think I would like to commit 2 years to this church and then evaluate whether to move further south. I have always loved Sicily. I just want to be open to God's will. As you can imagine, wonderful as this is, it can all be quite scary, so please pray that the devil doesn't discourage me.
I am so thankful for a wonderful family, job, friends and church. I pray that my remaining time here--God knows how long--is fruitful. I still long for the salvation of my California family. I am in the middle of writing my book. I want to be faithful.
Thank you friends!
Love, Allie
I am in process now with an Italian lawyer. He just "approved" my case and I will be sending my application for Italian citizenship out to him shortly. This means a 10-12 month wait process. I still have much to research about how to gain residency once I have citizenship, but at this very early stage I am praying about the possibility of moving around January 2013. I will likely need to raise support for the first 6 months or so to help with my transition until, Lord willing, I find a job. This is the greatest blessing about citizenship: I can work!
In the meantime, please ask the Lord to guide me in all wisdom, patience and courage. Ask Him to anoint my tongue to really grasp Italian (I am in class now). As far as timeline goes, I have a lot to pray about, and would appreciate your prayers. I don't want to do anything rash, but rather be Spirit-lead.
Again, for those of you just joining, I am hoping to work in the community,and partner with Calvary Chapel in Rome-Frascati. I think I would like to commit 2 years to this church and then evaluate whether to move further south. I have always loved Sicily. I just want to be open to God's will. As you can imagine, wonderful as this is, it can all be quite scary, so please pray that the devil doesn't discourage me.
I am so thankful for a wonderful family, job, friends and church. I pray that my remaining time here--God knows how long--is fruitful. I still long for the salvation of my California family. I am in the middle of writing my book. I want to be faithful.
Thank you friends!
Love, Allie
Monday, July 25, 2011
ROMA UPDATE
So I'm leaving Rome in an hour! It really flew by.
Some things about Italy I can never forget:
-There will always be a strike on the day you want to travel. At least one.
-You kiss (greet) starting on the RIGHT side.
-Italian children are wild.
-Rome is dirty.
-I love Frascati.
-I have the BEST Italian pastor ('papà') in the world :)
-I will never eat cavallo crudo again (that's raw horse, for this prior vegetarian!)
Just thought I would share....
Wow, this week was really wonderful and sweet! I got to visit my friend Livia before she left on holiday (and despite being totally (secretly) bummed that she invited me over the day AFTER she had Italian star 'Willwhoosh' over--not the same day) I had a really great time with her! She even brought up my beliefs and I was able to share the Gospel again, praise God! I was able to see all of my friends except one, so I was really pleased with the way the week went. It was busy and full and the time with the two churches I've worked with was precious. I was able to share my testimony, teach at a midweek Bible study, teach sunday school, and fellowship with old friends and new alike!
What was special for me on top of all of this, was connecting with friends from LA: Cassie and Joe Silva and Anna and Andre Le Comte! It was such a joy to show them around Rome (and speak English for a while!). God totally provided respite for me to speak English and supported my Italian (something I'm always anxious about), so thank you for the prayers!! I was also able to meet up with some new missionaries to Rome and hear about what's going on concerning ministry to Muslim refugees in the city. God bless everyone hard at work for His service.
I'm now off to another part of Italy to tour around with a friend for a while, the 'formal ministry' now ending :) I return to Seattle August 3. Last night I prayed with my Italian dad and he almost cried. We all know the next time I come it will probably be to move here, should God will. There will be a lot of changes. It's strange for me. I ask for prayer that God would keep confirming this to me, giving me success with language and citizenship processes, and renewing my love for the Italian people. I only want to be where He wants, when He wants so I would appreciate your prayers. Pray for my church here, that everyone would grow in real knowledge and love for the Lord and wisdom for those in leadership.
Most importantly, PRAISE God with me. I found myself on the train the other day, praying, and realizing: I can do this. God is so so faithful, who am I to think this beyond me? What isn't God worth? Where wouldn't I live for His cause? DIO è BUONO.
'The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love oh LORD endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.' Psalm 138.8
Love, Allie
Some things about Italy I can never forget:
-There will always be a strike on the day you want to travel. At least one.
-You kiss (greet) starting on the RIGHT side.
-Italian children are wild.
-Rome is dirty.
-I love Frascati.
-I have the BEST Italian pastor ('papà') in the world :)
-I will never eat cavallo crudo again (that's raw horse, for this prior vegetarian!)
Just thought I would share....
Wow, this week was really wonderful and sweet! I got to visit my friend Livia before she left on holiday (and despite being totally (secretly) bummed that she invited me over the day AFTER she had Italian star 'Willwhoosh' over--not the same day) I had a really great time with her! She even brought up my beliefs and I was able to share the Gospel again, praise God! I was able to see all of my friends except one, so I was really pleased with the way the week went. It was busy and full and the time with the two churches I've worked with was precious. I was able to share my testimony, teach at a midweek Bible study, teach sunday school, and fellowship with old friends and new alike!
What was special for me on top of all of this, was connecting with friends from LA: Cassie and Joe Silva and Anna and Andre Le Comte! It was such a joy to show them around Rome (and speak English for a while!). God totally provided respite for me to speak English and supported my Italian (something I'm always anxious about), so thank you for the prayers!! I was also able to meet up with some new missionaries to Rome and hear about what's going on concerning ministry to Muslim refugees in the city. God bless everyone hard at work for His service.
I'm now off to another part of Italy to tour around with a friend for a while, the 'formal ministry' now ending :) I return to Seattle August 3. Last night I prayed with my Italian dad and he almost cried. We all know the next time I come it will probably be to move here, should God will. There will be a lot of changes. It's strange for me. I ask for prayer that God would keep confirming this to me, giving me success with language and citizenship processes, and renewing my love for the Italian people. I only want to be where He wants, when He wants so I would appreciate your prayers. Pray for my church here, that everyone would grow in real knowledge and love for the Lord and wisdom for those in leadership.
Most importantly, PRAISE God with me. I found myself on the train the other day, praying, and realizing: I can do this. God is so so faithful, who am I to think this beyond me? What isn't God worth? Where wouldn't I live for His cause? DIO è BUONO.
'The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love oh LORD endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.' Psalm 138.8
Love, Allie
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