marker-cap monster

Just a glimpse at the CRAZY kids I get to serve every day.

For those of you who have expressed interest in praying for my students by name, here's the list:
1. Giulio ('the earthquake'...infamous nickname at school)
2. Alessandro (hardest one to separate from mom)
3. Moise (adopted from Congo)
4. Liam (half Irish-- never sits still)
5. Niccolò (anything is a sword!)
6. Mariarosa (best cheeks for kissing)
7. Chiara (the oldest)
8. Azzurra (smoker voice-says the cutest things)
9. Ludovica (dimples!)

new home and king nebuchadnezzar

NEW HOME

An ENORMOUS thank you to everyone who prayed and supported my first Italian home! I made an offer and downpayment last Saturday. The offer was accepted the following Tuesday and we plan on moving in the first week of October. A little cleaning, painting, and a few IKEA runs, but otherwise we are ready to move in! Once again, I am blown away at God's provision, and thankful for Robert who has helped me in every step with agents and paperwork etc., as my Italian father. More pics to come, but here's a peak at 47 Via Cavour  :)

KING NEB PRAISES GOD

I've been reading Daniel. I think he is an incredibley insightful model of intercultural relationship, and spiritual responsibility against-the-stream. He never acquiesced to his circumstances, but was looking for opportunity from the moment he was taken captive to Babylon. And God blessed that. I've just been smiling and smiling reading over the life of King Nebuchadnezzar. There's a headline in Chapter 4 that says, 'Nebuchadnezzar praises God.' Just thinking of the earthly majesty of his kingdom and how he was humbled and restored shows the immense reach of God's gracious hand. Because of Daniel's faithfulness in a foreign land, at the end of his life King Neb was able to say, 'Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of Heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.'

It is a challenge to me. To look for opportunity. To know with the same confidence of Daniel, that I can offer an interpretation to a dream because I have access to the Most High and Living GOD. There is no limit to how He can use me in this foreign land. This week was incredibley pesante at work--children destroying things, running out of the classroom; my boss correcting me; two mothers crying. Then I got sick. Then more residency problems. Then people wanting my time. But my residency went through. And I am feeling better. And I got to pray with two young girls who are new believers. And I am going to work tomorrow with the power of Heaven inside me.

'what i think' ... 'what i say' (in italian)

A bit suffocating at times. Language learning is rough. But God knows.

APPARTAMENTO!

Ok, we think we have found a place.

By some divine chances, on our way to 'make an appointment' with the housing agency, we ended up being shown an apartment. The agent (who smothered me with Italian kisses and gave my pastor Robert lots of advice on producing beer) was eager to show us this place. Like most homes in Italy, the outside is worn and unimpressive. The inside shines. Maybe that's a clue to the culture in general.

Anyway, we walked in and were immediately taken with the GIANT (Americans: keep in mind this is Europe) living room. The kitchen is minascule but there are TWO bedrooms and TWO bathrooms. This is a very rare find for the price of... (drum roll) €750.00/month. My exact limit. (I am not taking any money from Tania the first year for many reasons, so this will be my responsibility to pay...ask me if you want more details). We are already dreaming about how this grand living room can be used to host Bible studies and a load of other ministry opportunities and times of fellowship.

We have asked to block the market on this house and are expected to make an offer by this FRIDAY. The apartment originally was on the market for €850.00 but our agent thought we could get €750.00. Also, it comes with a few cabinet things and a kitchen, but otherwise no furniture. The sytem here works that I pay what equals 4 months of rent up-front (=deposit, security, two months rent). This, on top of having to buy some furniture (at least a bed, lamps and a couch to start), leaves you with a fabulous opportunity to give to the ministry here! The downpayment comes to €3000.00 or $3868.00.

Of course, we have a lot to pray about today. And if this house is not in God's will, then something else is. I will certainly keep you posted. If God is moving you in any way to give, please send tax-deductable contributions to Calvary Chapel Eastside:  5130 164th Ave. SE, Bellevue WA 98006 USA  (earmark 'Allison Case-Italy').

As my family in Christ, I wanted to share this opportunity with you. If all goes well, we could move in October 1. THANK YOU so much for your fervent prayers. (Side note- work is going really well and I only have one mother still hanging around for inserimento, praise God!).

Lots of love.
Allie

Summary
-€750.00 x4 initial housing cost
-Bed, couch, sheets, dishes (some initial items needed)
-Pray offer to be accepted at that price
-Pray God's blessing in this zone if He wants us there downtown
-Pray residence processes SOON and I can open a bank account tomorrow

l'inserimento etc.

Hi!

Thanks again everyone for praying for me (my transition, health, relationships, work, service...), and for the ministry here in Frascati. I sense the Lord's help and peace every day. As you call out to God by His Spirit, it effects change here in Italy. Thank you.

PAST WEEK

I was able to visit my friends the Balivas in Trastevere (Rome) on Saturday. We had a nice visit and they also took me to an outreach that feeds Afghan/Persian male refugees every week. The status of these refugees is too sensitive for me to write here, but please pray for these men that they find hope in Jesus, remain unpersecuted for turning to Christ, and can break the cycle of Italian welfare.

At church, we had a short-term team from Washington visit a few days last week. It was a blessing to have them bless US (weird to be on the OTHER side of this blessing!). It was fun for me to see friends Jan & Peter Stuart (above), and Jen Birkey. We've also started up our mid-week community groups again. I am still praying about how to approach the young adults group. Hoping to start that beginning October. We have a GREAT need among the members of our church to commit to applying the Word of God in thought, attitude, fellowship, and service. Please pray for spiritual maturity.

INSERIMENTO

I've made it through my second week of work. Tomorrow (Friday) is our 'Welcome Breakfast' for all parents and students. Parents have already been critical of me (I haven't taught yet), and much of my training has involved how to deal with parents who are extremely wealthy, image-centered, and anti-disciplinary with their children. Pastor Robert came to see my class yesterday and prayed over the room. Please pray that God gives me vision and confidence as I start teaching next week. The week is called 'Inserimento' because it's only half-day, and parents are in the class the ENTIRE time to help their child 'settle.' It's a lot of pressure for the teacher. Please pray I set a good foundation for relationships with the families in my class tomorrow. Thank the Lord for my boss (Ruhma), her husband (Christian), and all of my colleagues: Christine, Peter, Iram, Raffa, Gino, Foari, Annamaria and Maison (my aide). I really love going to work each day.

That's it for now! Residence is on its way (thanks to the sweetest girl who stayed 1.5 hours PAST closing time to finish my complicated case). Though I still have a looong way to go, my Italian gets better every day. I'm praying to get an apartment in the next few weeks.

Lots of love from Italia!
Allie

some days your bus doesn't come

...and the train is cancelled too, after you walk 20 minutes to get there. and all the shops are closed. but you found a way. sometimes it's good to be tired. like tonight on the train home, leaving the frenzy of rome. thankful to be here all the same :)

'allora, da los angeles...a valmontone?'

'So, from Los Angeles to Valmontone?'

This was the curious release of a guy I met this week while visiting friends in one of the small Castelli towns, Valmontone. Other curiosities: vegetarianism, my job, my silence (cuz I can't say a ton yet... though I'm getting a LOT better!!)... most times my mere presence (like on the 6.40am bus, for example) just SMELLS of 'foreigner'. The (nice) lady at the town hall laughed as she commented sarcastically, 'Ma sei sicura della scelta?' -- 'But are you sure about this choice [to live here]?' Well... Yeah. God is good.

SUNDAY

I am excited to announce that a young lady I've been praying for (who hasn't been to church since she became pregnant out of wedlock 6 months ago, but has met with Pastor Robert here off and on) CAME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY! She is NOT going to be an easy one to get to know, and she speaks no English, but I believe God wants me to be her friend, so please pray for L. Pray also for me (and the other leaders in the church) as we define programs and roles. I will be prioritizing Children's Ministry and a new Young Adults home group as my areas of focus, as well as taking on some admin things. Pray that God leads us, instead of us just running around doing a lot of 'stuff.'

WORK

I LOVE my job. Albeit we've just been doing prep type work as a staff, and I do think this is going to be the hardest professional year of my life, BUT it's a really great fit. God knew :)  My fellow teachers include: a Swede, an Iraqi-Swede, an Italian, a Pakistani, a Maltese, a Canadian, and an English. Pretty fun! I am putting in 8 to 10 hour days at the school (depending on the day) and trying to work out what kind of load I can take on at the church. Obviously both are 'ministry,' but I want to be healthy. The Lord knows what I can handle, what the needs are, and how He wants to use me. So please pray for energy and joy in work and church. Apparently, Italian private-school parents are INCREDIBLY difficult to work with. So please pray that I can earn their respect, and show confidence in my teaching starting next Friday (7th). I want my students/class to be filled with peace.

 

Thanks for praying. I really need it!!! Please continue to pray and spread the word about my little bro and film school (see below). Above is a pic of my (unfinished) classroom and my pastor's wife Chantal & I (testing out the flip button on the camera of my Italian mobile).

XO, Allie