'ma invece hai riso'

Well, report cards are done. I'm looking forward to a random day off tomorrow (Italian holiday) and then the big push to the end of the school year (3rd week June)! It's already boiling here...summer is arriving.

Looking forward to visits from Nonna, Stephanie, Brittany&Marc, Betsy&Debbie in May/June!

Also, thanks to the Lord providing a work-free July/August, and the financial support of many of you, I am headed to the USA so mark your calendars!! *Just a note of warning I will be eating only Thai and Mexican food so please don't try to feed me anything Italian haha :)

• Will be in Los Angeles July 26-August 5... and again August 16-18.
• Will be in Seattle (still not official dates) August 10-15.

SOME FUEL FOR PRAYERS:

MONICA & ERICA. Monica is a long time member of our church in her 40s. I really love her and am inspired by her sincere, childlike heart. She suffers from bipolar disease and her heart and life are quite chaotic. On Sunday I spent the day at her home for lunch. She had been wanting me to meet her 20 yr old daughter ERICA. Erica's father (American) left them when she was small. She is amazing. The family is full of trouble and pain--Monica deciding whether to kick her boyfriend of 9 yrs (also a church member) out of the house. Or marry him. Oh goodness it's a long and winding story. Anyway, pray I can spend more time with them. And that I have the love and wisdom to do so. Cool thing: Erica works just down the street from my house(unfortunately at a gelateria--I'll have to break my loyalty to my fave gelato guy Marco at Blanca's every now and then to go see her!!).

RAFFA. I just love her so much! She seems better but we haven't really talked about how she's doing emotionally since I last wrote. We are spending time together on our holiday tomorrow, and then having tea with Tania Friday after work. Pray I can share more of Jesus with her. Just love her as He loves me. Pray she opens her heart to wonder and ask and want to know Him!

FATION. I saw him today as I usually do on Tuesdays. He is quite mysterious and I know he suffers a lot with his family, depression, loneliness, godlessness.... please pray for him. Pray that I know how to be his friend in a way that cares for him and points him to Jesus.

LIVIA. Cool thing. My Roman friend Livia just messaged me and she is back in Rome (was living in the north for cooking school) a few weeks in May and then most of the summer. She wants to get together. I love her parents/little sister as well. And Livia is just SUCH a lovely, strong young woman. Pray we can get together and have a good time and that she grows hungry for Jesus. Pray God's Spirit is with me so I know how to share exactly what she needs.

SUNDAY SCHOOL. A bit of a mess. Hard with young ones and old ones in one bedroom with my weak abilities. I need help!

PRAISE... I do feel that my Italian is getting a bit better. It takes a lot for me to say that, but I think it's true. I am looking forward to getting some tutoring this summer to focus on some grammar points.

PRAISE... last night Marco, Miky, Tania and I had our monthly dinner/prayer thing we're doing. It was really sweet. These guys are going through a lot it breaks my heart. They are the only Christians among their peers and it's just a big battle of beliefs, ideas, practices, philosophies, relationships.... Pray that they are strengthened in the Lord! Pray that together we can foster a new kind of community among young people here! If you are at all interested in sponsoring any of them at university (may have to drop out for financial reasons), let me know. By that I mean like $1000 per person, it's not a lot here.

PRAISE... our church member Hilde has returned from 4 months in the US. Her son ANDREAS has become a friend of mine, but since he spent Christmas with my family, despite attempts by Tania and I, we haven't seen him. Tonight I saw him again as Hilde hosted Bible study in her home. He arrived after since he had another obligation, but I am SO PLEASED to be in contact with him again. He is such a great guy and I just know God loves him and wants to fill him with purpose. Pray for ANDREAS and ELEONORA (girlfriend) that we can hang out and that they walk with Jesus.

PRAISE... as I mentioned last time, our church has become an official 'Association' or nonprofit in the county. La Speranza can function as a church but also coffee shop, bookstore, tutoring centre, and lots of other things we dream to be for the community. We are praying now for a location to move out of our house-church phase. This also requires maturity and unity of our members. Pray with us!

Love to you all!
A


    
Above: my home--may it be used for kingdom purposes!  
Below: me @top of Castel Sant'Elmo, Napoli last weekend :)

and something for today

Hi I just want to add that this morning on the playground with our classes, I had a sad conversation with Raffa. Your typical playground convo, I'm sure. In short, we were supposed to hang out Saturday but she didn't call and was telling me why. She said she 'cried' all weekend. It was really dark. She even had suicidal thoughts. She's 41, left a recent of many relationships, has the ache and longing for children and good things that never seem to find her. Maybe she 'deserves' this she wonders. Please pray that I can speak boldly about the hope I have and be a good friend to her.

I also had a chat with my colleague Daniela today. She explained a bit of her story how both she and her current partner were married before and left their spouses for this complicated international relationship. A lot of chaos in her life.

Sometimes it is difficult to share truth and not judge. Also I literally don't know what to say many times. Pray that God uses me nonetheless in my workplace. Thanks!

pray for the pigeons

Hi.

I am going to start with this because it is becoming a source of great frustration. The pigeons are against me. I walk through the streets of Frascati pass a pigeon, and am filled with offense and personal loathe against the bird. Can't look it in the eye. It could be one that makes its home behind my house. So violating. If you've ever had pigeon problems, you know what I'm talking about. I like to laugh about it but I am now so thoroughly disgusted, I am taking it personally.

We've tried to set up mirrors, owls, pour bleach, clean, everything and they will not leave this area behind my apartment. They make an awful noise and are unsanitary. I don't know if they are at all connected to the reason why I am sick EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND or not, but it's odd. Last week I had a virus taking me to the toilet every 30 mins. This week I woke up with itchy skin and oddly swollen allergic eyes. Some weekends I have fever. It's insane. I know it could be spiritual warfare as well...but why I am rambling on this awkward story??? Because I am going to ask you to do a very silly thing: please pray for the pigeons. Pray that they go away and never come back.

Haha but seriously. Pray that we can find a solution and that I have wisdom on how to deal with my health. Thanks.

ALSO:

The youth sleepover went well!! We had our usual 3 faithfuls Moira, Eli and Giulia, but it was still sweet. Pray for more depth and growth in their walks with Christ.

Church location: this week we are becoming an official organization/church in the county. This is the first step into getting a real location and will allow us eventually to open a bookstore, etc. I am named 'secretary' haha. Pray for all of the details and that God continues to provide for us and lead us to a good building location.

Unity and maturity, reconciliation and vibrant faith are continued requests for our members.

We always have a lot of health issues: Giulia and her battle with leukemia, Paola (not officially 'dying') from Colleferro study who has 2 young daughters, Michelangelo recovering from knee surgery, Chantal with cateract problems....

Continued pray for my Italian language acquisition.

Praise for progress and growth in situation with Tania. More grace. More wisdom please, Lord.

Tania's gotten back in touch with a college friend Luca and he really needs the hope of Jesus! We had him over this weekend. Continue to pray for him.

Work: so thankful for my precious precious students. Can't believe I've come to love them this much!!! Pray God gives me joy and strength this week. SO THANKFUL to be working 3 out of 6 days due to Italian holiday. Thank you Jesus!

BIG FAT PRAISE: our friend Matteo has accepted Jesus!! Pray that he gets plugged in to a church and grows in a profound, transformative way. So blessed by this miracle and pray he holds fast.

Thanks everyone. Love to all!

Below: Almost ready for dinner at our sleepover! Eli (headed to cooking highschool next year) made a vegetarian feast!

Luca and Ivano trying our Wii Just Dance!

Practicing some worship songs before church :) We've given Michelangelo a break since he's on crutches!

a righteous [wo]man

Been meditating on this since it leaped out at me yesterday in my One Year Bible:

'A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray' -Prov. 12:26

What is it that is so penetrating? I think it is this idea of being led astray. I am seeing too much of it around me. God is faithful to protect and guide. If we follow.

I don't want to pretend that I am different from any other human. Easily influenced. Vulnerable. May God give me and my Christian community caution, care and intention for the people around us. Righteousness. Peace. To be found and not lost.


CHURCH UPDATES

*We have our 2nd (quarterly) youth sleepover event this weekend! It comes at the end of a really busy week for me, so please pray I can have energy to love these kids for 24 hours. Pray that we have an edifying, bonding time and that ultimately hearts are opened up more intimately to Jesus. Pray for Moira, Elijah, Giulia, Beatrice, Matteo, Filippo, Leo, Michela.

*Tuesday nights. We have kind of stopped the Biblestudy that was Tuesdays and used it for prayer since it was just us leaders. However, we want to be open to using it to meet certain needs such as doing events for non-believers or ?? If you have any creative outreach ideas let me know!

*We are still praying that the county grants us a public building to use or the Lord grants us money to rent or buy our own place. Last Sunday was packed in Robert's house. We'd like to be more established in the community.

*Children's ministry. I need continued wisdom on how to nurture, teach and prepare for this group from 7-16 yrs. each week!

PERSONAL UPDATES

*I love my colleagues so much. Pray that I can be diligent, excellent, and faithful in my chaotic workplace--a refreshment to my colleagues. Pray for Ruhma, Raffa, Gino, Daniela especially I feel like I want to reach out to them at this time.

*More wisdom in how to invest in my current friends and to make new ones.

*More wisdom, boldness in my relationship with Tania. Transformation for her.

*Praise God I get 'summer' off!! I plan on using July to be with people here and invest in ways I can't when I work. Then a trip to CA/WA somewhere end of July-beg of August. I will keep you posted!

Thanks. Lots of love to all!!
Allie

easter updates

EASTER/PASQUA

Thanks for praying for our service! Things ran pretty smoothly thanks to our small little team of leaders and though we didn't have many new people/outsiders, it was sweet to have members from all of our outlying community groups in the Castelli region together for worship. Paolo, our new believer, came with his elderly mother. Matteo (remember he's on my 'prayer hitlist'? haha) came which was awesome! My Muslim-background boss said she might come as did my landlady (genuinely open) but they didn't. In the end, it was encouraging to know that they were at least open to the invitation. God helped me with my rough Italian presentation of the Gospel with the 10 kids that came to Sunday School. Again, good to have everyone together as it doesn't often happen on Sundays.

Michelangelo leading worship on Easter :)

DAY AFTER/PASQUETTA

The Monday after Easter is like a national picnic-bbq holiday here. I spent it in the country with a big group from our sister church in Rome. It was sweet.

THE REST

I've been enjoying a few days off... going by TOO fast! Back to work tomorrow. Anyway, it's been much needed and I've actually been able to connect with 2 American girlfriends doing ministry in surrounding areas, which has been a huge encouragement/refreshment to me! Of course I'm not here to hang out with Americans, but it is so stimulating and supporting get to know other people of my language and work. Please pray for me as I need to confront my boss asap about SUMMER. We've already verbally agreed about renewing my contract for next fall, but I am afraid she is going to pressure me to work the summer school (renew my contract--that expires June--in June instead of end of August). I really want to use my summer to invest in the church and a visit to America. Pray that she is understanding.

Sorry I am vague about this--but keep praying for my room-mate Tania, for the Lord's transforming power in her life and guidance of His Spirit for me as she lives in my home and is my dear friend.

(Above: pasquetta lunch and games!)

Thanks lots of love to all!!
Allie

Buona Pasqua!

Happy Easter!

It really came so fast this year. Wow. I am remembering-- with too much good memory (a little homesickness perhaps haha)--the wonderful Easter I spent last year, with some of you, at Reality LA. I pray that each of you, from Seattle to LA (and abroad!) celebrate the joyous victory that comes through Death and Resurrection and the HOPE of Jesus Christ.

Some updates:

WORK/FRIENDS etc.

I was sorry to be sick during my friends' visit, but that hasn't stopped us from hitting the sights. It's been sweet and given me a chance also to get out in Frascati a bit more and really be a part of my town. Introducing Amanda to my local grocer he had to mention, 'You know your accent has gotten a bit worse I can tell' (implying since I had these American visitors, my Italian was declining by lack of use). Gotta love their honesty. Haha... it'll pick back up I'm sure. LANGUAGE continues to be a constant prayer request however. Lord, anoint my tongue and give me boldness!

I ran into Alberto a few days ago. He was bummed to not have made it to the concert, but it turns out he likes folk music (not common here) so that's sweet! Fation ended up coming to part of the concert, but needs a lot of prayer--he's in a really dark spot now and needs Jesus. Pray that he chooses not to run from Tania and I, and most importantly from GOD. My colleagues Raffa, Foari, Gino, Iram and Ruhma need special prayer! I love them so much, but I see a theme of loneliness, abandonment, restlessness. Jesus is the answer. Ask the Lord to give me opportunities to talk with them about His hope and especially this week, to invite them to our Easter service. Pray also that Tania and I can get to know the 3 young people that run the club below us. I know they are there for a reason.

In general--I have the same request for friends. It's a sort of uncomfortable diet, going from lots of wonderful friends and family members around me to...this. Christian, non-Christian, male, female...not quite sure how to meet people. As a 'foreigner' I find myself even shyer than normal. I ask for prayer to get established in this community--to be an inviting person. A friend-maker. And then for the time and energy to sustain friendships :)

Continued prayer for my room-mate Tania and wisdom in how to help her.

CHURCH

Due to weather and time constraints we didn't make it out to the fair. However: the city has given us a hall free of charge to hold our Easter service! We are very grateful for this as Pastor Robert's home holds only a few families. Please pray with us that everyone God wants to come can come. Pray that we can spread the word--for me especially to have boldness and gentleness and wisdom in inviting people. Pray for the worship, message, ushering, children's program, dinner afterwards--all aspects to be unto the Lord and well-organized.

In our Friday night community group we've had a new guy (Paolo-converted his 2nd week!). We've also had a grandma with her grand-daughter coming recently. Last week the young middle-schooler opened up to Robert, crying. She seems soft and burdened. I have not been able to attend the last 2 Fridays, but I am super encouraged by the growth in this group. It is hard logistically because it's about an hour away, so I see these people only on Fridays and some of them Sundays. But pray nonetheless that God shows me how to help these young girls that are coming!

We also have the second sleepover with the youth group planned at our house for the first weekend in April. We hope to add 2-5 other youth we are reaching out to, so pray everyone comes and is built up in the Lord!!

GRAZIE

Personally, I just want to thank you for praying for me and this work. It is so humbling. I need it!! I see God's hand continually on me whether it is running into someone I've been praying for at just the right moment or getting a ride home when I'm stuck in Rome at night--always protected, always guided. Pray I continue to seek the Lord and listen and obey.

Love to all!
Allie
(pic: happy Amanda was able to come to church during her visit!! Love you A!)

March Madness

Hi!

March is really flying by. It is rainy and grey here and I am home sick from work for the first time ever! God knows I needed this day to rest though. I am thankful for my job and my house and my friends.

I will be quick--here are a few things to pray for:

Fiera di Grottaferrata 16-24: There is a fair coming up in the neighboring town and we will choose one day as a church to pass out tracts and invitations to our church--get ourselves out there a bit. I am curious because I have a lot of students and coworkers from Grottaferrata. I pray God shines His light.

Church: Wisdom and Grace for growth and reconciliation and healthy leadership. We want to do what God wants. We also are waiting and praying for favor regarding new location opportunities, so we can move out of our house-church.

This past Sunday we had a (single?) mom with 2 kids come. They are originally from Togo and the boys are exactly the same age as Lorenza's kids: 5 months and 7 years. Lorenza wasn't at church, but this presents a 'problem' in that we have about 3 different Sunday school age groupings and only me doing a poor job at teaching whoever actually shows up each week. Needing wisdom on how to meet this need.

Friends: Continued grace and wisdom with Tania and our non-Christian friends. Now we have Matteo and possibly Alberto coming to the concert with us this weekend as Fation and Roberto backed out. However, yesterday I had an interesting conversation about prayer and hell with Fation. We want to have more events at our house to mix our Christian and non-Christian friends so pray for God's guiding and creativity. Seeing how we have mostly male friends here, we invested in a used Wii recently to have something else to do when people come over. It's been fun.

Hopefully I will hang out with Raffa this week or next outside of work.... Trying to be intentional when I'm so busy!! Possible dinner at Alberto's next Monday or Tuesday.... SUPER blessed to have my college friends Amanda and Danielle visiting these last two weeks of March. I know I will be refreshed.

Lots of love to all, sorry this is sort of blah. Energy zapped. xo




Candid shot of me with baby Giulia at church
Walking home in the rain with my awesome transparent-mustache umbrella
Our Wii characters :)