Countdown: 3 Weeks & 8 1/2 weeks!

It is insane to think that in less than 3 weeks from today I will be back in America; back to Cordova, Tennessee.  I get to drive again!!!! Who wants to be in the car for THAT first experience, eh? Haha.  I can't believe my time is coming to a close.  I remember when I got here and it "hit me" that I would be here for 7ish months.  I FREAKED OUT. haha. It was very overwhelming, and insane to think about, and now the time has come to return home.  I'm not quite sure I am ready for it.  But let's rewind a little bit...


Last time I wrote I was headed off to Athens, Greece for a week to spend time checking out the refugee ministry with Iteams.  First off let me say, Athens is GORGEOUS.  It is so cultural, I honestly felt like I was in Greece, in a foreign country.  I can't say that I always say the same for Italy, haha.  I also realized how much Italian I knew, because I kept trying to respond to people in Italian when they spoke Greek or Farsi to me. Haha.  It was such an incredible experience.  When I first arrived my bags were dropped off at the apartment I was staying at and I was immediately taken to a Persian New Year Party.  I had no idea what to expect.  I was greeted by my two roommates, and a group of about 7 women who were celebrating this day.  There were also lots of children around, most of them girls who love to dance.  Although I have worked with refugees from North African cultures this was definitely different to me, because I have not interacted much with women and children.  It was such a change of pace; but so wonderful.  International Teams has a building in Athens where they host meals, preach sermons in Farsi, provide showers, and help families with food and clothing.  The men and women ministries are very distinguished from each other.  As in many Muslim/North African cultures, men and women do not associate in public together.  They also have two different ministries for children.  One for children 5 years old and above, and then they have a "nursery" for children.  During my time in Greece, I worked with the children the most.  About half of my time there I had a kid on my hip (props to moms; kids are so stinkin' heavy!).  I particularly spent a lot of time with a mother and her two younger twin girls.  We celebrated together, spent afternoons together, and just shared life.  I remember leaving at the end of the week, and tearing up having to say goodbye to them; and that was just a week!  It is insane how God was pulling on my heartstrings there.


Christ has continued working on my heart more and more this past month.  I can probably recite in my sleep Matthew 28:19, "Therefore, GO and MAKE disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  It is not a calling to go, it is a command.  Every single Christian reading this blog right now has been commanded to go and make disciples.  It is not an option.  I have heard that several times growing up, but it is becoming reality to me now.  What does that look like?  What does making disciples look like?  To me, it is investing your time in the lives of brothers and sisters in Christ to help them grow in the Lord.  We are to make disciples who make disciples, according to David Platt.  (BTW you should check out his book, "Radical", so great!)  But they aren't following us, they are following Christ.  But in order to make disciples we need to know what it means to be a disciple; we have to be discipled.  We can't keep pouring out if we aren't being poured into!  A final point in that verse that sticks out to me is "baptism".  Now there is always controversy about baptism, is it necessary, why is it necessary, what is the point... etc.  Everyone has their views.  The bottom line of being baptized is to show the world what you believe.  And shouldn't you be doing that daily anyways.  Our daily lives should be a constant display of our devotion to Christ.  It's not a one time deal.  Which leads me to the next thing God has been teaching me about, being Spirit-filled.  


I have been reading and learning about the Holy Spirit so much during my time here.  Another advertisement coming, I definitely recommend the book "Forgotten God" to any and everybody!  So great, by an awesome guy named Francis Chan.  Okay, advertising over, back to the good stuff :)  I have always known the scripture that speaks about being "Spirit-filled", but God has been bringing the that Truth to life for me.  I was recently listening to a sermon by Francis Chan titled, "The Joys of Being Spirit-Filled".  Chan was speaking from Ephesians 5:18, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,".  Francis starts by discussing what it looks like when someone is drunk; how you just know it.  Someone who has been drinking has a distinct way of acting, living, talking, even smelling.  Even in a room full of people, you can identify who it is by their actions, their talk, etc.  We should be the same as disciples of Christ.  Each one of us who claims Jesus should REEK of Him.  Our attitude, our actions, our talk, everything should be different and evident of Christ. "If we claim to be Christians and our life doesn't look drastically different, there is a problem." (Francis Chan).

Along with teaching me about making disciples and being Spirt-filled, he has shown me the most important component of that which is love.  He has revealed that truth to me in my daily life and is teaching me about it daily.  In 1 Corinthians 13 there is the ever-popular verse "Love is patient, love is kind..."  Most recently God has highlighted a specific portion of that passage.  "Love is not quick to become angry".  He is daily taking a specific portion of that passage and revealing the reality and truth of it in my daily life.  How do we live out this holy love we proclaim to have and desire to show.  How do we live in His love and show it well to others?  He is still teaching it to me, and it has been shown in new lights on how to act it out, and what it looks like for His people.


You are probably wondering about the countdown of 8 1/2 weeks...
I have more great news!
These past 7 months I have been living with the Campus Crusade Agape Women in Rome.   My current work with International Teams: Rome, has also formed a partnership with this organization.  Therefore, I have been able to work a great deal with this team and see them evangelize and share God's love all over Rome.  Between that, what God has been teaching me lately, and being encouraged by my team members I decided to apply for Summer Project with Campus Crusade.  I have been accepted to work with a team in Grand Traverse City, Michigan!  I will be there from June 11-August 6.  While I am there, I will receive intentional training in leadership and evangelizing with other students on campus, as well as individuals in the workplace.  I will be able to receive a job in Grand Traverse Bay, to build relationships and share the love of Christ with people in my community.  So far the team has about 40 students from around the United States and the number is growing!  I am so excited to see what God will teach me individually as well as our team!  I will be staying on campus at North Western Michigan University with all of my team members and staff.  Daily we will be equipped and challenged to share the love of Christ; engaged in discipleship with individuals from our community, continue to be stretched in what God has in store for each of us to learn this summer through prayer, worship, bible studies, and evangelism.  I ask for your prayers during this time as I am having to raise support for this trip.  


I will need $3,500 for this trip to be possible.  If you would like to give financially please let me know! I also need partners in prayer for this trip!  I know God has big plans for it!  I would love for you to be a part of my sending team this summer!


Here is info if you would like to give financially!

Send a check designated to "Campus Crusade for Christ".  Send it to my address:
144 Plantation Gate Cove, Cordova, TN 38018

or


Go to: http://give.ccci.org and under "Give a Gift" type in my Designation Number: 5617863



See many of you very soon!

Such a beautiful Creator...

If you were walking down the streets of Via Nardini last Tuesday you probably saw many, many folks bundled up in their scarves, fur coats, marshmallow coats (the ones you just can't help but squeeze!), and boots.  Then all of a sudden you see a girl; no jacket, short sleeves in fact.  No boots, not even socks, just a pair of what look like slippers, with a pair of sunglasses on and earphones hanging from her head.  And what is she doing? She is breaking out in dance towards someone (let's hope that she knows), and the girl is dancing back.  Wow... she must not be from around here.  You are SO right, because it was me :)

Rome has been blessed with some B-E-A-UTIFUL weather, this week.  (Anyone catch that movie reference?)  I was completely enthralled by the beauty of sunshine and "spring-ness" floating around Rome this past week.  You can ask my roommate Crystal, I was grinning like a fool with my sunglasses already on my face before I stepped out the door.  Seeing God's beauty displayed before me, for us, just made me feel beautiful.  I never felt more like a princess.  God paints these skies for us to see His beauty, His creativity, His power; and He loves us more than that!  It makes me all tingly thinking about it.  He captures us with it.  Don't let go.

I realize I wrote about two weeks ago.  And I felt I've gone routine, I'm not really sure if that is good or bad.  Sometimes routines are nice but then sometimes you just gotta break out and dance :)  I felt though that my last blog just wasn't doing justice to life in Roma, there was a list of "things to be done" and who likes reading that?  Except for you mom, yes I know you are reading this... list freak. :)  But I just wanted to share my heart with everything going on!

Spring Breakers have come and left, and it felt like I was caught up in a whirl wind of events.  It was great seeing the SBer's just take the leap of faith with Christ and just go hard after Him and His people!  It was such an encouragement to me, because I still feel nervous when I approach folks, and I live here and know more of the language, granted its only a little more haha, but still!  We had great turn outs for both of the Festa della Donna events.  The first one was at this place called the Felt Music Club.  There were people everywhere, it was nuts!  But so great at the same time, so many new relationships were being built!  The Spring Breakers of Miami were encouraged to invite their new Italian friends they had met on campus to the event.  We had such a great turnout!

The next week, the Ole Miss crew came!  And with them brought some delicious treats such as Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce, thank you to whoever did that!!!! Haha, but the group was definitely larger this time, tripling in number.  It was such an awesome group that reminded me of home so much!  We had some of the girls over for dinner at our apartment and one of the greatest things I think were the hugs goodbye.  I know it sounds lame.  But it was a mass chaos of 12 girls all chattering away and squishing around to make sure EVERYONE got a hug goodbye before departing.  It was just a huge refresher of home, I love it.  Plus who doesn't like getting hugs?  It was great seeing these guys move on campus, I saw several just tackling the obstacles that lied ahead and trusted God for it.  It was encouraging to watch from afar and also to hear how God moved through the conversations.  We had another outreach planned for the Ole Miss Spring Breakers to invite the people they met on campus, called a Southern Hoedown.  Interesting I know. haha. Myself, and a couple of my roommates decided to dress a little "southern" for the event.  I didn't plan on having a dance party for a good three hours with these folks, let's just say flannel was not a good choice haha.  But I had such a blast getting to know the Ole Miss folks.  The Italians also flooded in towards the end of the night and it was mass chaos!  But that's the way we do it in the south, craziness! haha.  It was great hearing their stories throughout the week, and seeing God move not only with them but within our team as well.

This next week I am headed to Athens, Greece.  It is so weird that this time is here!  I remember talking about it a lot, but I actually hop on a plane in less than 48 hours, provided I get there correctly!  Haha.  I am so excited to see what God is going to reveal to me through the team there, in my personal life, and just everything. I have decided not to take my laptop with me, sounds like I will be to be busy anyways.  I've been talking about taking an internet fast for awhile now anyways.  I believe there is no better time!  Please be praying for the time there!  I am trying to earnestly seek Him in everything.  He is currently just enrapturing me in who He is.  I am constantly seeing His power, His beauty, His guidance, His provision, His Truth, all around me.  It is so overwhelming in such a great way!  It gets to the point that the only thing I can even think to say is "Wow."  But is that not the way it is supposed to be.  For God to reveal Himself to us and us just be astounded at His greatness.

It is so weird to think that in a month and a half I will be home.  I cannot believe the time is already here. I find myself wondering a lot about what I'm going to do next, or rather what God has planned next for me.  As I was telling someone the other day, it needs to move from wondering to praying.  I know it is all in His hands.  I know I hope to continue blogging when I get home.  It probably won't be nearly as exciting as my life in Rome, but who knows.  I have found that I really like expressing my thoughts.  But blogging is so much more exciting and quicker than writing it in a journal.  To quote "Julia" from Julie & Julia, "I have thoughts!".  I have been inspired by so many of the women here in Rome that I know who write blogs that are just too cute, I love reading them.  Plus there are blogs like "Pioneer Woman" and "Lovely Little Things", that I just would love to do.  By the way, you should totally check out both of those blogs.  But that is a small tidbit of what I would like to do.  Another one being cooking, haha.  I have realized I actually have a small knack for it (thank you roomies!).  It is kind of a long story as to why it makes me so happy, the fact that I can cook. But I love that God has given me that gift and desire to do it, and the joy in doing it.  It is funny, I remember actually looking at going to culinary school a few years back.  I am glad I did not decide to do it.  It is, however, funny how God reveals our gifts and joys in other ways.  I am most excited to see what God has me doing next ministry-wise.  I know I am going to Camp Tsungani when I get back, which I of course love.  But also for longer term, what God has planned.  What He will use me for, and I am praying for when that time comes that I hear it and hear it quick and loud.  I don't want to miss a thing He has for me!

I feel like this is the longest blog I have written, like ever.  So I guess I will bring it to a close.  Going to talk to my Jesus, and make some banana bread!  See you guys soon!

For His Name to be Glorified,

Lindsey

Marzo!

Ciao ciao everyone!  I hope you all had a lovely February :) I feel like February 1st was so long ago, yet it went by so fast!  It's funny, in exactly 2 months I will be on a flight home to Memphis!  I miss you all so much!  There is so much going on in Roma!

After much, much, much (did I mention much?!), planning; the Spring Breakers are here!!! The Miami University group got in this morning at around 9 am!  They have gone through orientation and are exploring the city!  I sadly have not been able to meet them yet, because of conflicting plans but they are coming to help with serving the refugees this weekend!  There are a total of 12 people here!  It is definitely going to be a busy week of fellowship, friendship, service, learning, worship, and tons more!  Anyways, the group is divided into teams and will be working on different campuses all over Rome!  They will be doing a survey on humanitarian efforts.  Hopefully we will be able to get Italian students plugged into what we are doing here!  Also, this Wednesday we have the Festa della Donna!  This is a day to celebrate women, and it is directed at the student population although everyone is allowed!  We will photography displayed, poetry readings, and singing by several women!  Plus a great time for fellowship and meeting new people!  We are hoping to have 100 people in attendance for this event!  Please be praying for this!

Also, immediately after the Miami group leaves we will be having another team join us that same day from Ole Miss!  We have a total of 64 people from there!  During this week the Ole Miss will have much of the same schedule as the Miami group.  They will be divided (into larger) groups, and will be meeting with students from Italian universities.  At the conclusion of that week we will be having a party for all the students (Ole Miss and Italian!), at a venue in Roma.  There are rumors that there will be karaoke! So that should be a sight!

With everything going on in the Middle East, Rome has had a huge influx of refugees fleeing to the city. It is said that there are a million NEW refugees in Italy alone.  So please be praying for God's provision in all of this.  After the two weeks of Spring Breakers coming I will be heading to Athens, Greece!  I have booked my flight (and am now terrified to take the shuttle), and am going through the short-termer manual now!  Please be praying for God's provision through all of this!

Moving forward for His Glory.

Lindsey

Febbraio!

Ciao tutti,

As I read back over my last blog entry I feel as if I haven't written in SO long.  Things in Roma are going pretty well!  It is hard to believe I only have 3 months left.  Although October seems so long ago, I feel that it is so weird that it is already February.  January was just a great month for me personally.  I really got to experience community like nothing before.  I have just loved spending time with my team members old and new these past few weeks.  So let's see... what's been going on... Haha.  Our partnership with Agape Campus Crusade Roma is continuing to grow stronger and stronger, which is just awesome to be a part of. We are meeting weekly to discuss what God is doing here, what we would like our vision as a partnership to be, and what the next steps are!  It is awesome sharing our hearts for the different ministries and seeing them unite for God's glory!  There is so much good stuff going on the next few months; it is going to be tough to keep up.  But of course nothing is impossible with Jesus, and I am SO stoked for everything going on.

Next week, refugee team leaders from all over Europe will be coming to Rome for a week long conference.  We will be discussing refugee situations throughout the area, what God is doing, and get to hear from every team in attendance!  Please be praying for this upcoming week!  That everything will go smoothly and with little problem!  But even more so, be praying for God's guidance in all the discussions.  Even if it means complete chaos, we want God's will to be done!  Shortly after that my team leaders, Tim & Rachel, will be heading back to the United States, to raise support for the Refugee Reading Room.  We are praying for God's provision and blessing through this!  We KNOW He will provide!  I have seen Him provide for my trip here in such incredible ways, and I know He doesn't ever stop giving to us in accordance with His will!  So please be praying for a safe and successful trip for them, whatever that may look like in the Lord's eyes.

Also this next month, there will be two Spring Break teams coming to serve with Agape Italia.  They are two college groups from Miami and Ole Miss.  The schedules are chock-full of activities!  We are currently planning the time spent here with the two teams and are looking forward to what God will do.  Not only will the two groups be spending time on campus, but they will also have the opportunity to participate in outreach with refugees!  Please pray for the Lord's provision before and during these two groups stays!  So. After all that awesome stuff, I will actually be heading on a trip to Athens, Greece.  International Teams has another group there that works with refugees.  Athens is one of the first places that many refugees arrive at after escaping their "home land".  The conditions for refugees are even worse there than they are here.  There is a video at the bottom of the page if you would like to see what is going on there.  I have the privilege of staying with a couple of team members during the last week in March.  While there I will be able to participate in their team activities and observe how their team works, etc.  I am really quite excited about that trip, and to see how the Lord is working there.

So, as you can see these next couple of months are quite full of crazy, yet awesome stuff!  I am so excited to see God move in all the events going on!  God has been teaching me so much, and quite honestly it is just awesome to be a part of it all.  He is blessing me with so many lessons (although they don't always seem like blessings at the time, ha.), stronger friendships with the refugees, and fellowship with His people.  It is incredible seeing God move, and I want to thank YOU individually for being a part of it.  I am so thankful for your support, whether it be prayerfully or financially.  God has truly blessed me with you!

Moving forward for His glory,

Lindsey

Greece Refugee Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPl9PW7ONIQ

Happy New Year!

I forgot how you say it in italian, i think it is "buona anno" or something like that.  I hope your holiday celebrations went well!  In Italy there is one last celebration, where a witch comes who brings presents to children, and that happens tonight.  My holidays were quite wonderful.  The cookie party was success!  We had about 8 refugee friends in attendance.  Although we had an overflow of cookies, it was a great time of sharing and building relationships.  Plus lots of cookies of course :)  The other festivities of holiday cheer, such as the feedings on Christmas Eve with a refugee center in Rome went great too!  We were able to serve lots of lasagna and cake to over 100+ refugees!  We also were able to participate in the handing out of gift bags for the guys.  Not only did it contain toiletries but fun gifts for the guys as well.  That night our team got together to just spend time rejoicing in the Reason for the Season.  Our team also did our weekly feeding with the refugees on the following Saturday (Christmas morning).  We prepared the soup the day before.  Everyone was able to come out to serve and eat!  It was a great time for fellowship.  One of the agape team members had friends in town who were able to serve along side of us, on this wonderful day!

The following day Tim, Rachel, Robbie, Goioa, a refugee friend, and myself all headed out to Bagni di Lucca for the week.  In case you are wondering it is right next to Lucca.  I don't think I have slept that much in my life!  Haha.  This trip for me was a difficult one.  I had been feeling homesick over the holiday season and it just seemed to increase.  But more so than that, God decided he had a few lessons to teach me.  I am not going to lie, they were really hard lessons to learn.  I could really feel some stuff going on.  But God is bigger.  I learned that week a lot about prayer and clinging to God.  I also was able to learn a lot about myself through it.  It was one of the toughest's weeks I've had here.  I didn't know what to do a lot of the times.  But God was constantly there, and I really was able to search my heart, and with all my heart for Him.  It was a good deal of learning.  But I am now having much peace about everything I learned.  I also can say I'm glad to be back in Rome.

We got back from Bagni di Lucca this past Sunday, and the following Tuesday got to meet with a great group from Illinois!  It was a group of high schoolers who were taking a small tour of Italy.  They are going from Rome to Florence and Bologna.  Along the way, the group will be working with a different nonprofit organization.  Last night (Tuesday), we met the group and got to eat dinner with them.  I got to spend time with the older girls, which was just a blast.  Later we went back to their hotel.  Tim and Rachel shared about the situation of refugees in Rome.  What a refugee is, how they get here, etc.  Robbie also was able to share some of his experiences and relationships he has built with the guys here.  This morning (Wednesday), we got up bright and early... or what I consider bright and early, to meet the group again.  Robbie took half of the group shopping for groceries to make sack lunches for about 50 refugees, while I stayed back with the other half to prepare bags full of toiletries.  From the hotel, with 100 bags in hand of toiletries and lunches, we headed to the train station.  It was a cold and rainy day today so we didnt find many refugees at first.  It is hard to know where to find them when the refugee centers are still closed for the holidays, and it is raining outside.  Robbie ended up staying by the Colosseum with a few students while the rest of us went to Termini, the main train station.  From Termini, we divided up into 3 groups and "went looking" for refugees.  My group was able to talk to refugees from Romania and northern Italians.  None of them spoke English, so I got to be an interpreter for the first time.  Haha.  It was definitely an experience, we'll just say I need more studying in that field. But it was a great time hanging out with the kids, and being able to share what we do here with them!  I'm hoping they had a great time, and their hearts and eyes were opened to God's love for the refugees and how to share it!

As for everything coming up, I'm not really sure!  Haha.  Next week the centers will re-open and different things like that.  So we will come back full force!  Robbie, the other intern, will sadly be leaving us next Wednesday.  So that will be a major bummer, but he is going on to do great things in the northern U.S.!  So be praying for that.  Also, Tim and Rachel will be going home for a short time to raise money for the Refugee Reading Center that we hope to open in April!  Please be praying for these things!  God is definitely moving here.  I am learning so much, some of them things I didn't even expect to learn.  But it is all God's provision, not mine!  So I am trusting Him in that!  I hope all is well with each of you!

In HIS Love.

Buon Natale!

Ciao tutti!

I feel like I am writing too soon... if that is possible?  There are also people who write every day, and to be honest I don't even do that in my journal, haha.  I brought I think 14 journals with me, and have barely used half of one.  I have been so tired at night and I felt obligated to do so.  And if you know me at all, sometimes if I am obligated to do something, I just don't do it.  It makes me feel free to NOT do something. Lame I know, haha.  But anywho!  God is doing some AWESOME stuff I wanted to tell you about it.

First off, Buon Natale (Merry Christmas)!  I hope the season is treating you all well.  It is insane to think it is so close.  I did try to venture out to the mall here, and it was CRAZY.  If you think Wolfchase is bad (for you people in Memphis), you haven't seen anything. Haha.  It was incredibly stressful to even be in the mall, not even in the stores. Haha.  Christmas festivities have begun over on our side of the world.  Lauren, one of the girls from my apartment, went to IKEA and picked up a REAL Christmas tree, which I have never had before. haha.  The girls laughed at me when I was surprised you had to water it!  It has been beautifully decorated and also named Albert :) Last Friday (12/10), all the missional teams got together in our apartment and celebrated the holiday season.  The event was called "Soup and Sweaters".  So of course there were ugly Christmas sweaters.  Some of our team members printed out pictures of football teams they didn't like, making the sweaters "ugly" haha.  Others of us just made stuff out of cotton balls or found random decorations and pinned them to our clothing.  We also had a white elephant party; we shared non-funny gifts this year.  I got coffee :) We also sang Christmas carols, thanks to Robbie and his mad guitar playing skills. Haha.  We also had a rewrite of the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" read aloud to us.  Phillip, a guy from the agape team, rewrote the story and filled it with all of our names.  It was hilarious!  Haha.  We also had a time of sharing about what Christ is doing in our lives and how we have seen God's presence this year.  Also the reading of the true Christmas story, for the children.  Oh, and we had TONS of great food!  We had several soups, breads, salads, and desserts.  I decided to try and make red velvet cupcakes from scratch.  I of course made quite a mess, but they were sooo good.  It was great being able just to fellowship with our teammates in our home :)

God's presence has definitely been seen in my life recently.  Well, His presence is always with me, but just some really cool stuff has happened these past couple of weeks.  I have been able to form some greater relationships with the refugees I have met.  I usually have casual conversations with a few of the guys, but nothing very deep.  I have met a couple guys that I feel like Christ is really investing in.  I have also been able to share my testimony with one of the refugees who inquired how I got here.  I was able to relate my stresses of the Italian government into getting over here.  Of course they are nothing like what he has been through; but it was great to be able to tell of God's faithfulness.  I have also met another refugee from Romania, which I just think is really cool.  Most of the guys we work with are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, or Somalia.  So when he told me he was from there it really sparked my interest.  I also learned that I know NOTHING about Romania, haha.  I think he may believe that I have lived under a rock for a good portion of my life.  So when I hear his story and get like really excited about stuff he says, he just laughs like "How do you not know this?".  Oh, and for all the people who have also been told that Latin is a dead language.  People are wrong, they speak it in Transylvania, Romania. Haha.  I have seen this refugee on a regular basis now.  He is usually at the tea serving on Sunday nights. And instead of me going and just hanging back and serving tea, I got to sit and talk with him and his friend.  It was a huge barrier being broken for me.  He also asked as to how I got here, finance-wise.  So I got to share my story about my supporters, my church, how God has provided and what I believe.  It was awesome!  We have several other things set up in these next couple of weeks.  So please be praying for strength and diligence in our team.  Tonight we are having a dinner with some of our Afghani refugees friends.  We will be able to share a hot meal with a few of the refugees we have met here.  So please be praying for that time; that it will be beneficial and relationships will continue to grow, that they may see why we are here and what we are about, the Love of Christ.  We have another refugee dinner next week with some of our Somali friends, and a nun who works with Somali refugees on a daily basis.  Also, we are attending outreach Christmas parties held by some of the churches we work with.  Our final event for this holiday season will be a Christmas Cookie party.  I am "in charge" of this one, so please be praying! Haha.  Our goal is to bake about 300-ish Christmas cookies.  We will have some decorated and some undecorated so that friends (whether they be English, Italian, refugee, etc.) will be able to decorate the cookies themselves.  We are praying it will be a time of great fellowship!

I always feel the need to share what my heart is learning through these times.  In my bible study life, I have finished the study on forgiveness, I highly recommend it. It is a great study on Christ's forgiveness of our sins, why we should forgive, and how to know if we have truly forgiven others. I am studying the book of Daniel.  I am going by Kay Arthur's "What the Future Holds"; 40-Minute Study.  I must say it is not what I expected.  I read the title and thought it was talking about the immediate future.  But it being focused on Daniel, it is speaking of the end times.  I must say I was a bit disappointed.  I have never studied the end times.  I just have always thought, "Well yes, the end times are coming and we must prepare for it; but God has control so there is no need to worry about it."  But then you must realize, the time we are in now, is but a tiny breathe in the means of eternity.  So we best start preparing now!  I would also add that I am really enjoying the study now that I have gotten into it.  It has truly sparked my interest, and I enjoying learning about it.  I am trying to make it last until my roommate comes back from holiday.  I am sending her out to find another Kay Arthur study while she is home in the States for a few weeks.  Another aspect of my heart has been discouraged with thoughts of the immediate future.  I find myself wondering what it will be like to be home.  Not to sound negative at all, I miss you all very much! But I wonder what I will do when I get home.  Because honestly coming home and going back to school seems very boring and not something I want to do.  Of course, I didn't want to go to school when I was home anyways. Haha. But I reminded of Matthew 6:34;  there is no reason to worry about tomorrow.  I honestly have enough going on today.  I am where I am supposed to be now, and God will place me where I am supposed to be in the future.  I have no doubt of that.  My heart is learning so much and hope it never ceases to hunger for that.  I know there is always so much to learn, because our brains cannot even fathom all that Christ is and has for us.

Anyways, that is what is going on on my side of the world!  I pray that your holiday season is filled with Joy from the Spirit and His presence.  I hope you are able to rejoice with friends and family.  I am praying for each one of you.  Thank you for all your support.


In His Love.

P.S. Please be praying for the city of Rome!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11992034

You know you are from the south (of the U.S.) when...

Someone mentions seeing a beautiful rock formation in Corinth, and the first thing you think of is Mississippi.  Haha, just a funny thing that happened to me this week that I thought I would share; btw they were talking about Greece, not Mississippi :)

I hope everyone's thanksgiving holiday has treated them well!  We had several celebrations here in Rome, even though it is an American holiday.  Part of our missional team went out to the country for Thanksgiving, while the other group stayed in Rome.  I decided not to venture out to the country because of everything going on, I figured the rest at home would help.  On Thursday Robbie and I started out our day by handing out sack lunches to refugees, we only handed out about 7 because the usual center we go to was closed for the holiday (it is an American institution). Then we went over to one of our missional team family's house to begin festivities.  I watched the Macy's Parade on the computer with a few friends.  I haven't watched all of the parade in several years, I always get bored with them.  But this year it just reminded me of home, so I stuck through it.  I never realized how many stinkin high school bands played; it finally just became fighting to the end to see Santa, haha.  But we had a great time just in fellowship with each other with great food (as always in Italy) and sharing what we are thankful for.  It was a long day, but very fun.  The following Friday and Saturday the agape campus team was hard at work for their big celebration on Sunday.  The refugee team was able to serve an "American" meal with the refugees on Saturday and had yet another Thanksgiving with friends and people serving with us, along with a couple of refugee friends.  I was unable to attend because I was feeling under the weather but I heard it was a great time!  The following Sunday was a huge success with the agape team!  I got the privilege of being able to serve along side them in their work.  They set up a Thanksgiving dinner and had about 90 Italians attend the party!  It was many of theirs first time to celebrate the holiday.  I heard from one Italian friend that it was very impressive and delicious.  It was just a great time all around!  So we definitely had a great time.  This past Monday, Christmas threw up in our apartment! It is my first time having a real tree, I had no idea you had to water them!  Haha.  But it is very festive and beautiful.

In all honestly this time of year is harder than I would have expected.  I love Christmas, it is just hard being away from family.  But God definitely has a presence here.  I am hungering for Him more and more everyday.  Getting in His Word just isn't enough.  My heart is truly desiring my Father, and nothing is enough but Him.  Other things going on over here!  I was able to meet with the women's refugee group leader, and they sadly do not need help right now.  But I know God is opening all the doors I need to be in.  I have been able to start going to the university to participate with Agape Campus Crusade, and build great friendships there as well.  The partnership between Agape and the refugee team is growing and it is great to see and be a part of.  We are currently looking for places to begin physically working on the Reading Room.  We have started fund raising as well so please be praying for that!  There is so much going on and I feel like I just cannot type it all!  God is giving me strength and I know it is solely from Him.  He is stretching me, which is hard but great at the same time.  I feel like I am leaving out so much.  Just know that God is moving in what seem like small but just GREAT ways.  I am blessed to be able to speak with the refugees more openly and build friendships that way.  I hope that this blog makes sense because I have a small feeling it is all over the place.  I hope to post pictures on here soon, but have not been able to do so unless they are huge.  So I will try and work on that.  I hope everything is well at home, wherever your home may be.  Never forget who Christ is, what He has done, and what we are called to do.

In His Love.

1 John 4:19

Happy One Month!

Ciao tutti!

I have officially been in Roma for one month now!  It is insane to think I left ya'll a month ago, it seems so much longer.  But at the same time it seem as if this time has flown by!  God is doing mighty things here!  I have continued working with the refugees of different surrounding nations.  The hope these men have could be a lesson to us all.  It is incredible hearing their stories.  I met a young man the other day who had arrived 5 days earlier from Afghanistan.  He travelled from Afghanistan to Iran, then through Greece onto one of the terrible boat rides making it to Rome.  He attempted going to France (I believe it was) but they sent him back, because this is where he has been finger printed by the police.  He told me his hopes of traveling to Norway or Sweden but was having problems with paperwork.  He and his friend also told me terrible stories of what happened to men, women and children who were sent home to their home country and how they were punished.  I've heard stories of slavery and/or the cutting off of body parts, to serve as punishment for the people who fled for a  better life.  THESE PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR HOPE.  It is terrible hearing these stories, but it is awesome seeing how God is planting seeds, and we are the ones who get to help do that!  So awesome!

Our team finally met with Marianna, the nun who worked with the women's center.  She is very well-known in the Somali community, which is a huge step.  She is nothing like I expected.  I have seen so many nuns in Rome, that are dressed in the classic black and white outfit.  But she is not like this at all.  She has a great personality and heart for Jesus.  It is awesome to see her and her four sisters working for the Kingdom.  We got to interact with her ministry this past weekend by gathering together with refugees, Italians, and everything in between; and watching the movie Patch Adams.  Now I saw this movie a long time ago, but watching it in Italian was definitely different.  But it was a great chance to meet refugees and spend time there in fellowship.  I met another student in college who is from Chile who is working with the women's center as well.  I am supposed to start working with her this week and traveling out to that area to spend time with the women.  Also, starting tomorrow I will be working with a couple of my roommates from Agape campus crusade.  I have a couple of free days, and I will be spending some time up there with them.  They (agape) has been able to build great relationships and be witnesses for Christ on campus.  I'm really excited to get involved in that as well!

Now that I've got you up on the stuff going on around me.  I would love to share a piece of my heart and mind with you.  There are some days that just seem insanely busy, and some that are not like that at all.  Praise God for that, and Him knowing that we need the rest!  I love finding my rest and strength in Him, and knowing it comes from Him.  I am currently reading the book, Journey of Desire, by John Etheridge.  I am just now beginning on it, but it speaks about how we all have desire within our hearts, and how we try and fill it.  How so many times, we are afraid to follow our desires because of the fear of getting hurt from past pursuits.  Etheridge claims that without desire our heart is dead.  I am realizing how true that is, not only in the world but in our walk with Christ.  God desires us whole-heartedly, always.  We as believers, should and hope to do the same.  I want above all else to have that desire fulfilled, and to know God wholly, and I cannot wait for that day.  It is coming sooner than we know :)  I am so excited.  And I love the fact that I am desired but God.  God has chosen us, not only to love, but He also chosen us to be vessels for Him.  We don't have to be a part of God's plan, but He knows our desires and desires us to serve Him.  YOU ARE THE DESIRE OF CHRIST.  Don't you ever forget that :)

I got to see the Colosseum and Pantheon this week.  Talk about breath-taking.  Standing in the Pantheon entry, Rachel tells me, "Can't you just imagine Paul standing here".  It is an absolutely awe-struckening experience.  A part of the body of Christ from thousands of years ago, one whose stories are written in the Bible, stood where I did.  On this same floor, next to this same pillar.  It was just like "dang God, you are so awesome".  And the Colosseum was a bit the same way.  The audio guide I had told me to look over the edge, saying "This is were Christians were killed for their faith".  It is insane to stand there, a large sense of grievance came over me.  Knowing how blessed I am, to stand firm in my faith today, and know that God is the Protector, we are not alone.  Both of those sites were just breath-taking to me.  God just spoke to me there; I just can't even think of more adjectives to describe it.

I hope all is well with each one of you reading this.  I have a prayer meeting in about an hour with my team.  I am excited to hear more news about what the next steps are.  We did receive word that Kyros, an italian non-profit organization, is backing us in our reading center plans; which is such an answer from God!  It is so awesome to hear that!  The next steps are fund-raising.  If you would like to give I will provide the information below!  Either way please be praying for that!  I cannot wait to continue to see God move!  I love and miss you all, and am praying for you and your hearts.  Seek Christ above all else, do not forget how much He desires you.

Information on giving to the building fund:

Go to the website: http://iteams.org/give/

And follow the same procedure for giving; here is information you will need!

Designate for: Rome Refugee Center

Account #: 80US2248

You may enter the account number, along with Rome Refugee Center, in the designation box.

Please enter this in correctly, if you decide to give financially!

Isaiah 43: 1-4

"But now, this is what the LORD says— 

   he who created you, Jacob, 

   he who formed you, Israel: 

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 

   I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

 When you pass through the waters, 

   I will be with you; 

and when you pass through the rivers, 

   they will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire, 

   you will not be burned; 

   the flames will not set you ablaze. 

For I am the LORD your God, 

   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 

I give Egypt for your ransom, 

   Cush and Seba in your stead. 

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, 

   and because I love you, 

I will give people in exchange for you, 

   nations in exchange for your life."

Greater things are yet to come!

Hello!

I have been here almost a month now!  It is insane to think that!  I am so blessed to be a part of this ministry.  Just some notes from my last posting.  Joy (Gioia) is doing well!  She got out of the hospital about 4 days after she went in.  It was a very hectic time for the family, but they are doing well!  They (the doctors in Rome), do not think it is anything too pressing, but they are continuing to monitor her.  Thank you SO much for the prayers!  These past couple of weeks have been good!  The potential long-term couple has returned home and we have had one other visitor these past couple of weeks, all good company!  Our team is also now meeting once every two weeks for fellowship and prayer with each other.  During this time a couple people are sharing their testimony and we are praying specifically for them, as well as breaking off for each other personally.  It is great getting to know our team on a larger scale!  Our team has continued serving with the refugees.  Passing out lunches on Fridays, cooking and serving on Saturdays, as well as serving tea on Sundays to the refugees!  This past week, the other intern and myself went to an Italian church that our team members attend.  The message was awesome!  We also spent our Halloween observing it as the 500th year anniversary that Martin Luther came to Rome and left angered by how this holy city, was not following God's way at all.  It was and is a great reminder to me how we are to follow Christ in EVERYTHING, even if the city isn't.  I am called to be Christ-like despite everyone and everything else.  And not only that but I should want to, because of the love for my Savior.  He is so gracious to us, and sometimes it seems so easy to forget.  Yet looking at it, we don't even know when it happened.  But God forgives us, even when we stray.  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!  It is just so cool to think about, and just His love for us.  So overwhelming, we can't even imagine.  So many times we think we get it, and then it is still like a zillion times more than that.  God is good :)

I am quite excited for everything that is happening this week!  I am working on some school stuff for my internship (which isn't technically fun, but very beneficial!)  Our team is also meeting with the nun who runs the center for women and children refugees.  We will be seeing her center as well as just spending some time in fellowship with her.  All things to be very excited about!  Also, we have begun looking at the logistical side of having a refugee center.  I know this can sound boring, but it is very cool to be a part of.  We did have an informational meeting about refugees and serving with them.  We had many representatives of different churches and organizations that night, probably around 40-50 people!  How awesome is that?!  I have also decided to start working with a different tutor named Enzo.  I am hoping working with him will help  a lot.  I did struggle in the other class, and I kind of felt like I was holding others behind.  But I am learning, some days it seems that I am quickly learning other days I feel like I know nothing.  Haha, but that hasn't been too much of a barrier!  I love how God breaks barriers!

On a more personal side, I am seeing God move here.  I can see Him teaching me so much, and it is just overwhelmingly amazing.  I have been able to hang out with the refugees more, by playing (or watching rather) the refugees play soccer, and just spending some time with the "folks" here.  I am praying for continued health in our team, and for open hearts for everyone, team members and refugees alike.  Please pray alongside of me in this.   Thank you again for being a part of furthering God's Kingdom, not only here in Rome but also where you are.  I am praying and thanking God for you daily!

In His Love.

Due Settimane (2 weeks)

Ciao!  I have officially been here almost two weeks.  Things are continuing to go well!  The new intern got settled in quickly, and already knows where more places are than I do!  But it's a blessing, haha.  I am slowly starting to learn my way around, and am picking up on the language a little more.   Yes, I'm just as shocked as you are!  Haha.  It is SO much easier through immersion.

This past Thursday, potential long-term teammates arrived in Roma, to check out what all was going on here.  They have been through a lot and have been on the mission field for about 9 years now.  But God has moved them out of their mission location and they are looking to see where God would like them next! So please be praying for them!  It is great to see them interacting with the refugees.  They can speak their language and are able to hold serious conversations with them for hours.  Such a blessing they are!  This past week has still be a lot of settling in and different things like that.  I have started taking a second level Italian "course".  It isn't really a course, but Agape has hired an Italian tutor to teach us; there are 3 students total.  I"m still unsure about whether I should be in beginner class or the "advanced" it was review but still I haven't done it since March, and it made me want to bang my head against a wall.  Something cool though, I believe my tutor works with the women's center I am hoping to work with.  It is ran by a nun, so I'm not sure of the religious standings in that area.  But they work with women and children refugees.

This week has been very tiring for me, but so beneficial!  We have spent a lot of time speaking with other team members and just being able to "share life" with each other.  It has been great hearing the testimony of our visitors!  We attended to feeding again on Friday, and it went rather quickly, but relationships and familiarity is being built!  On Saturday God was definitely among us!  We went to help at an Italian church, in preparing for a feeding at lunch time.  The women in charge of this ministry cook a hot meal and disperse it in a specific area.  After fixing about 80 lunches we were off!  It was great being able to serve all the refugees!  This is also the first time I really had conversations with the refugees.  I met several people from Afghanistan and Pakistan.   I would say a huge prayer request would be friendships being set up.  As I learned from a missionary friend, many men from these countries do not speak to women in a casual setting such as this.  So it is very different, somewhat making things difficult.  But God is breaking barriers!  I saw it with my own eyes that day!  Also, that day, we went with Tim to look at another potential spot for the Reading Center.  The area was very close to where refugees could walk and was very spacious and cheaper!  It would be a great fit for what we are trying to set up!  God provides!  Please continue to pray!

Sunday, was a very hectic day.  Joy (Tim and Rachel's daughter) hit her head severely, she is currently in the hospital having tests done.  PLEASE BE PRAYING.  They say she is making everyone in the place laugh, which sounds totally like her!  We had a dinner on Sunday for the entire agape team we are apart of (about 15 people).  We had delicious soup, dip, and meatballs.  Not to mention incredible pumpkin tiramisu!  sooo good!  After the dinner we went to served to the refugees.  I was able to talk to a woman who works with church planting in Roma, and who will be attending the seminar on refugees we are having on Sunday.  It was a hectic day, but good bonding time as a team.

Prayer Requests

Joy's tests would come back normal

Comfort for Tim, Rachel, & Joy

Openness in the hearts and minds of the refugees

Continued learning progress with the italian language

The Reading Center building

Praise to God for the work HE is doing here

If you have any prayer requests, please let me know!

EVERY tribe, EVERY tongue, EVERY nation.

Ciao from Italia!

I have made it safely to Roma, Italia!  My flights went very smoothly, praise to God for that one!  I arrived here on the 14th of October.  My first obstacle, finding Tim at the airport, haha!  After about an hour of carrying my junk around, dropping it on escalators and moving walkways, and trying to use my phone, I found him... or he found me rather! Haha!  I am sorry to not have written these past couple of days, it has been somewhat hectic!  So I will try to do a replay of these last few days and then stay on top of this better!

Thursday- I arrived in Italy!  Tim met me at the airport, it took a train ride, subway ride, and bus ride to get to my apartment!  Once there I met all of my roomies: Meg, Beccs, Lauren and Crystal; I am actually sharing a room with Crystal.  They are all super sweet!  After changing Tim and I went to meet Rachel (Tim's wife) to get Joy (their daughter) from school, and grab some lunch.  We went to Zaza's for pizza.  I can already tell ordering food in Italian will be an interesting experience haha.  After having lunch at Tim & Rachel's I went back to the apartment to finish unpacking and fight jet lag.  I lasted until about 6 pm Rome time (11 am Memphis time), before I could no longer form correct sentences.  So I went to sleep and got woken up for dinner (fajitas made by the roomies!) and went back to sleep.

Friday-  Friday I woke up super early, because of my weird sleep pattern.  I was able to dive into the book, Redeeming Love, an incredible recommendation by Chris in Elgin.  At around 11 I met Tim and we went to meet people from his home church, who were on holiday here, and we went to my first feeding.  We handed out about 150+ sack lunches to homeless people.  We only served one woman, the rest were men.  I was able to meet the pastor of the church doing this outreach.  Their church is very international.  The services are given in English; the pastor is very Scottish, and the woman in charge of the feeding ministry is from Ghana.  They make about 500 lunches a week and hand them out on Thursdays and Fridays.  Afterwards we (Tim, the couple from his church, and I) went to check out the potential site for the Reading Center.  Please keep this site in your prayers!  It looks very up in the air on the location right now!  On the way home, we went searching all over the place for a bus pass, we tried getting my paperwork, and then I got out euros from the bank.  After all this I got home, and Lauren took me to the grocery store.  It was not too bad, something I can handle I think.  That night I met with Tim and Rachel for dinner, so that we could discuss the upcoming seminar they were speaking at.  The seminar was at Rome Baptist church in the piazza.  We discussed what evangelism meant and how to explain it to Italians, which led to the discussion of what the Gospel means.  Just some great stuff!

Saturday-  This day was quite an adventure.  I tried finding my way to the bus stop... I didn't make it, haha.  But thankfully I had a phone were I could call Rachel.  I finally made it to a bus stop and waited.  While sitting there I met a refugee from Nigeria, very nice guy.  We discussed his thoughts on how Rome just doesn't care and how he likes everything here.  It seemed very basic but was really cool to me :)  After meeting Rachel we left and went to a women's ministry gathering at their home church.  It was a bit difficult for me, but nothing to bad.  We watched a movie on Esther and discussed how we have seen God move in our life.  Thankfully I had Rachel there, because it was all in Italian.  But I met some very passionate women there!   One of which I will be working with on Saturday's and Sunday's!  After the movie and dinner, Rachel and I headed home.  It was just a good time on the bus ride home, I feel like we just got to talk, which I feel we hadn't got to do, and I got to hear more of her story.

Sunday-  Yesterday we went to Rome Baptist, or Roma di Battista, for church.  Tim and Rachel were able to borrow someone's car so they came and picked me up.  I have decided I am terrified of Italian drivers... they are NUTS!   We ended up late to service, but it was still a good sermon on peace and the beatitudes, which laid some ground work for  our seminar that afternoon.  It was a very different environment, the pastor was very soft-spoken something I am definitely not used to!  But the people were very friendly and open with visitors such as myself.   After church, we met up with Trinity (a girl I met from the women's event) and we all went to a restaurant called "La Baguette". I ordered for the first time in Italian!  But all I said was "lasagna" and pointed haha.  Their lasagna is very different here, not nearly as rich as the U.S.'s version.  Afterwards, we returned to the church for the seminar.  The population in attendance was mostly women.  I found out the person in charge of the food ministry there is a woman, which can be worrisome if difficult circumstances arise.  Tim and Rachel spoke on what evangelism means, which the crowd answered to.  One of the answers was the gospel.   So we got in groups and talked about what we thought the gospel meant.  The people in my group kept saying, it means good news.  So I tried breaking down, well yes but what IS the good news.  So we started discussing God's love.  Then we all got together and discussed the importance of the gospel and what it means.  We discussed how relational evangelizing is and different things like that.  Tim also discussed different safety tips, that I made note of for myself.   Afterwards I headed home for a few hours to rest before a feeding.  At around 8:15 Meg and myself left for the train station.  We met up with others and served hot tea to about 75+ refugees from different places, the ones I spoke to were from Iran and Afghanistan.  Just another awesome time!

So that is about it up to here, I would upload pictures but left my camera cord at home... so I will try my best to get it!

Prayer Requests:
Safe travel for the next arriving intern today
God's direction in what specific ministries to be involved in
The availability of the Reading Center
Openness of the hearts of the refugees and homeless individuals we encounter


In His Love.

Let me tell you how GREAT my God is!!!!

I haven't written in awhile, its been hectic in Memphis, TN for me.  I originally declined for my student that I needed to be able to "stay" in Italy.  I quickly started looking for how I could work around this.  The team leaders, Tim & Rachel Uthmann, and myself started brain storming for different ways to allow me to stay within in the time frame we had arranged.

This past Friday, I called the Italian consulate preparing myself to be completely frustrated with the woman on the other end of the telephone line.  I called and started talking about what was going on with my visa, saying I AT LEAST needed my passport so I could go for three months at least.  But the woman calmly asked for my name and looked up my information.  Her response was, "Oh yes, student passport?  You're approved.  We have spoken to the people in Italy, your request has been granted".  I was SPEECHLESS.  How great is our God?! I immediately began calling everyone and praising God for moving in such an awesome way!

Well, Tuesday afternoon rolled around, and I was sure my visa would be in the mail.  And it wasn't.  I was frustrated thinking "Well where the heck is it", "what do I do next?", and every question in between.  But Christ kept me calm through all of it.   My mom and I began calling, and the post office said to call in the morning to see if it had made it.

I got woken up this morning (Wednesday, Oct 13, the day of departure) by my mom telling me that my visa wasn't here.  So that meant I had to cancel my flight, and wait all over again.  So of course I did the most logical thing... just stayed in bed. (Ha!)   I then got a phone call from Don Gilbert, asking me about my trip and flight plans.  I decided to get up and see what "game plan" my mom had.  After trying to call the Italian Consulate, with no luck of an answer on the other of the wire, I just started getting ready like I planned on.  As soon as I got out of the shower, my mom said that she got a hold of the consulate but that it was not at the post office.  I asked once again, "so what should I do..."  My mom's response?  "Just get ready, and pray.  In fact, let's pray right now."  So my mom began praying, her prayer was literally this, "Lord, we know you know where the visa is"  JUST THEN, the phone rang.  It was the post office, they had found my visa!  It was 8:26.  We rushed to the post office and grabbed it then got to the airport.  How awesome is God!!!!!  He is the Great Provider!!!!!

God is just incredible!  I am currently sitting in the Charlotte, NC airport, waiting to board for Roma, Italia.  I will be boarding in twenty minutes!

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support!  I love you all so much, and I am so glad you are apart of my sending team!

Psalm 46:10
      "Cease striving and know that I am God; I WILL be exalted among the nations, I WILL be exalted
       in the earth."


In His Love!

Home Again!

I have returned home, from Elgin!  I had a great week!  God really confirmed for me that International Teams is where I need to be.  The staff there was great and so helpful!  I only had one roommate, who was a blast!  Her name was Mary and she is working against human-trafficking in Grand Rapids, Michigan!  There was a group of about 25 of us in training.  There was a team going to Tunisia, a family going to Yemen, plus others going to places such as Greece, Bolivia, Grand Rapids, Fort Wayne, Turkey, and I think I've covered them all.

We were given a set amount of food to go grocery shopping with and had lunches together.   Our first night we had a progressive dinner.  This is when we start out in one apartment with one course, then move to a different apartment for each following course.  We had delicious salad, bread, spaghetti, and dessert.  The dessert was mine and Mary's job.  We made cupcakes and brownies, which appeared to be a huge hit. It was a great time of fellowship and learning.  A group of us ate with no hands for spaghetti, as practice for different types of culture! Haha!

Our classes each day started with devotionals and learning about different missionaries around the globe, as well as lessons on salvation throughout the bible.  We had cross-cultural communications each day as well as a variety of other topics!  The activities and lessons, I feel have definitely better equipped me for the mission field.

Also, Pat Tucker was a huge help in working with me in the visa situation!

Now, being back home I"m just working on getting my visa together to send off!

God is SO good!

On the Road!

Ciao!

After being in the car for 14 hours yesterday I am currently sitting in Chicago, IL.  My step-dad drove me and we made a stop in Franklin, TN to meet with a representative of the Italian consulate.  It surprisingly was in a home!  But it was a quick meeting, maybe 10 minutes long and that is including the wait time.  Leaving I was thinking, "We drove an extra few hours for this?"   But then I realized I am glad it didn't take any longer because then I would have been in on the road even longer!

I am now preparing to head to Elgin for training with International Teams.  I will be there for a week with other missionaries in training.  I am truly excited to see what God will do, what I will learn, and what He will reveal to me as well as my team!  Please be praying for openness in my heart and mind to learn, unity as a team as we learn together, and for Christ just to just bind satan back.  He has already tried getting a foothold but my God is bigger than that!

I will keep you updated as much as I can!

Oh! More great news!  I have been officially approved for a student loan for my trip!  If you would still like to give please do so!

God is SO Good!

The BBQ fundraiser went great!   I was blessed with receiving over $1,000 in donations! I am now at about 58% of my funding!  God is so good!  Please continue to pray!  I know God will provide it!

If you would still like to give financially to this trip, the deadline is September 1!  If you feel led to do so, thank you so much!

I am getting so excited for what God is doing and will do!

Thanks for the support!

HELP NEEDED!

Hello!

I am currently working on my homework for training in Elgin, IL.  One of my homework assignments is to interview someone who is a new immigrant to the United States from Italy!  I do not think I know anyone like that!  If you do please let me know, so I may get in touch with them!  Thanks!

In His Love.

UPDATE #3!

God is so awesome!  I had my final meeting with my proctor from the University of Memphis who is overseeing my internship through international teams.  Our meeting was quick in the sense that we got everything done with no problems!  I am registered for everything that I need to be school-wise.  Also, I thought I had to do additional work for the class, but it turns out not to be too bad!  Also, a blessing!

Please continue to pray for my Visa application.  My proctor has agreed to send a letter to the Italian embassy if need be to help me get into the country for a longer period of time!  The letter will simply state that I am able to use this mission trip for school credit!  My funding is also coming along more swiftly! I have less than a month to get the rest of my money either pledged or fully funded, so PLEASE be praying for that as well!  I can't wait to see how He will provide!

In His Love,

Lindsey

UPDATE #2!

Ciao!

Just thought I would give an update of everything going on with preparation for my trip!  God has been so good!  I was getting a bit discouraged with the fact that funding was not happening too much.  I was completely reliant on God to move but in the nature of my humanness it was frustrating.  But God has definitely revealed His power and awesomeness this week and has definitely reminded me of His glory and how much He will provide!  I am currently at 17.6% of all my funding.  This includes one time gifts as well as pledges.  If you feel led to give you may do so through iteams.org/give or can mail it in!  You can do donations or pledges, either way!

Also, if you know of anyone who is need of "odd jobs" being done and is willing to aid in bringing Christ's love to the people and refugees of Italy.  Please let me know or give them my information!

More great news, I was able to speak to/Skype with Rachel Uthmann today, the wife of the family I will be working with in Italy.  We discussed funding as well as visa applications.  I have spoken with the Italy consulate and originally believed I would have to make an additional trip to Detroit, MI to fill out my application.  But thanks be the God that I only have to travel to Franklin, TN to apply and then send off the application.  I have also received my homework to begin training for my internship, everything is just beginning to fall into place!

With my internship so obstacles are coming up, but nothing God can't take care of!  I have spoken to my advisor at the University of Memphis who approved me to apply for the internship class.  But she is saying that it may not work to be eligible for the University of Memphis.

Some prayer requests!
-God would just continue to teach and guide me in a spiritual aspect for my trip
-God would continue to provide funding in any way possible for my trip (I have learned not to put God in a box with this!)
-All of the visa information would "pan out" and it would be no trouble at all
-The new program being constructed in Italy, and the team that already is and will be over there
-Basically, "Lord do what you do!"




God is so good!  I cannot wait to see not only what He does while I am there, but also in preparing me for this trip!  He has been revealing His character and power and greatness, nothing like it!

In His Love,

Lindsey

"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."-- Isaiah 42: 6-7

REMINDER!

Hey ya'll just wanted to throw out a reminder to those of you who have spoken to me about being able to give financially for my trip.

First of all, thank you so much!!!! I truly am incredibly grateful for you being able to and answering God's call to give!!

If you still plan on giving my deadline is August 15. If you need to do it at a later date please message/text/call me about it. I just really need to know where I am financially for this trip. If you have given already please let me know. I do not need to know the amount I just want to make sure all donations have been credited to me.

Also, just a reminder that there is the option to give monthly if you choose to do so. I believe there is a way to specify that online; I know for sure you can if you do it through the mail.

I do have some good news! I found out (reread more closely rather) that I only have to have the first two months as well as training costs by this deadline. I just need to have the rest of it pledged before I leave.

If you cannot give, I understand. PLEASE be praying for God to bless this trip, not only financially but in every aspect of what He has called me to do. Also, that He would just provide opportunities to create funding.

If you know of anyone needing work done, and would be willing to donate financially as compensation please let me know!

In His Love,

Lindsey


Amount Needed by August 15: $5,000
Monthly Pledges Needed: $2,000 per month
Total Amount Still Needed: $14,100

UPDATE!

Hello!

So my garage sale went great!  God is SO good!  I was able to raise $750 from that fundraising event.  I currently now have $1,750!  That means I still need $14,250.  I realize that this is more than the number I had told you in the last post, I honestly don't know if I was just terrible with subtraction or what, but this is the correct amount remaining.  Please be praying for the funding to come through.  If you feel led to give the link is down below.  Also, if you know of anyone needing "odd jobs" (i.e. babysitting, house sitting, pet sitting, cleaning, organizing, etc.), who would be willing to donate the money they would have paid me to International Teams for my trip, please let me know!  I have 2 months left to raise the money!

I have finally finished my internship contract for my trip, pertaining to the University of Memphis.  I am also working towards the application for short-term missions at my home church, Central Church in Colliierville.  I am trying to really get ready for everything, I have about 3 months left until I leave for Italy, so be praying for God to provide and prepare in EVERY way.

In His Love.