Every Nation

 God has a plan for every tribe.  Every tribe.

          God has a plan for every tongue.  Every tongue.

               God has a plan for every people.  Every people.

                    God has a plan for every nation.  Every nation.

   Two years ago I was fortunate enough to attend the Passion268 conference in Atlanta.  Now, I'm watching every session I can from here, alone in my apartment.  Each time I watch a session with corporate worship, I cry the whole way through because I miss it so and long for the Italian students to know the God we praise.  I just watched session 4 with the world version of "How Great is Our God," and am overcome with seeing a glimpse of God's plan for the nations.  Hearing a mixture of different languages come together to sing the same song, a song glorifying the greatness of our God, gives me chills.  While Rome seems so very dark, my heart is overjoyed to know there are 40,000+ people gathered in Atlanta to pray for the lost across the globe right now.  One day, the Italians will join in the singing from thanksgiving and joy...one day, the people on who's cross our Lord was crucified will be on their knees praising and adoring the Jesus they will come to truly know.

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

-Matthew 28:16-18

"And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying.

     'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion 

     forever and ever.'"

                                                             -Revelation 5:13

Continuity

How is it almost January?  This last month has absolutely flown by, and praise God, evidence of His work in Rome has been everywhere!

Over the Christmas holiday something that was on my mind was the continuity of God's promises and His plan.  We celebrate Christmas in recognition and thankfulness that Jesus Christ came down to earth.  This month I've been blessed with seeing tangible pieces of proof that God is still 'coming' in a sense, by moving through His Spirit in us today.  One day, Jesus Christ will come back to our world victorious again.  He has come, He is coming and moving, and He will come again!

There are so many things I could say about this month.  After three difficult months wondering if I would see fruit of ministry in Rome while I was here, or if that would not come until years later, God has been good in blessing that desire in my heart.  To recap quickly...

• My very first English student that I tutored, now a friend to Taylor and myself, started asking questions a few weeks ago.  They first started with an intellectual interest in the differences between what we believe and the Catholic church, and in just a few weeks he's been brought to a point where he recognizes there is something missing in his life.  God is moving in his heart in an unbelievable way.  He told us that before he met us and started learning about our faith, he was behind a veil but now, little holes of light are piercing through.  ("Veil," really?  2nd Corinthians 3, anyone?)  He's confessed how he has a great life, money, looks, family, girlfriend, etc, but still feels lacking.  He's never met anyone that talks about God as we do, of how He's real and present in our lives.  God has taken an academic, classroom tutor relationship and transformed it into this...and our friend is so ripe for the gospel to seep into his heart through the conversations God creates!
• One of the exchange girls I hosted in Athens and is now a friend of mine here told me the other week that she likes talking about 'religious things' with me, because she sees a difference in authenticity.  Over a simple lunch at McDonald's, I felt the Holy Spirit in a huge way guiding our conversation, leading her questions, and giving me answers to some things I had never thought of before.  On top of that, when she was telling me a story from her weekend and how her key got stuck in a hotel room lock and all the staff said it would not be possible for the door to open without a locksmith, she said she prayed, made her friend pray with her, and God answered by opening the door two minutes later!
• When I was meeting my Italian language partner in a new coffee bar, some Irish study abroad students randomly approached me asking if I was Irish.  The Lord used that to create an immediate friendship with these three, and we hung out twice in the week after before they left for Christmas.  All three have seen some ugly, ugly things with violent conflicts between Catholic and Protestant churches growing up in Ireland, and all are incredibly turned off to the idea of religion, what for whatever reason they accept both me and my faith.  God has literally dropped these friends in my lap, and I could not be more excited about how He will grow our friendships this next semester.  
• Taylor and I were invited to go to an overnight birthday party for a dear friend of ours.  Other than significant others, all the people there had been friends >15 years.  Though that type of party was a new experience for me, we could tell it meant a lot to our friend and validated his friendship with us in the eyes of his childhood group since we were included and chose to come.  I could tell some of them were surprised to see the random American girls there! We're praying that will open doors with the rest of his friends, that it helped show that though we hold different beliefs, we care about them and do not see ourselves 'above' them in any way.
• We had our first prostitute outreach two Saturdays ago, and it was wonderful for our initial contact.  Four women on our team and a new friend who works with prostitutes in a different part of the city went, and we covered the same highway the four of us have been prayer-walking for months.  We gave all the girls (and three transvestites) little gift bags for Christmas, including our theme scripture verse (Isaiah 43:1-3).  Every girl but one took our offer, and several of them talked to us a bit.  It broke my heart actually talking to these girls, seeing how so many were younger than me, bubbly, beautiful, or scared, but I'm thankful the first experience has renewed our passion to pray for these girls and minister to them whenever we have opportunity.  One day the Lord will bring justice to all the trafficked victims, and until that day comes we will petition before Him.  What was also so neat about the outreach is it has given us a conversation topic with our friends (like my Irish friends), who are curious to why we would do something like that for those girls.  God certainly has a way of bringing everything together to bring glory to Himself!

Needless to say, we've been busy here!  Today was the second day of our Italian-American exchange program that we started in August, and so far it is going great.  Please be praying for us over this next week, that the Lord would use this time to create stronger relationships and show our sweet Italian friends Himself through us in vivid ways.  

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

                                               -John 1:14

Remembrance

     How many things a day do you think we forget? A week? A year?  I used to pride myself on my memory because when it comes to events, occasions, important dates or anything schedule-related, I'm like a human calendar...it's a little ridiculous and potentially creepy to those who don't know me.  Yet ever since I set out for this journey for Rome, back to the prep work in the states, the Lord has been gently convicting me of how easily we (or at least I) forget.  With today marking the 70th anniversary of the day "which will live in infamy," I've noticed a few lamenting how our generation no longer remembers the sacrifices from those before us or the significance to this day.  First it saddened me because I see the validity to that tragic thought, but then it got me thinking about how much more we forget about our God.
   
    Jesus said, "...do this in remembrance of me." -Luke 22:19
    Paul said, "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved..." -1st Cor. 15:1-2a
    Moses said, "Remember this day in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place..." -Exodus 13:3
    The Lord said, "...tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments...so you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God." -Numbers 15:38,40
    David said, "Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.." -1st Chronicles 16:12
    Solomon said, "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth..." -Ecclesiastes 12:1
    God said, "Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; i am God, and there is none like me." -Isaiah 46:8-9

      Notice a theme?  The list could go on and on.  There's a legitimate reason that God told the Israelites to set aside holy days and times for festivals...they were to be a time of remembrance, of fresh rejoicing or thanksgiving for how God provided or made Himself known in a difficult time.  Until last year I used to read about the forgetfulness of the Israelites who saw God performing these incredible miracles in the desert, and not understand how they could possibly forget His love and faithfulness.  However, as I was preparing to come here and needed to see God do the impossible to make it happen, I realized I'm no better than the Israelites.  Even today, the forgetfulness is something to battle.  When I have a month where little support comes in, instead of immediately going to the Lord knowing He will provide because He always has, I start to worry.  When I meet someone who breaks my heart because he/she seems so far away from knowing Christ, instead of remembering the 'impossible' conversions by the power of the Spirit, I get discouraged.  Praise the Lord for when I am faithless, He is faithful still!

      God has been gracious enough to encourage me in my ministry here over the past few days by letting me see His work in tangible ways.  Everything in Italy seems to take forever (probably because it does), so often 10.5 months doesn't possibly seem like enough time to make a difference.  That's me putting God in a box though, and forgetting (again) that He has brought me here for a purpose.  One of my students I tutor in English started asking me questions during our conversation lesson about my beliefs.  For whatever reason He wanted to drill me with questions about my faith and why I believe what I do, as well as hear differences from the church I know to the Catholic church and school he's experienced.  That's totally and only God.  When I was looking over an old prayer journal, I saw how the Lord had answered (and provided for) three of my four running requests from that summer in 2010.  I'm sure if I looked over all the things that had to come together last year for me to get here, I wouldn't even be able to keep up writing down all the ways God was faithful.  Yesterday I had a great lunch and hangout time with a girl I've been praying for since August, and I'm seeing how God is honoring and growing an unlikely friendship in a way that can only be attributed back to Him.

     While I'm away from family and friends at home, I truly am thankful for this holiday season.  Since the week of Thanksgiving the Lord has been giving me blessed reminders of all I have to be thankful for, all the reasons I can give Him praise no matter the circumstance or season of life.  We took Communion together around the lunch table on Thanksgiving, and I like how it was incorporated into our meal with a sense of normalcy because remembering what Christ did for us should be a constant part of my daily life.  I finally got a picture of our whole team together (yay, holidays), so now you can have faces for the team when you pray for us!

Thanksgiving, and my Rome family :)

Thanksgiving already?

     It's crazy to me that Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  Over this week I've forgotten that multiple times, but naturally Italians do not celebrate or note the American holiday so life goes on like normal here.  Between a weekend in London visiting a sweet friend who frequents Rome often and another weekend with a wonderful visit from my dad, the last few weeks have quickly come and gone.

    Monday evening our team hosted a cultural event for our Italian friends to introduce them to Thanksgiving.  Since Italians don't eat dinner until 8-10 here, we did it around aperitivo time (6-8) which is essentially a pre-dinner appetizer slot to hold you over until the meal.  Our intent behind this Thanksgiving aperitivo was to yes, allow them to experience the goodness of Thanksgiving food, but also to give a brief talk on the history of Thanksgiving in the US and what the Bible has to say about giving thanks.  We had an excellent turnout, filling the whole of our gallery room.  The girls I invited told me they enjoyed hearing about our holiday, and it was a neat way to mention the spiritual reasons we have to be thankful without scaring them away.  Plus, everyone loved the food (how could they not?)

Displaying the 13 kilo (27 pound) turkey

         While it’s sad this is the first Thanksgiving I won’t be with my family, I’m looking forward to celebrating with my family in Rome.  Our team is doing a big meal together with all the usual foods, aside from the ones that require ingredients we can’t get here.  Monday was like a teaser, sampling different dishes, so it’ll be great to sit, eat, and take the Lord’s supper together.  Though we can’t get any of the classic football games here, the sport will still hopefully be incorporated in the day through a movie of some sort!

Watkinsville Worship in Rome

     Goodness, time is flying by. I can't believe this week marks 2 months for me in Rome; there is still so much I hope to do while here, and I certainly see why most missionaries stay for at least a few years.  Everything in Italy takes time!

     Last week was Italy's anniversary for being a unified nation-150 years, to be exact.  Friday night Taylor and I went with one of our friends and students to a patriotic celebration in Piazza del Popolo.  An Italian composer and conductor, Ennoi Morricone, gave quite a show there with his orchestra.  It was definitely a cultural experience, seeing carabinieri and Italian officers everywhere, people waving Italian flags, memorial posters constructed...much like a 4th of July parade in the states, except here the carabinieri have Valentino designer uniforms.

Joining in the spirit of the night

         One of the things I heard once I arrived in Italy and was being prepped on what to expect with cultural personalities was how Italians tend to cancel appointments when it rains.  At first I thought that was just laziness, but yesterday I got to experience the 35 minute walk back to my apartment from the university in the rain.  After about 5 minutes of walking and thinking of all of those who travel much farther than I to come, I understand completely the choice to stay inside!  That's only one of the many differences between figuring out how to meet students or plan events here, for people really do need to take rain checks.

     In the last week I've had several appointments with students, which has been wonderful.  Two of my friends here (Silvia one of the exchange girls who came to Athens in August, and Marco, who I tutor in English grammar) have both decided they want to help me practice my Italian through language exchanges.  It has been really helpful to be able to practice one on one with someone, so the conversation stays at my level, so I'm hoping these sessions contribute to my Italian improving more quickly.  

     I also had a really good lunch with Claudia (another student who did the Athens exchange) on Monday, and heard a neat story.  She was asking me if I found a church here that I liked, since she went to WFBC with us when she was in American and saw the community.  While we were talking about that, she mentioned that she still plays to the WFBC worship cd I gave her, and her family even joins her in listening!  While they're only listening to it now for the change in musical style (for as Claudia said, "[her] church music is, God forgive me, boring"), the lyrics in those songs are completely gospel-oriented.  Since no one in her family speaks English as a native language, it could be a way they practice and have to evaluate what the words mean, which is an exciting avenue for the Holy Spirit to begin working in that household! 

     

Light Prevails in the Shadow of Death

     I think Psalm 23 is one of the first passages in the Bible I remember recognizing, for as often as it is referenced in the church I heard it from a very early age.  Right now I'm reading through Isaiah and pairing it with a psalm a day.  A few days ago I read this famous psalm again, my prayer being, "Lord, reveal this to me in a new way."  He is so good He blew me away with fresh revelations from this psalm, for verse by verse it was full of implications for my time in Rome.

     One that stood out to me especially was verse 4, when David talks about walking through the shadow of death.  Often at our team meetings in house church, when someone is struggling with finding words to describe an encounter or feeling sensed somewhere in the city, all he/she can come up with is 'dark.'  As I was journaling after thinking on Psalm 23, I found myself writing on how sometimes living in Rome feels like being in the shadow of the valley of death.  There is so much darkness here, darkness that can be hidden by the beauty of antiquity or bustle of the city, but darkness that lies underneath the crowds nonetheless.  

     Darkness has been on my mind so much over the last month, I think ever since I saw a photograph by an Italian friend of mine at the studio's inauguration that we are still displaying in our space.  He captured this beautiful picture of a dark cloud directly in front of the sun, the presence of which is evidenced by the rays bursting from behind the cloud.  Every comment on that photograph had a spiritual theme, whether it be the clear expression of the Lord or someone saying "it is almost as if a God exists."  My friend titled this picture "Dove sei? Non ti vedo."  Translated, that means "Where are you? I do not see you."  The irony to the title is heartbreaking, for all I see when I look at his picture is how the heavens are proclaiming the glory of God (Psalm 19:1).  

     This particular friend of mine has been my friend since literally day one for me in Rome.  In this last month he seems like a walking example of the darkness in this city, and he even describes his dominating mood as being in "the dark place."  There is such a storm in his heart, and it's hard for us on the team to see it because we know God is chasing and calling him to be His own, yet surrender when you know you will potentially lose all your friends and will definitely drastically change your lifestyle is a very difficult thing.  Unlike in the States where we as the church can offer one seeking an alternative from his/her former lifestyle, an instant place of community with love, acceptance, and support for new believers, Rome has no such thing.  This friend of mine has been impressed on my heart in the last month, affirmation the Lord is working on him since my roommate and two other team members feel the urgency to contend for him in prayer more than ever.  I would love it if you would join with us in praying for him too.

     A couple of days ago we had a surprise afternoon of wonderful weather, so I took advantage of it to explore a picturesque part of the city I had not been to before.  While I was on my walk I was thinking about Psalm 23 again and praying for my friend and all the others I have met here so far.  I was having fun with my camera, toying around with some artsy shots.  For some reason when I saw an Italian flag hanging out of one of the apartment windows I felt I should stop for a bit and see if there was anything I could capture, which felt strange because nothing other than the flag particularly caught my eye until I saw how the sun was trying to peek around the dark apartment building.  God spoke to me so clearly in that moment, while I was noticing the contrast of light and dark around the Italian flag, to tell me although it is dark in Rome now, His light will burst forth in this city...just like my friend's photo of the light behind the clouds, the Lord will make Himself known.  As if that wasn't enough, while I'm processing that huge "whoa" moment, my ipod randomly started playing "Furious."  I walked home feeling so excited, reminded that God still holds to His promises, He has a plan for Italy, and He will be exalted among the nations (Psalm 46:10).

     

His love is deep, His love is wide 

And it covers us
His love is fierce, His love is strong
It's furious
His love is sweet, His love is wild
And it's waking hearts to life

Italians love cookies

    Despite all the nutella, gelato, pastries, tiramisu, fine chocolates, etc. you can enjoy in Italy, a good ol' American cookie is nowhere to be found.  It's the same for brownies and the vast majority of baked goods we appreciate so much.  Taylor (my roommate and coworker) and I have already seen how to use this to our advantage with shamelessly getting the students to like us and creating ways to spend time with them.
   Friday night we hosted our first movie night at the studio, so students could come and practice English in a completely non-academic setting and (hopefully) have a good time.  You never really know about the turnout for events without prior connections, and since the majority of our invites were mass announcements we expected about 3-5 people to show.  When we got an email from a girl expressing her disappointment at having to miss our event due to a medical appointment, we were surprised and thought people might actually come (Italians are notorious for not committing to anything in advance, so getting a 'regrets' email is pretty out of the ordinary).  Reid (another team member) was at the studio with us while we were setting up, and gave us the exciting news there was an actual gathering of people waiting outside.  Approximately 16 students came, 3 of whom joined Taylor and myself afterwards for dinner.  Looks like our bribe for American sweets worked, and the Italians loved the oreo balls and classic chocolate chip cookies we made that morning.  It was so funny to hear one of the girls talking about 'the biscuits' later and how they're much better than Italian biscotti, which made me think "well of course, they've got heaps more butter and sugar...but you don't need to know that."

stalker snapshot of half the group

     This morning in the first level English class we TA for, several people asked when we'd do another event.  One girl even asked if we could show a movie in the morning sometime since her evenings aren't free.  It appears God's given us a neat way to make friendships with the people that are so hard to get to know, so we're excited about that!
    I also ran into a girl who came Friday night, and she mentioned the cookies again.  I made the (obvious) connection that if she had never had one before, she certainly hadn't made any herself, so we have a baking party planned in the near future.  Italian girls especially are more closed off to strangers and people outside their group, so maybe baking will be an opportunity to create quality time and earn the chance to start friendships!