Fall Retreat Promo Video

This weekend students from Miami University are taking a break from classes and going to fall retreat.  We wanted to get students excited about what God is doing here in Rome.   What better way to do that then to send a video.  At the end of the video we ask them to come on a spring break trip, come on summer project (a summer long mission trip), or to come on STINT (what I am doing now). I know some of you are wondering where I am in the video.  Although I am not in the video, I did do most of the editing.  I really don’t like the way I sound on video anyway. I hope you enjoy! 

Let’s get it started…

Today I started my day off at a wonderful little café with a cappuccino and a cornetto; spending some time in the Word.   Sitting at a little table just outside the café, watching mothers fuss over their children as they steer them along in their strollers, listening to a small dog bark as its elderly owner stops in the small produce store, I think about how incredible it is that I get to live here in Rome and do ministry.  Sure, there are some things that are inconvenient and at times want to make me pull out my hair:  waiting for the 310 bus to take me from campus to my apartment and back, waiting in line at the post office to get my permesso di sojourno, or even the daily struggle to understand and be understood by practically everyone outside of my team, but it is worth it to be here. Today I was reading in Ezekiel, and I was reminded of what it  truly looks like to be obedient to the Lord.  The Lord handed him a scroll that contained woesagainst Israel and commanded him to eat the scroll.  Then the Lord told Ezekiel to lie on his side one day for each year of Israel’s punishment equaling 390 days!  And then lie on his other side for 40 days to represent each year of Judah’s punishment.  Tonight in Bible study we looked at Paul and how much he endured for the sake of the gospel, and not only did he endure, but he celebrated and rejoiced in all circumstances.  How sobering it is to see obedient followers of Christ who do not complain in hardship, but instead rejoice and praise the Lord.  I got to meet with Andrea today on campus.  It was fun to see him and to hear about his summer.  He told me that he did not eat any snails this year at the snail festival in his hometown.  This summer he has been meeting with a long term Campus Crusade staff member.  They have been going through “follow up,” which are basic principles that we teach to new believers.  I am excited to continue to meet with him this year.  It lifted my spirit to see him again. On my way back to campus I ran into Danilo taking a break from studying for his exam.  It was an unexpected surprise.  It was as if no time had passed since we saw each other last.  We joked around and promised to get together soon, when he has more time after his exam. It was a good first day back on campus. 

Settling into our new apartment

As promised, here are some pictures of our new apartment. Although it is still messy and full of the girls stuff, it is feeling much more like home. I also have a google map of where our apartment is located. To give you a little better perspective, we are located northeast of the city center where things like the Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum are located. The yellow push pin at the top is where our apartment is, and the yellow push pin at the bottom is where the university La Sapienza is located.

Here is a team picture of our first team dinner (minus Kanda).

Next is a picture of our living room.

The next picture is of Matt and I in our room (that’s right, we’re roomies).

This picture is of Amos (L) and Chris (R) in their room.

This is our lovely kitchen.

Thank you so much for you patience. I have been working on a STINT promo video for Miami’s Fall retreat and for our other partnerships. I will post it here, so check back soon!

 

Rome again, home again

As  you can deduce from this blog post, Amos and I safely arrived in Rome.  Last Wednesday we were able to sign for an apartment and on Thursday we moved into the apartment with the help of some staff members here in Rome.  The rest of the week we have been getting over jet lag, cleaning and organizing the apartment and preparing for the rest of the team to arrive.  The team is leaving today (September 11) and arriving tomorrow morning.  I am excited for them to get here and I hope they have a safe flight.  Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and please continue to pray for the ministry.  

Up, up, and away or “I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again.”

Today is the day.  With much anticipation and a few tears I am leaving for Rome for a year.  Being home has been great and a lot of fun, but I am ready to return.  I am ready to spend time with students, to get to know my new team and to enjoy some delicious Italian food (not the kind you get at Olive Garden).  Praise the Lord that our bid for a new apartment was accepted.  Lord willing, when Amos and I arrive tomorrow morning we will go and sign for the apartment!  I’ll be sure to post pictures as soon as I can, but in the meantime would you pray with me for safe travel and that the apartment would work out?  Thank you so much, Arrivederci!