One year ago yesterday...

... I was writing my first blog post. I've always shied away from blogging--part of me feels a little exposed writing to an audience I can't completely control. It's a little like publishing parts of a personal journal. But, sometimes I think there are things other people can benefit from reading. So, my prayer is that at least one person has gotten one thing out of this blog. Then I'll consider the whole thing worth it.

 A year ago yesterday, I had just gotten back from a weekend conference to learn more about raising support. God had begun to realign my paths, closing and opening doors that I would not have had the courage to close and open myself. I was excited but scared. What followed was a simultaneously challenging and incredible summer. I was privileged to conversations with friends and acquaintances that I would never have in a "normal" context--I got to see people's hearts from a different angle, I learned lessons even the most gifted people couldn't teach, and I watched God provide in a way that far exceeded both my needs and expectations-- both financially and relationally.

Now, I don't want to misconstrue this whole experience as something that has been pain or challenge-free.  I have been humbled this year--realizing yet again just how dependent I really am on the Lord for everything. Just how capable He is of providing. Just how jealous He is for my attention.

But the benefits far outweigh the costs.

As I look back, I want to share one story with you that had a particularly powerful impact on me. Last summer, in the midst of raising support, I had an appointment with a family from my hometown. They had already readily volunteered to join my support team, but they wanted me to come and talk with them about Bologna and about my story anyway. I drove to their house one evening, and they greeted me with Italian cream cake and other desserts. We sat in their living room, and I started to tell my story and explain the situation in Bologna. Their daughter, a fifth grader, listened intently. It was so obvious from her expression that she was completely engaged in everything I was sharing. When I finished, she got up and left the room. I continued talking with her parents, answering questions and explaining more about Bologna. A few minutes later, their daughter reappeared. She approached me and held out her hands, eagerly offering me $17. "I want you to have this," she said. I tried to refuse, but her father intervened and encouraged me to take the money. I left their house that night humbled. I am convinced that the reason so many prayers have been answered in Bologna this year--the reason I am in Bologna this year--is because I have people like this behind me. How many of us are willing to trust and give like that? It's not so much about the amount we give as it is about the heart we give with. Why we do what we do. Scripture calls us to a childlike faith. The older we get, the easier it becomes to complicate something that was intended to be simple. That donation was the biggest donation I got all summer.

On a similar note, a student on campus the other day started asking about how we (our STINT team) felt as we were coming to the end of this year-- what we had learned from our experience in Bologna, how our time here had impacted our faith, etc., etc. She made a comment in passing that typifies many UNIBO students' reactions to what we do..."...girls going to a different country for Jesus. You know, it's very cute...but maybe it seems a little bit silly."

I had to step back and think about that. And yes--it does seem silly, doesn't it? It's not really "logical." But, again, God's grace is kind of silly, too. Grace doesn't line up with our understanding of how the world works. Once again, it's radically different.

Just wanted to take this post to look back on a few things I've learned over the last year. We finished the half marathon in Trieste last weekend! It was a challenge but such a rewarding experience. Next week, one of my best friends (Paisley High) and her family are coming to Bologna. We've known each other since we were 5 years old, and it's hard to believe I've gone so long without seeing her! I have been blessed with an incredible friend in this girl--she's really more like a sister. She's been there for just about every significant event in my life. After almost 8 months overseas, I am so excited about seeing a familiar face so soon : ) Am I counting down the days until she arrives? Absolutely yes.

Paisley and I in college

Paisley and I in high school at prom about 5 years ago (crazy!--haha)

Prayer requests...

• Please praise God for what He has done in this city this year. We have had conversations with somewhere around 200 students. Each of us meet regularly with at least one person to study scripture. We can now name students who know Christ and are growing in their relationship with Him. 
• Please continue to pray for our team in our final few months here in Bologna. Pray that we will finish strong and for continued growth in students' relationships with the Lord. 
• Please also pray for students we know to come to know Christ.
• Continue to pray for next year's STINT team--that God would guide and provide. Pray also for the Bologna summer project, which will start on May 22. 
• Please pray for a dinner we are hosting with some of our students on May 13 to plan for next year in Bologna.

Cinco de Mayo

We just celebrated Cinco de Mayo at the Hannah home last night with about 30 students. Thank you so much for your prayers for this event! We had some great conversations. I have learned many, many lessons this year...but one thing continues to resurface. I am humbled over and over again by God's sovereignty. In the states, it's just too easy to operate under the illusion of control that I think I have over my life and plans. Yes, we do make choices. But, ultimately, God has the final say in those choices. We can make all the plans we want...but it's God who determines whether or not those plans actually take place in the form of action. God has plans for Bologna, for the people I've met, for me...and they might not be the plans I would have anticipated, but they are still the plans He has. 

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:9

And He's a God of the unexpected. He's radically different. And that's what draws us to Him, right? Because grace just doesn't make sense. 

But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.      1 Samuel 16:7 

Jenny and I at the Cinco de Mayo Party

Food for Cinco de Mayo

Sopapillas

Tomorrow, our team is leaving for Trieste where Matt, Emily and I will be running in a half marathon. And as I'm writing this, I'm thinking it may not be a bad idea to ask for some of your prayer support in that : ) I'm joking, but, really, 13 miles is kind of a big deal. At least for me.

Please continue to pray for...

• The students we have met and are building relationships with this year. That those who know Christ would grow stronger and that those who don't know Him would come to know Him.
• Transitions into next year as team changes take place. Please pray that God would begin to prepare Italian students to take ownership of what's started in Bologna for next year. Pray for those of us moving into another year here in Bologna and new team members joining the team--that God would guide and provide. Pray also for those of us transitioning back to the states.
• For the summer project. Thirteen people (students and staff) will be joining us here in Bologna on May 22 for 5 weeks. Pray for God to work in big ways--in the lives of students we meet and in the lives of students on project.

March and April in Bologna

Hello all! I am overdue for an update--so sorry for lagging behind by a couple of months. We have been so busy here--I have lots of news to share.

In March, Emily and I had the opportunity to take one of our friends, Jenny, on a "vision trip" to an Agape event in Rome. The event, "Tu Sei Anima e Arte," is designed to celebrate International Women's Day, an important holiday here in Italy. Students in Rome shared different types of art--visual and performance--at the event. All three of us had a great time--we were very encouraged to see what's going on with Agape in a different part of Italy. We hope to see something similar to this event happen in Bologna in the future.

Jenny and I out to dinner in Rome

A performance at Tu Sei Anima e Arte

Jenny and Emily in Rome

Jenny, Emily, and one of the Salerno STINTers, Jonathan, talking after Tu Sei Anima e Arte

In March, we were also able to host several other events for students. We invited several friends over to the Hannah's apartment for a March Madness/St. Patrick's Day party. We've also begun working alongside our pastor, JP Aranzulla, on a series of discussion-oriented events about issues students have mentioned in our interactions with them on campus. Many of the Italian students we've spent time with list "vivi e lascia vivere" ("live and let live") and "carpe diem" as their philosophy of life. Many of the students also list "freedom" as the most important human right. We have used these ideas as topics for discussion with students on campus--hoping to process with them what these phrases really mean and the practical implications of living them out...while connecting these ideas to the gospel. Please continue to pray for these meetings with students and the discussions that develop.

A lot of our time in April has been spent continuing to get to know many of the students we have met and meeting new students on campus. I have enjoyed seeing these relationships deepen, and would so appreciate your continued prayers over our team as we approach our final few months here in Bologna with the people we have met. We've been invited to a few birthday parties, enjoyed dinners with friends  who have volunteered to cook real Italian food for us, and met for coffee and language exchange. Please continue to pray for our times with these students.

Easter is a major holiday for students in Italy. Classes are cancelled the week before Easter Sunday, meaning our team had a break from our normal schedule. My friend Jenny invited me to her home in Perugia for a few days, and I had such a sweet time getting to know her family and friends. Jenny's mother is Brazilian, too, and she made certain to cook a Brazilian meal for me before I left. This was such a great opportunity to get to know Jenny (and other parts of Italy) better. 

We have also started language lessons with a tutor. I have so enjoyed this opportunity to learn Italian--having one-on-one lessons has helped significantly with learning the language. Please continue to pray for us as we develop in this skill. 

Last week, we celebrated two baptisms at our church! It was such an encouragement to watch two of our friends share their testimonies and make this commitment. It's rare to see these things happen. 

This Thursday, we will be hosting an event for students to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Please pray for the students that come and the conversations that will take place. I'll look forward to sharing more about this in my next post.

Finally, please do pray over our final few months here in Bologna. Some of us are preparing to go home to the U.S. next year, and others will stay for a second STINT year. We would so appreciate your prayers over our final two months--that we would finish and transition well. I'll include another update with more about this transition soon. 

Ciao and thank you for your prayers!

Elizabeth

February Prayer Update

Hey everyone! Just wanted to post my February prayer letter. More updates on Bologna coming soon!

Back from Spain, Snow in Bologna and Leaving for Florence

Our team enjoyed a refreshing week on the Spanish coast with 250 STINTers from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and arrived back in Bologna to somewhere between two and three feet of snow on Friday afternoon! The dramatic temperature change was a tough transition, but we were grateful for the time we had to process our experiences this year during the Midyear conference. It was such a blessing to spend some time away from Bologna and away from the U.S. to begin to reflect on what God has done in Bologna over the last five months, what He has done in my heart, etc. More on this later.

The Bologna team after the last session at STINT Midyear

Ashley, Emily and I on a walk in Bologna after getting back from Spain. We decided to take advantage of the snow and climb San Luca for a view of the city. 

Me outside of our apartment as Emily and I tried our best to haul our suitcases through piles of snow and up several flights of stairs. I've got to be honest--below freezing temperatures after a week of 60 degree weather was a tough transition. I guess I'm more of a warm weather kind of girl than I thought. 

Tomorrow, we're leaving Bologna again for Institute of Biblical Studies with all of the Italian staff. We'll be staying in Florence for the week and those of us on STINT will study 1 John. I just wanted to leave you with a few prayer requests and a sermon that spoke to my heart recently...

Prayer Requests...

• Praise God for our time in Spain. We were able to enjoy warm weather and lots of time to rest and recharge for the rest of the year.
• Pray for us as we go to Florence for the week. Pray that God will bless this time to study His word and that He will teach us new things and continue to refresh our hearts.
• Pray for us as we begin to reconnect with students on campus. Pray that God will bless these relationships.
• Pray for UNIBO students who have chosen to follow Christ. Pray that they would continue to hunger for and pursue a deeper relationship with God.
• Pray for next year's STINT team--that God would begin to assemble this group of people. 

And here's the sermon...

Leaving for STINT Midyear

Tomorrow, our team will fly to Nerja, Spain for our STINT Midyear conference. We will be joining STINTers from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East for a week together. After our week in Spain, Italian staff will meet in Florence for Institute of Biblical Studies training/classes. Before we leave, I wanted to put up a post with a few prayer requests...

• Praise God for new momentum gained after time with the group from Brazil and the group from Texas. Pray for our team as we follow up with new contacts.
• Praise God for what He is doing in Bologna. We spent a lot of time last week planning for the Spring semester and were encouraged to look back over what God has done throughout the last semester.
• Please pray for our team as we attend the midyear conference--pray that this will be a refreshing and encouraging time for all of us. 
• Continue to pray for the students we know in Bologna. Pray that those who do know Christ would continue to grow in their relationships with Him and that those who don't know Christ would come to know Him. 

Thank you for your prayer support! Looking forward to posting more updates soon.

Elizabeth

John 10:10

Holiday in the UK and Back in Bologna...Part 3 (and January Prayer Update)

And now we're back. Once we arrived in Bologna, we had a few days to settle back into Italy before beginning Spring semester work...and things certainly didn't start slowly!

During our first week back, we worked with two different groups here in Bologna. Right now, it's summer in Brazil, and a group of Brazilian students chose to spend part of their summer on summer project in Italy. Crusade's ministry in Brazil is hoping to begin a partnership with Italy. We spent a day with the students here in Bologna, showing them the university and introducing them to life and work in this city. While it was crazy to try to communicate in a mixture of three different languages (Portuguese, Italian and English), we truly enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with this group--it's always encouraging to see new faces with fresh energy and enthusiasm. We also rejoined this group to work for a day on the campus in Verona last week. Some of these students are considering coming back to Italy in the future--please remember them in your prayers.

We also had the privilege of hosting a group of seven students and a CRU intern from Texas during their "vision trip" to Bologna. Everyone in this group, from TCU and Tarleton State University, is considering returning to Bologna for summer project or STINT next year. Again, it was a joy to see some new faces here in Bologna with so much excitement for what God is doing in this city. They joined us on campus for a few days, and we were able to meet so many new students! Praise God for these contacts and continue to pray as our team follows up on these new relationships. Please also pray for everyone from Texas as they make decisions about the future and consider coming back to Bologna.

Matt, Ashley, and I with everyone from Texas and their group leader, Lance Linnartz

At the end of our week with the Brazilians and the group from Texas, the Bologna Agape team attended an apologetics conference at Nuova Vita on conversational evangelism. Dr. Norman Geisler's son, Dr. David Geisler, taught at the conference. We also had the opportunity to share several meals with Dr. Geisler and discuss issues that we've encountered here in Bologna as we've interacted with students and hear more of his insights on how to address their questions and these topics.

We have also begun reconnecting with students we had met last semester. January is typically a slow month on campus--many of the students are still finishing exams. We expect momentum on campus to pick up again in mid-February. Right now, we're spending most of our time planning and preparing for the remainder of the year--the spring semester and summer project . On Saturday, we'll leave Bologna again for our STINT Midyear Conference in Nerja, Spain. Our team will join all of the STINTers from Europe and North Africa for this week-long conference. After this, we'll join all of the Italy STINTers in Florence for Institute of Biblical Studies, a week-long Bible class.

All of that being said, here's my latest prayer update, and I'll put up another post with more prayer requests soon!

Elizabeth

John 10:10

Holiday in the UK and Back in Bologna...part 2

After our day trip to London, we spent some more time in Cumnor and the Oxford area before taking a roadtrip to Scotland for New Years. During our time at the University of Bologna, we've met quite a few Erasmus students--these students are part of a European exchange program, similar to study abroad in the states. One of the Erasmus students we have met invited us to a Ceilidh (traditional Scottish folk dance) at his house in Scotland for New Years, and we decided his offer sounded like a good idea--celebrating the New Year by singing Auld Lang Syne in Scotland sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we shouldn't pass up. On our way, we stayed for a night at Emily's grandparents' home in Stockton-on-Tees, and on our way back we made sure to stop for fish and chips in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

Our STINT team outside of Blenheim Palace, a "stately home" near Emily's house

Matt, Ashley and Emily on our way to Scotland

Matt, Ashley and Emily at the Ceilidh with our friend Josh's younger brother and sister--Talitha and Max (yes, Max is wearing a kilt)

New friends in Scotland

During a walk in Scotland

On our way back from Scotland after stopping to get fish and chips

Bologna STINT team with Emily's grandmother in Stockton-on-Tees

Eating fish and chips on our way back from Scotland. It was so cold that the
 grease from the fish was hardening on our fingers!

After returning to Cumnor, we made a trip into Oxford to see some of the university and the city before packing to return home.

Walking through Oxford

Emily at the Bodleian 

The Radcliffe Camera

To be continued (again)...

Holiday in the UK and back in Bologna...part 1

Ciao! It's been awhile, and the last several weeks (or month, really) have truly felt like a whirlwind. I'm going to do my best to update you on everything that's been happening in the next few posts.

A few days before Christmas, the Waltons and I flew out of Bologna to join Emily and her family for Christmas in Oxford. The Spicers welcomed us into their home for a couple of weeks and introduced us to a true English Christmas. We had a wonderful time getting to know Emily's family and learning more about the UK.

A couple of days before Christmas, the Spicers took as to a pantomime, a traditional English Christmas play. Pantomimes are very interactive and geared towards children--the one we went to see was called Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves.

The stage before the pantomime started--we were sitting in the balcony

Emily also showed us around a few places near her village, Cumnor, which is just outside of Oxford. We visited a town called Burford and walked around some shops, visited the church and had tea with chelsea buns at a shop called Huffkins.

Matt, Ashley and Emily walking into the church in Burford

Tea at Huffkins

The main street through Burford

On Christmas Eve, we ate breakfast in Oxford's Covered Market, did some last minute shopping, had dinner with some of the Spicers' family friends, and went to midnight mass at Emily's church in Cumnor, which was constructed in the 13th century. On Christmas day, we went to a morning service at Emily's church and enjoyed a delicious English Christmas dinner together, complete with brussel sprouts, mashed swedes, turkey, chestnut stuffing, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, and lots of other foods. The Spicers also finally introduced us to Christmas crackers (something we've been hearing about since September--*these aren't edible). After we ate, we opened presents, watched the Queen's annual Christmas speech, and went on a walk around Cumnor.

Everyone at Christmas dinner after opening the Christmas crackers (read the explanation in the link above to learn more about this tradition)

Emily explaining the Christmas cracker to Matt before dinner

Ashley and Emily on our walk around Cumnor

After Christmas, we spent a few days relaxing and resting. After the last several months, a few not-so-busy days in a home in an English-speaking country were truly a blessing. We did decide to go into London, too, for a day. We stopped by several of the major sites--Hyde Park, the South Bank, Harrods, Oxford Street, Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, etc.--and finished the day with dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Matt and Ashley on the way into Hyde Park

The girls outside of Buckingham Palace

The Bologna STINT team outside of Buckingham Palace

Walking in London

Matt, Ashley and Emily outside of the National Gallery

Bologna STINT girls on the Thames

To be continued in the next post...