Ciao Itay

My time in Italy is quickly coming to an end, my last day is tomorrow! Travel back six months ago and I had no comprehension of where the next few months would take me, and now I have been to seven different countries and have gone deeper in all levels of my faith; there is no doubt I am right where I am supposed to be. However, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ITALY and will find it very hard to get on a ferry to go to Greece without thinking of how much I am going to miss it. The last two weeks have really opened my eyes to what being a missionary in Italy means. Strongholds such as religion, magic and witchcraft are extremely common and learning to work against those have been quite the adventure!

Last week my team was in Cosenza hosting a youth camp at a local church, and I must say it was nothing like I expected. In the mornings we had the strategic part of the camp, with two sermons, worship, intercessory prayer, and a drama/dance. In the afternoons we spent some time getting to know the local youth, one thing they could not hide was the light of Christ shining through them, these were not your average youth! In the evenings we found ourself doing some street ministry and helping out in the church services. During one of the street times we met a group of students who ended up inviting us to the Jazz Cafe, a local cafe where youth could intermix. But little did we know that the church has been praying for that cafe for years! It used to be a place where christian youth could hang out but has been turned into a place where satan worshipers and witch-crafters reside. Many people say it is the center of the cities evil strongholds, the fact that we got invited in was a miracle in itself!

A few things I learned because of the camp:

• Being in charge of the daily program, I learned the importance of being flexible (it was changed more than eight times in four days). My mother helped prepare me for this one :)
• Living with an Italian family that spoke hardly any english, I learned the importance of talking slow (critical for me) and using massive hand motions
• Working with youth who have not had the opportunity to evangelize, I got firsthand experience in encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ
• I learned to live off no sleep and lots of espresso
• I learned that God has to be my strength, especially when I have to give a sermon and I can’t talk due to an illness (that’s a miraculous story!)
• As a team with little true “team” experience before, we had to pull together and actually function as one. Our role as the body of Christ came into play!

All in all, my time in Cosenza was a very successful week that will remain always on my heart. The people became so dear to me and the fun I had will forever be engraved in my mind. I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience Cosenza!

We are currently living in Lamezia, Italy working in the Lamezia House of Prayer and doing street ministry. If you ever have a chance, please pray for the House of Prayer here. Walter is a wonderful man of God with an astounding vision and passion for prayer and his wife Eva, owns a christian beauty spa. Together they have a unique, but powerful approach to God’s kingdom. A few cool things we have done since being here, Cassie, Michi and Riccardo were baptized in a volcano hot spring, we worshipped on the top of a mountain with flags and shofars (something totally new to me) and have taken part in intercessory prayer in the prayer house where the IHOP prayer room is streamed 24/7. So while I am in Italy working with a prayer house, I am also worshipping with a prayer house in America! It’s an amazing way to end my time in Italy, the next time I write on here I will mostly likely be in Greece. Please be in prayer as we travel monday and tuesday to Athens, we will be on a ferry for 16 hours. God bless!