Mountain Tops Poking Through

(this photo is from a recent camping trip where we scouted future spots to take students during spiritual leadership training adventures)

I wanted to share a quick update! Things in Italy have continued to be focused on improving my Italian so that I can not make a fool of myself so often in front of people =) (even though it is still funny... the other day my teacher asked me if I would like some Juice from the cafe nearby... I answered very clearly "ok I will have FISH juice." OOOPS... I meant to say peach juice! We all got a good laugh out of that =) (the words are kind of close pesca and pesce).

I really appreciate what a language expert told me once before I came to Italy... "In language learningn you will make 1 million minstakes... so you'd better get started NOW!" =)

In other news I have been trying to spend time with more students from the church in order to have more opportunities to participate in encouraging them. It's been great to get to know Simone, who's studying Industrial Engineering at Politecnico; where I will go next year. Each week we've been eating together sharing what God is doing in our lives. We were a part of the same group in a discipleship program called E-4.

The other fellow who was in my groups is named Elia. Elia is an amazing story of God's grace and love! He has before and after pictures from when he became a Christian. He is truly a light to Christ in his life... and He is an amazing evangelist. But when you see the before picture you understand that it truly was the POWER of God which changed his life... just as the power of God changed my life. Elia's heart for others is so huge... and his passion for sharing Jesus is unstoppable. I am often really convicted to be more shamelessly in love with Jesus as Elia is! It's really great to see!

I have also been spending time with Tony... He is Albania. Tony's family was nominally Muslim... but really they are not practicing at all. We met the first day that I was in Italy and I simply helped him with his English. A friendship has formed which has allowed us to share the gospel with him many times. We are praying he would trust Christ soon! He heard about the resurrection and made a very interesting comment "if he raised from the dead... that proves that He was God." Wow! He also one day told me "wow... Albania needs people like you to go there and share about Jesus... we don't have anyone sharing this with us." Again... Wow!

(this photo is of me on a mountain during the same trip... we spent some time seeking God... and this is the spot I went to! I was really touched in a neat way thinking of how God often takes us through difficult passages so He can show us incredible views!)

For me personally I have been encouraged as I trust God while He is taking me into new phases on life. I feel like I am getting adjused well to life in Italy... and have been growing in many unexpected ways. I am thankful for the growth... there's something reassuring about God's continued pruning and detailing of our lives. The summer schedule has been a little lighter than the Spring which was honestly quite busy! I have appreciated being at home to actually make dinner and also to have a little down time here and there.

I want you to know that it has been a real blessing to have you praying for me as well as supporting me. I trust that God is using me according to His plan... and in this process I know that He is blessing you as well! Thank you so much, it's awesome and humbling to be here.


Ben