Hey everybody! First lemme, just say that we miss you all and have been anxious to get to a computer to be able to let you all know how we are doing. We are GREAT! Quick recap of whats happened so far.... really long, uncomfortable plan rides, then arriving in Italy,driving through Rome, arriving at the Villa in Velletri where the Retreat was. All of that happened so fast, but it was wonderful. We got some bonding time with the campaign group for a few days, as most of the Italians didn't get there till Friday night. It was a blast, we really connected with them and actually felt like part of the group. Finally, the Italian brothers and sisters arrived and it was amazing, because we already knew so many of them. They actually remembered us from 4 years ago, and that cool thing was that this time when they talked to me, I could understand everything! yay!!! I still can only speak like a 4 year old, but I'm really trying hard. You know me, I'm not afraid to make mistakes and look stupid if it means being able to communicate with someone. Aaron is doing great too! He's understanding alot, maybe we will both be able to hold our own before we leave=)We all got a discount at the beautiful mountain villa by cleaning up with the staff, so we washed 80 sets of dishes 3 times a day.=) it was so neat to be serving these people so that they could enjoy their time, and they appreciated us and our work. That felt good. The children's classes went good, I mean, our instructions in Italian kinda stunk, but the activities were great. They loved the singing too. So we had a good time. We lead a special activity for the youth ( ages 10-35 in Italy=) where we played mixer games and then read through the first 3 chapters of 1 Timothy and they seemed to really enjoy that. We had a big discussion session after the reading and they all got really involved. Many of them came up to Shawn Daggett( the leader) afterwards crying, just saying how much it meant to them to have time like that. See, in Italy the young people usually are alone, churches here don't have many young members. So for them to come and spend time and talk to other Christians is HUGE. It was really neat to be able to encourage them. Anyway, the retreat was a huge success, and we all got to know alot of Italian brothers. We all got to praise God together too. After all of that ended we had to say a tearful goodbye to the campaigners and the Daggetts and go on our way with our new family. We are now with Mahan family and their 6 aimers in Naples. They are on their vacation so we are joining them, spending time getting to bond and grow together before we go back to work. Naples is beautiful, it's by the sea and full of people. It's good to be back here as well, esp. because we already know so many people. Aaron and I have been troopers, we have had to spend alot of time away from each other because there has been soo much to do, but we are making it. and looking forward to a little bit of time alone to process all of whats happened=) Pray for that. Please keep all of youth who are going back to their towns a little discouraged and sad in your prayers, that God would provide opportunities for them to find Christian friends, mentors, and just a little encouragement. Pray for us to be able to serve whole heartedly even in the most awkward of situations and to do it with a smile on our faces. We want to shine, not to bring attention to ourselves, but so that God may be glorified through our work. We love and miss you all. You have no idea how much we wish you could share this with us. Please keep writing us, let us know how you are doing so... that I wont worry=) Nawh, seriously though. Fill us in our your lives too!
Josie- jallen4@harding.edu
Aaron- aallen4@harding.edu
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