Italy update

Today I realized that some of you are probably wondering...is that Italy trip thing still happening? Haven't heard about it in a while...

I’m afraid that this is one area in which the blogosphere has been getting the short end of the breadstick, simply because our Italy facebook group has been a much more convenient place to post updates.

But today I have news—news that not even facebook has seen! (Drumroll, please…)

It looks like once all promised money arrives, I will have all the funds necessary for the trip!

Only two days ago, I lacked over $400—a seemingly impossible sum after weeks and weeks of an achingly slow trickle of support.  I was still asking God to provide, still telling him that I believed He could do it, but… my confidence was starting to mirror the puniness of the money coming in instead of the bigness of the God I was talking to. 

So often I focus on the problem instead of on the One who can solve it.

I only realized I had been doubting when He suddenly answered...and I was surprised.

I got a facebook message.

Then a phone call.

Then an envelope under my windshield, stuffed with cash. (No idea how long it had been there before I saw it on my way to work!)

I feel so humbled, knowing that God was able—and willing—to provide it the whole time.

Update #2: Our team membership has shifted!

Originally, our team included two from beyond the borders of the USA: a young man from Hong Kong, and a sweet young woman from Mexico. Since then, difficulties in raising support from across the world have caused our Asian teammate to make different plans, trusting that God has something better in mind for him during those two weeks.

Karla, our lovely Latina, is still Italy-bound, but her funding levels continue to lag far behind the rest of us. The trip is especially important for her, because she is strongly considering joining the Italian team on a long-term basis. In many ways, this initial trip with our team is a scouting trip, allowing her to form a more accurate picture of life in Italy.

If you would like to help her with her trip costs, you can use this secure PayPayl link.

Because fundraising is so crucial to getting there, (free plane tickets, anyone? J) it might seem from Facebook and the above discussion that nothing else matters. Wrong!

The center, the hub, the real pit of this peach is this: God is passionate for people everywhere.

His heart breaks for people whether they live in dorms or drug allys, in houses or hostels, in suburbs or in slums. He knows them individually, intimately, internally—better than they know themselves. He died for them. He loves them. And only he is powerful enough to provide purpose in pain, security in insecurity, and forgiveness for secret sins.

But so many of them don’t know him.

As a team, we are praying on a weekly basis, asking God to give us cultural sensitivity to the Italian students and a real attitude of humility when we go. We want to be learners and guests first. 

Then, when we get the chance to tell how Jesus changed us, they will know that it’s not a sales pitch—it’s for real.

Lest I give the impression that the Castille family couldn't use any more help for the trip, hubby still has about $700 lacking for his trip costs. Anything that doesn't come in through gifts will come out of our savings...and while I'm thankful that we DO have enough to cover it, we would also welcome help if God leads you!