A Big (and not so surprising) Update:

Hey everyone.

How is it possible we have finished our time in Albania? I never thought time could blow by this quickly. Truly, we had made home among the cows on the dirt paths of Kotodesh. I can’t say I am not incredibly excited to be here in Italy though. A lot of things are and will continue to be so different than our ministries and daily life had been for the last two months.

Our class has been split into different host homes through the village of Isernia. I’m living with a woman named “Rosa” for two weeks as our student’s new ministry looks like going into the public high schools and teaching about faith and love. The church in Italy is dying, and having 27 on fire kids coming in and telling these Italian youth that loving God is not about works, but about relationship is something so exciting. I think our students will thrive, and I am believing that the Italian students (nearly 2000 of them!) will be impacted in deep ways. 

Today was our first day in the schools of Isernia. I’ve just finished leading our debrief about the day, and our students are so excited. I’m emotional just thinking about it. They met with high schoolers, their peers, and explained that love with Jesus is different than rules of religion. The Italian students really made them feel like celebrities, and they got to pray and lead and I am just so stinking proud of my kids. I will write a more thorough blog on this when we have had more days, but for a “guinea pig” program’s first day… let’s just say the Lord’s hands are ALL OVER IT.

Every day here on the field is a new adventure. Some days I barely make it to my bed before I fall asleep. Too many times I have fallen asleep in my contacts, holding my phone, trying desperately to keep my DuoLingo streak before the midnight hour arrives. I’ve also spent countless nights laying on the floor, talking to students for far too long- which I always mention will mess with their sleep schedules. But if they want it, I am happy to give everything of benefit that exists in me for them. These kids are something else. They make me really hopeful for the generation to come. I love them each so much. 

A couple weeks ago, while we were still in Albania, we called our students in for an announcement. They kind of dreaded surprise announcements, it usually meant that I thought they needed to clean their rooms or something else like that. But that wasn’t on the docket for that day. My announcement went something like this: 

“We are at the halfway point of the semester. And in this moment, I think it’s important to remember our “Why?”. Why did you decide to come here, a dusty village in Albania, living with strangers, making a new life across the globe? When this position was pitched to me, they asked me if I would spend the semester pouring into students. And I thought, that’s definitely worth three months of my life. But as I contemplate the semester ending… I realized that three months just is not long enough. So this is your announcement I will be staying for Christmas and through the spring semester.” 

I was not prepared for their reaction. They erupted in cheers, they stood up and screamed, and I had hugs after hugs after hugs. I have to tell you, I was so overwhelmed, that I did in fact tell them to clean their rooms immediately following that announcement to defuse my emotions.

I had wrestled with this so much, I couldn’t believe I had decided, or had even wanted to do this. Yet, so many others weren’t shocked in the slightest. Tammy, my leader, admitted to me that she had told Seth Barnes Sr. at training camp that I would likely stay. My mentor, and the person who got me connected to Journey School, Kelly, told me she wasn’t surprised at all. Several students said it was a no-brainer. My friends, my parents, my people- they all saw it before me. 

As more and more people told me that this was a “duh” I had to laugh. This story feels eerily similar to how I got into youth ministry. Everyone saw it before I did. I fought so hard to convince people it wasn’t for me. But I guess my act was unconvincing. Because when you’re thriving and in love with Jesus and what He has you doing… that’s not something that stays hidden well. 

So from here in Italy. Here’s your announcement. What once was a crazy decision to give three months of my life, has become a God encounter and a firm decision to finish this race well. I’ll travel with my class to Mexico this January and end the Journey School year in Guatemala in late April. 

Thank you to everyone supporting me and praying for me. I am so blessed by all of you who got me here. Thank you for your yes, and for making mine that much easier. 

Know that this group is having the time of their lives. Developing community that will extend far beyond these nine months, growing in their leadership and spiritual giftings, and meeting the most incredible humans along the way. Continue to be in prayer for their impact in these schools and that they finish this semester WELL! We have a crazy packed few weeks here, but they’re all hyped up on cappuccinos and gelato- and lots of Jesus. I am so grateful to lead them.

Ciao e grazie!

Amanda