Zach a guy joining our team in Rome made this!  Check it out!


DrawingRomeTrinity from zachbaliva on Vimeo.

Prayer Walk

 ² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Col 4:2-6

My Part is in Pink and yours is in Green 

Pray with me today as I pray and walk

What Goes Around

You may or may not know that my first introduction to Rome was my George Fox University Juniors Abroad Trip back in May 2000.    Fox has this fantastic program where all Juniors are allowed to pick a month long trip to go on with about 30 other students and 2 professors.  I camped out over night on the lawn with all of my classmates and friends to make sure we got the trip we wanted before they filled up.  I am pretty sure we were about the 5th tent in line, and I did indeed end up on the trip I had hoped for.  My Juniors Abroad would be starting in Rome and then head up to Florence and Venice then on to Austria, Germany, France and end in England. 

It was this trip that would instill in me a passion for Rome that I had not had prior.  Of all the fabulous places I got to see Rome stuck with me in a way the others did not.  Not because of the monuments or the sights, but because of the people and the instant feeling of home.  It is odd to go to a place so different from any other place you have been and feel right at home.

Now 10 years later I am here living in Rome, 1 of the professors and a few of the students who went on this trip with me are now part of my support team!  And the day before Christmas I received a Facebook message from a GFU professor who will be leading this same trip in May for the first time, asking me if I would be willing to help out as a guide when they arrive.

When I landed in Rome 10 years ago, knowing next to nothing about this city or country I never would have imagined that someday I would be living here, working as a missionary and leading a group of Juniors from my Alma Mater around Rome introducing them to the city that I love and showing them the need for the Truth and Light here.

Pretty cool how God works all things together for Good!

Little Blessings!

Sometimes it is the little things that just bless my socks off!  A few days ago I was skyping with my sister in CA and saying how difficult it is to find good soap/facial cleanser here in Rome.  Seems like they are all just milky liquids with no real power.  Then yesterday a girl who has been attending our home group on Friday nights stopped by to drop off her suitcase for me to keep while she heads to Sicily for Christmas.  She has finished her semester her and needed to be out of her room.  But here's the thing, when she cam she also came with 3 big bags of stuff she and her roommates could not fit in their suitcases to take home.  Two big bags of goodies for me to enjoy.  What fun!  I opened them up and you know what?  One whole bag was toiletries, many of which were from the states, and there was one large tube of Neutrogena foaming facial cleanser!  I know it is a simple little thing, but it made my day!

The other bags had clothes and kitchen spices also fun and much appreciated!  In fact I am wearing a totally new outfit today and loving it!

Also, my Christmas Package from my family arrived yesterday, in time for Christmas!

Yesterday was a good day.

Much Needed!

Right after my last post I received word from a supervisor that my balance has dropped significantly below the minimum required to remain on the field.  I will be receiving a $1100 pay cut next month because of this.  The reason my balance is so low is that many regular supporters have not been giving as regularly.  I ask that those of you who committed to give  monthly, quarterly, or yearly would please renew your pledge!

Thanks again for your contributions to our ministry here in Rome!


Click here to Help

End of the Year Giving

Things to Remember Regarding Your Year-End Gifts

Many supporters like to give special year-end gifts toward my ministry. More and more people do this kind of "last minute" giving online so Click Here to Give Your End of Year Gifts!
Please remember that envelopes must be postmarked by December 31, 2010 to be recorded for this fiscal year.
Once the fiscal year is closed, gifts will be recorded for 2011.

As a reminder, if you would rather send in a check you can make it out to the EFCA ReachGlobal and put my account #1671 on the front and mail it to:

Attn. Donor Services

701 E 78th st.

Minneapolis MN 55420.

If you are a first time giver or would like more info on giving you can always click here for a donor card to print and mail in with your first gift!

Of course many thanks for your continued support and gifts today and throughout the year!

E 'nevicato

Today the streets of Rome had a totally different look for few hours after my final Italian class snow fell in Rome.  The white flakes began their arrival as I left the school building to have lunch with my classmates.  At first there was a flake here and there but by the time we sat down at the table the air was filled with flurries.  Funny thing snow, seems to have a calming effect no matter where it falls.  It is like it brings with it the gift of silence and wonder.  (maybe not everywhere) 

If you know me at all you know I am not a fan of the white stuff.  But today it was a welcome change.  It has been freezing cold here for a few days and before that we had weeks of rain.  The snow meant a tad bit warmer day and snow that does not stick is always better in my mind.  Rome it seems was made for snow, with the lights strung across the streets and windows filled with chocolates and Christmas confections the snow only added to the feel of season. 

It seemed only appropriate to spend the afternoon with one of the girls from class Christmas shopping, and then return home, to wrap Christmas gifts for my family while listening to Christmas music sung by Andrea Bocelli, set up my new Nativity Scene that I purchased today and of course I hung my stocking with care.

Now I am headed off to Home Group where we will watch The Nativity in Italian and enjoy yummy food.

Buon Natale!

Riots in Rome after Berlusconi survives vote

Have a Peek

These videos are from a Missions Conference that Brian, Sarah, a couple who are hoping to join our team and I got the chance to attend 2 weeks ago.  Some fantastic worship!







And here are a few pictures from the past two weeks:

As we wait for the Train on the way to the Missions Conference Elaine, Sarah, Brian and Scott

Continuing on our way to the Missions Conference

New Friends and Daniel over for dinner!

Elaine helping me out in the Kitchen as I attempt my first Green Bean Casserole

The Tiber River after a few days of rain!

Some fellow classmates during our much needed 15 min break

Elaine (prospective teammate!) and I on our visit to Ostia Antica