As a little girl, my step-dad had lived in Italy for two years before he married my mom. I grew up hearing stories of Italy, of it’s people, food and culture. God used those stories to plant a seed in my heart for a country I did not know, for a people I had not yet met, but he planted a desire in my heart to one day change that.
What started out as a small seed began to grow and grow over the years, and developed into a love for a country I could only dream of one day visiting.
I remember as a child, having a little silky red map of Italy that was trimmed in gold stitching hanging on my wall next to by bed that my step-dad had given to me from his time in Italy. I loved looking at that map. I remember dreaming and wondering if I’d ever be able to go there.
And then in God’s perfect timing, the opportunity came through our partnership with GlobalAdvance… and I stepped out in faith and took it.
Two weeks ago, as I participated in a conference there in Italy, raising my voice and praising my Lord in Italian, a language I did not know, I was overcome with emotion. Memories began to fill my mind as I thought back over the years on how God used so many events in my life to get me to that place. For such a time as this…
I flew into Rome on Good Friday…
Nothing in our life is a coincidence.
Long before some of the girls attending the conference had even been born, God had spoken to my heart as a child and planted a seed… and it took almost thirty years to bring it to fruition.
Don’t doubt the work God is doing in your life right now… even if it seems to be taking years.
“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8
King David was told when he was younger that he would one day be king… but God allowed him to walk through many hardships, which prepared him to be the type of king God was wanting.
We must be patient; we must learn to obey God right where he has us in this moment… we must learn to trust him in the present so that we can follow where He leads in the future.
Our obedience in the small matters in life make way for obedience in the larger ones.
I truly enjoyed my trip to Italy but I have to admit, besides spending some great time with my husband celebrating our 15 almost 16 years of marriage, my second favorite experience was spending time with the new friends I was able to meet on my trip.
Having the opportunity to be in their country, experience life with them, hug their necks and eat their yummy food… it was incredible and worth the 30 year wait!
And their passion for God? Ohhh friends… it was beautiful and humbling all at the same time.
They are hungry to know God… even more than they do right now.
They are passionate about reaching their next generation for Christ.
I was so honored to be with them, and forever changed.
And sharing our translated FREE Bible study resources with them… I honestly don’t know who was more excited! I almost wanted to cry as I unpacked the study guides and materials from my suitcase before I headed down to the meeting… humbled and honored that I GET to share in this blessing.
Our Italian translators did a beautiful job translating our 1st & 2nd Peter study guide, reading plan and graphics…
Acts 20:35, “It is better to give than receive”, came to mind as I met with their women leaders and shared with them our materials… it was truly an honor and blessing to be able to offer these beautiful resources to them, free of charge.
Sometimes I have to pull back a little and get a larger view of what God is doing around the world through Love God Greatly… it is amazing and humbling all wrapped up together! And this community here…
God is blessing the nations through Love God Greatly, and we are humbled and thankful for the opportunity.
God is moving.
Yesterday, Whitney flew out to Nicaragua to speak at a conference Global Advance is putting on and there she will also be meeting with women leaders from local churches and sharing our free Spanish Bible study resources thanks to Edurne and our amazing Spanish team. Please pray for Whitney as she speaks, that God will speak through her and these precious women will feel the deep love of God through her!
Ohh friends, God is opening doors like never before and we are honored to walk in obedience through them.
THANK YOU for joining us on this journey…
THANK YOU for being a part of our beautiful community and for praying over all of us!
To ALL our teams of volunteers….THANK YOU for helping us encourage women not only in our own country to be in God’s Word…but around the WORLD!
Because, what we do with our lives matters for eternity…
Our choices…
Our obedience…
How we choose to invest our life…it all matters!
TOGETHER, let’s advance God’s Word to the ends of the earth…and around our neighborhood streets.
Because Jesus is coming back…
Love God Greatly!
P.S. If you happened to miss my Monday video from Rome in front of St. Peter’s church…you can watch it here.
Thank you so much for sharing Angela.
I too have been 30 years in the making. Before I was “prepared by God” to lead an LGG group.
I can look back at past experiences and now say “God meant it for good” , and I rejoice in God our Father for that.
I pray that God will bless Whitney as she travels,ms peaks and works for the Lord. To Him be all praise and glory!
Ohh thank you so much for praying over Whitney, Fiona!!! She is speaking on Friday and I know would so treasure your prayers!!:)
Ahhh one of the many perks with getting older…I love being able to look back and see God’s hand guiding my life! We truly are not alone….even when we feel we are!:) He never leaves us!
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible story. I have been in the seemingly insignificant moments for a while now and there’s been heartache and disappointment, but I am eagerly looking forward to the horizon as I am beginning to see God bring about new things. He is always working behind the scenes and orchestrating events and people in beautiful ways.
Ohh He does His greatest miracles in the insignificant moments in our lives…that’s when He does His best work!!:)
So excited to hear about the new things God is doing in your life!!! 🙂
What a beautiful trip so planned in advance by our God❤️
Ahhh we serve and amazing God indeed, Monica!!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your incredible story. God works in such amazing ways!
He sure does, Angi!! Honored to be able to share it with you!:)
An extra added bonus hearing from you! Thank you for sharing! I always wished I could visit there and the Holy Lands! God bless you and prayers for a safe return with a rewarding visit!
Ohh praying for God to open doors for you, Patti, to be able to travel over there!!:)
Angela, thank you for sharing about your trip. I am thankful that you had safe travels and that you were able to share this ministry that has been such a blessing with fellow believers in Italy. May God bless and grow that seeds that you planted while on your travels and may He continue to richly bless you as you serve Him.
Ohh it was truly and honor and dream come true, Carla!!!
This is just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!! What a blessing! Thank you Jesus! And thank you for this study!!
Ahhh you’re so sweet, Amy!!! And THANK YOU for joining us in our study!!! 🙂
What we do in life echoes in eternity, is actually a quote (paraphrase, perhaps) commonly attributed to Marcus Aurelius, once Emperor of Rome. I don’t know if you meant to write that, but it was cool to read.
The best part about this, is that I had it starred and saved in my inbox for a time that I could sit and read it. My home is rarely quiet or peaceful, so I just went ahead and read it tonight anyway, and the timing is perfect. (God’s timing.) It is so relevant to me, my life, and what my husband and I are going through right now. CONGRATULATIONS on making it to Italy, and I know it was made so much sweeter by the fact that you were there with God’s blessing, on his behalf, meeting more of his people, accomplishing his purpose. I get goosebumps. Thanks for sharing this, it was wonderful to read.