A few more things before I dance 'when in Rome!"

Hey, loved ones! So I have a few prayer requests before our DTS heads out to Italy for a MONTH! (I'm telling you, there will be an expanded amount of "when in Rome"s each day we're there! I'll sneak some in for each of you;) Here we go: first and foremost, our safety and protection. Italy is a new place to all of us, and we need as much wisdom for safety as possible. I'm kind of nervous to get into the city because there are so many pocket pickers, and people that run around and snatch items from people's hands. Also, we need a daily guidance from the Holy Spirit. Without God's guidance along side the abilities he's gifted us with, our purpose cannot be fulfilled when in Rome. We learned over a month ago that recently, there are buses going around promoting the atheist religion. We need wisdom and love when we meet these people to show them the reality of Christ's love. And please pray for our group internally as we will be living in even closer quarters and working longer days - we want to hold integrity in relationships with each other, putting each other over ourselves.

I want to thank you all again from the deepest of my heart for all of your support. I couldn't be going where I am without you all! I won't be updating my blog while in Rome, we have a group weekly update explaining what we're doing sent out through e-mail. If you would like to receive this, please send me an email at savannarwb@hotmail.com.

Love,
Savanna

Italy, here we come!

Hey friends and family! I want to start off my apologizing for leaving you all in the dust about what's going on here in San Francisco. So far we're in our 5th week of outreach. Our time is spent doing various evangelism outreaches, open ministry, and personal ministry. For example, on Monday we kick off the week by going out to offer hot coffee the people on the streets in the Tenderloin, which not only warms them up and gives them a dose of A.M. caffeine, but it gives an open door to share the gospel with them, listen to theirs stories, and pray for them! It's similar to the hot chocolate ministry that we do on Friday nights. In the afternoon on Mondays, we go as a group to North Beach (Little Italy) to either spend time in the park, inviting people to join us in a game of Uno, or "hang out" in Cafe Roma where we build relationships with the baristas. Though it can be hard because not every time are we seeing people come to Jesus, but I know that God is using our willingness to be a light in this place and build relationships with the people, the seeds that are planted will turn into another soul won for Jesus. We've made a friend that is from Italy while playing Uno in Washington Square (in NB), so she's been teaching us things about Italy and some of the language! We've gotten to visit her at the chocolate shop she works at in the Castro, where we also got a chance to become acquainted with some regular customers there.
On Tuesdays mornings, we gather as a group in the morning and ask God what he would want us to do in that morning. We each listen, and with the response we each get we collaborate pairs and take a few hours going to that location to evangelize, being open to what God has for us! The afternoon consists of "personal ministry" time, where we each have found a particular place to commit to each week. A group goes down to a market down the street to help clean for a few hours, a few head to help the "WildFlower" ministry from YWAM, and various other things. I have found that I really enjoy spending time with the homeless that come through our base, so I spend my time playing Spades with some of the storefront guys, and having good conversations through that! We still are doing the food pantry on Thursdays and Hot Chocolate Ministry on Friday nights!
This morning we prayed/"interceded" for our outreach to Italy. A lot of our prayers was that we could lay down ourselves and "Seek first the Kingdom of our Lord!" We're going to Italy not for ourselves, not for enjoyment, not for vacation, but to be used in a great way in a place of spiritual darkness to further God's Kingdom! Mind you, we will have fun, we will enjoy most of it, and it will be a trip of a lifetime, but God is going to be given the glory for it all! And with that, I want to praise God for providing all the funds we need! I found out we have a little bit more than what we calculated we would need, which means we might be able to have a dinner out once or twice instead of having pasta every night ;) I want to thank all of you for your prayers and financial support, as well! I know we couldn't be doing this without you all!
Gee, I wish I could tell you all the wonderful things we've gotten to experience since I've last written, or even the stuff I've left out thus far. A few weeks ago we were able to go to the senior center for a bbq with them, and a few weeks later played Bingo with them (I won a $5 Coldstone card...mmmm!) We had the chance to go to Dolores Park for a time of praying for each other - it was beautiful in many ways! The Ocean Beach here has been a wonderful place where I have been able to see God's beauty in nature and people. When I was there last, I was able to feel God's rest and also find peace about my future goals/dreams! (Did I mention I'm thinking of joining the Coast Guard!?) This pastSaturday, we had an art's show/auction, we wanted it to be an opportunity to unite the community around us in SF, and bring out our creative sides by creating art, and earning funds for our outreach! It didn't turn out quite like I expected, because there were only 3 people that came that I didn't know (they were all in one of the staff's bible study), and a majority of the YWAM SF staff came (along with most DTS students)! We ended up making more money than I thought we would, and it was a great time for the staff and students to bond through a unique event!
I haven't mentioned an exciting occasion from over a month ago! Revolution students came down for a week long Mission Adventure's "short-term mission trip." I loved having all of them here! It was so amazing having a touch of home here - and to be honest, all the staff here were highly impressed by every one of the students and leaders. Their drive for Jesus is amazing, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life and have the opportunity to lead them again when I get home! They had a great time here meeting some of our friends on the streets here, and I know many people were touched by their efforts to further God's Kingdom as they took their Spring Break to serve God!
As I'm sitting here waiting for laundry to finish (first time in over a month - w00t! I'll only have to do one load in Italy, and it's only because I won't be able to have as much clothes with me!) I'm trying to remember more events to communicate to you, but having a hard time. I'm anxious and excited for Italy, but trying to stay focused on TODAY and not too much of the future! I love and miss you all. Thank you for your friendships and support :)

-Savanna W.