One Month until Italy!
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That's right. Actually less, 29 days until takeoff and 30 until I land on Italian soil! Say whaaaaaa. It still really hasn't sunk in as I've been busy soaking up the remaining time with my students, and next week, theater week! The culmination of all the hard work, students and teachers alike, in a long but oh so rewarding week of rehearsals and 9? shows. Something like that, but it's a blast. If you live in the Traverse City area, you should come see a show! It's a fun time had by all.
Last week Global Outreach sent out my first official newsletter, woohoo! If you didn't get one and would like to, be sure to sign up on the Give page and I'll be sure to add you to the list for future. The newsletters will be sent out monthly and sum up the month's happenings, prayer requests, praises, gelato count, etc. Totally kidding about that last one. Actually when I was in Florence in the fall for three months my gelato consumption was sadly lackluster. Did I mention that the newsletter will also be much more to the point and less wandering than some of these blog posts? Yes, you're welcome.
For the past several months we have been looking for a new gallery space. When Gallery 4 first started in Italy almost 2 years ago, the gallery was above the Porcellino. If you've been to Florence (or seen Silence of the Lambs) the Porcellino is the covered pillar structure with the famous warthog whose nose you rub for good luck. Or something like that, I didn't fancy touching its nose because...germs. The gallery was in the roof of the Porcellino which from a glance (or even staring intently at it) doesn't seem like anything would be up there. Even the spiral staircase was in one of the pillars. A cool location, but not exactly easy to find nor very inviting. Last summer Gallery 4 was unexpectedly told they couldn't be up there anymore, the building was too old to be dancing and jumping around up there. Disappointing, but overall for the best, as we hope the gallery can be somewhere easy to find and access. Temporary locations have been used since then to host gallery openings, (one of which was a palace, not complaining!) but we've been hunting for a space suitable for both an art gallery and a dance studio. By we I mean Paul, Melinda, and Rachel. I'm still in America, but they do a good job of keeping me updated until I land in June. Paul and Melinda are honing in on a couple locations, so that is very exciting! It's been a long haul looking online, making appointments with realtors and viewing spaces, but it's difficult finding something that works for both a gallery and dance studio, is in a good location, and is within the budget. Not to mention moving in the very laid back "Italian" time. They're late for everything. As we get close to deciding on a space, would you help us pray for the Lord's guidance and provision to choose the one best for His plan in continuing the gallery?
Fun Fact: The Porcellino is also one location where JohnPaul of Practical filmed us dancing Jesus Paid It All (Gesu Ha Pagato Tutto)
Madeline, left, and Rachel, Right
The Gallery 4 team is also in the midst of transition. Madeline Groenendaal, friend and dancer with Gallery 4, had to return to the States earlier this year due to medical complications. It's been a long and slow healing process for her, and although she would like to return to Florence with Gallery 4 at some point, it's hard to project when that might be. You can learn more about Madeline and how to pray for her on her blog.
Rachel Harris, my other friend and dancer with Gallery 4, will also be moving back to the States this summer. She has been with the gallery for 2 years since its beginning and feels it is the right time to move back home.
These girls are gems. Their walk with Christ, love for God and others and the people of Italy, and pursuing excellence in dance to the glory of God our Father has encouraged me so much. I am going to miss them so, so much, but am excited to see how the Lord continues to use them in each new situation He places them in.
That's the sad news of the day. On a brighter note, I will get to live with two other sisters in Christ, Silvia and Vanessa. They are also super great. They are both art students at the Russian Academy of Art, where the Gallery 4 team gets their student visas through and also where I take ballet classes to stay in shape. Where will we live? We're not sure yet. I will have Iacopo Nardi (Madeline and Rachel's affectionately named apartment and where I stayed in the fall for 3 months) for a part of the summer. When I return in October after Jeffrey and Rachel's wedding I will move in with Silvia and Vanessa, wherever that may be. You can help us pray we find the perfect location and apartment, that fits all our needs including being able to get easily to the Russian Art Academy's locations and the future Gallery space. I will miss Iacopo Nardi's bathtub and terrace. (You could also pray for those commodities for our apartment, but that's on the lower end of importance, haha.)
View from the terrace of Iacopo Nardi. Ahhhhhh
With the culture and government of Italy there are always changes and unexpected curve balls thrown our way, but we are learning to be flexible and to keep our hearts seeking the Lord's plans for the Gallery, not our own. Thank you so, so much for your prayers and support, my love to you all!
