My English Student

For about the past 3 months I've had the pleasure of meeting with a young man for English lessons. When we arrived in Italy, one of the things that each of my teammates said we wanted to do and accomplish before we leave here is to develop relationships, make friends, with the people here-in particular people who are not of the church.

One of the methods presented to us for finding people to develop relationships with was to give English lessons. In order to find students we spent time creating flyers and distributing them around the center of Prato and in some neighborhoods. We went to coffee bars and food stands to leave them for people to pick up and we left them on car windows and in mailboxes (not illegal since it counts as an advertisement). We passed out so many flyers and once we got a call. This was very exciting but unfortunately after the first lesson, we never heard from the man again. Some months later while Anto, Ryan, and I were cleaning at the church building, two men walked in asking about the flyers and if they could get English lessons. This got us excited again because we finally got another response and potentially something else to add to our schedule, an opportunity to interact with people outside the church. These men did not show up to their lesson.

During the same time, we got a phone call from another man from Senegal who wanted to meet with someone to practice his English. It started out with Jackson and I meeting with him and later on it switched to Ryan and I. It has been a great experience meeting with Lamine on a weekly basis. He is such a good student and always wanting to learn new things. Lamine is 25 years old and came to live in Italy because the university he was trying to attend in France got a mix up and wouldn't allow him to enter just yet. His family here offered him a place to stay and he has been playing soccer for a team here. He loves sports, rap music, and talking about world issues and philosophy. He, like us, often misses his friends and family back home along with the culture and way of life he left behind.

Each week we spend time talking about how the previous week went, going over some grammar and vocabulary, and reading a story from the bible. He'll ask questions about words he didn't understand, I'll ask some questions to see if he understood the concepts and get his thoughts on what it means, and we'll also work on pronunciation.

Recently we've been meeting with him on Saturdays with the rest of the team just to hang out and let him practice his English more. He doesn't have very many people in Prato who speak English and so he really enjoys this time to be with a group of Americans around his age. We normally always meet at the church building but this past Saturday I decided to take this gathering mobile, so we walked around and treated him out to gelato. During this time he told us that he thinks America is the best and we are good friends and people. This of course made us very happy.

When I leave this place I will really miss getting together for lessons and fun with Lamine. I hope someday he can visit the country he believes is so wonderful and maybe I could see him again.

The End?

It's strange to think that the end of the year is fast approaching, and in fact, is really here already. I know it seems that at the end of every year it just feels like everything went by so fast and I tend to say, "I can't believe it's the end of the year already." This time, I feel like a have a whirlwind of feelings and thoughts about this past year.

In January I started to spend time with my team, most of whom I knew very little about. I moved in with Shae and Josie and spent a lot of time getting to know the rest of the guys. We walked in the snow and a river of ice once to get to the bus stop because we weren't allowed to drive (Mission Term rules restricted us from doing a lot of things that made life easy for us). Our whole class traveled to Mexico City and for a week got to spend time with AIMers and missionaries there.

We had Camp Adventure and were in charge of campers. We attended the class of 2007's graduation, a preview of where we'd be in 2 years. Then we hit the road for the Tulsa Workshop and visiting other congregations in Arlington and Oklahoma. Teams then split up and went all across Texas and other states for a week on our own working with a church. Our team went to Montgomery, Alabama.

When we got back to Texas we had to say goodbye to the friends and family we'd come to know better over the 7 months in Lubbock knowing that we probably wouldn't see most or any of them again until our graduation, 2 years later.

I had a short amount of time at home and then the big move came. I came to a different world, living in Europe. In Italy I've encountered a different way of life than the one I was used to. The people, the food, the language, the customs, the dress, so many things are different. I've traveled to major cities like Rome and Florence. I've been on a mountain and walked past vineyards. I've helped organize parties for the church. I've had a bible study with future-Christian young ladies of the church. I've helped format electronic songs for the church. I've attended language classes and learned the basic rules of the language and that learning a language is a continual process for me.

I've met local non-Christians and hung out with them and felt the rush of excitement at the thought of helping them know Christ.

In November I traveled to London. I got to meet a group of Christians there and was reminded how great the family of God is. I went on to Scotland to meet up with other AIMers and relish the few days spent with them touring Glasgow and Edinburgh.

I've spent time with the mentally disabled.

I've fed the poor.

And I've realized that the end of the year is not an end to anything for me. It's like a page is being turned and what is about to be read is only more intriguing. It's like this past year was a step ladder that will help me climb over a wall and I'm able now to get a peek at what's on the other side.

This pas year has been amazing and truly blessed. God's been working me like a piece of clay, cutting off pieces that don't belong and shaping me into what he wants me to be.

It hasn't been easy this whole time that's for sure. I've been frustrated with myself and with others. I've been disappointed, annoyed, angry. But the growing process sometimes hurts. Knowing that God's got it under control has brought me peace and keeps me going.

And for all the temporary difficult times, there have been times when I was filled to the brim and overflowing with the joy that God provides. God is the Great Provider. And yes, God is good all the time.

Happy New Year!

They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of traveling to the UK with my friend and teammate Shae Baker. We were on our way to the AIM retreat in East Kilbride, Scotland where we would meet up with 14 of our classmates who are serving the Lord in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Zambia (the two from Zambia were a pleasant surprise). Before starting the retreat in Scotland, we decided upon making a stop in London for a day of some sight seeing and a little adventure of our own.

When deciding upon staying London, we knew from the flight details that we'd need a place to sleep for two nights. We were about to look up hotel prices when I remembered that one our classmates had to say in London for a few days before going to her field in Africa. I knew that she met some Christians there and got to hang out with them, so I thought I'd ask her if she could give us a contact so maybe we could meet some of the Christians while we are there, too, and perhaps even stay with them for the two nights. She gladly gave us a name and we went with it.

The name she gave us was one of an ex-AIMer. He was more than happy to help us out with our stay and was so excited to get to meet us. He found us a couple to stay with for the two nights and got off of work so that he could take us around London on the full day that we would be there. At first I was just excited about getting to go to London, but then I started to get really excited about meeting my fellow Christian and the people we'd be staying with. I mean, this is some of my family that I'd never met before! They've lived across an ocean from me all this time and we hadn't known each other before my trip, but they were my family, bonded by the strongest, purest blood of all-the blood of Christ. Hearing that they were excited to meet me, made me very excited to meet them.

We arrived late Tuesday night, but Pete waited for us at the airport (after much delay) and took us to Craig and Crystal's home outside of London. We were much later than anticipated, but Crystal (26) and Craig (25) waited up to meet us. She was so sweet and had saved leftovers for us to eat (which made me very happy because we were very hungry). We talked for a little bit before letting her get to bed and us to our dinner and sleep.

The next day was wonderful because Pete picked us up early and we went around London. And although seeing the sights was definitely fun, it was only half the fun. We didn't stay out all day because we had made plans to get back to the suburb before dinner to eat with Crystal and then head to Wednesday night study. While we were too late to make it to dinner BEFORE study, we made it back to the town in time for Wednesday night study at a Christian's home.

We had been told by Pete that everyone was excited to meet us and when we walked in I felt automatically in place and very welcomed. I greeted the 8 new faces (Pete, Crystal, and Craig made it a 11 person small group), grabbed a spot on the couch, and soaked in the goodness of an open, searching, loving, humble, sincere, group of adults discussing the challenges they face and how Christ would have us face them. The discussion was great, the leader did very well, and it was obvious that when we had already gone past time, they all wanted to keep going talking about scripture and Christ living in us. It was awesome! By the end of the discussion, I was fighting back tears because being in a group of English speaking, hungry for God's word people had been an experience I haven't had in half a year. It felt soooo good.

When we concluded the study, there was no pause between that and just talking about plans for the week, asking questions about us, us asking questions about them, the host offering beverages and bringing out the snacks, and just easy-flowing, laid-back, talk amongst ourselves. We had two other households offer to have us stay with them When we come back again to visit...they kept stressing how they wanted us back and it was a shame we had to leave so soon.

After leaving from the study we headed back to Crystal and Craig's place for dinner. Five of us gathered in their little kitchen and had some more good conversation and fellowship. I just kept feeling so blessed to have that family there who would just open up their home to us, feed us, and have this bond with us. A few hours later we had to call it a night and the next morning Shae and I left for Scotland.

I had told Craig and Crystal that last night that we were really grateful for their hospitality and blessed by the small group. I told them that if it had been a non-Christian in my place, he or she would have been shown a good example of what Christians are because of the love they showed, the unity of the group, and the sincerity of interest in God's word.

I love meeting family across the world! This world is big, but the family stretches far and wide.

Come se dice...?

Tonight me, Shae, Josie, Ryan, and Jackson went to hang out with Carmen and Elena, two of the Hondurans who go to our church sometimes. It took us a little while to find their place, but once we got to talking, the fun began :) Elena has been living in Italy for a longer period of time than Carmen. Elena speaks Italian well, but Carmen is not so confident and less practiced...much like us. We all tried to get out understandable sentences to each other and managed to pull it off. I loved how we were all in the same boat and no one got frustrated or annoyed with anyone else. We were just 6 young adults who speak (or at least partially) 3 different languages. Once, Jackson was trying to ask how to say a certain phrase in Italian, but I could only think of it in Spanish. So he asked me, I asked Elena, and Elena told us what it was.

We ended up walking around and getting gelato at this place around the corner. We talked about games, pets, languages, family, and whatever else we thought up and managed to find words for. Those girls are awesome and I'm glad that we have them to hang out with.

We also managed to schedule in some more hang out dates. I noticed in their apartment a box of dominos, so I asked who liked to play. Elena said she does so we set up a game time with them at the church. We also asked if they wanted to go to Firenze with us.

On Sunday is Maynor's birthday. He is a Honduran boy who goes to the church too. He actually lives right next door to us. He has been hanging out with us a lot lately. He comes over and Josie helps him with his homework and the guys will play video games with him. We also like to play soccer with him and his friends sometimes. We've been invited to his birthday party on Sunday, where we will also see Carmen and Elena along with the rest of his family who attends church.

Of all the Hondurans that attend church (about 10 or so) I believe only 1 is baptized. We are hopeful to have studies with them later as we build relationships and communication becomes easier.

Sunday in August

August is the vacation month. People are out and about traveling and so each Sunday has had different amounts of people. Once it was just us AIMers, our coordinator's family, and two Italians. Other times, the Hondurans would show up which adds a good number to the group. This past Sunday we had a pleasant surprise- a visitor!

We approached the building and saw a man standing outside looking at the door and then at us. He was holding a paper in his hand. No one else had arrived at the building yet so it was locked. We unlocked it, introduced ourselves, and went inside just the 6 of us and him.
He name is Kingsley and he is a Nigerian who moved to Prato to work. He had gotten the address of the church from a friend. He was very friendly and interested in the church here. He spoke English to us and I'm not sure how much Italian he knows. It was nice to see a new face and have someone else worship with us. Since so few people come in August, we don't have bible class. We use that time to just fellowship with whoever is there. We have espresso and talk. So we got to use that time to visit with our visitor.

It appeared to be another empty Sunday with just our visitor and 2 Italians, but shortly after starting, a group of Hondurans showed up. I like getting to talk to them. It's weird because now I'm getting my Spanish and Italian mixed up more and even forgetting the Spanish words for things.

Jackson led the songs in Italian and English and Ryan helped with the Lord's Supper.

After church I got to talk with the Hondurans some and their little kids. They are so cute! I was able to talk to Alessandro who is 6 and Daniela who is 3. The kids can be pretty shy so this was cool. We talked more with Kingsley for a while and then went our separate ways. It was a good Sunday. Very refreshing.

Mensa

On Wednesdays and Saturdays a few of us go into the soup kitchen to volunteer. We cut up fruits or veggies, wash dishes, and serve food, clean up afterward, and whatever else they tell us. I really enjoy when I get to go in because of the interaction I have with the Italians. The good totally outweighs the bad.

When I say bad, I mean the times that I get frustrated with not being able to speak Italian well. Sometimes the main chef will give me an instruction and I understand what he says, but I'm confused about the details...like once he told me to help a lady cut vegetables. I knew what he wanted but I didn't know where the knives were. He looked annoyed that I was confused and said, "Coltello, coltello" [knife, knife]. As I looked around for a knife he goes to them points and says coltello again, then points at the lady who needs help. I knew what a coltello was, and I knew what I was supposed to do with it, I just didn't know where they were. I got a little frustrated because it seemed he thought I was stupid, and he walked away with an annoyed look on his face. Other times he'll tell new volunteers off the bat that I'm American and don't speak Italian, so then they don't even talk to me. They'll just point or grab my arm and move me. It can be frustrating sometimes, but these really aren't big deals.

I've met people at Mensa who are very friendly. There are a few who speak a little English, like Sergio, Ornella, and Ricardo. They try to speak some English to us and we try to answer back in Italian. They are so patient with our broken language and they always make us feel welcome. I love getting to talk to these people. There are some who don't speak English at all and are still friendly. They speak slowly for us and repeat themselves so we can understand. There was an old lady named Anna who helped me serve bread on Saturday. She was so sweet because I didn't know the names to all of the different types of bread, so she would point them out to me and tell me the names. When the people going through the line were impatient with me or I couldn't understand them, she stuck up for me.

Not everyone who comes to get a free lunch at Mensa is so grateful. Some come through the line and are very picky. They want extra servings and specific amounts/types of foods. They don't smile and don't say thank you. They snap and just seem bitter. They are getting a blessing but don't seem to realize it. Other people that come through the line are the opposite. They are patient, they take what they're given, they smile and say buon giorno, they ask instead of demand. These people make me smile. :)

At Mensa, the people are served very well. They get pasta, lots of bread, fruit, yogurt, a dessert, and sometimes salad or another dish. It's very good food. After helping all the volunteers get to serve themselves and eat. Mensa lunches are awesome!





This past Saturday we met some new volunteers. Two young guys joined us and to our surprise, they not only spoke English, one of them was from the States. He was from Missouri and the other was from Ecuador. They are Mormons. It was great getting to talk to them and ask them about what they do. We got to tell them that we are also here to help with a missionary. We got along great with them and hope to see them at Mensa again and maybe even play soccer with them. They could be leaving soon, but the opportunity to talk, get to know them, and discuss spiritual things is so exciting!

Roma

Last weekend I traveled with 4 of my teammates to Rome to meet up with Shae's brother, Lonn Baker, and see the city. We took a train out of Prato and made it to Roma in about 3 hours. I discovered I love riding in trains. I've always wanted to ride in a train because the idea of sitting in a coach and looking out at the land around us is wonderful.

We got to Roma and had to ask how to get to our hostel. It was a few blocks away from the station, thankfully, so we didn't have to walk to far.