Jesus @ the Gym

by Mark

It killed me to join the gym here in Firenze! In the U.S., 24-Hr. Fitness costs me $49/yr…and I can go to any of hundreds of their gyms across the U.S. as I’m traveling. My Florentine gym, StillNuovo, costs me 50 Euro/mo (which, at today’s exchange rate is $67). Everyone here says it’s a great deal. I disagree, but still joined. Of course, I justified this expense by thinking this is a great ministry opportunity…

The first guy I met was the cleaning guy, Arnold. He has Jesus all over his countenance, as he works at his job as unto the Lord (c.f., Col. 3:23) so I said, “Buon Giorno”. It was the later part of the afternoon, so Arnold replied, “Buona Sera”. (Ooops, wrong greeting Mark! Greetings are day 1, hour 1 of beginning Italian school…Geeesh, what was I thinking?! ). Arnold followed up with, “You are American?”. I was surprised that English came out of a Pilipino dude living in Italy. Turns out Arnold speaks 6 languages – including English – so we have delightful conversations about God’s goodness in our lives. Arnold shares Jesus with the members of the gym regularly, and tells me which ones he’s invited to his church.

Luca is by far the fittest looking guy in the place. He looks like a really fast runner, but his upper body is ripped too. His English is better than most, so last week I ask him if he competes in races. “Yes, this Sunday I will race 21km in Scandici.” Luca looks to be around 40-ish, so I’m thinking he’s shooting for 1:30 to 1:45-ish. “What kinda time are you hoping for?”, thinking even though I don’t look as fit as him, I could probably kick his butt! “I would like 1 Hour 17 minuti…how do you say seventeen?”. Jaw on the floor, I said, “Just like that, Luca, seventeen…you got it…how old are you?”. “I am not old. I have 44 years”. I wished Luca well on his race, fully expecting he would report back with a time closer to 1:30.

I saw Luca yesterday and asked if he ran his 1:17. “No, I run 1:16, but only 10th spot…you say spot?”. Once again, not quite speechless, I muster the wind to respond, “No, we say place…10th place in English. Wow, Luca that’s really great!” “Oh, thanks you. The first five, um, places were African”, as we chuckled together, knowing how Africans dominate distance running these days.

BTW, the 44-year old Luca raced at 5:46/mile pace for all you math majors…

Into the locker room strolls Xavier. He is mid-40’s, effeminate, and dresses the part. Seriously, dancer’s booty shorts, a spaghetti strapped tank top, all on a hairy Italian guy with flowing blonde hair…c’mon, dude, there are women and children here!

Xavier’s English is excellent and wants to speak to me while lifting weights. On a previous occasion Xavier asked about my work…then faith…then wanted to talk about the 70’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar. I think that was his way of getting into my world…

But yesterday, in the locker room, just after I congratulated Luca on his stellar half marathon, Xavier blurts out in perfect English, “So, what about Jesus?”

I love this gym…mosquitoes and all!

“Well Xavier, I’m not sure where to begin, or what your interest is”. We were interrupted by a flurry of Italian speak, and so ended that particular conversation. Xavier was off to the shower and I was off to the bike, thinking to myself, “What the…?”

Last anecdote from another day in the life of this gym rat. An American man, I now know as Robin, walks into the gym wearing a Pepperdine University sweatshirt looking confused. Being the helpful guy I am, I asked, “Are you really from Pepperdine in Malibu, CA?” “Yes, I am”, he responded curious as to why I would take an interest in him. We exchanged pleasantries about what we are each doing in Firenze. Turns out Robin and his wife Cindy are here teaching the Study Abroad students from Pepperdine this semester. It wasn’t long before Robin invited us to come share with all their students about our work with Maddalena. Pretty sure this is going to be both informative and a Gospel opportunity.

OK, one more…this is hilarious.

I take the cycle spin class on Tuesday and Friday. There are usually 4 or 5 middle-aged women, one old guy, the 30-something female teacher, and me. It’s fun, but she barks her instructions in Italian, so I’m always just a bit behind in following her lead. If you know me, you know I sweat a small pond beneath the bike after an hour’s effort. I think the teacher appreciates the effort, and wants to try to speak English occasionally to encourage me to ‘feel part of the class’.

Quick language side note: The terms bellisimo and bellisima literally mean ‘beautiful’ and are used in a variety of contexts depending on the ‘gender’ of the word it modifies. The words are used in contexts that we would normally not say beautiful. For example, Italians speak of a ‘beautiful pizza’ or ask about what ‘beautiful thing’ you did today. We would say, ‘that was a great pizza’ or ‘what did you do today’?

So, in wanting to speak English and encourage me in my effort (and to come back to class!), the teacher literally shouts out, “Mark, you are beautiful!” instead of “Good work Mark!”

Awkward!

Would you pray with me that I have Gospel opportunities with Luca, Xavier, the students from Pepperdine, and the spin class?