Wow, What a GREAT Weekend!

by Leslie

A Wonderful day Frolicking in the snow a couple weeks ago!

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus in Matthew 6:24

I have been thinking about this verse a lot in light of living here in Italy. The thing is, we all know that no matter where we live, each day has its own trials. And, if we look for them, each day has its own blessings too. I am thankful to live in a place so unfamiliar that I get up each day knowing that I will be faced with brand new trials and adventures – like walking in the rain, but always looking for a rainbow.

So, I arise each morning wondering what will happen. Something always happens. Yesterday was no different as my precious husband decided that he wanted to unclog the drain of the sink in our bathroom. It drains… but slowly. I was thinking that I see a lot of Drain-O products when I go to the store, and have wondered if this was because Italians don’t break out a wrench to unclog pipes…. But, Mark likes to go after the real problem, so off he went to the bathroom. About 30 minutes later he came upstairs with two coins in his hand (both bigger than quarters – later we determined that one was an Italian Lira and one was a Dutch Mark!) and declared that he found what was clogging the drain. This was pretty amusing since neither has been used as currency since 2002.

In Mark’s other hand was a piece of broken pipe. And “PING” there it was…our trial for the day! See, getting a piece of pipe here isn’t like it would be at home. In the USA, on a Saturday afternoon, you would hop into your car and zip over to Home Depot and get your replacement pipe. Then, you zip home and put it on and everyone could brush their teeth in the usual fashion that night.

Well, Mark walked out the door to our little hardware store (Utilita) here in town – which we love, by the way! But they didn’t have the part, and told Hubby where he might find it down in the city. Mark left for the bus stop with a look of determination on his face that would shame a Spartan… he WOULD conquer this problem! I won’t drag this out, but… the other store was closed, and there would be nothing open until Monday (tomorrow) so the sink drain is still in pieces. I only accidentally turned on the faucet once… so far!!

Today (Sunday) was a rainbow day. My sweet Italian friend, Laura, invited me to her son’s basketball game. I became a fan of basketball last year when our (U.S.) high school team went to CIF playoffs, so I am kind of missing it this year. The boys who were playing are all freshmen in high school and in Italy they play year-round club, so I knew they would be pretty good. Turns out I wasn’t disappointed. Aside from the cheering being all in Italian, I could have been in America. They played the same way… and the gym smelled just like they do in the U.S.! The best part was that afterwards the girls and I were invited to lunch with a few of the families from the team.

I love any opportunity to interact here. Our lives touching Italians lives in hopes of shedding some light in a dark place gives us courage to go on. So, it was pranza (lunch) for 11 people. I met two women who were very warm and kind. The one sitting next to me was talking and gesturing so much that I (seriously!!) almost got stabbed by her knife several times.

The Italian speaking was quick and lively… I understood only some of it, but they tried to include me. The food was amazing making me think that we should always bring locals when we eat out. A giant plate of spaghetti was in front of me as they all spoke together… I was working hard at eating without cutting it. And I was trying to finish, but the pile of pasta wasn’t getting much smaller. Looking at that plate and being so full made me laugh to myself as I was trying to ingest foreign words into my over-full head!

The most hilarious moment came when the waitress brought out some mushrooms on a yellow toast-ish looking thing. When I asked what the rectangular wedge was, they told me very clearly, in English, that it was “mice”, as a big piece was placed on my plate. I asked again and was given the same response… after I took a bite (I know!). I said, “You do realize that ‘mice’ is the plural of ‘mouse’?” At this, they roared with laughter at their mistake…. I too was laughing, of course. It was actually corn…or “maise”, which was delicious. I love the Italian sense of humor and their way of making you feel comfortable. What a lovely rainbow day we had!

Hope you're having a great weekend too!

Love,
us all

Speaking of the Blog...

Both Emily and Grace are now blogging here:

http://em-caughtinbetween.blogspot.com/ Em

http://compared-to-what.tumblr.com/ Grace

Enjoy their musings!

Preach the Gospel Everyday...to Yourself!

“The Gospel isn’t the ABCs of the Christian life…

...it’s the A-Z of the Christian life!”

Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Been so good to have Joe visit the last few days!

Observations on Culture

by Leslie

This picture was taken...

after this picture!

I’ve been pondering on the idea that, as humans, we are conditioned by our culture to believe that there is a “right” way and a “wrong” way to do things. Being immersed in a new culture, I am learning to let go of my attachment to the correct way of doing things. Maybe OUR American way of doing things is not always the best. I mean, what would an Italian think of our methods of doing LIFE? I think an Italian Mama would struggle with a few things in America. For example, she would have to get used to the idea that she needs to send a sack lunch to school with her kids every day. Here, the kids get out of school at 1 PM (1300 in Italia!) so they can get home for lunch.

So, here are some things to think about - you can try these at home if you would like a little slice of Italian life!!

Eat your salad last

Drink your coffee really fast and out of a tiny little cup

Don’t put milk in your coffee any time after lunch

Cook your pasta for less time

Put your pizza toppings on separate parts of the pizza, not all over

Don’t put ice in any drink

Drink lemoncello after dinner to help with digestion

Never use a dryer – hang everything up outside

Hang your intimates outside for everyone to see

Rest every day from 1 (1300) – 4 (1600)

Don’t try to shop on Sundays (everything is closed)

Take the month of August off

Pay for your grocery bags and bag your own groceries

Rent your grocery cart at the store entrance and return it when you are done

Wear a plastic bag on your hand when you get your produce – weigh and price it

Don’t try to buy a fan in the fall/winter or a grill for your fireplace in the summer

Go to military time

To turn a light on, push the light switch down

Push a button on the wall to flush the toilet

Always wear a scarf outside starting September 1st… no matter how warm it is

Pick your 3 or 4 favorite sweaters and only wear those for the next three months

Push a door to go into a store, pull to exit

Don’t wear flip flops except to the beach

Speedos all around for men’s swimwear

Pay for your coffee after you have it

Always say hello when you enter a store

Don’t use your disposal

Make all your food from scratch

Spend more time with your family – stroll the streets on Sunday afternoons

Buy a fresh loaf of bread every day

Invite people in if they stop by – ALWAYS offer food and drink

If it gets below 30 degrees, wear your snow suit out in the world

Don’t expect people to be on time (hmm, this one might not be too hard to imagine)

Kiss people on both cheeks when you greet them or say goodbye

Ok, so you get my point? Im not saying that any of these things are morally bad or good… they are just different from how we do them Some of them I like, others I don’t. But I am learning to accept the changes and am even starting to embrace them.

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 – 40,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

In His words, there is no gray area; no room for cultural differences. I am choosing to focus on these things while Jesus conforms me into His likeness. I am well aware that He is using our time in Italy to show me my own weaknesses… and to help me love others better.

Wondering what “rules” from Italy that I will bring back to the USA… stay tuned. And be ready to give me kisses on my cheeks when we return!!

Mark's Addendum:

Just to be Superty Duperty Clear: All this talk of cultural differences might lead some to think that we need to change the message of the Gospel to insert into this culture. Not happening!

Consider this:

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Peter said, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

So we "...contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude 3b

So, while we enter this culture - and even embrace it to have a platform from which to minister - we carry the message of the Gospel of grace alone, through faith alone through Christ alone.

In the end, we are here for One reason - and here it is:

"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Cor. 2:2

Leslie Reporting Back to her Women's Bible Study Group

by Leslie

Les with Staff in Bologna (read her 260 words below for deets)

Hi My Praying Sisters,

Thank you so much for praying for me yesterday. We had an amazing meeting!!

It was under 30 degrees here yesterday with the wind chill and I took my usual two busses to the train station. What a So. Cal. WIMP I am!! We arrived in Bologna, where it was even colder and walked about 15 minutes to a really cute little restaurant where we met with two couples and a single woman who live and do ministry in Bologna. One couple is on Campus Crusade for Christ staff, and the other are with a church planting ministry called TEAM. The second couple (linda and andy) have lived in Bologna for 23 years!! They were not aware of our film (even though they had used The Jesus Film in the past, they didnt know about Maddalena) and were SO excited about it. They want to join our effort for the March 8th distribution and said they have contact with 30 evangelical bodies in their area and think that they can help get 3,000 copies out. They are also interested in using the film with their work with rescuing prostitutes off the streets and Linda also had the idea of using it in a women's prison there. I guess they know one of the guards. We came away very encouraged and are excited to see what God will do!!

Thankful that today I get to be home!! Fire in the fire place, tea kettle going, George Winston on my itunes....

Love you all and miss you!!!
Leslie

As you can see the weather has changed in Fiesole - Very CHRISTmasy

Our True Home

by Leslie

this is where I spoke to the Italian salesman in Italianish, (or was it Engliano?)

Well, our time in Italy is almost ½ over… In some ways it seems like we have been here forever, and in others as if we have just arrived. I am still struggling to speak and understand the language, but thankfully God is giving me grace upon grace as I wander through the confusing maze of this culture. In the process, I am learning to fix my eyes on my eternal home.

Just this morning I got to have another new experience. Trying to get over jetlag, I had just gotten up and was making coffee when the doorbell rang. There was a young man standing at my gate with a badge and a notebook which might have meant a delivery of our long-awaited mail from the USA. Although I was still in my pajamas (at 11 AM!!) I answered the door. He immediately began talking to me in rapid-fire Italian… to which I gave my usual response:

“Per favore, piano, piano… Non parlo bene Italiano.” So, he spoke more slowly – alas, I STILL didn’t get what he was trying to say. (SO frustrating for me!!) Then he said the magic words, “I speak English.” Ahhhh, thank you!! In slow, measured words he tried to explain his reason for being at my door.

(Here, I have to tell you that my compassion for non-english speakers has increased a thousand fold. I have first hand experience with how it feels to try to communicate in a language not my own!)

I listened with amusement as he picked through his sales pitch using his limited English vocabulary, throwing in some Italian words when he couldn’t come up with the English – I do this every day in trying to communicate the simplest things in Italian. He explained to me that I was being charged too much for my utilities and that I only needed to sign some form and the company would lower my payment. I was wondering why they don’t just lower my payment, but reminded myself that this is Italy and they do everything differently.

Thinking through his pitch, I started to wonder if in fact what he wanted me to do was switch companies. But when I tried to ask him this he kept assuring me that it was not like that… and that I should just sign. Hmmmm. These are the times when I feel like a child because I cannot discern what is REALLY being asked of me and I start to feel taken advantage of. Thankfully, we have an amazing landlady who almost always answers her cell phone, so I called Marzia. She spoke to the man and then told me that it wasn’t a good deal. Grateful for her advice, I sent the Enel man on his way.

This is just a snapshot of the kinds of things that go on every day… the strange balance between feeling completely inept, and knowing that these trials are making me SO much more dependent on God. He is giving me a very clear understanding of what it means to be “Not of this world.” I am a stranger here – and He is reminding me that I am also a stranger in this world because heaven is my true home. I am thankful for how He daily gives me reminders of this truth.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." 1 Pet. 2:9-12

In Our True Home we will worship with people:

"...from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7:9b-10

and

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Rev. 5:12

The Girl's English Club

by Grace

Emily, Courtney, and Grace



Just the thought of starting an English club here in Italy was overwhelming. How are we going to even have anyone to invite - let alone get them to come bi-weekly to just speak English to us? But Emily, Courtney (another staff girl here) and I felt strongly that that is exactly what God wanted us to do…to be in that difficult position where we rely on Him, to do something we don’t really feel comfortable doing. We knew we had to listen to Him! 

The three of us got together for our first official meeting. We discussed what we wanted to do, who we wanted to invite, how we were going to get them to come, etc.

We decided we wanted it to be just girls, because it would be a more comfortable environment. We invited them through Facebook (Courtney already knew some girls from going to school when she was younger)… Facebook is a great tool people!!!

Every other week a group of Italian teenage girls sit across from Emily, Courtney, and me waiting eagerly to hear what crazy American traditions and words we’ll teach them. Our normal schedule is: a game, food (Americana of course!), and then some sort of discussion in English. We have taught them Telephone Pictionary, Never have I ever, and my favorite, English phrases that don’t make any sense!! “The early bird gets the worm”, “Break a leg”, “Smart as a whip” are just a few examples. You should have seen their faces when we tried to explain these things to them!

We have a lot of fun with these girls. Sometimes our clubs are great, and sometimes we feel as though we failed. But we know God is working. We go into each week with lots of prayer and planning. God keeps giving us new ideas, and it always surprises me. “Yay God!” (as a good friend says).

The best part of this whole thing for me has been God showing Himself to me in incredible ways. Not only just the relationships with these Italian girls, and not just having our English club pull through each week (only by God), but how HE is growing ME.

It truly amazes me watching Him work here. He has been working in me more than I could have ever expected. Even in only about four months God has shown me things from His word and His world and His people that have grown me so much. I'm told Italy will strip me of everything but Jesus, and I want that. I want to only desire Him.

More than anything, God has been teaching me patience and humility. These things that I wouldn't have learned in America, not in the same way, anyway. He is humbling me to know there is no way I can do this on my own. He is teaching me patience in learning the culture, language, and earning relationships with these Italian people. I feel closer to God than I ever have because of having to trust Him more than ever. I am so thankful.

Our hope is to eventually make our English club evangelistic, as of now… we are building relationships, because as some of you know, that’s what Italians are about: relationships… oh, and then food! (Seriously).

We would love prayer for these girls’ hearts to be softened and for God to completely shine through us so they can see His love. Also for our strength to keep up with this, and to trust and rely on Jesus. We couldn’t do this without your prayer, so thank you!

God is showing His faithfulness to me… and for that I’m truly thankful.

“Never Been THIS Good Before!”

by Mark

The colloquial greeting, “How are you?” usually receives back from me, “I’ve never been this good before!”

Granted, I am generally an upbeat, positive, optimistic kinda guy. I have been unexplainably blessed by God in my life – most overwhelmingly, by His Magnificent Person.

I cannot explain why I don’t suffer like some. Nor can I explain why I get to be married to my best friend. Honestly, with all the moving parts in the parenting task, I simply am at a loss to explain why I have three wonderful children, all of whom love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, on one hand, my usual response – I’ve never been this good before – seems appropriate. I have been granted a wonderful life, by the Giver of life.

On the other hand, life is hard. Especially in Italy.

It sounds strange to say life is hard in the place many dream about for a vacation. Ah, Florence! The history. The art. The food. The beauty! We recently hosted some friends as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, and they experienced all those things, and more.

But living here is hard. God has ordained for me a big, fat trial…in a beautiful place. The language, transportation, culture in general, pace…it’s all different and challenging. For example, there’s usually more month than money (because of the dollar to euro exchange rate), we sleep in a former crypt (yes, really), and daily frustrations of life are more than continuous. Frankly, it feels like continual change all day, every day.

A fellow staff person said, “No one frustration is that big of a deal. It’s like a paper cut. One, or even two or three isn’t a big deal. But when you get home at night to count 100 such slight cuts, it’s painful!” Another staff friend said, “Italy strips you of everything, but Jesus”.

I’ve tried to determine what is so difficult about living here. One day I was absolutely sure it was my lack of connectivity. See, at home I am always connected by computer, my Droid phone, language, etc. I know what’s happening around me all the time. Here, I am largely disconnected. No smart phone here – way too expensive – mine is a dumb phone…

Another day I thought my challenges were more related to autonomy. At home, I walk out to my car (if I want to), drive to where I need to go (if I want to), when I want to…you get the picture. Here, I’m at the mercy of bus stinkin’ 7! If you miss it by a minute, another will be by in 20 minutes. Sometimes the driver leaves early. There are hand signals to respond to that situation, which of course I would never use…

Enough, um, complaining. Back to my usual response to the colloquial greeting.

Think about this:

• If “to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Christ)” Phil. 1:21

• And to be with Christ is far better v. 23

• Then each day I’m alive, I’m closer to death, and being face-to-face with Christ

• Then each day is closer to gaining Christ, and by definition, better than the day before.

• Therefore, I’ve never been this good before.

Just a thought.

What do you think?

mm

More Third John Four

by Emily

Last weekend Em and Grace were asked to serve as counselors at a Young Life Jr. High camp. Both had meaningful gospel conversations, and Em was able to lead one young lady to Jesus! This is Emily's account:

Some days in Italy the world “out there” cannot be faced: the rushing crowds, the constant straining to understand just a piece of information, the people I yearn so much to reach, but can barely talk to in full sentences. These obstacles can cause a sense of failure within me, a sense that I have no other choice but to “diligently” study at home, waste my life on facebook, or set my troubles aside and enter into the world of a good book.

But, I realize I am here in Italy for one purpose: to serve God and others. Some of the greatest times in my life have been here, in Italy, when the Lord gives me the strength to overcome my fear of failure and wholeheartedly serve Him. When I can forget my little amount of schoolwork, log off of facebook, set down my book, and venture out into the unknown. But the beauty of the unknown is the essential step of putting every ounce of trust in the Lord and allowing Him to lead me into the dark. He is blessing me with so many opportunities to do this, and every time I take these chances and run with them, I see a little glimpse of eternity.

Last week, I was presented with one of the best opportunities yet! I got to be a leader at a junior high retreat for American military kids. God really revealed to me some of the struggles and pain that I never imagined these families serving our country had to face. I was so humbled by the five girls in my small group as they opened up and poured their hearts out to me one by one. It was most definitely perfectly orchestrated by the Creator of the Universe that I was supposed to be there with these specific girls, used by Him to love on them and hear their stories.

The entire retreat was focused on human’s worth in the sight of our Maker and the perfect plans God has for us. God was working all week to soften the kid’s hearts and I think this really hit home in almost all of their minds as they are constantly dragged around from place to place (about every 2-3 years) and never really know what will happen next in their lives.

So, the last night, most everyone was crying. We were all told to contemplate worth: how much they felt they were worth, and how much they were treating others like they were worth.

Then, there was an awesome gospel presentation. We headed up to our respective bunk beds for some small group time, and the room was dead silent. After a few minutes of unsuccessful coercion, my fellow leaders and I decided to take each girl and talk to her one by one. This was when God caught hold of two of the girl’s hearts and brought them out of darkness and into light!

The girl I was talking to was probably the last person I expected to open up to me because she was so shy and barely said two words during the first couple of days. But, God works in mysterious ways and opened this girl’s heart and mouth. He is so good! This girl came to me with tears streaming down her face, her body shaking in fear and hurt, and somehow God spoke through me and led her to repentance. She told me about the pain she felt from her family situation and the rejection she felt from her past. I got to tell her how much God loves her (to the point of death!) and how she had the chance to be with Him forever. She then asked if she could pray with me and start her own personal relationship with Jesus Christ! This girl’s life was changed in an instant and I got to be the first witness!

Situations like this make me so utterly thankful. Thankful that God worked it out so that I could share the gospel while in this country even though I can hardly speak the language. Thankful that He has perfect plans and orchestrates them beautifully, that He planned for me to step out of my comfort zone, and be used to change a life, that He saved this girl from death through me, and that now I get to worship alongside her in paradise!

"I have no greater joy than to hear of my chidren qwalking in the truth" 3 John 4

Third John Four

I asked Joe for permission to post this email he sent me. He said yes, as long as I thought it would bless others to read it. He is a humble young man, by grace alone, walking in the Truth:

"Through completely Divine circumstances, I had the opportunity to lead a young man to the Lord today! I don't know much about him, in fact he was a total stranger, but we talked for a while and he explained how he wanted to come to Cal Baptist to get his life turned around, and after telling him a little about Jesus and my story, asked if he wanted to do the same and he said yes. We then parted ways, but I was able to get his phone number, and Julie Ann gave him a bible she had in her apartment. I am hoping to meet with him again to give him some basics of the faith, but I don't really know what to do. Could you give me some basic practical things to talk to him about to get him started? I know that this is the Lord's work, and wholly trust Him, I just want to make sure I am prepared. His name is Peter*

Love you, and thank you for your prayers!

In service of the King!"
~joe

The aged Apostle John wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth". 3 John 4

* Peter isn't really his name, but will you pray with us that this young man gets plugged into a Bible teaching church and lots of interaction with other Christians.