This weekend we went to the beach, like I swam for a bit in the Mediterranean Sea! I got a nice tan, and had good conversation. It was quite a nice, relaxing day!
After the beach and about 4 coffees, Janae, Dustin, and I went to the Debelak's for dinner. We had a great time over there because their little boys were saying the silliest things! We played a bunch of games and then around 10:30 we left. As Janae went back to the apartment, Dustin and I went to a party for one of his friends. It was a very interesting experience to be around more people from Europe, but pretty much no Italians. So I was able to understand the conversations, and it was nice to meet some more people that are in a totally different social circle here in Genova. Dustin was able to have a wonderful conversation about Jesus being the only way to get to Heaven with a friend. Praise God for that! Just pray that there are more times when that friend will desire to discuss things further.
Today we went to church at the Baptist church again. After church we hung out with the same group of people again for coffee and then lunch at the port.
I haven't felt the greatest all day and I think maybe I am dehydrated or something. Or tired... So after eating and talking with people for a while, I left to go back to the apartment. I went to Jacob's Well with Dustin and emailed my dad a Happy Father's Day!!! Once back at the apartment, I did some dishes and then took a little nap. It felt good to be resting for a bit!
Then I went down to the Kroeker's house for team fellowship time. We all shared about a quality of our dad's we appreciate, I said that my dad has always told me that everything happens for a reason. I think of that everyday and every time I find myself in a difficult situation. What good words of wisdom!
We then played some games and talked with the Kroekers for a while. Janae, Dustin & I played with Kaleb and Jeremy Kroeker for a while, that was really fun! I decided I miss the little boy I babysit. What a fun day! Now we are back to sleep and rest for the week ahead.
So the title of this blog is 'weekend sadness' mostly because we leave so soon. The time is flying by so fast. I am falling more and more in love with this place and the people here and the ministry happening that I really do not want to leave! Like I think I will probably really have a hard time leaving, they might have to hand-cuff me to get me to the airport!
Thanks for your prayers. Please pray for energy tomorrow. Pray that what ever is getting me physically worn out would pass! Thanks for your prayers for Natalie Debelak, please pray for her more about her sickness that she would be all healed and rested up. This Thursday, Andrew and Dustin are going to Prague to visit the Avant team there and offer encouragement and insight to what they are doing. Pray for Natalie and her boys while Andrew is gone and for Andrew and Dustin as they travel.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
What should I do?
So the last few days have been full of information and last night I found myself overwhelmed by all the information that I was trying to process. We went to the team meeting on Wednesday, and then we had some more meetings on Thursday with Andrew and Dustin. I have been able to ask some more questions about Avant, the team, and then some of the team member's personal testimonies/difficulties/experiences so far. It has been great. The conclusions that I wrote in my journal last night are these four things:
But then today came. Yeah. Today. Wooohoo.
I guess today was the test after a day of wonderful, amazing things! I had one thing in my head I wanted to do and was most excited about, but we didn't get to do it at all. I did hear great things from Natalie Debelak about being a missionary, resolving conflict, being a mom on the field, etc. The thing she kept telling Janae & I was that she has constantly had to say "I choose to be happy about this, even though it is not what I was told was going to happen" Yeah, that was good to hear! Like really good to hear.
As soon as we left her house, we missed our train, got on a bus, waited, waited, waited, finally the driver said (we think) something about a flat tire and that that bus would not be going, so we got on another bus, but that one would be sitting for a while because the drivers just decide to take smoking breaks for however long they want... so we decided to try the train again, so we RAN back to the train station... made it on the train, made it to Jacob's Well, and missed our meeting with the Avant guys about more team stuff that I am so curious about! Yay! :( That made me sad.
Gabriela was waiting for us and we went from there to the aquarium. We were there for a really long time. Was pretty neat, but I have a hard time in those places, so most of my time was spent trying to keep a positive attitude.
We went to dinner and then to a birthday party for the french lady who had been in our Italian class. That was fun. On our way back, my phone locked up while I was texting Dustin about beach plans for tomorrow and I was left with no way to contact anyone. Then we had to wait for the bus again and I began to evaluate my day. This is what I have come up with:
We are finishing up our 3rd week out of 6 in Italy, not sure where the time has gone! I think I could live here like this forever, not really sure I want to go back to Chicago to finish school!! :) And yes, I say that despite all the sarcasm above and the difficulties of the transportation in this city!
- I know God wants me in missions, that is pretty clear!
- It is becoming more and more clear through conversations with the team members that Avant is the organization I want to be with as a missionary.
- I don't know how I would do this as a single woman, so I guess I have seen the need to get married... hmmm.
- I don't want to leave Italy in 3 weeks! And since I felt God's call on my life to be a missionary, I have been against the idea of any sort of missions work in Europe, but now that I am here, and have met others from Europe, I am realizing the need for non-traditional reproducing churches. I want to be a part of that!
But then today came. Yeah. Today. Wooohoo.
I guess today was the test after a day of wonderful, amazing things! I had one thing in my head I wanted to do and was most excited about, but we didn't get to do it at all. I did hear great things from Natalie Debelak about being a missionary, resolving conflict, being a mom on the field, etc. The thing she kept telling Janae & I was that she has constantly had to say "I choose to be happy about this, even though it is not what I was told was going to happen" Yeah, that was good to hear! Like really good to hear.
As soon as we left her house, we missed our train, got on a bus, waited, waited, waited, finally the driver said (we think) something about a flat tire and that that bus would not be going, so we got on another bus, but that one would be sitting for a while because the drivers just decide to take smoking breaks for however long they want... so we decided to try the train again, so we RAN back to the train station... made it on the train, made it to Jacob's Well, and missed our meeting with the Avant guys about more team stuff that I am so curious about! Yay! :( That made me sad.
Gabriela was waiting for us and we went from there to the aquarium. We were there for a really long time. Was pretty neat, but I have a hard time in those places, so most of my time was spent trying to keep a positive attitude.
We went to dinner and then to a birthday party for the french lady who had been in our Italian class. That was fun. On our way back, my phone locked up while I was texting Dustin about beach plans for tomorrow and I was left with no way to contact anyone. Then we had to wait for the bus again and I began to evaluate my day. This is what I have come up with:
- The verse that God has brought to mind constantly through my day is Habakkuk 2:3, which says: "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair. Just be patient! It will not be overdue a single day!" If anyone doubts this verse, I'd love to tell you countless stories of how true this is! I am the most impatient person I know, but wow, God still has a plan that works out so much better than mine!
- I am getting frustrated so easily (on the inside!). Combination of events of the day, lack of sleep, and physically not feeling the greatest since I rolled out of bed. But as I sat there waiting to come home on the bus, I realized that normally I hang out with lots of guys, and the last few hours I had spent a significant amount of time with girls that are very different from me and I think I have started to miss my boys back in Chicago! I love the girls I've been with, but yeah, I think I miss my boys. :)
We are finishing up our 3rd week out of 6 in Italy, not sure where the time has gone! I think I could live here like this forever, not really sure I want to go back to Chicago to finish school!! :) And yes, I say that despite all the sarcasm above and the difficulties of the transportation in this city!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
My Heart Breaks
The beautiful view from our apartment! We saw fireworks out there on the coast from our apartment the other night, was quite fun! :)
Another view from our apartment, the baseball field! There are games, and it is fun to hear the sounds of cheering and baseball!
Laundry day again... not the best picture because there were ladies out on the balconies across from us, so I was trying to hide from them so they would not laugh at me for taking a picture of our clothes!Yesterday was our last day of Italian language class. I had mixed feelings as we left. Our numbers are exchanged with the girls we have made contact with there and hopefully we will hang out some with them soon! Gabriella really wants to hang out with us and maybe go to the aquarium. I hope we can!
After class we went over to Jacob's Well because we were suppose to meet up with Andrew and Dustin for a session on Short-Cycle Church Planting (insert little circle with R in the middle). But instead we went to lunch with Dustin and our friend Melissa (the one from Ireland who leaves today). We were there for a long time and then all of us went back to Jacob's Well so Melissa could print her tickets.
After the friends left, we decided to stick around at Jacob's Well because we were going back out with Melissa and friends later, and there would not be enough time to go back to the apartment. So while Janae went out exploring the historical parts of Genova, like Christopher Columbus's house... I played some Wii bowling with Dustin and made a Mii... my arm is a little sore today! haha
I felt kinda sick yesterday, so please be praying that I don't catch anything. I had some coffee before we went back out with Melissa and friends, and it worked exactly the opposite of giving me energy, I felt like I had hit a brick wall and all I wanted to do was sleep! Then we went to this pizza place that was more like a pizza oven, I felt very sick there, but the company was incredible. I sat amongst the Germans! I spoke mostly Italian the whole meal, which must have impressed a lot of people because they kept looking at me really shocked that I wasn't speaking English to them... hm, all I know is the simple words like, yes, no, i don't understand, i don't know, and I like it! Apparently that is enough to know to have conversation!
After pizza we went and got gelato! I am almost to the point of ordering on my own, but I can't handle large portions because it is so rich in sweetness factors! So our Filipino friend, Andrew, has ordered for me before, but he gets me like 1 kilo of gelato... which is so hard for me to finish, so this time I asked Dustin to help me because I knew Andrew would go overboard! haha, so I got some strawberry, which was amazing... does not even compare to American strawberry ice cream, this was WAY better!
So after we ate gelato, we went for a walk to feel better after stuffing our bodies so full of food. We walked down to the port and then went to a plaza area by where we got gelato to have drinks with Melissa and some others who are leaving today to go back to Ireland. I had the most wonderful talk with Melissa's dad on our way back from the port. I shared my testimony and kind of about growing up on a farm and how God changed our lives when my dad became a pastor. He told me about his sons and Melissa. It will be so different not having those two around! Again, it was marvelous to talk to someone in the same language!
We then had a dishcrew time where we crowded around about 3 small tables at a bar (ok, this is not an American bar, this is an Italian bar, meaning that it is a little restaurant that has little to no seating inside, but there is seating under umbrellas on the street). We probably had about 25 some people crammed out there! My heart began to break as I watched this new group of friends we joined slam down the beer and light up the cigarettes. I was still recovering from earlier in the day, from whatever my body was dealing with so I did not talk much, but I observed a lot. What I learned last night is two things, drinking here in Italy is completely different than drinking in the states, but it can still be abused to some degree.
The other thing I learned is that people all over Europe need the hope of a Savior. This became the clearest while talking to my friend Evangelina from Germany at dinner. She told me about life in Germany and all I wanted to do was learn more. She told me that if a person in Germany was to say they are a Christian, everyone would label that person as a weirdo and pretty much be an outcast. Being a Christian is not cool. The cool thing there is to drink alcohol in excess, drugs, and sex.
My prayer is that those of us who do have our hope secure in Christ will be a light of love to our friends who need Jesus. I am also convinced that the same problems exist all over the world, my challenge to those of you who actually read these extremely long posts is for you to look around you and pick out people you daily interact with and begin to develop a deeper caring relationship for those people, even if you just plant seeds of truth and show them love, God will use that! Oh if we want the world to change and hearts to come to Jesus, we must be doing something! Everyone has a part to play, it is not only for 'missionaries' living outside of the U.S.!
Alas, as the hours continued ticking away last night, it came time to leave before our bus would stop running. Dustin walked Janae & I to the bus and we came back to the apartment we had left over 12 hours before! I crawled into bed with a broken/torn heart around 2 am, and now at 8:00 am, I am up again because of not being able to sleep. At least we do not have school today! :)
We meet in a few hours with the team and that should be fun. Please continue to pray for the Debelak's health. Thank you for actually reading these LONG posts.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The 15th Already!
Wow, the time is flying now. Like really flying!
This weekend was very chill. Saturday Janae and I went to Jacob's Well for a while, then we napped all afternoon. I think I posted that day... so Sunday is the day we did stuff!
Yesterday we went to the same Baptist church as last week. There as a wedding as part of the church service this week! It was really neat! I was talking with an Italian guy who was visiting the church for the first time and I asked him if this was typical for Italian weddings, and he gave me a strong no! It was his first time to be in a different 'church' than the Catholic Mass and he said that the service was much more interesting than Catholic Mass. I was amazed that he was so willing to share his honest thoughts! I could tell that he was really interested in this thing all us called 'church' and why it was so different than the 'religious' ceremonies he knew until yesterday. I wonder if he will come back next Sunday...
After the service, we were convinced by all the elderly women to come to the reception in the basement of the church! So here we were, Americans at a wedding reception for people we had never met! How wild! No one seemed to mind, and they kept pushing us back to get more food and made sure we were completely content.
After the reception we hung out with the young group (college age people, singles, etc). One of the girls, Melissa, is from Ireland and she is leaving Wednesday to go home. She had been in Genova to study at the university here. She is a Christian and when she came to Genova she wanted to go to an Evangelical church, so she found this one. Everyone loves Melissa! She is a joy, for sure and I am sad to see her go and we only met her on Friday! Her dad has been here too, so it has been nice to talk the same language with people, even if there is a strong Irish accent! :)
There were 7 of us that went out on the Navebus, a boat used for transportation in Genova. We took it to the other side of the city and then took a train to a beach. I had not brought my swimwear, so I decided to roll up my sleeves and soak up some sun while everyone, minus Chandra (the Indian guy) and I, played in the water. It was wonderful! I also got a little tan! Which is fun... since last summer I was stuck in-doors the whole time! And don't worry, I didn't get enough to cause a painful burn, just enough to bronze my skin a bit... haha.
One of the guys, Jonny, got stung by a jelly fish, but don't worry, Chandra is a doctor and promised that Jonny would not die and he would be ok!
After the beach, Melissa was texted by Dustin (guy from our team), he wanted to know if anyone was up for Indian food. So we took the train back Genova and waited around for Melissa's dad to join us. We then made it to the Indian restaurant, where Dustin and friends were. I got an amazing dish, and Chandra told us that the food was pretty close to authentic, but he did not like it too much.... I thought it was amazing though... but then again I am not Indian and I have only had one other Indian dish before... lol
I had a great conversation about dishcrew with Dustin after his friends all left and he stuck around with our group. It was nice to talk in our own language... sorry for everyone who does not understand, but dishcrew at Moody is very tight and even though we never worked together, we still know all the lingo and it was a refreshing thing for me to talk with someone about the people and job I love back at school. :)
We left our apartment yesterday around 9:00 am, we returned after 11:30 pm!! What a long day packed full of fun! So all that to say, we made it to bed after 1:00 am... we have a lady staying with us and she arrived last night while we were still out, so when we got back time was spent getting her situated, visiting, and journaling!
Today we went to school, tomorrow is our last day. I have mixed feelings about that! I wish I could learn the language faster, but it is quite draining on me and Janae to be in class for so long and not really know how we will practically use this after we leave in a few weeks. :( But the relationships we are building are incredible.
Today there were 4 new students in our class. A french couple, a lady from Sweden, and a girl from Budapest. All 4 of them speak loads more Italian than the rest of us, so Janae and I sat there with tired, blank stares for most of the 4 hours! Gabriella even talked less today! But we asked her to join us for lunch after class, she was so excited to do things with us! The lady from Sweden came along too. We had quite an incredible lunch, I got a chicken salad (isalata di pollo) and the others got a rice with mushrooms dish (sorry don't know what it's called in Italian!). We also just enjoyed talking with both Jenny and Gabriella.
After we ate we went over to Jacob's Well so they could know where to look for us if they wanted to hang out again after school some day since our last day is tomorrow. Gabriella hung around for a long time. She and her mom may start coming to Bible studies with the Italian pastor and the group that meets every Thursday in his home. We also got to meet him and his wife today. Sweet people! His wife speaks Spanish as well as Italian, so once again I found myself combining both Italian and Spanish to make conversation with her. At one point I did not understand at all, and so she went to Dustin for help, but he got confused too, so I'm not really sure what she was trying to say to me... hopefully the communication thing gets better! :)
This evening we are relaxing and I just got off skype with Heidi for a long time. I was so energized by speaking with her! It was good to hear her voice, as well as my dad and brothers for a little bit! Praise God for that. Thank you everyone for caring enough to read these long posts and to keep praying, God is doing things in Italy. My heart is breaking for the thousands of people here who only have a negative view of God, to them He is only a judge who does not like sin, He is not a God of love! Pray that Italians will learn of the love of Jesus and how much God desires to have a relationship with people.
Another prayer request is for Andrew and Natalie Debelak, they have been sick since their return from the states about a week and a half ago. They really are having a hard time getting better. Tonight Dustin is babysitting their two young boys so that Andrew and Natalie can go to the doctor. Pray that they will get answers and for healing so that their ministry can continue.
Love to all! Thanks again for all you are doing to be a part of this, God IS doing BIG things!
Think about and pray these verses for the Avant team in Italy:
You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2Timothy 2:1-2
This weekend was very chill. Saturday Janae and I went to Jacob's Well for a while, then we napped all afternoon. I think I posted that day... so Sunday is the day we did stuff!
Yesterday we went to the same Baptist church as last week. There as a wedding as part of the church service this week! It was really neat! I was talking with an Italian guy who was visiting the church for the first time and I asked him if this was typical for Italian weddings, and he gave me a strong no! It was his first time to be in a different 'church' than the Catholic Mass and he said that the service was much more interesting than Catholic Mass. I was amazed that he was so willing to share his honest thoughts! I could tell that he was really interested in this thing all us called 'church' and why it was so different than the 'religious' ceremonies he knew until yesterday. I wonder if he will come back next Sunday...
After the service, we were convinced by all the elderly women to come to the reception in the basement of the church! So here we were, Americans at a wedding reception for people we had never met! How wild! No one seemed to mind, and they kept pushing us back to get more food and made sure we were completely content.
After the reception we hung out with the young group (college age people, singles, etc). One of the girls, Melissa, is from Ireland and she is leaving Wednesday to go home. She had been in Genova to study at the university here. She is a Christian and when she came to Genova she wanted to go to an Evangelical church, so she found this one. Everyone loves Melissa! She is a joy, for sure and I am sad to see her go and we only met her on Friday! Her dad has been here too, so it has been nice to talk the same language with people, even if there is a strong Irish accent! :)
There were 7 of us that went out on the Navebus, a boat used for transportation in Genova. We took it to the other side of the city and then took a train to a beach. I had not brought my swimwear, so I decided to roll up my sleeves and soak up some sun while everyone, minus Chandra (the Indian guy) and I, played in the water. It was wonderful! I also got a little tan! Which is fun... since last summer I was stuck in-doors the whole time! And don't worry, I didn't get enough to cause a painful burn, just enough to bronze my skin a bit... haha.
One of the guys, Jonny, got stung by a jelly fish, but don't worry, Chandra is a doctor and promised that Jonny would not die and he would be ok!
After the beach, Melissa was texted by Dustin (guy from our team), he wanted to know if anyone was up for Indian food. So we took the train back Genova and waited around for Melissa's dad to join us. We then made it to the Indian restaurant, where Dustin and friends were. I got an amazing dish, and Chandra told us that the food was pretty close to authentic, but he did not like it too much.... I thought it was amazing though... but then again I am not Indian and I have only had one other Indian dish before... lol
I had a great conversation about dishcrew with Dustin after his friends all left and he stuck around with our group. It was nice to talk in our own language... sorry for everyone who does not understand, but dishcrew at Moody is very tight and even though we never worked together, we still know all the lingo and it was a refreshing thing for me to talk with someone about the people and job I love back at school. :)
We left our apartment yesterday around 9:00 am, we returned after 11:30 pm!! What a long day packed full of fun! So all that to say, we made it to bed after 1:00 am... we have a lady staying with us and she arrived last night while we were still out, so when we got back time was spent getting her situated, visiting, and journaling!
Today we went to school, tomorrow is our last day. I have mixed feelings about that! I wish I could learn the language faster, but it is quite draining on me and Janae to be in class for so long and not really know how we will practically use this after we leave in a few weeks. :( But the relationships we are building are incredible.
Today there were 4 new students in our class. A french couple, a lady from Sweden, and a girl from Budapest. All 4 of them speak loads more Italian than the rest of us, so Janae and I sat there with tired, blank stares for most of the 4 hours! Gabriella even talked less today! But we asked her to join us for lunch after class, she was so excited to do things with us! The lady from Sweden came along too. We had quite an incredible lunch, I got a chicken salad (isalata di pollo) and the others got a rice with mushrooms dish (sorry don't know what it's called in Italian!). We also just enjoyed talking with both Jenny and Gabriella.
After we ate we went over to Jacob's Well so they could know where to look for us if they wanted to hang out again after school some day since our last day is tomorrow. Gabriella hung around for a long time. She and her mom may start coming to Bible studies with the Italian pastor and the group that meets every Thursday in his home. We also got to meet him and his wife today. Sweet people! His wife speaks Spanish as well as Italian, so once again I found myself combining both Italian and Spanish to make conversation with her. At one point I did not understand at all, and so she went to Dustin for help, but he got confused too, so I'm not really sure what she was trying to say to me... hopefully the communication thing gets better! :)
This evening we are relaxing and I just got off skype with Heidi for a long time. I was so energized by speaking with her! It was good to hear her voice, as well as my dad and brothers for a little bit! Praise God for that. Thank you everyone for caring enough to read these long posts and to keep praying, God is doing things in Italy. My heart is breaking for the thousands of people here who only have a negative view of God, to them He is only a judge who does not like sin, He is not a God of love! Pray that Italians will learn of the love of Jesus and how much God desires to have a relationship with people.
Another prayer request is for Andrew and Natalie Debelak, they have been sick since their return from the states about a week and a half ago. They really are having a hard time getting better. Tonight Dustin is babysitting their two young boys so that Andrew and Natalie can go to the doctor. Pray that they will get answers and for healing so that their ministry can continue.
Love to all! Thanks again for all you are doing to be a part of this, God IS doing BIG things!
Think about and pray these verses for the Avant team in Italy:
You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2Timothy 2:1-2
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Update for the Week
So we have met the last few days for a short time with Andrew & Dustin (basically our supervisors I guess?). They have been explaining more about the ministry and we are expected to do the next couple of weeks. I will try to highlight some of the general info for you guys, but most of it is pretty deep and I am trying to process it all and I have to be careful what I put on here for security reasons (don't worry though, these are not safety issues, we are more safe here than in Chicago!). Anyway, the internship is broken into 3 focus areas: cultural immersion, living in a lost world, and Short-Cycle Church Planting(insert the circle with little R in the middle). The cultural immersion part is pretty much done because a lot of those things were completed while we were on our own for the first like week and a half.
The next step is to learn more about the last two focus areas. We will be involved in some social networks and at the end of our time we will need to present to Team Italy One what our plan would be for these groups of people if we were to be on the field for the remaining 40 months. We have already begun this social network and research. I cannot say more for security reasons, I will be happy to tell you in email or in person when I return. Let me know if you are interested in more info!
We will also get the chance to meet a few times with each member of Team Italy One and learn about their own personal experiences and hopefully answer some of our own questions concerning being missionaries, living overseas with a family, planting a church, etc. So we are going to be having meals a few times a week with the different members of the team, maybe even one on one, like Janae with the Debelaks (Andrew & Natalie) one night and me with the Kroekers (Tim & Amee), simply so that we can both ask our questions and so they can get to know us better too. I think though that Dustin will have both of us girls... haha!
So today is 'our day off' as Andrew put it yesterday. We are down at Jacob's Well right now (the ministry center) because some guys came to fix the tile and the team asked us if we could just come down and open it up and let the workers in. Our Italian is really improving!
Last night we hung out with the same group of people from the church we went to last Sunday. There are so many internationals there! We really enjoyed the time of food, fellowship and fun! I got to talk to some really neat ladies! One of the gals is from Spain, she is the oldest of 5, (3 girls and 2 boys) just like my family and her dad is a pastor as well! And since I speak some Spanish, we really hit it off! Although, I did go to bed with Spanish and Italian phrases mixing in my head. Not sure how helpful that was for me! I find myself wanting to speak Spanish when I talk to someone who only speaks Italian and speaking Italian when I actually get to speak Spanish to someone! My poor brain is really confused!
Anyway, thanks for your prayers. This week has been rough for me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. I am still confident that God is going to do and is doing something big here though and it thrills me beyond explanation that Janae and I get to be a part of what He is doing! Praise Him!
Have a great weekend! Please email or Skye, I'd love to hear from you!
The next step is to learn more about the last two focus areas. We will be involved in some social networks and at the end of our time we will need to present to Team Italy One what our plan would be for these groups of people if we were to be on the field for the remaining 40 months. We have already begun this social network and research. I cannot say more for security reasons, I will be happy to tell you in email or in person when I return. Let me know if you are interested in more info!
We will also get the chance to meet a few times with each member of Team Italy One and learn about their own personal experiences and hopefully answer some of our own questions concerning being missionaries, living overseas with a family, planting a church, etc. So we are going to be having meals a few times a week with the different members of the team, maybe even one on one, like Janae with the Debelaks (Andrew & Natalie) one night and me with the Kroekers (Tim & Amee), simply so that we can both ask our questions and so they can get to know us better too. I think though that Dustin will have both of us girls... haha!
So today is 'our day off' as Andrew put it yesterday. We are down at Jacob's Well right now (the ministry center) because some guys came to fix the tile and the team asked us if we could just come down and open it up and let the workers in. Our Italian is really improving!
Last night we hung out with the same group of people from the church we went to last Sunday. There are so many internationals there! We really enjoyed the time of food, fellowship and fun! I got to talk to some really neat ladies! One of the gals is from Spain, she is the oldest of 5, (3 girls and 2 boys) just like my family and her dad is a pastor as well! And since I speak some Spanish, we really hit it off! Although, I did go to bed with Spanish and Italian phrases mixing in my head. Not sure how helpful that was for me! I find myself wanting to speak Spanish when I talk to someone who only speaks Italian and speaking Italian when I actually get to speak Spanish to someone! My poor brain is really confused!
Anyway, thanks for your prayers. This week has been rough for me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. I am still confident that God is going to do and is doing something big here though and it thrills me beyond explanation that Janae and I get to be a part of what He is doing! Praise Him!
Have a great weekend! Please email or Skye, I'd love to hear from you!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Meeting the Team
Yesterday we met the team for the first time. Well, part of them I guess. Some of the team is away for the summer, and others have moved on, so yesterday we only met with two of the couples. The only single left, Dustin, was not able to make the meeting because of some sort of food poisoning and a hospital stay the day before, so we just had a small gathering which I think made Janae and I more comfortable! We presented our slide show of pictures from all that we explored and told the stories to go along with our first 10 days of living on our own in Italy. They laughed with us and told us some of their own stories of learning the Italian/Genova culture.
After our presentation they moved into their team meeting which was really interesting on my part to sit in on because I am so curious about what their church planting strategy looks like and what their different roles are as team members. It was interesting to watch them interact and bounce ideas back and forth and give wonderful constructive criticisim as well as highlight the strengths of certain individuals who would do a particular job better than anyone else on the team. Their open communication was incredible to watch because even though there may have been disagreement, there is the underlying agreement to work things out and a goal that they all have to reach. When they were done discussing, even though a solid conclusion was not made, they moved on, set it aside for a later meeting. That was interesting to be a part of. I look forward so much more to learning about their ministry and actually seeing it in action more than the kitchen in our apartment!
They also brought food and their children! For me it was wonderful to have people in this large place, noise, laughter, and just other people! They taught us how to eat Italian sandwiches and told us about real mozzorella cheese that comes in little pouches with milk that you drain off and then just cut the cheese ball up into slices or whatever. It is so tasty! I look forward to learning from the missionary ladies how to make real Italian food because our American minds think of Italian food as 'spaghetti' or 'pizza' which are Italian, but wow, there is so much food! I want to know how to make the stuff people actually eat here!
Ok, sorry this is long, thank you for your prayers. I will inform you all more about what the following weeks look like when I know, maybe tomorrow? Don't really know, just living one day at a time! One thing is nice though, we do have internet in the apartment now, as of last night. Wonderful!
After our presentation they moved into their team meeting which was really interesting on my part to sit in on because I am so curious about what their church planting strategy looks like and what their different roles are as team members. It was interesting to watch them interact and bounce ideas back and forth and give wonderful constructive criticisim as well as highlight the strengths of certain individuals who would do a particular job better than anyone else on the team. Their open communication was incredible to watch because even though there may have been disagreement, there is the underlying agreement to work things out and a goal that they all have to reach. When they were done discussing, even though a solid conclusion was not made, they moved on, set it aside for a later meeting. That was interesting to be a part of. I look forward so much more to learning about their ministry and actually seeing it in action more than the kitchen in our apartment!
They also brought food and their children! For me it was wonderful to have people in this large place, noise, laughter, and just other people! They taught us how to eat Italian sandwiches and told us about real mozzorella cheese that comes in little pouches with milk that you drain off and then just cut the cheese ball up into slices or whatever. It is so tasty! I look forward to learning from the missionary ladies how to make real Italian food because our American minds think of Italian food as 'spaghetti' or 'pizza' which are Italian, but wow, there is so much food! I want to know how to make the stuff people actually eat here!
Ok, sorry this is long, thank you for your prayers. I will inform you all more about what the following weeks look like when I know, maybe tomorrow? Don't really know, just living one day at a time! One thing is nice though, we do have internet in the apartment now, as of last night. Wonderful!
The following pictures are specifically for Kelsey (these missionaries do aparently keep up with style!! haha), Kira, and Brittney because my room makes me think of you girls everytime I'm in it! :)
This is a picture of my room while in Italy! Two girls normally live in this room, I unfortunately have not and will not get to meet them, but they sure are sweet to let me stay in their room! I have actually never lived in a room that is decorated as nice as this! I feel quite honored to live in such a beautiful place, certainly did not expect such treatment! Everything matches, literally, everything! I think I know everything that matches and then I'll find something new, quite incredible! :)
The bed under the window is mine, even though I have this whole room to my self! wow!
The rest of the room.
The rest of the room.
My dresser (aka the other bed in the room).
The large couch and some of the terrific art work on the walls.
Ok, I forgot to edit this picture, so forgive me, but I had to include this, yes, I did bring this little guy with me... how could I not have something John Deere in a room of all girly colors? haha :)Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Some Events from the Weekend
Ciao! From Italy!
Yesterday we met with our friend Julie for lunch. We had a good time with her. It was nice to talk with someone who knows more Italian than we do and still speaks English too! I am looking forward to knowing her better. As well as a young girl, Gabrella, (from Brasil) who is in our Italian class. She just began class this Monday, and already Janae and I have noticed that our whole learning dynamic has changed since we have a 13 year old learning with us who fluently speaks portuguese, spanish, and english. I want to get to know her more, she seems like a very interesting person and that she may have had to grow up rather quickly.
Last night we prepared a presentation to give to the team today (End of phase 3!!!). They will be at our apartment around 4:45pm (Italy time). It will be nice to find out what is next and actually meet the team!
Today was very frustrating in class. I felt like I could not understand a single thing our teachers were saying and I don't know how to ask questions in Italian. I also felt a little bored and sick of sitting in a classroom! Pray for my attitude, I know that I am constantly being pushed out of everything I like, enjoy and all that I know is comfortable. Pray that the devil will not have a foothold in any of these areas that are difficult. I was reading in Ecclesiasties last night and the hope I cling to from those chapters is to delight in the Lord no matter what the circumstance is. On the way to school today I prayed, "Lord, if it is rough, if it is good, if it is wonderful, if it is terrible, let me constantly bless Your Name." Even in these moments of frustration, I must continue to bless His Name. Wow, that is so easy to type on here, but so hard to live out!
Along with attitude, please pray for clarity of mind. I find myself drifting off in day dreams often. Pray that this would stop and that I can focus on the task before me. The worst times are on the bus. I have been battling this mind drifting since about Saturday. As Bethany and I would say, "What is on the screen saver of your mind?" I know mine isn't good. Pray that the devil again would not use this to tempt me or to discourage me.
Pray that we get enough rest. :)
Also be in prayer for the people we do have contact wtih here. That hearts would be open to hearing the Good News and that we would know what to say so they understand.
Here are some pictures from this past weekend. I want to thank you all who are praying. Please let me know how you are doing and what I can be in prayer for you about. Miss you!
This is a gate to a castle! We walked along the outside wall on a beautiful road that made me think we were in the story of Pilgrim's Progress.
Don't you wish you could explore places like these with us? :)
This is what the other side of the wall looks like on the way to the castle!
The castle! But we could not go inside. Hopefully we'll find more to explore!
There are all sorts of plants in Genova. This is alfalfa! It was just growing on the side of the road!
On our way down from exploring the castle area, we came across this air show! (Mom, be sure to show Sam this picture please!)
This is one of the areas on the coast we saw on Saturday. The waves were huge! The blue railing in the left of the photo is how far most of the waves were. I tried to get a picture of it, but the picture doesn't do justice for what it actually was like!
This a wave, wish you could see it for real!
Ok, the plants never cease to amaze me here! This is a HUGE cactus on the coast! We have seen others, but this is the only picture I have taken!
Yesterday we met with our friend Julie for lunch. We had a good time with her. It was nice to talk with someone who knows more Italian than we do and still speaks English too! I am looking forward to knowing her better. As well as a young girl, Gabrella, (from Brasil) who is in our Italian class. She just began class this Monday, and already Janae and I have noticed that our whole learning dynamic has changed since we have a 13 year old learning with us who fluently speaks portuguese, spanish, and english. I want to get to know her more, she seems like a very interesting person and that she may have had to grow up rather quickly.
Last night we prepared a presentation to give to the team today (End of phase 3!!!). They will be at our apartment around 4:45pm (Italy time). It will be nice to find out what is next and actually meet the team!
Today was very frustrating in class. I felt like I could not understand a single thing our teachers were saying and I don't know how to ask questions in Italian. I also felt a little bored and sick of sitting in a classroom! Pray for my attitude, I know that I am constantly being pushed out of everything I like, enjoy and all that I know is comfortable. Pray that the devil will not have a foothold in any of these areas that are difficult. I was reading in Ecclesiasties last night and the hope I cling to from those chapters is to delight in the Lord no matter what the circumstance is. On the way to school today I prayed, "Lord, if it is rough, if it is good, if it is wonderful, if it is terrible, let me constantly bless Your Name." Even in these moments of frustration, I must continue to bless His Name. Wow, that is so easy to type on here, but so hard to live out!
Along with attitude, please pray for clarity of mind. I find myself drifting off in day dreams often. Pray that this would stop and that I can focus on the task before me. The worst times are on the bus. I have been battling this mind drifting since about Saturday. As Bethany and I would say, "What is on the screen saver of your mind?" I know mine isn't good. Pray that the devil again would not use this to tempt me or to discourage me.
Pray that we get enough rest. :)
Also be in prayer for the people we do have contact wtih here. That hearts would be open to hearing the Good News and that we would know what to say so they understand.
Here are some pictures from this past weekend. I want to thank you all who are praying. Please let me know how you are doing and what I can be in prayer for you about. Miss you!
This is a gate to a castle! We walked along the outside wall on a beautiful road that made me think we were in the story of Pilgrim's Progress.
Don't you wish you could explore places like these with us? :)
This is what the other side of the wall looks like on the way to the castle!
The castle! But we could not go inside. Hopefully we'll find more to explore!
There are all sorts of plants in Genova. This is alfalfa! It was just growing on the side of the road! 
On our way down from exploring the castle area, we came across this air show! (Mom, be sure to show Sam this picture please!)
This is one of the areas on the coast we saw on Saturday. The waves were huge! The blue railing in the left of the photo is how far most of the waves were. I tried to get a picture of it, but the picture doesn't do justice for what it actually was like!
This a wave, wish you could see it for real!
Ok, the plants never cease to amaze me here! This is a HUGE cactus on the coast! We have seen others, but this is the only picture I have taken!
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