We're swiming!

Hello again!

Last week was our first Sunday to get together with Andrea! After church on Sunday, Fabrizio drove, Eric, me, Andrea, and Laura to visit a horse ranch right outside of Taranto. Who knew we would be visiting horses in Southern Italy??? The weather is changing here and the cool breeze of spring is such a treat. It was so nice to spend the afternoon out together=)

Eric and Andrea

Fabrizio, Eric, and Andrea

Laura

Andrea, Fabrizio, Eric, and me

Laura was a little shy at first.... =)

Initially, our plan for later that evening was to get a pizza and watch a movie together. However, when we tried to hook up the projector, something went wrong with Fabrizio's computer and it was a no go. Instead we popped some popcorn. I had no idea it would be such a hit! I guess I never thought about popcorn not being as common in other countries as it is in America. Anyways, they loved it. In fact, Laura came over two other times last week, and I think the real reason was for the popcorn ;) Wednesday when she came over, I thought we were going to just watch a film together, since it didn’t work out Sunday night. She had other plans! After we ate our popcorn, we (she, Eric and I) played hide and go seek for 2 hrs! It was a lot of fun. I’m really enjoying getting to know her better and becoming friends.

The day before, Tuesday, Eric and I got up early to pass out flyers about our upcoming Wednesday night class at the church. We have high hopes for this outreach. It was really good to get out and make some connections within the community. We didn’t think it would be as easy to get people interested in learning English as it is in Florence (Florence is a lot more of a tourist city. So learning English is becoming almost a requirement.); however, we were pleasantly surprised! We made a lot of connections. In fact, one lady in particular was very interesting. We headed into her store and at first thought by her facial expression,  that she wanted us out of her store! Ha. But when she started to talk, she was actually really interested in us. She asked a lot of questions and then all of the sudden she got up and started to walk out of her store while telling us to follow her. We soon found out that her nephew worked across the street and she wanted to introduce us to him! It’s true what you see in the movies about Italians wanting to make you feel like family. I have to say this is one of the things we are always surprised by but really love about Italy =) After talking with her for awhile she told us that she had a lot of friends/family who would be very interested in taking the class, only if it were offered at a different time. She then asked if she were to get all of her friends together and decide a day and time when we could meet at the church, if we would teach them. Obviously we said yes! Isn’t that a neat encounter? Anyways, she called last week and we are stopping by her store tomorrow to meet some of her friends who are interested in the class! Say a little prayer for us =)

Later that evening, I had my class with Antonella. Afterwards, Eric met for the first time with her boyfriend Luca. Everything went great and they started class officially this week. In between time, Eric came down with some type of mini-flu. I really don’t know what to call it- but it was head- throat- nose- cough-sinus etc. 

Thursday, we went to the pharmacy and asked for something that we could have without a prescription that would help Eric get better. After this, he took his medicine and stayed in bed for the rest of the day =(Later in the afternoon, I met with a woman and her husband who are the friends of my student/friend in Scandicci! My friend, Renata, used to come to Puglia every summer with her family when she was growing up for vacation. Originally, her parents are from this region of Italy. Anyways, long story short, this lady, Loredana, and Renata are very close friends. So when I told Renata that we were moving to Taranto, she immediately told me of her friend who only lives about 15- 20 min away! It was so nice to meet Loredana and her husband. They were such a sweet couple! I think in the future they may be interested in classes. Like Renata, Loredana is an English teacher in the public school system- actually they went to college together to become English teachers! It was comforting to meet someone who I sort of already had a connection with- if that makes any sense. Anyways, I am excited for Eric to meet them soon and to get to know them better! After having coffee with them, I met Fabrizio at our apartment to pass out some additional flyers in town. Again, I feel like it went well and we are ready to start the class!

Friday, Eric was still pretty sick. In the morning, I went and taught at Laura's school. By the way, we printed off flyers and a sign up sheet for the kids’ class that we want to start next month. I gave them to Laura's teacher and she said she would talk to their parents for me and try to get a list of kids who are interested! We are really excited and hopeful about this outreach as well. After school, I came home and cooked lunch- which, on a side note, is a big task for me here in Italy. Its difficult for many reasons and besides that I’m not really a great cook to start with ...ha. But, I am learning. On this topic, number 1, I’ve decided its a lot easier when you have a recipe (I suppose to a lot of other people, maybe this is common knowledge. This past week, I have been raiding the internet for new recipes that use the ingredients I can find here.) and, number 2, that you live and learn! Everything is so different when you move to a different country to live, that with some things it’s easy to feel like you cant do anything! But the truth is, you can, you just have to learn to live differently-, as my mom always says- there's more than one way to skin a cat! This last week for example, I finally figured out how to make macaroni and cheese! yay!! They don’t have any type of cheddar here or yellow cheese, but I learned that you can use a cheese called Asiago- topped with bread crumbs-wonderful. I also made a "skillet lasagna" and a "chicken marsale fettuccini". Not bad. Tomorrow I am trying another new recipe for lunch! Oh! Also while I am on the subject- we found a new grocery store that carries peanut butter, powdered sugar, and....maple syrup!!! I couldn’t believe it- then we saw the price and we couldn’t believe that either! Guess. No you'll never guess. It was 9.95 euro, which is equivalent to about 14 USD!!That gave us a good laugh.

Anyways, Friday evening was Bible study. Again, Eric was still sick so he stayed home. Service went well, its always encouraging to get to see everyone =) This Friday Antonietta got to come as well. Normally Vito (her husband) comes (from Latiana where they live) in the mornings on Friday and works during the day at the church and stays until the evening worship. This Friday, he didn’t come in the morning, so this meant Antonietta got to come too! I really enjoy getting to know her. I feel like she and Vito relate a lot to Eric and I being away from our families, because two of their daughters live in other countries as well. That night after church Eric and I were supposed to go to a concert in Taranto with Fabrizio and Luca. Eric obviously could not go because he really needed to rest and let his medicine work, but we felt like I should still go. We were trying to figure out what to do with Eric's ticket when I remembered talking about the concert with Antoinetta two weeks ago, and I remembered how much she said she liked this singer! I called her and she said she would love to go! After service, the four of us took off for the concert! This was Antonietta's first concert!

Antonietta, Luca, and Fabrizio

Me and Antoinetta. Yes- the bow. I have no idea why they were selling light up Minnie Mouse ears becasue it had nothing to do with this concert! Ha. I thought they were too funny and had to get a pair!

Here is where the concert was. Apparently, Taranto is famous for its basketball teams and the concert was held in one of the basketball arenas. 

The singer's name was Alessandra Amorosa. She was very talented. She actually is from Puglia and so this concert was especially emotional for her. It seems to us that where we are and areas around here, are alot more rural and poorer than the regions further north. Many times, she would say how grateful she was and how thankful to have reached her dreams. =)

Here you can see all of her dedicated fans! 

Saturday Eric was finally feeling a little better. After school, Laura and her friend came over for popcorn and hide and seek =) The next morning was church and Eric was feeling much better! Afterwards, because it was the last Sunday of the month, it was the Agape (remember its like Potluck Sunday). Each time it rotates from church to church within the three cities: Taranto, Mesagne, and Latiana. This Sunday it was at the church in Mesagne- which is about an hour or a little less, from where we are in Taranto. Luca and Fabrizio drove their mom and us to the Agape. This was our first time to visit this church and to meet all of the members! It was definitely encouraging to see new faces and enjoy lunch together. 

Fabrizio, his mom, and Antoinetta's mother- who by the way is 85! I wish I had a better picture of her. She does not look a year over 65. It was incredible. 

Some of the kiddos =)

After we finished eating, Vito asked if I would mind taking some pictures of each family to eventually compose a family album each of them. Of course I didnt mind! He was my model for trying to find the best spot for the sun=)

Ok, I will be honest with you and tell you that I do not remember everyone's names! There was a ot of Italian flying and alot of new faces! Im sorry and I will have them the next time! 

However, I do know Massimo! and this is his family =)

I also know this family because we have met several times. Here is Franco and his wife Anna Maria and their son Mino. 

Ok this is a new family. They were having a good time joking around- and so I couldnt resist but to snap one of them having fun =)

Luca, the Moma, and Fabrizio

Ok the following 4 photos are so funny and I am so happy to have caught them on film! ha. Enjoy.

haha!

The woman here is Vito's sister and this is her husband and their two boys.

Vito and Antonietta.

We love all of you! Thank you for your prayers this week! Cant wait to tell you what all this next week brings. xoxoxoxox

Hellllllloooooooooo!

I don’t know where to start! Somehow, I always seem to loose track of time, and when it is time to blog there are too many things to tell! Hopefully you will bear with me with this long post as there is alot to mention this time.

Things are so entirely different here from life in Scandicci. It is a different culture and a different world. I can’t think of a single thing that is the same! The people are different, the streets are different, the food, the grocery stores, the accessibility, our goals, our schedules, transportation- a whole new world. I want to be honest to tell you that there are some days that the challenges seem too big to handle and other days that the challenges feel like a good exercise. Whatever the case, we are still here!- and we are reminded that God is so much bigger than we will ever understand- His grace is sufficient for us.

THE WEEK BEFORE LAST was a busy one. Besides our classes, we also had lots of appointments throughout the week. First, we have problems with our back porch  (I guess this is what it would translate to in English, although, its not really a porch because we are on the fifth floor of our apartment building). The windows slide up and down and you have to stick your head/body out the window in order to hang your clothes on the clothesline. The problem is that this system is over 40+ years old and in fact is really dangerous. Mainly, because when you pull the windows up, they do not stay up and can fall down (on your head/neck) at any moment. Yes, a little bit scary. Ha. Also, because they are so old, water leaks in when it is raining. Anyways, the landlady has sent 4 or 5 technicians to come and look at this and give her an estimate. Each one has had the same verdict that it is extremely dangerous and needs to basically be remodeled completely. However, she has decided after all of this that it is too much money and does not want to fix it. Also, last week, we had an appointment with an Internet technician from 5 pm to 6 pm. Luca and Fabrizio came to be with us so that they could talk to the technician for us. We waited all afternoon, and then finally decided to call. We found out that they decided to change our meeting time but did not call to inform us. So our next appointed time would be a week later (yesterday). Again, we waited, and he never showed. We called and the technician said he would come in about an hour and a half. At this point it was 11 o’clock and Eric and I had to be at the school to teach. So we went on and left Luca waiting for him at our apartment. When he finally arrived around 12, he said he forgot a tool, and that he would return in a few hours. So again, Luca waited while we had lunch with Anna Maria. Finally by 3 pm (our appointment was at 9:30 am) he came and we had Internet.

Eric and Luca.

You may be wondering why I am including this long drawn out story in our blog. We fell like it is important to for you to understand that there are some days like this here in Italy for us- sometimes, we have no control over time that feels like it is being wasted. For example with this technician, we are thankful for Luca who was able to help us so that we could still continue with our schedule for the day. Its a different mindset and reality in America when you can have a list of 5- 10 errands that you want to get accomplished that day, and it actually is possible to accomplish all of them! Here you are very lucky to get even one thing finished in a day. We are learning to try to go with the flow- but sometimes, it is difficult to feel productive when things like this happen.

All of this to say, we certainly know that we are not powerless because God is here. In the end, all of this will and is working for the good. We are learning more and more about the culture here and how to have a completely different mindset. We are emerged in this culture. These people are our friends and our family. There are times that our work is simply being with them, encouraging them, being a part of their lives- and we love this. We want to embrace them and living here with our whole hearts. Eric and I have been thinking alot about our goals here and our purpose. Pray for us to be wise and discerning about God's will here in Italy and here in Taranto- and what our role here is.

THE CHURCH MEETING

The Wednesday night before last, we had a meeting with the church to discuss our goals and plans for our work while we are here in Taranto. We discussed our goals:(in short, here they are) using our English classes to meet people in the community and to share with the good news of Jesus, working inside the school systems, building stronger relationships with the members of the church and serving them, and also working with the teens.

One main outreach we came up with for the community is to have a group English class that will be held every Wednesday night from 6:30- 7:30 pm at the church building (like the church in Florence offers on Thursday nights). Vito has made flyers to pass around the community with the details along with his and Franco's number. It starts April 6th, and we are really excited and hopeful about this! Immediately following the English lesson, we also are starting a Life of Christ class that will be led by Franco Verrardi (this will be in Italian). We are hopeful that some may want to stay for this following the English class.

Another idea Eric and I had was for the teens. We are going to introduce and host a devo for the teens every Sunday night at our apartment. We will have games, movie nights, American desserts (They love American desserts), along with a short devotional. We also hope to plan activities such as taking a trip somewhere together or doing something for the community. Our hope is that this will help the teens to eventually come back into the church. As of right now, there is only one of the 5 who attends.

FIRENZE

This is the first line just to get in the building ....

This past week, Eric and I had to make a three day trip to Florence to pick up our paper work from the Questura. We left Monday night and arrived in Pisa around 11 pm. We are thankful to David who came to pick us up so late at night. He and Debbie were also great to let us stay with them for the two nights we were there.The next morning we headed off to the Questura and this time I took a photo for you to see a little bit what it is like.All in all it wasnt bad because I got to see and visit with my friend Danielle while we waited! It was such a treat to see her and to catch up on the last couple of weeks. Now that Eric and I have our documents we are official legal residents of Italy for one year! yay!

Clizia and Me

Eric and Behzad

After we were finished with the Questura we planned to have dinner with our students from Florence and some of our friends from the Bible School. It was SO WONDERFUL to see our students again! They are such a huge blessing in our lives and I am so very thankful to have the gift of their friendships.

The next morning (Wednesday) we were off again to Taranto and were greeted by Luca and Fabrizio when we landed! They were so nice to come and pick us up. Afterwards we made a trip to IPERCOOP (I love this place) and got food to cook for dinner together at their house =)

The next morning was Thursday, which happened to be a holiday here in Italy. It signified 150 years that Italy has been unified as a country. This meant that the teens were out of school. Last Sunday before we left for Firenze we had lunch at Carmela and Enzo's house (They are the parents to two teen boys and Laura-its her school where we go to teach!) .

This is the typical dessert after lunch! yum=) There is a Pasticeria close to our apartment called Fragola's (in English, Strawberry's) and we have been gettin the sweets from there. 

Me and Laura!

She had the idea to organize a meeting with the teens on Thursday at 5pm to discuss the Sunday night devo idea with them. So all morning Thursday we prepared things to say along with a small PowerPoint  (we had to think about this in advance in order to translate our ideas to Italian), as well cleaned etc. in preparation for them. Also, every Thursday I have class with one of my students from Florence through SKYPE on the computer. After this class, I also had class with my student here in Taranto (we normally have class on Tuesday, but because we were in Florence, we had planned to meet instead on Thursday for this week). Eric also had a class later at 7pm. So anyways, 5 o’clock came and only one of the 5 teens came. =(  Even though we wished the others would have come, we are so grateful and happy for the one who did come! We had a good time meeting with him and he is excited to meet every week with us and Luca and Fabrizio. Please pray for all the teens here. Eric and I will continue to have these devos every week and all of the teens will always be invited to come. 

IN THE MEAN TIME, our classes are going great! In fact, Thursday when I met with my student, she asked if we have space to teach English to her entire family! Her aunt, uncle, cousins, and boyfriend! Obviously we are thrilled.  Anyways, I am thankful to have met her and to have her friendship =)  

Also, the KIDS CLASS at Laura's school could not be going better. I love it! The first two times, I was only able to teach Laura's class, but this week I started teaching another class as well. The plan was to teach them one after the other, but because Thursday was the festa alot of the kids didn’t come to school on Friday- so we combined the two classes together. It was a blast. Their favorite thing so far is the "If You're Happy and You Know It" song. 

Yesterday with the combined class, I met some new students. After class some of them came up to me and told me that they are taking English classes outside of school as well. I immediately told their teacher that I was hoping to get an English class for kids started at the church maybe on Monday nights. She agreed that if I brought her more details, she would be willing to give the information to her students and their parents. I am really excited about this. If you don’t know it by now, I love working with kids. In the school systems here it is like America in that you cannot teach on religion. So, as of right now, I am building relationships with the kids and the teachers, and teaching the kids fun English activities. However, if I can get the English class started at the church as well, I will be able to use Bible stories in our lessons together- as well as help introduce them to the church=) 

Here are some photos that we have been able to snap of Taranto so far.....

This is the street we live on! OUr apartment is on the 5th floor. It is the building to the left of the salmon colored building on the right.

A park around the corner.

The city.....

This is the grocery store where we do most of our shopping during the week. 

Eric and I live basically downtown Taranto. If we take a walk from our apartment into town it takes about 10 min. We live probably 4 streets up a small hill from the ocean. On the corner of our balcony we can see the ocean! However, its not like you would immediately imagine when you think ocean. Taranto is a very industrial city. It has many factories based on the waters. So when I say we can see the ocean, we can, but it is the ocean minus a beach if that makes sense. To see the beach, we are still really close, I believe maybe 20 min. 

Another thing about Taranto and parts of south Italy, is that the cities have lots of stray dogs. This is a picture of some kids playing with one of them. 

The walk from our apartment into town becomes very pretty once you get into the new part of the city.

This walkway is along the ocean and is really beautiful at night.

Look at these huge aloe plants!

You also walk down the steps from the top and walk closer to the water's edge.

Here you can see the factories way off in the distance on the left. 

Here is the town square.

This is also in the center of town- but again you can see some of the stray dogs. It realli s amazing how many of them there are!

There is a street in the new part of town that is lined with orange trees! The fruit in the south is amazing. Eric's favorite is the sangue oranges-they are special because they are red on the inside!

  

Again sorry it was such a long post! Thank you for all of your prayers and love! xoxoxox.