our time is winding down here in taranto. . . but we certainly are not slowing down!
in so many ways we feel ready to be back at home, but in just as many ways we feel conflicted because of all of the many opportunities the Lord is providing. I suppose at any moment we could begin a new relationship...even up until our very last days here in taranto, i just have to remind myself that Gods hand is never to short to reach those who are searching for Him.. . .
in these past few weeks the Lord has refreshed us in so many ways. Im always amazed at what a small amount of prayer will bring about- i cant begin to imagine the things we could witness if we were to pray as we should. it seems like He is moving so steadily, at times I wonder if we can keep up! I pray that he strengthens us and gives us courage- with a balance of boldness and meekness....and we are finding that He hears our prayers! I cant explain all of the ways that He is working right now and all of the opportunities that He is providing but suffice to say, HE IS! We feel confident, joyous, happy, and so incredibly thankful to be in His service!
these past few weeks we have been spending more time with our students, neighbors, and friends. two Fridays ago, we went met our 2nd floor neighbors in front of the apartment to go and eat Chinese food together! italian culture tidbit: if you ask italians if they like Chinese food (or really any other food than theirs) the answer will almost always be a negative response. ..so, while we were talking with our neighbors and they mentioned they liked chinese food, we were shocked, but excited to finally find someone who knew where a good restaurant was and who more importantly enjoyed eating there too! . anyways, they are a very close knit family. in many ways they remind me of my parents. in fact, while walking to the restaurant, the mother and I talked about many things together, the home, the importance of family, raising her kids; and there were several times when I found myself thinking, mom always says that! :) the family is catholic in practice, but they are very open minded and easy to talk to. We shared a fun evening out and by the end of the evening, we felt as if we had known them already for quite some time.
the next afternoon Carmela invited Eric and me to visit her hometown LaTerza, a small country town about an hour outside of TA.
Look at the old car! :)
This is the house of an old family friend of Carmela. From what I could gather, she was a close friend of Carmela's mother and sisters (Carmela's mom passed away about 2 years ago). The house was almost like a cave bc it was built into the rock.
Of course we got a little tour :) I thought these decorations were neat- like we were taking a glimpse into the past.
lots and lots of olive oil!!! This is actually olive oil that the family produces and sells out to friends and family! Eric and I bought a small (normal sized) bottle for 5 euro = bargain. we still havent opened it. We'll probably wait until we are back in America :)
here is the little woman who was good friends with carmela's mother. I never actually heard her name, but she was very welcoming and excited to see all of us.
A view of LaTerza.
me and Laura
The daughters of the older lady took us for a brief walk around the town. The mini tour included a look into their wine cellar!
It was so cold inside!!
. . . . I was thinking in Arkansas this would make a great storm cellar! ;)
Not only does the family produce olive oil, but they have grape vineyards and they harvest them to make their own wine too!! Here they were explaining the methods they use to turn grapes into wine.
one last view
that evening we had to be back in taranto bc we had plans to meet at my student Antonella's house for a get together! she invited eric and me, and two other other couples. One of the couples we know pretty well already because the girlfriend is my student and so we do things together pretty regularly, but the other couple we had only met one other time last summer when we went to their summer villa with Antonella. We enjoyed some excellent focaccia and appetizers and some roast beef that Antonella had made. Its always an uplift to be with our students.It was great to get to talk to the other couple a little more as well since we hadnt seen them since last summer:) she, marina, teaches english and so its fun to exchange some english with her as well:)
The next morning after worship, we took off to the Agape (potluck) at Mesagne. Fabrizio, Luca, Eric, me, and Laura. :)) It was a great turn out from the church there in mesagne and I was really happy that Laura got to come with us so that she can be more exposed to the other churches/ people close to Taranto. She is still shy around new people, but in these past months, she is really growing up fast! we stayed until late in the afternoon and then headed back into Taranto.
Eric and i had already planned to make our way back to downtown Taranto that evening to walk around the antique market that is held in taranto center every first Sunday of the month.
We visited with many of the different merchants - the couple we had previously met from Bari were there again and then, we met another man out of Bari. He was so nice- he too gave us his number in hopes that we can get together sometime in Bari. I think we may try a day trip sometime soon :)
Monday, we were excited to get a call from Marina and her fiance Antonello asking if eric wanted to join Antonello for basketball that night! Eric. was. ecstatic. He was SO excited. there were about 10 guys that met to play that night and I know Eric had a blast. i had to laugh at myself though because the sense of just being near/on a basketball court made me feel so at home. it was really strange, a slice of American culture three blocks from our apartment. While the boys played, Marina and I got to know each other a little better. She is so sweet,we cant wait to get to know them both better.
Tuesday morning eric awoke exhausted from not having played basketball in over 2 years! ha. after lunch we headed to our friend Cicilia's house for cafe...and we were surprised to find that she had also made us an angle food cake! this is even more special here because finding all the ingredients (not to mention the cake pan itself) is difficult! really, even that she knew how to make it is interesting. . . anyways, she was gracious as always and we went with her to drop her little girl Georgia off at her British English school. there we got to meet her teacher, who Georgia believed to be American, but I think from her accent that maybe she was African. Im assuming to find out soon bc we exchanged numbers and agreed to meet up with her sometime soon for a cafe :) the rest of the afternoon we spent visiting with Cicilia and her mother-in-law back at her house. we shared some very positive conversation and we are looking forward to being together with their family soon.
Go Taranto!
Antonietta and Vito's summer villa
Another out of the ordinary visit that week was with Vito and Antonietta from latiano! they called and invited us to enjoy lunch with them for the next day, Friday at their house. Antonietta made gnocchi with meat sauce - YUM. we got to visit together and even meet one of their daughters Christina. Later they took us to see their summer villa that Antonietta's mother had left to her and her siblings!
This is the land her parents left for Antonietta and her siblings. It is evenly divided into 5 sections, one for each sibling.
This trulli is the part of one of Antonietta's sister's property.
The south is famous for trulli!
Tangerine anyone?
Afterwards we all drove back to Taranto for Friday night bible study.
Enzo, Fabrizio, Luca, and Eric
Because we were so thrilled to find a Chinese place, we somehow persuaded the brothers (luca and Fabrizio) and carmela, laura, and enzo to try it with us later that evening after the bible study. they were SO apprehensive and unsure... but...... they liked it! yayyyy!
Cheese!
me, Laura, and Carmela
please quit growing up so fast! lol
Eric and me
typical easter dessert in italy
The monday after easter is also a holiday here in italy, although, im not really sure why. anyways, bc no one had to work, we had originally planned to have a beach picnic! however, it was canceled due to rain and cold weather, and relocated inside the church instead. We were also under the impression that it would be a picnic and brought packed sandwiches, chips, and some cans of sprite... and when we got there we remembered again that we are in italy!
Im always amazed at the lengths these women go through to cook here and provide food! I can also add that I have never ate anything that I didnt like here in Italy (aside from their deserts... and olives- however olives of course are a personal thing..)! all this to say, we ended up eating pasta, rice, peas and fried chicken.
...oh and afterwards, Laura came over for a sleepover at our house! of course we played dress up, took pictures, ate some more pasta, and watched Enchanted (the princess movie). = a perfect night.
I love this little girl so much!!!!!!
... back to pasquetta. . . . we were very happy to see however that for the most part the italians organized this lunch event on their own! :)
One difficulty of the churches here in italy that we have faced is helping the italian christians to help themselves.... As a "missionary", (for lack of a better term).. our job is to help them to grow, to take on new things, to branch out, and ultimately, to learn how to "search" for growth, personal and for the church body , on their own. Unfortunately, many times, missionaries feel a pressure to do it (everything) all themselves while they are in their foreign service, and when they leave, the people are left without the tools to continue on their own. ... and so the progress that one had started will eventually come to a shrieking stop when their time is finished because the "know how" was not transferred. and the "church" is left wishing it had another, what some of them have referenced to as a, "leader" . this process is scary and damaging. We have addressed the congregation concerning these problems they face on several occassions and we have found it difficult get ourselves all on the same page concerning these issues.
Please pray for the church here in all of Italy. the concept of being only a bible believing christian, is still very new here. a fact that is strange and incomprehensible for many of us Americans to grasp. there are mind sets and traditions that go back to.... well,... forever. please please pray that God can break their hearts, that He can call them in a way that they can understand, and that He will draw them closer and closer to Him and to His wisdom.
there are so many processes that we have endured with our work here in Italy. but as things are drawing to a close, we still cant help but shout His praises! just reflecting back on our last two weeks alone to share with you, its obvious the way that He is working and providing daily opportunities to share His good news to people who are truly searching for Him! Ive never felt so confident in the Lord and in HIS strength. We pray that you are encouraged by reading about the happenings in Italy, but also, we pray that you are challenged as well. We all have a comfort zone that tends to encompass and restrict us in our efforts as Christians. Eric and I pray for unity for the church all over the world. that we can be one for the Lord as brothers and sisters-that those around us cant help but feel our love for each other and for Him, and that in everything, we can let our light shine.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23
