we have less than 60 days left in taranto (we are leaving the beginning of august to spend our last month helping with work and the teen and family retreats in Florence) and my head is spinning. there are days that i cant wait to hop on the plane and arrive 20 something hours later in an air conditioned American airport where I will immediately transfer HOME, see our pups, squeeze my moma, and breathe fresh clean air.
there are as well, equally just as many days/moments, when I cant catch my breath when the thought of saying goodbye to Laura, the brothers.. our friends and the life that has been ours for the past two years crosses my mind. Im somehow surprised at how emotional i am concerning all of this. these people have changed our lives and our hearts forever. we are forever changed because of this amazing, always challenging, experience.
when I think about it, im always so humbled to understand the opportunity we have been given to have our eyes opened to this degree so early in our lives. again, its hard to breathe sometimes thinking about what the future holds for us. we feel so differently about everything, but if i could somehow put all of this in a box , the way our minds prefer to digest things, I would say that it is our perspectives that have changed. being "in His service" is our number one priority. not that it wasnt before, but because of this opportunity we have been given "to see" our perspective of what these words mean, has been magnified.
im scared to return to a culture that was so easy for me to leave behind. I am so grateful to have learned the true gift of brotherly love in Christ. I am thankful that we have been made to suffer and have experienced a new growth because of this suffering. I am thankful for my husband who is truly my other half, best friend, but most importantly, my help and my greatest encouragement to daily walk in the way of the Lord.
We are leaving taranto with strings certainly still attached. We believe that the time is right to return to the states, but in our hearts we know that this work will be a part of us wherever we land, and it is a lifetime blessing and a lifetime commitment and responsibility. We are convinced that God cannot be stopped. His spirit and His love constantly surround us... and I never cease to be amazed by his awesome power to fulfill His will.
We are saying goodbye not only to the church here, but also to friends that we have met. Not to mention the fruit lady on Course Italia and her family, Cicilia at the bakery around from Dok, all of our friends at the grocery stores and markets. So many friendships and seeds that have been started. We pray that we have been instruments for the Lord while He continues to draw them to Him even after we leave. We are sometimes doubtful of our abilities, but we are always confident of His abilities and His love.
Our work is steady. We are busy spending lots of time with our students and friends in these days, as well as preparing the congregation for our departure. I am begining to let Laura teach Samanta on Friday nights at church. Also with the ladies we will begin taking turns leading our Bible studies. I pray that they will stick to this and commit to their time together.
Here are some snap shots of Laura and our favorite pair of brothers in all of Taranto :)
Laura and me
Luca Eric and Fabrizio
Luca Eric and Fabrizio
This is a keeper :)
Fabrizio, me, Eric, and Luca
Some days after our beach outing, Eric and I took a bus to visit the most beautiful city in the south for Eric's 31st birthday... Lecce!
Lecce is said to be the "Florence of the South.".. and I agree :)
Obviously here Eric is ready to eat his gelato, not have his picture taken! haha
This park is where we spent most of our time. Living in Taranto we miss green so much! the trees, the grass and flowers, and the fresh air. This park was exceptionally nice. We brought our Bibles and sat and read all afternoon. Absolutely lovely.
On the park benches soaking up the beautiful day!
Evening shot of Lecce.
That very next weekend, we were off to Velletri for the all family retreat. We rode with Franco Verardi and his son Mino on the way there. Above is the country side between Naples and Rome, isnt it beautiful??
We had many speakers this time at Velletri. Many of which talked about the importance of unity and the necessity to bind together in Christian love.
Franco and Vittorio
The boys :)
Angela and Melissa
Clarissa and me
On the way back from Velletri we took a 5 hour bus ride! It actually turned out to be very nice and accommodating! A new preferred way of traveling for me!
We look a little tired here from the weekend ;)
Eric, me, and Hannah (my sister)
Following Velletri, guess who came to visit?!
MY FAMILY!!!
Everyone climbing back down from the very top of the Duomo in Florence! some 460 steps later we made it back to the bottom! Way to go guys :)
me, Clizia, and Hannah
My family even got to meet the famous Clizia!
Of course we enjoyed italian cuisine!
Dad, Mom, me, and Hannah
Second day in Taranto on Lungo Mare.
Laura, Samanta, and me
Laura, Luana, me, and Samanta
Carmela, Zia Tina, Mom, Hannah, and me
Mom, me, Luana, Laura, and Hannah
We feel so blessed that my family was able to come and experience Taranto and to meet the people here. This particular night, we invited our friends, students, and church members to enjoy a pizza out altogether in the center of Taranto! Almost everyone came and it was so neat to see our two "worlds" come together!
Mino is 18 years old!
Yesterday we took the train to Latiano and celebrated Mino's birthday out in the countryside of Latiano with all of his friends and family. Tanti Auguri Mino!
Anna Maria, Mino, and Franco
All of Mino's friends :)
Eric, Mino, and me
Everyone in attendance.
It was a very fun night and we are happy that we got to be there to share his special day with all of his family and friends :)
Coming up we have a short trip to Bari and a much longer one down south to Sicily. We will keep you posted. Please continue to pray for us and for the hearts God is calling in Italy. Love you all so much!
xoxoxoxoxo E & J
