its been a jolly good start to the semester here at the Bible school! things are flowing nicely. before i go into the fall, i'll jump back and recap the florence summer youth retreat!
L I G H T T H E F I R E and keep it lit
Florence Youth Retreat 2015
they're herrreeeeeeeee :)
The kids arrived on a thursday afternoon. In total, we had 25 teens in attendance - all the way from the top of Italy in Vicenza, down to island of Sicily. Unfortunately, we had to put a limit on the number of kids due to the available space at the school. however, it worked out perfectly! This year, we also asked a couple of i t a l i a n s to come and help with the retreat. (this wasnt exactly an easy task, but hopefully as years continue, we will have more involvement. We are so thankful for each one that helped us this year! it would not have been a success without them!) Not only were they acting as "chaperones", but also as role models for the teens. its important that we as the foreigners purposefully involve the existing italian christians. it was good for the teens to have an italian with them throughout the retreat because they were able to see the adults they know- of their culture- in a different environment and have the opportunity to share the experience of the retreat together.
Months before the retreat, we worked together with one of the kids in Sicily named Fabio. We had several skype dates and FB messages to keep up the communication. One of the things that was important to us was having a schedule. i cant emphasize enough, how well the schedule worked to enhance the weekend! there was a good mix of study, group study, activity, dining, sharing, relax, and reflection.
Eric, Viktor, Joelle, Fabio, Jodi, and Sara
Joelle leading the first evening study.
the theme that Fabio wanted to use was "Light the Fire and Keep it Lit." throughout the weekend, we asked various teens to lead the morning and evening studies. Before the retreat, each teen was given a sub-topic relating to the theme so that they could prepare-- they did a f a n t a s t i c job!
Beatrice, Diane, Laura, Tiziana, Ariel, and Cristina
it was great to see our girlies from camp again so soon!
Francesca, Beatrice, Anna, and Gaia
Besides the morning and evening studies, we also separated the boys and girls and had small groups before lunch and before bed each night. This was uplifting and encouraging for several reasons, but mainly bc it gave the teens the opportunity to discuss! they felt more free to talk about their questions/ struggles/ desires in the small group setting. i am very grateful for each of these kids and feel honored to have the opportunity to share and grow our faith together.
our last evening small group study with the girls was so encouraging. i wish we could see them all together like that more often! please keep these kids in your prayers!
city life.
Friday night, we took our Bible study into the city of Florence. While switching buses with 25 teenagers was a bit courageous on our part, it at least provided us with a good laugh. we switched buses three times that evening in order to get from the center of Florence up to the hillside church where we wanted to have our devo. its very rare to encounter a ticket checker on the buses here in florence, but guess who met them on every bus that evening?! it was comical trying to show them all of our tickets and point out the 25 teens that were with us on a jam packed bus... but we did it! haha
once we finally reached the top of San Minato, we got out our songbooks and sang together. it was so peaceful singing, studying, and enjoying our time together.
The hillside church San Miniato, my favorite in all of Florence.
making our way back down into Florence. this time, we choose to go on foot :)
esmerelda and me and our delicious panini!
on the way back, we took the kids to a local panino place. the bottega has great fresh local meats and veges for your choosing and the best part, its anything you want for only 5 euro!
relaxing at the Villa.
After our morning studies on Saturday, we took sack lunches to the near by park to play soccer and walk around the lake. the only problem was that the soccer field was closed :( change of plans led us to the Harding university here in scandicci. some played basketball, some relaxed, some went for a walk, and some of us of course played ticket to ride ;) thank you harding for your hospitality!
Ariel and Gaia
Afterwards, we returned to the school and got cleaned up for dinner.
Enjoying each other's company.
The last night called for a BBQ!
Marina, Esmerelda, Jodi, and Cristina
Marina is our sister from Milano! She comes down from time to time to visit with us and we are always so happy when she does!
Dennis and Eric after the BBQ.
David leading the last Bible Study of the retreat.
The last evening is always the most p r e c i o u s of any event. wouldnt you agree?
after church camp, i had mixed emotions about the future for the youth in italy. it seemed very lukewarm, low energy, and just. . . . foggy. i am more than happy to say that those emotions are just that- emotions. teens need consistency. they need role models and brothers and sisters to encourage them. i mean dont we all to a certain extent? there was a lot of chaos that lead up to this retreat, and it was difficult to discern at the time if this was the work of the enemy, but now, 2 months later, i can say with certainty that it was.
what went on during this weekend retreat was sheer edification, fellowship, and much needed encouragement. the scripture isnt without cause when it says to "not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing." just as Jesus prayed in john 17, we must strive to be one, as He and the Father are one. this includes all of us doing our part to be available to one another. helping one another. being kind and gracious, willing to serve and seek out ways to support one another. the youth of today is growing up in a very sticky upside down society. im convinced we must strive to encourage them to seek and to study, if we dont teach them the love of Christ, the world will ( is already trying to ) teach them otherwise.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. " 1 Peter 2:9
Sunday morning Fabio led his first sermon. Excellent job Fabio!
please keep all of these teens in your prayers, especailly those who have yet to commit to Christ.
pray for us also to encourage to them and to lead by His loving example.
the guys . . . .
and the girls.
Thank you to all of you who are praying for this work! as always, we are beyond blessed to watch Christ work in the lives of so many around us as He simultaneously works in ours.
xoxo
E and J
ps. Avanti Italia is now on Instagram! we are happy for you to follow and catch a glimpse of daily life here at the Bible School.
@AVANTIITALIA
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For , “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And,“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. " Hebrews 10:19-39
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