Wow. It has been an insane few weeks. Here’s the short version. We came to Italy, ran nonstop ministry in high schools for 2 weeks, went on national television, formed lifelong friendships, left for debrief in Sorrento, and ended our first semester of Journey School. Half of our class went home, we said goodbye to 6 of our students for good, and I got to baptize 2 of my girls. What a journey!
Italy: how I love you. The Italian people understand how to live in a constant state of chaotic calm. Nothing is ever on time, everyone is always yelling, but the pace is slow, the time intentional, and it’s just beautiful to me. I really relate to it. Maybe it is because it feels like a seat at my family table. Loud, chaotic, but always filled with peace and love. As if that weren’t enough for me to love, always eating magnificent pastries, pastas and topped with an espresso does something good for the soul.
While we were in Isernia, my students got the opportunity to show the love of Jesus in the public high schools around the area. Every day, multiple classes a day, groups of my students were in different school buildings in their religious studies class talking about why they choose to follow Jesus. Guys, I sat in the back of some of these classes and nearly cried. I was so gosh dang proud of them. Public school is no joke. And while there were people who were interested, sometimes you got a class that wanted nothing to do with anything you said. The Italian students asked seriously difficult questions, and my students handled them like champs. They showed the love and mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. And they planted seeds.
At the end of each class, the kids would tell everyone about an event happening at the end of our time in Isernia. Come join us: for worship, for a talk, and discussion among your peers. I didn’t know it at the time, but I would be the one sharing at these events. Sharing my testimony, sharing how the love of God changed my life. What an awesome honor that was. I had Italian students coming up and asking me questions, thanking me for being bold even when it was scary. I got the opportunity to pray and strengthen the faith of others, to love on people hurting. Basically living out my best life.
I had been living with Rosa, who spoke less than zero English. We figured out a way to communicate: mostly me nodding, us laughing awkwardly at not understanding each other, her feeding me or doing my laundry and me giving her lots and lots of hugs. Even now, weeks after we left Isernia, she’s sending me Buona Domenica (happy Sunday) via WhatsApp.
Our ministry host Don Enzo is the coolest priest I’ve ever met. He loves the Holy Spirit so much- he even created a game to help parents explain the role of the Holy Spirit and His love for His people… a game that’s so amazing- we ended up being on National Television with Don Enzo promoting it! We were the studio audience, but we also got to talk about the program we implemented in the schools. One of our Italian students and class translators, Sophia, came on the show too. If she could’ve joined us in journey school for the spring she would have. But she got to speak for our class. Though my Italian is limited I went back and listened again later and was able to understand much of what she said. She spoke so well, so kindly, it was incredible.
I made a new friend, Michela(Micky) who basically determined we were best friends the moment we met. And when we visited the tv show, we also got to spend the day in Rome. I walked hand in hand with my new friend, speaking Italian and English as we laughed and enjoyed the sights.
This entire trip has seriously been such a blessing to me. I’m often up too late talking to students about something that matters: their heart, their spiritual growth, questions that need understanding and emotions that need untangling. (Thankfully I am in the land of espresso, and I have gratefully drank my double espresso straight from the Moka pot each morning) I just can’t believe God led me here. I feel like everything I love to do got smashed into one role and then it was handed to me on a silver platter. Come join us here at Journey school, Amanda. It was literally made for you.
Here in Sorrento, during our week of debrief, I felt so tired, I couldn’t see straight. Trying to connect to 27 students will do that to you!
Last Sunday, we sent them off. 6 to leave Journey School entirely, 11 to celebrate the holiday with their families and 10 stayed with me. But not before 2 of my girls asked me if I could baptize them. I can’t lie: I cried.
So we found the coolest grotto around, and in the cold and the rain we climbed down into this cave. And they washed away all their former life and stepped into the new creation. How many people can say that they’ve been baptized in crystal blue water in Sorrento!?! Come on!
The Christmas Crew as we’ve named ourselves, have had a super chill week. Exploring, resting, and figuring out rhythms with a smaller group. Non-negotiable is our 10am Bible study, led by one of our students each morning. Some might choose to take a bus and go into Sorrento. Some might choose to take a 4 hour nap to catch up on not sleeping… (who could that be!?!) but you’ll usually find us all piling into one of our beds to watch a movie at the end of the night.
Tomorrow, parents join us. It’s called Parent Vision Trip. Basically, my kids get to teach their parents what they’ve been learning and growing in. They’ll be doing worship and testimonies and even a bit of Ask the Lord in prayer walks throughout Italy. I’m so proud of these guys, and I know when their parents see them, they’re going to be amazed too. What a blessing and treasure they all are.
Some things you can be praying with me for. -My students. They’re nervous. Having your parents come in the middle of a transformational time is tough. They don’t know how they’ll respond, even if they’re excited to see them. So pray that students and parents navigate this change well.
-My laptop. I’ve nicknamed it Lazarus because I’m believing he will come back from the dead. I’ve had it since I was a senior in high school, so I knew the time would come- but this missionary really doesn’t want to buy a new laptop 😅
-Our time together before spring. I want these 10 kids to get so connected to each other. I’ve seen what powerful community can do for your life. I want that for them.
-And the new semester to be so amazing and even better than this one! God has already done so many incredible things, and I am believing that there is much more in store for the spring.
Thank you guys for loving me, for the encouragement you pour out and for the continued prayers.
God bless every one of you!
-Amanda
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