Last Post from Italia

Ciao Italia! I cannot believe my trip is already over. Well, almost over... Three days in London and then I'll be on my way back to America. Oh yeah... Mom, I'm going to London :) I just thought I'd let you know.

I'll post my final thoughts later when I'm in London. It's 11:17 and I have to leave in a few hours for the airport. I'd like to sleep :)

I hate goodbyes

What do you mean I have to leave? I just got here!

Although some days seemed like they'd never end, the past few months have gone too fast. I'm leaving behind some friends that I may never see again in this life or the next. I hate goodbyes, but not saying them would be even worse.

I went over to Anna Maria and Alfredo's house and said goodbye. Then I met Vicky before class and we hung out a bit. Then I said goodbye to my teacher, Roberta. Then I had to tell Vicky goodbye. I'm not even gone yet, and I have to tell all these people goodbye. Lord willing, I'll come back in the future to visit.

It's been a bittersweet journey. I have so many reasons to stay and so many reasons to leave. *sigh*

Mi dispiace.

Nothing Compares

Florence is pretty and all, but nothing compares to being able to talk to an unbeliever about Christ. Saturday and today were so much better than Monday. Before I left class tonight I gave my teacher a novella about the difference between Catholic churches and Baptist churches. She was thanking me and saying how it was nice. I pray she'll read it and have questions, but I pray even more that I'll be able to answer those questions! As usual, Vinny and I walked to my bus stop. I asked him if he read the "thing" (like he'd understand the word tract...) I gave him. He said a little bit and was about to explain when I said "eh piano, piano." Then he asked me "how do you get to heaven." Praise God! I explained to him slowly and with simple words. He is hung up on the fact that we are all sinners. Hinduism teaches that the sinners compose 70% of the population. The other 30% don't sin (according to Hinduism). He couldn't grasp the thought that one who believes in God is still a sinner. I am so happy, glad, thankful, ecstatic... that I got to talk to him about Christ again. Words can't explain this feeling. If that wasn't enough to make my day, Vinny asked me if he could email me religious questions after I go back to America. Mi piace! I am hoping to be able to meet with Vinny one more time before language class on Thursday. I'd love to be able to share the Gospel with him one more time before I go.

Ultima Dominica

I couldn't help but feel somewhat saddened this morning knowing this way my last Sunday in Terni. I sat in the service torn between listening and praying for the unsaved people listening. I was given a handout like usual and knew the topic was salvation, so for most of the time I was just praying. To my right I could see Lorella listening, and my heart ached for her. To my left I could see Giovanna was bored as usual, and my heart ached even more. I've been here three months; I can't imagine how the Bloyds must feel.

Forget me not

I will never forget today. My day started out going to Spoleto where I met the only Christian in that town. The Bloyds and I walked around the town, and then we ate in the restaurant of the Christian lady. After eating an amazing lunch, we went back to Terni. I was dropped off downtown. From there I walked to meet Vinny. We headed for the bus stop to go to the Waterfall. At first he wanted to go to a church. I asked why. He said to pray. I told him I wasn't Catholic (again), and he was like oh you just want to go to the waterfall? I said yes. So we went and hung out. He didn't eat lunch cuz he thought we'd eat together. He wouldn't eat by himself, so I ate a piece of pizza with him even though I was definitely not hungry. We started talking about God on the bus to the waterfall, and I tried to keep the conversation going through out the day. I was able to tell him the whole plan of salvation. I had him read a few verses, and I gave him a tract. He promised he'd read it. I pray he does. It's hard when Vinny doesn't speak fluent English or Italian and I don't speak Italian fluently... Vinny understands English when he reads it (for the most part).

I want to bring Vinny back to America with me to teach the guys how to act. I asked Vinny to do something with me, but he still bought me pizza, water, coffee, a bus ticket, and a necklace. He walked on the outside of the street, and he let me go first. Can we say chivalrous?

I would have loved to hang out with Vinny longer, but I had to go to dinner at the Bloyds' friends' house where I once again ate a ton. I've eaten so much today! I should fast for the next week, not just because I ate too much but for Vinny. He promised to email me, and I promised to email him. Praise God for open windows! I'll take what I can get.

I gotta "date"

Well, Vinny emailed me, but he never asked his question. He did however say that he'd talk to me at school about lunch. (I invited him to church and to a fellowship after church. I taught him the word "fellowship" too!) Well, I was walking downtown towards my school, and I saw him talking with some friends, so I went over and said hi. Then we both started walking to school, and we started talking about Sunday. He works nights, so he doesn't want to do anything Sunday, but he does want to do something Saturday when he's not working. I pray everything works out.

Nothing much as really happened lately. I've taken two midterms, and I got A's on both of them. I have another midterm for History tomorrow. Oh yeah, I went to Rome on Monday, and I had a blast. I went inside St. Peter's, checked out the Coliseum at dusk (I wanted to go at night but the train left before it got totally dark. Blasted daylight savings lol), and I went shopping :) I didn't buy anything until 5 minutes before I headed back to the Train Terminal. Those street peddlers really know how to sell their stuff. I did talk him down however. It reminded me of China :'( I miss China, especially the Sweet'n'sour chicken.

St. Peter's was incredibly depressing, so many people praying to the dead...

Ho Capito Adesso!

Now I understand! Tonight I got to talk to Vinny. I found out in India "Vicky" is a nickname for "Vinod." Hence why Vinny told me his name was Vicky. I told him in America Vicky is a girl's name, which is why I call him Vinny. Anyways, Vinny gave me a gift! How sweet is he? I had an tract in English to give to him, but my purse is a bottomless pit. He asked what I was looking for so I told him. I started to tell him more, but he asked me if I crossed myself when I pray like the Catholics do. I said no. He also asked me to sing him another song, but I told him I sang in church on Sunday, so he forgot about me singing. He said he had another question for me, but he didn't know how to say it. Then the blasted bus came. Before I got on I told him to email me the question. I pray he does, and I pray it's a good question! One that leads into conversations about God and salvation. I'm so glad Vinny asked for my email; now if he'd only write me.

God knows that if the only reason I was in Italy this semester was so an Indian man could hear about the Gospel... it was worth it all. The "suffering" isn't even worthy of being called "suffering."