Week #1 Never sure how the best laid plans will turn out!?! Sunday, Paul & Hadim got Wednesday mixed up with Thursday, so we regrouped and had a successful first session of Christianity Explored with 8 men, 2 women and 2 kids on Thursday night LOL! We served up dinner of Chicken, potatoes & chips! Everyone watched the video and listened as Deane walked them through the handbook and the first session titled "GOOD NEWS" Lots of discussions were had & questions asked.
Week #2 It was much easier to be relaxed and not so worried about the details and getting everything right this week. We had two new men come along and a couple from last week not return - please pray that the men that didnt come would continue to read through the CE handbook and the book of Mark . Things went really well and lots of interest in the second session on JESUS' IDENTITY. Lots of questions and discussions were had. We had organised this week for Rosemary to purchase & cook African dinner for us - this went down a treat and was SO YUM!
Thanks to JD & Annette Gilmore from Italian Ministries & LifeHope Its fair to say without the help of Jonathan "JD" there is no way our transition into life & mission in Palermo would have been so easy !!! Not one to sit still for too long ..... JD is always available to translate documents, make a phonecall, always on hand to drop & pick up things too big to carry, contacts galore who he loves to "connect" you with, great chauffeur back & forward to the shops in the early days when we were setting up the apartment.
We are so grateful for all JDs help and its great to have a young couple like us to hang out with over Pizza or amazing Sicilian food - thank you!!
Visit to the Countryside for Deane's birthday was SO quiet & refreshing!!!
MILAZZO Day Trip
Deane offered to drive some people from LifeHope Church to the beach at Milazzo for baptism of 3 people. A 2 1/2 hour drive but we were all greatly encouraged, it was a lovely place to visit, fun company.....good for learning Italian when no-one else in the car speaks English!!
This beach reminded us of the Napier foreshore & home in Hawke Bay! No togs so no swim!
Street Evangelism in Milazzo
Deane got to do some street evangelism - here with a group of 5 extremist young muslim men. As Deane was leaving this regufee camp he bumped into a couple of young guys from Nigeria & Cameroon. They were really interested in discussing Jesus & Christianity - after an hour chatting to us, they accepted Jesus into their hearts, then & there on the street :-)
Kiwi Visitors Such a lovely surprise to get an email from Hawkes Bay couple Kiran & Blair saying they were in Palermo for 2 days & lets do dinner! Great to hear of their adventures so far & travel plans going forward.
Sherilyn's niece from NZ, Paris, currently doing her OE & working in London, dropped in for a weeks Sicilian experience at the end of her latest adventure in Croatia/Slovenia.
Was great to hang out at home, visit GH Centre, a day at the beach at Capo Gallo and watch her trying & enjoying all the Sicilian cuisine!
Gospel Hope Food Bags
This month we have had some new people visit the centre. We have given away 12 food bags. Its great to see the genuine thankfulness & appreciation from many that have very little. Most Refugees eat only one meal a day so that they dont get dependent on more meals that they cant afford!
Italian Language Learning
Some days language learning seems manageable & simple .... other days its just makes no sense at all LOL!! eg: Piano - has 5 different meanings! Piano as a noun means “plan.” Piano when referring to buildings means "floor or storey" Piano as an adjective describes something "flat or smooth" Piano as an adverb means “gently, quietly & slowly.” Piano is a also a musical instrument.
