Gospel Hope Centre is closed, just like most things in the world! In Sicily we have had schools closed since 24th February, and since then we have been in various stages of "Lockdown". Now into week 3 of STAY AT HOME lockdown and missing outdoor exercise & walking which ceased 2 weeks ago!!!
March kicked off with a visit from NZ by Pastor Russell & Liz.
Daily we were busy fitting in sightseeing, exploring, eating Italian food and then each afternoon we headed to Gospel Hope Centre. It was great to show them around, for them to see the Centre and how daily life here in Palermo is. It was fun, encouraging and at times Russell felt totally out of his "comfort zone" with sharing & discussing things with the Refugees and Muslim visitors in an entirely different context than he was used to! Hadim, Mama, Soulymane, Gift & Precious really enjoyed daily one on one conversations with Russ & Liz, and their encouragement & prayers. One day we had 20 new visitors to the Centre and we were exhausted - they totally depleted all food from the cupboard so that required a trip to the supermarket! It was an encouraging week for us - they were able to depart for Greece 2 days before all flights stopped at Palermo airport - Im not sure who was more thankful - LOL!!!
Thankful for new Opportunities
When we were still allowed to walk, with our certificate for the reason we were outside the house, we found a new opportunity - meals for the homeless, we delivered an evening meal to 8 men for one week - they were so grateful. On the last day we were out, no one was around, the police stopped us and in English said "GO HOME" they didnt look at the certificate ... JUST GO HOME ... which we can assure you we did very quickly. Apparently there is a €200 fine each or 3 months imprisonment with a criminal conviction, so we were grateful for the GO HOME warning!
How Life & Ministry has changed dramatically with a world pandemic!
As a city goes into Lockdown, our local favourite cafe, pizza & chicken shops close the doors
Queuing everywhere becomes the norm ... no longer can you just "pop in" to the supermarket!
SO thankful in this ever changing world we live in, we can be sure & secure in the knowledge that Jesus Christ never changes ....
Foodbags - Groceries Needed URGENTLY !!
We are getting messages everday for HELP with food from our regulars. Deane goes & meets people at the centre and hands out shopping bags of food
We have starting stocking our spare room with bags of African rice, 2 minute noodles, pasta, oil, canned tomatoes toothpaste, soap, toilet paper (small amounts) salt, biscuits and teabags, so when people call we can meet & deliver without opening the Centre
We thought there was a great need before COVID-19 and the lockdown hit Italy but to be honest, once the lockdown is over the need will be huge & even greater .... one source of income for the refugees is "car parking" they help people park cars, even tho its not really needed, they can get €1 a time, they can make resonable money in a day ... of course now there are no people, no cars, no money so no food.
Can you help - Would You Donate For 1 bag of Groceries €10 = nz$20
please email us for details - graingers5@gmail.com
Remember Mama .... After 3 days of not being able to get food to him because of Police & lockdown, we got a phone message. He was upset & desperate, he had returned to his bed (in the corner of a construction site) the owner had been & removed his belongings (thrown them away) All he had was the clothes he was wearing & his documents. We were able to meet him, give him food and arrange a bed for 10 days at a local hostel ... please pray for him, his heart is soft but he is lonely & confused. Please pray for him, like many his appointment on 25 March for new residency has been cancelled!
Italian Language Lessons
We are missing school, the interaction with students & teachers. Two days before the lockdown we ordered a book of Italian lessons - to be honest its not very motivating sitting at the table doing it, especially when you cant go out and practise. Laura, our teacher says we might start school after Easter .... but we are not very hopeful that will happen!
When not even a padlock guarantees safety!
Stocked up on Deane's Favourite
Still our favourite place in all of Palermo - Mondello Beach - Peaceful, Tranquil & Relaxing - not allowed on the motorbike
