We have been in Italy for 8 months now and time has gone both fast and slow. Fast in the sense that life happens and weeks pass by quickly. Slow in that life feels different because we receive few items in the mail (and no junk mail, yea!), there is one channel on TV in English plus streaming options from the Internet, and we understand only little Italian as we go out in public. We have also chosen to have one car so that limits commitments. I love the slowness here—it fits my personality!
It's interesting too, living in a small expat community. We are so blessed to work with outstanding, spiritually and socially mature people. The like-mindedness we all have for ministry and choosing this life (for a time) really bonds us together. It is also like living in a very tiny town. That part takes some getting used to. I certainly value my anonymity and that doesn’t come as easy over here.
As we (the boys and I) talk to random refugees who are often begging near grocery stores, it is neat to see their eyes light up that someone took notice of them. It's difficult too. They have survived a horrendous boat experience from Libya trying for a better life in Italy and after they arrive, life sometimes gets harder. It usually takes 1-2 years to get the needed paper work to get a job but jobs are so scarce here. If they do get a job, the employer often takes advantage of their situation by not paying them. Sometimes these guys lose all hope and end up living homeless in the streets.
But then you meet guys who are open and ready to study the Bible. They are excited to go out and share the stories from the Bible they are learning with those who haven't heard yet.
Life here is like that: always a mix of good and hard, encouraging and discouraging, meaningful and having feelings of "can this refugee situation ever change for the good"?
Then I thank the Lord I am not in charge. All I am asked to do is be obedient to do the next thing in front of me. Whether that is to listen to how our sons built their latest Lego creation or to pray for the refugees I have met. Or even answer the door in our apartment building knowing it's the neighbor I feel like I see a little too often for my liking! (I don't always answer the door!)
Am I glad I am here? You bet! Wouldn't trade it for the world. Being a part of reaching the unreached—being a part of God's plan for the world to hear—it's all worth it and dare I say, even better than having a Starbucks nearby. For me, that is saying something!