Arrived

We walked to church this morning glistening profusely from our walk- I was the only one used to the muggy bubble that causes you to sweat just cause your breathing. We walked down the back roads to a typical Calvary Chapel Building- a warehouse. Looking at the front door you would never guess that people gather here twice a week to worship their Lord. It has been about 6 days since I arrived here in Montebelluna, Italy. So far- it is nothing like I thought it would be! If any of you know- CCBC is known for trying to cram as many girls as possible in one bathroom. So to walk into our apartment and have 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and tons of living space (we have a roof that is open to our apartment we call the “Terrace”) its more room than I could ever have guessed! The Lord has provided every step along the way thus far- from years of me suffering with stomach issues and coming here and be able to eat Pizza and Pasta with no side effects (There are such things as miracles!) and then trying to adjust to all the changes. As I sat in church this morning, the whole service was in full Italian, so I could hardly understand any of it. But at the same time I absolutely loved it! As Americans I think we tend to think the world revolves around us. And I hate to break it to you if you haven’t come to this realization, but it doesn't- at all. And as I looked around today- seeing people I have never met, let alone thought ever existed until today, they were worshiping and loving the same God that I do. They were raising their hands, lifting their voices and praising God with their lives- just like anyone else back home. It was amazing to me to realize that even though I might not be able to understand the message, or to have a real conversation with them after the “Hello”s and “Ciao”s- one day I will. We are all living for the same Father and are all loved, saved and restored by our Lord Jesus.
As the days go by, the students arrive, and school gets started I pray the Lord uses all of us in mighty way. That we are brought together in that brotherly unity and all desire to stand on the common love of Jesus Christ. I pray our hearts are molded and shaped into the men and women God has called us to be, that we are all able to become broken and restored before His throne . In these next few months I am expecting to be taken out of my comfort zone- only to be brought closer to the Lord. Continue to pray for all of the students, interns, staff and Italians. That in all we do God’s name is glorified.

I miss yall and love yall!

P.S. I was sporting my FSU shirt on Saturday even though I was across the world. GO SEMINOLES!! :)
Pictures are up!! check the link to your right.