La Dolce Vida

July 26th, 2008

Hey friends, sorry about the lack of blogging, but like Tony mentioned, we had little internet access earlier in the week.  In addition, since we arrived in Poland two days ago we’ve been working (in a good way).  (By the way, Tony is the only reason we have been so blessed to communicate this incredible adventure to you guys, so yea Tony!). So I’m going to attempt to catch you up from July 20th until the 24^th.

As mentioned a few blogs ago, we sadly left Torino last Sunday and headed for a four day retreat with our team and some of our new family from Il Rifugio (Paul, Kristen, Nikki, Anthony, Siena, and Sammy).  This time was just to rest and bond with God and each other; each night we had a different message given by someone on the team.  God used the time to wash us with his truth and refresh us.

Our first stop was Cinque Terre, unarguably the most beautiful place in the entire universe. It is a series of 5 villages literally built on terraces into the sides of mountains, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  It was humbling to be there because we felt so blessed to be in such an amazing place.  The full day we spent there we slept in, went on hikes from village to village, swam in the Mediterranean, shopped, and ate dinner together.  That evening Tony taught us on John 15 and the importance of remaining in him.  It was an awesome time to reflect on the fact that this whole trip is God’s thing.  If we do not abide in and rely on Him, we can do nothing and nothing matters.

That night we sadly said goodbye to Kristen, Nikki, and Anthony; the next day we sadly said goodbye Cinque Terre. I thank God that heaven will look like that, and that heaven will allow for eternity to spend time with our international family.

From there we caught a train to hop on a sketchy bus to Rome.  The 4 hour bus ride was more like 6, but we made it!  After checking into our hostel (that’s an experience in itself), we walked to the Coliseum where we toured the amphitheatre along with the Palatine hill and the Roman Forum.   Thus began our whirlwind tour that was Rome.  Rome is more like an all-encompassing European city; it didn’t seem too Italian after Torino, Genova, and Cinque Terre.  It was so big, hot, crowded, touristy, and saturated with history that it was a little overwhelming.  I’m saying all this because I want you to picture in your mind 30 on-fire Christian missionaries just coming off a fruitful week of evangelism and 2 days of rest, being disoriented and thrust into a foreign urban smorgasbord of lights and cathedrals, tour guides and tourists, information and heat.  It should be a funny image.

Highlights of our Roman adventure include hearing Zach share about suffering for the gospel while we sat beside the Coliseum; listening to Paul Meiberger speak on his life verses; and being reminded that a once powerful kingdom has since fallen.  But the kingdom we’re building will last forever.  Rome is an amazing city.  But there are several things that stuck us, after taking in the Vatican and hundreds of Cathedrals.  One is that, for a city soaked in art and architecture that was originally intended for Jesus, it seems rather empty.  Another random thought is just how brutal humanity can be.  The coliseum, as well as the Emperor’s ancient sports arena and the Circus Maximus, were all centered on murder for sport.  In one week, we’ve experienced the best and worst of the world.  Looking back, this was probably good preparation for going to Poland.

Thursday morning we left for Poland, sadly saying goodbye to Paul Meiberger.  Then it was off to the airport to catch a plane to Germany, to catch a plane to Poland, to catch a bus to our hotel.  We couldn’t wait to roll up our sleeves and spread some more salt on this world.

KIM thats spelled K, I, M.

Entry Filed under: Daily Entries, Updates