There are a lot of good things going on with this. First of all, we went around to several bakery's and asked if we could have the leftover bread at the end of the day to use to feed homeless people. Every one we went to was more than willing to help. Some said we could come every day if we wanted. Almost every time we have gone, they have given us a ton of bread and even some leftover pizzas and sandwiches. We used the bread from the bakeries to make sandwiches and have been going to help other volunteers hand out food to homeless people. It has been one of the most interesting experiences. There were so many people there. We handed food out and then stayed and talked with some of the people. It was really cool to see the other volunteers that we were helping and how they were interacting with the homeless people. They knew their names and about their families. They even knew what kind of sandwich each person liked and who could not eat meat and other small details about these people. Talking with the people has also struck up some interesting conversations. One night a homeless lady asked a volunteer why there are so many different churches and how do you really know what is truth. An Avanti workers told her that it was in the pages of the Bible and you had to have faith that it was truth. Ryan, an Avanti worker, has become friends with one of the homeless people. He and one of his friends has come to our Bible study some and to church one Sunday, which was very encouraging.
Preparing the sandwiches.
We have been telling our students about doing this and several of them were very excited about it so we have invited them to come with us. To help involve them in other ways have asked if on movie nights here at the Bible school they would bring a non-perishable food. Last week we had a huge bag full of food that students had brought to help out. Some of them even came to the Bible school just to bring the food even though they couldn't stay for the movie. One of the students came with us this past time that we fed the homeless people. It was great to have him there. It's crazy how serving can open so many doors and really bring people closer.
Another thing that we are working on is spending time at a local retirement home. We went the other day and all the residents and workers were so excited that we wanted to come and spend time with them. They have several different activities that they do that we are going to try and be a part of. It is within walking distance of the school so when we have free time we are going to try to go there. It also has been really good because some of us have taken our students with us. Our choir that we started this semester went and sang Christmas songs the other day.
We also had our Thanksgiving dinner with our students and their family members a few weeks ago. We asked them to bring food for the homeless as their "entry fee," which the students were more than happy to do. We collected a very large amount. There were about 70 people who came to the dinner so it was quite a big process to prepare all the food and decorations but it turned out great. The Italians loved the food, especially the pumpkin pies.
Last week was our last week of the semester to meet with students. Many Avanti workers are traveling. I recently had a friend from the States come visit which was a lot of fun. It was very encouraging to see someone from home. We traveled to Rome for two days and stayed with Marta (a girl from the Church there who I wrote about in an earlier post). It was great spending time with her. She is such an encouraging person to be around. She showed us around Rome and the hospital she works at. She told us stories about the homeless ministry there. We also got to meet the people that donate food to her. She has really built a good relationship with them. Marta is one of those people that just being around her makes you want to do something good. Something that matters. There is something unexplainable about her and the goodness she has. You can see the Spirit in her. People just love being around her.
Me, Mart, and Karis at the bar that donates food to Marta.
For Christmas Eve I went to the Pepperdine University directors house here in Florence. Christmas day I spent the day with some other Avanti workers. For New Years, I will be traveling to Albania with Ermenita. We are planning on spending time at the orphanage in her home town. On New Years, me, Ermenita and some of her friends are throwing a party for the kids there.
These past 4 months have been some of the most interesting, unique, challenging, and awesome experiences. I am thankful to have a bit of a break to process everything and to plan and prepare for next year. I am looking forward to having more students next semester and to having more time to spend with people since I will not have language school anymore.
Although I do miss home, I am thankful to have the opportunity to be here. I want to thank everyone again for your prayers and support. Thank you for your encouraging words and believing in this work. I hope everyone had a great Christmas!
