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August in Italy is a cultural phenomenon! Yes, the whole month. I had read about it before but had never witnessed the vacationing mentality to this intensity. Basically the entire country shuts down as everyone flees to the mountains or to the sea. Most businesses close for a minimum of two to three weeks, making running errands slightly complicated (as if it weren't already enough of an adventure). Here at the Bible School we have been using this time to do much-needed renovations. For example, we have reorganized the library, and in preparation for re-painting the classroom, we have been scraping off the old paint (that which hadn't already fallen off).

We have also been spending a lot of time with our friends who are in town and with Italian Christians who have been traveling to Florence. Last week it was almost like we had a Florence youth group :) Twice I have had dinner in the gardens of my English students and their extended families (some of whom are current and former workers at Harding's villa). Both evenings were delightful, traditional big Italian family gatherings, and they shared photos of their travels.

Two Sundays ago, we had a cookout at the Bible School for Florence church members and their families and friends. We had a delightful meal, the inaugural of our new backyard, and sang together. Also last week, I attended the birthday party of a little girl from camp who lives in the nearby town of Pistoia; she is just about the most adorable and animated girl I know! A new team of AIM (Adventures in Missions) workers has arrived in Prato, about half an hour away, and we have been enjoying getting to know them as well.

On Ferragosto, the gigantic national holiday on August 15 commemorating Mary's Assumption into Heaven, we hosted an American pancake breakfast at the Bible School, attended by Americans (including the AIM workers), Albanians (Ermenita and her roommates), and a token Italian. Not that we were celebrating the Assumption, but it seemed like a good day to congregate for pancakes and bacon.

Tomorrow the Avanti workers who will be joining us in the upcoming months will complete their two-week training session in Searcy! August 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday) is Florence's annual convegno di fine estate (end-of-summer retreat) held up at the Harding villa, with people also staying at the Bible School. In attendance will be almost 100 Christians from all over the country, and I am looking forward to seeing lots of people I know! A lot of preparation goes into this event, so please pray that all goes smoothly and that everyone has an enjoyable and spiritually encouraging time! Assuming that I get well in time (as some of you know, I've been quite sick the last few days), I will be helping with the younger children's class. If I have any exciting Italian hospital adventures when I go in for bloodwork Friday, I'll let you know.


the cookout in our backyard


Alexsandra's eighth birthday! (also pictured are the AIM workers)


with some friends in front of one of the castles associated with Dante