Home Articles There and Back Again - April 1, 2009

There and Back Again - April 1, 2009

Lindsay Walle
The conferences in the four cities went well and had a pretty good attendance! Since the Catania church is the largest in the area, a group of us went to the conferences in the other cities as well to provide encouragement. Sunday was the monthly agape (from the Greek word for "love"), or potluck. Potlucks here are all-day affairs complete with a first course of pasta, a second course, dessert, coffee, and lots of fellowship. In preparation for the agape, I spent Saturday with the family I stayed with on my mission trip last summer and learned how to make eggplant parmesan! Here are some pictures of the last three weeks in Catania:



"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. 'Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" ~James 4:13-15

While I had intended to spend two years in Catania, plans have changed. Kensey decided for a variety of good reasons to conclude her time with Avanti Italia, and my remaining as the only American girl working in Catania would not have been the safest situation. The transition happened so suddenly due to the issue of the apartment contract. Since this is a public blog, I am not posting more details about our decision, but please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to hear more about it. Though I am sad to leave that wonderful church, I truly believe that everything has worked out for the best considering the circumstances, and I learned so much in the process.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28

Thus I returned to Florence this week. While I contemplate the possibilities of going to work with another church and await the potential arrival of more workers with whom I could go, I am helping out here at the Bible School. This afternoon I called those on the waiting list to study English as well as Kensey's and Chad's former students from their time in Florence last fall, and I already have several appointments set up for next week! I have also been hearing a lot about volunteer opportunities in the community and ways to help out at church, so I am excited about the possibilities and hope to soon be in a weekly routine! Since I am the only Avanti worker currently in Florence, there is lots for me to do, and I am looking forward to serving however I can and planting seeds for whatever length of time I am here.