On October 30, 2016 I arrived in Bergamo, Italy, unsure of what awaits me here. All I knew was that two individuals whom I first spoke to just a couple of days prior, would pick me up at the airport and allow me to stay at their place for some time until I find accommodation. I’ve never met them, they’ve never met me. From fb pictures, I thought she was tall, she thought I was short.
Their apartment wasn’t spacious, it was quite compact. Their hospitality was immeasurable, their actions matched their words, their love towards a stranger baffling. There are so many ways I want to say thank you and I know that each time I do, their response will be “niente”.
They’ve taught me a lot these 31 days – about an economy of grace – one that’s upside down and richer than the one we’re taught from life; about obedience and self denial as the facilitator of joy, about marriage and the richness of two becoming one, about loving with action and not just with words.
They’ve told me that I don’t need to thank them because for them, it is joy to serve me in this way. So instead of saying “thank you”, I’ve made a list of things that I am thankful for.
31 things I’m thankful for:
1. The grey couch – not only has this piece of furniture become my bed this past month, I loved seeing how much the couch has served many of your friends who visit and speak with you.
2. The table – it has fed not only me with delicious meals but over the month, I’ve seen numerous friends gather around this table to eat, drink, laugh, plan, and enjoy each other’s company. La vostra tavola – che ha nutrito con cibo delizioso me ma, di nuovo, anche molte altre persone che sanno di poter venire liberamente a sedersi e mangiare con voi
3. The washing machine – Enough said. I cannot thank you enough for letting me use it anytime, making me feel not like a visitor but a family member instead.
4. Cooking skills! I look forward to learning more from you in the future.
5. Organizational skills! Girl, mad kudos for how you can fit all that stuff in just a few storage compartments.
6. Your selfless love for each other – even though you have very different personalities and you may disagree on some things, you support one another. My prayer is that you keep falling in love with each other more and more each day. O vosso amor altruísta um pelo outro – embora possam ter personalidades diferentes ou entrem em desacordo algumas vezes, vocês se apoiam mutuamente.
7. Your selfless love for others – you choose to put others first even if it’s uncomfortable for you. O vosso amor altruísta pelos outros – vocês escolhem colocar o outro em primeiro lugar mesmo que seja desconfortável para vocês.
8. The enjoyment of ironing your clothes
9. Your obedience to God
10. Your joy from each other’s presence – I absolutely loved seeing you laugh, joke, and tease each other. La gioia che provate quando state insieme – è stato fantastico vedere il modo in cui ridevate e scherzavate l’uno con l’altro
11. Your knowledge of the Word and your hunger to know more of what it says.
12. Your ability to walk around the house at 7am as quietly as a mouse [or mice ;)]
13. Your love for mice – mice cake, mice corn, more mice.
14. The endless times you’ve driven me to places and chosen to come with me to view potential rooms
15. Picking me up from the airport
16. Literally adopting me – you have made me feel like we’ve been friends for 10 years since my first day at Bergamo
17. For hosting me and thus demonstrating God’s grace to me, my friends, my colleagues, and so many people you have never met! You loved me not just with words but with action and you have showed many what it looks like to be a follower, not just a spectator, of Christ
18. Bringing me pizza! You went for family dinner, came back to drop off a box of pizza, and then rejoined your family for dinner (my mind couldn’t comprehend)
19. Bringing me to church and introducing me to your second family – they have become my second family too. The third day, we went to Lucy’s and there, I was welcomed by a bunch of people (who were in no way related) gathered around a table to enjoy a meal together. Immediately, Acts 2 came alive for me – a bunch of people who shared everything they had.
20. The way you lead the church to focus less on traditions and more on Jesus
21. Your simplicity – you don’t act like you’re someone better, you act like yourselves. You goof around when you feel like it but you’re also not afraid to show your weaknesses and admit your needs.
22. Your respect for each other – you are faithful to her and she is faithful to you and you want others to know that.
23. Your open arms – you took in a complete stranger with no expectations from my end. You did it freely. You did what Jesus would have done. Le vostre braccia aperte nei miei confronti – avete accolto una completa sconosciuta senza aspettarvi nulla in cambio. Lo avete fatto in maniera naturale. Avete fatto quello che avrebbe fatto Gesù.
24. Your weirdness – you are both so special 😉
25. The wisdom God has given you to speak and encourage others
26. The voice God has given you to praise Him and Him alone
27. Each and every time you translated a sermon, a conversation, a phone call, a document for me
28. You let God use you to bless others – within one month, I’ve seen you lend your van and car. You’ve picked up people up, you e dropped them off. You’ve driven them where they needed to be.
29. The fact that Orlando has a job that he loves and that you, Fran, have the opportunity to go to school. He will strengthen you, and please holler anytime you need help!
30. Your love for God
31. La vostra simpatia – mi sono davvero goduta il tempo passato insieme a voi