Camaraderie

Italians are notorious for going on strike, and I recently had my first encounter with this phenomenon! Going to Sveta's house before the Thursday night English lesson and Bible study at church has become a delightful weekly occurrence of tea and company, except, of course, when the bus drivers decide to go on strike. After waiting over 45 minutes on a bus that generally comes every 12 minutes, I learned from fellow would-be passengers that a strike had been declared for part of that day, which coincidentally was the day before Labor Day. At least Italians usually announce strikes in advance, which is helpful unless one misses the news! This week I was much more successful in arriving at Sveta's, and she brought a friend to our English study! The lady has a daughter about a year younger than Sveta's (who is 2-and-a-half) and is from Georgia (the country)!

Saturday night was our first English movie (and popcorn) night! We watched Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and introduced the American cultural marvel of coke floats during intermission. Only one English student, a young man who studies with David, was able to attend, so he got lots of English practice with four of us Americans, and we had an enjoyable time. Several of my students are interested in watching English movies but already had plans that night, so we will be having more parties in the future! We want the Bible School to not only be a place to study English/Bible but also to foster a sense of community and the building of friendships. Working outside in the yard so much has also provided ample opportunities to get to know our neighbors, such as the lady at whose request I trimmed our hedge (aka jungle) that was intruding upon her roses on the other side of the fence. Having neighbors who monitor our progress from their balconies is an interesting cultural experience!

Each day has a saint associated with it, and today is the day of the patron saint of Scandicci, San Zanobi, so the whole town has been celebrating. This afternoon a group from church played soccer! Several planned or random encounters throughout the last week with church members or students, outside their normal context, have been enjoyable ways to build rapport! I am so happy to be getting to know so many wonderful people, who are from over a half dozen different nations and have ended up in Florence for various reasons. Italians are usually in the minority at church on Sunday. Another neat aspect of being in Florence, and especially at the Bible School, is that so many visitors pass through. Though unfortunately they all have to leave eventually, meeting new people or seeing familiar faces has been very encouraging! A new group of HUF students arrives on Thursday. Last week Ermenita, Kyle (the HUF assistant), and I met to discuss ways to plan events incorporating the HUF students, Ermenita's friends from the University of Florence, and perhaps also some of my students or other people we know. My first trip to the University was that evening when we went to watch a new documentary about the history of Albania. Event planning (coordinating schedules and hoping people actually attend) can be somewhat complicated, but I am excited about the opportunities that abound and would appreciate your prayers for their successful actualization! Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me and my students and acquaintances! I am convinced that everything has been going so well here due to a combination of God's sheer awesomeness and the prayers of so many of you!