These past two Sundays, our church has been blessed to have a couple visiting from Canada, who previously lived in Houston, are originally from El Salvador, and were on vacation in Italy. When they arrived, they met Begonia, who is from Peru and just so happens to have a cousin in Canada (not one of the smaller countries in the world). She mentioned this, and the man knew who her cousin was before she even told him her name, as they attend the same congregation!
The second Sunday that the El Salvadorian-Canadians were in town, a retired Italian couple from church, who always invites a group over for Sunday lunch, extended their hospitality to these visitors, Begonia, another church member from Colombia, and me. Everyone but the hosts spoke Spanish, everyone but the two out-of-town guests spoke Italian, and almost half of us spoke English. We had a delightful meal, and it was incredible to think of how God had brought us all to the same table from so many different countries, and with such an improbable story of a mutual cousin/friend living far away from her homeland!
Additional highlights from the past two weeks:
-In another episode of "it's-a-small-world-after-all," one Friday afternoon while waiting at an unusual bus stop, I saw three teens from last summer's camp who live in Aprilia (six hours away, near Rome) and were in town on a school field trip!
- I attended the birthday party of a now-seven-year-old boy from church! I have learned that when I leave my house Sunday morning (or even Saturday), I never know at what hour I will return home, nor what delightful fellowship may transpire in the intervening hours. On this particular Sunday, I found out about the birthday celebration after church, went home with the family for lunch, and then helped with party preparations: I was entrusted with the task of making all the finger sandwiches. Eighty-eight of them. Eventually assorted cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends arrived to consume the goodies. With such a gathering of amusing little children and extended family, hilarious moments were inevitably numerous. After these festivities, I went to a Chinese restaurant and the theatre with a family from church, their German exchange student, and their daughter's Chinese classmate.
- I have now been inside the Olympic Theatre located right next to my apartment! This Sunday, due to an annual race/walk, all cars were prohibited from entering town. In an effort to encourage people to still get out and about, all museums were free!
- I am delighted to report that Italian children appreciate Dr. Seuss! Or at least the ones in my class listened with rapt attention to the jovial rhymes and tongue-twisters. Hence the title of this post, a quote from The Foot Book. Next up: One fish two fish red fish blue fish! Here are photos from the last two weeks of English class:
The four friends lowering a paralytic through the roof so that Jesus can heal him (Mark 2)
Even the wind and the waves obey Jesus! Jesus calms a storm (Mark 4)
Wow, you sound busy! It's good that you have an expectant attitude about Sundays, not knowing what it will bring or when you'll be back. I think I am way too much into my own agenda and schedule! God bless you!
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