Though in years past this has been a regional event, due to the reconstruction work being done on the church building, this year it was held just for the ladies of the Milan congregation, in a member's home. At least seven countries were represented among the thirteen of us! Jessica and I had fun speaking Spanish with the two Latin Americans. The missionary lady spoke about the juxtaposition of reality and truth, the difference between the way we often see ourselves and the way God sees us, and how it is important to adjust our perspective and take hold of all God's promises to us. It was a lovely day of study and fellowship, and I'm so glad I got to participate!
truth vs. reality
paper bag garment = the old life, or how we view our reality from a worldly perspective
silver = garment of salvation (Isaiah 61:10) and how God sees us
At the end of May was Vicenza's sixth annual Bible Festival, organized by the Catholic church. The Vicenza Church of Christ has participated in years past by bringing in various choral groups, and this year they gave us a room for a speaker. With the theme of Hospitality in Scripture, these four days included conferences, displays, concerts, and lots of visitors (and nuns!). Dr. Earl Lavender from Lipscomb University spoke about Hospitality in the Early Church one evening as part of the festival, and he also had a conference on I Corinthians at our church building while he was in town. Two of my English students came to this conference, and another one came to the Bible Festival, where Dr. Lavender spoke to a packed house. His inspiring message challenged us to view hospitality not as an action but a way of life. We were grateful for the opportunity to take part in the festival, preach a good message to a wider audience, and let them know about the presence of our congregation.
publicity for the Bible Festival was all over town
Dr. Lavender speaking on Hospitality in the Early ChurchI have another new English student who comes twice a week, the nine-year-old son of my Sri Lankan students. He attends an international school where half the courses are taught in English, so he already speaks quite well. In addition to the language learning, his parents feel they have a responsibility to instill values in him and so are glad for him to be studying the Bible as well.
Other highlights since my last post: I have...
-seen a play featuring a lady from church and two other mothers of my English class kids; it was an end-of-course performance for their acting class.
-met several former northeastern Italy missionaries and their friends and family, who were passing through town.
-dined at a pizzeria with one of my English students.
-taken my children's English class on an outing to the park.
-brought five loaves and two fish (literally) to English class.
-helped my kids practice their colors and numbers with woman-at-the-well bingo, the game card being a "well" they built of colored/numbered "stones."
-beautified the bulletin board in my classroom.
-sent my Sunday School class on an Easter egg hunt to find the phrases to the beginning of one of David's psalms, as we studied how he was hiding from Saul.
-become a familiar face to the girls at the bread store next to my house, as we now greet each other even when I pass by and don't make a purchase.
-when picking up Jessica in Venice, met up with another Harding friend and his friend, who were traveling around Italy. Thus I was in Venice one day and Milan the next; despite living relatively close to these two cities, it was my first time in over three years to go to either of them!
-seen a play featuring a lady from church and two other mothers of my English class kids; it was an end-of-course performance for their acting class.
-met several former northeastern Italy missionaries and their friends and family, who were passing through town.
-dined at a pizzeria with one of my English students.
-taken my children's English class on an outing to the park.
-brought five loaves and two fish (literally) to English class.
-helped my kids practice their colors and numbers with woman-at-the-well bingo, the game card being a "well" they built of colored/numbered "stones."
-beautified the bulletin board in my classroom.
-sent my Sunday School class on an Easter egg hunt to find the phrases to the beginning of one of David's psalms, as we studied how he was hiding from Saul.
-become a familiar face to the girls at the bread store next to my house, as we now greet each other even when I pass by and don't make a purchase.
-when picking up Jessica in Venice, met up with another Harding friend and his friend, who were traveling around Italy. Thus I was in Venice one day and Milan the next; despite living relatively close to these two cities, it was my first time in over three years to go to either of them!
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge."
Jessica and I in Venice 
Jessica and I in front of Milan's Duomo
Glad you got to spend time with your friend and I'm so impressed with your visual aids!
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