Carissimi! (Dear ones)
As I bring my time here in Italy to an end and prepare for heading to Uganda, I wanted to share a few final updates of our past few days here in Rome. What a blessing it has been to have had this opportunity to get a closer look at the ministry the Uthmann's are involved in. During my last update I shared with you Abel's story - the young Afghan man that Tim has been tutoring. Last Wednesday we had the blessing of seeing him again and enjoying a meal together after his weekly English lesson with Tim. As I listened in during their lesson time together, I overheard Tim explaining to Abel the different uses for the English word "form". To illustrate he quoted Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created (or formed) the heavens and the earth" --another opportunity to express faith and to allow the power of God's Word to speak.
Meals For Refugees
Thursday, Tanya (BS '00) and I went with Tim (BS '99) to help prepare and provide lunches for 250 of Rome's refugees. The Uthmann's support an additional ministry at one of the local churches here in Rome where they provide a mid day meal twice a week (on Thursdays and Fridays) to the area refugees. Of the 250 refugees served, half of them come from Afghanistan and the other from African countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, Sudan, Congo and the Ivory coast. Each plastic bag contained a large roll, two slices of bread, one piece of cheese, a can of tuna, a juice box and an orange. As I looked into their eyes greeting them with Ciao, Buongiorno, and Prego I offered a prayer of hope...Prayer that they would feel valued and cared for and in some small way a piece of dignity might be restored.
After a very late night resulting in a significant time of fellowship and connecting with the Uthmann's we woke up early this morning and headed out again with Tim to assist in the ministry he helps to oversee at Trastevere Baptist church where he and Rachel fellowship. As we chopped garlic and sliced ginger we enjoyed a special time of singing hymns and praying for the men that these meals would feed. The meal of rice and daal was selected in hope to remind them of home. As we passed out meals and engaged in conversation I learned of Hamid's story, a man just 6 months here in Italy who has come from the war torn area of Afghanistan where his family still remains. Having so very little himself, I was encouraged, to see such a grateful smile for the meal that we had prepared for him, perhaps the only he would receive today.
Worshipping In Italian
Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to enjoy an Italian worship service at Trastevere Baptist. In the evening we will participate in another outreach to the refugees at the local train station where we'll help serve tea and cookies. Please continue to pray for Tim and Rachel and this vital ministry to the refugee community here in Rome. Pray also for men like Hamid and others who are searching for safety, meaning, hope...a new life and that they would find all they need in Christ alone.
In addition to the ministry I have also enjoyed learning three different ways to say hello and fifteen different ways to flush a commode. Thanks again for your love and prayer and for continuing with me in this prayer journey.
A la prossima (until next time)
Michelle
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