Report from Italy

We arrived in Italy three weeks ago today.  The time seems to go quite fast.  We are still getting acquainted with the area we live in.  Driving is a whole other story.  I don't know if we will ever feel comfortable on the roads.  It takes both of us to drive, Bryan at the wheel, and I have to watch the WAZE app on the phone constantly.  Italy has round-abouts instead of stop lights in most cases.  As you go through the round-about you have to count the exits to know which one to take.  Sadly, we have taken the wrong exit at times.  We are learning and are feeling more comfortable getting around.

Yesterday we met with some partners at an organization called La Rotonda.  This organization helps immigrants, and others who need to learn  daily living skills.  There is a room with a number of sewing machines where qualified instructors teach men and women to make clothing and other items.  Those in need are given cards with points, indicating their needs, and allows them to "buy" food and supplies from a small store in La Rotonda.  It helps those in need feel like they are not asking for a handout, but learning how to purchase food and other items that are needed.  La Rotonda works with people from 81 countries and currently, approximately 300 individuals and families.  We will be helping this organization with housing for some immigrants. We are also helping two other organizations with food and hygiene kits for refugees and the poor.

A week ago today we were asked by the Mission President to take a package to two sisters in a city called Brescia.  Brescia is a city approximately an hour southeast of Alzano Lombardo where we live (a suburb of Bergamo).  We had quite the experience trying to park the car.  The parking spaces are tiny and you can't be over the line.  We had a big cement block behind us, so, to make a long story short, it took nearly 15 minutes to park the car.  We visited the sisters apartment, up on the third floor, which means 4th floor.  They are on bikes and must carry the bikes up and down the steep stairs when they go out.  They happily received the packages we brought them, which, by the way, were packages they were supposed to have at Christmas time.  They had a few minutes, so we took them to a pastry store that was supposed to be the best in Northern Italy and featured Calzones.  They were very good.  Worth the stop.  

Bryan and Becky With Sisters Hardy and Fisher and a lady who was kind enough to take our pictures.  She had her husband take the picture so she could stand with us.   2nd Picture:  Eating the Calzones!

We have received a number of calls from the Stakes and Wards wanting to assist the refugees coming from the Ukraine.  Right now, our leaders from Frankfurt are on top of what is happening.  Well meaning people are trying to give, but have no way to actually get the items to the refugees.  We were reminded from our leader in Frankfurt not to talk ill of the Russians, because most Russians did not want the invasion.  They are also suffering from what their government is doing.  We need to pray for all of the Ukranians and also the Russians who are in the conflict due to unrighteous leaders.  We need to remember that the Church is still planning to have a temple in Moscow, and we cannot be derogatory in our speech in public about Russia.  Also, we do not want good members from Russia to be bullied.  In the meantime, we are standing ready to assist where the needs can be met.

 

Bryan and Becky at Lecco Lake.  We have been assigned to attend Church in Lecco.  It is a beautiful part of the country  with Italian alps in the background, below.  It is close to the Swiss border.  We do baptisms in the Como Ward, because is has a baptismal font.  Como is even closer to the Swiss border.

Bryan and I are so grateful to be serving here in Italy.  The people have been so friendly.  They try to understand our English, and try to help us with our limited Italian.  The country is beautiful.  We have testimonies of the great work of Salvation, both among the living and the dead.  We love the Savior.  We know He is watching over all of his children.

We send our love,   Bryan and Becky