April 22-May 2, 2022

                                                   Becky & Bryan, in Torino (Turin), Italy, 4.25.22

On Saturday April 23, we had the opportunity to take  two Sisters who work in the Lecco ward, to an area of the ward that they have difficulty getting to, because of long distances.  Sisters Baker and Schow have a huge area to cover, including some cities at least 2 hours north and east of Lecco.  We took the sisters to Sondrio, visiting several members and having lunch with a young Bolivian family.  We traveled east from Sondrio to a members home high in the mountains.  After many hairpin turns and near misses with other cars, we arrived at the home only to find the member was in Sondrio where we had been.  We returned down off the mountain and headed east to Tirano, right on the Swiss border, where another member lives.  He is 82 years old, has been a member of the Church for over 60 years, lives alone and manages to walk to the train station every Sunday to take the two hour train trip to Lecco, where our Church is located.  The faith of these Saints who live so far from other members of the Church is a testimony of their love of the Savior and His restored Church.  These members we visited were so happy to have us see their homes and to take time to visit them  It was a blessing to us as much as to them.  Northern Italy is so beautiful.  We are grateful to be here

 

Left: Becky, with Sisters Baker & Schow, & the Vasquez     Right: Small village atop the mountains near the Swiss        family, from Bolivia, in Sondrio, Italy,  4.23.22               border, on an extremely winding and steep road. 4/23.22

On Monday, April 25, we left around 11 to go to Torino (Turin) where we had meetings set up for Tuesday and Wednesday.  We arrived in time to walk to the center of the city where the large square, castle and cathedral are.  We saw an old Roman gate that dates back to at least 69 AD.  So much history.  A camera does not do the beauty of the city justice.

 

   Left: Roman wall, with statue of Cesar Augustus, in Torino.  Right: Roman wall, clock tower, & Duomo, in Torino.                                                                                      Taken 4.25.22    

On Tuesday we traveled to Ventimiglia where we met with an organization that helps immediate needs of refugees who try to cross into France and then move north to England or Germany or some other country who is more welcoming to immigrants.  The French do not like the refugees crossing into their country and try to capture them and return them to Italy as quickly as possible.  We were told by one of the organizations that we met with that the French police will cut the shoes and clothing of the refugees so that they cannot return again. As a side note, Latter Day Saint Charities partners with an organization that helps to give the refugees sleeping bags, shoes, hygiene kits and other resources to help the immigrants on their way.  The refugees try three different ways to cross over the border.  They will get on the top of the trains and try to dodge the police when the trains stop.  This is dangerous as several refugees are electrocuted on the trains doing this type of escape.  Another way is to walk across the border and try to dodge the police, and third, to climb the steep mountain made of granite stone.  It is the same mountain the Jews used to cross to escape the Nazis in WWII.  It is called the Death Pass.  Many fall to their death or are found dead on the trail as it is so strenuous.  Needless to say it was very humbling to be at the border and learn about the different escape routes.  We also were taken to a large bridge where the refugees live beneath it while waiting to make their escape.  Food is offered to them in the mornings by an organization, several miles away, and at night, another organization brings food for them to eat.  Water is limited, waste is all over the place, but it is the best shelter they have in preparing for their escape.  These immigrants are usually from Africa and have had a long hard journey through Italy.  

              Becky, Bryan, & Barbara Spezini, at Colori Vivi in Torino.  Latter Day Saint Charities donated                                       sewing machines to Colori Vivi, who trains refugees to sew fine clothes, providing both                                                                      job skills, long term solutions, and hope to the refugees served.  

The next day, Wednesday the 27th, we were back in Torino where we picked up the sister missionaries to go with us to an organization called, Colori Vivi, or Articulo 10.  This organization teaches refugee women and some men to sew.  They stay and work there for about a year, then look for permanent work.  It is an amazing organization.  The leader, Barbara Spezini, sacrifices greatly to help the refugees in learning a trade.  She has dedicated her life to helping people who want to provide for themselves.  Again, words can't describe what we saw and felt as we visited with this great woman and her organization.

We are grateful to be serving here in Italy.  It is life changing.  It is testimony building.  

Images.  That is the title I would probably use if I were writing a story or segment for my life history.  The last 2 weeks we saw many beautiful and wonderful images—

Becky, in Ventimiglia, on the French Border, with Monaco in the background. Taken 4.26.22

1) Mountains and steep hillsides in northern Italy near Sondrio and Tirano, on the Swiss border; 2) the Liguria area of Italy and the seaside villages alongside the Ligurian sea; 3) the French border and beautiful views of Monaco at the seashore; and 4) the beautiful mountains in the Piedmont valley of northern Italy. 

But some images in those same areas are perhaps even more poignant and even more memorable in the last 2 weeks, and include:

                  Refugees under "the Bridge" in Ventimiglia, waiting to enter France, while enroute to

                                              England, Germany, or other destinations. Taken 4.26.22  

·       The stunning images of 100-150 African refugees we saw camped each day under “The Bridge” (an underpass) in Ventimiglia.  They sleep on tarps or on the dirt.  They have no water to drink, no toilets.  They wait there for a day or two after arriving from Sicily, preceded by a 3-day voyage on crammed boats sailing from Libya.  They prepare to continue their journey, towards England or Germany.  But unlike Italy, France rejects and arrests the refugees, and pushes them back to Italy, if caught. 

·       Images of discouraged refugees walking back up the hill to Ventimiglia, the town on the Italian side of the French border, at the same place we viewed the beautiful coast line and city of Monaco.  These refugees from Africa are “pushed back,” at least 50 per day, after being arrested, and kept overnight in the French jail on the border.  Staff from the organization Diaconia Valdese, who accompanied us, told us of 2 refugees who were electrocuted this month, as they were trying to hide atop trains while entering France, to avoid being discovered by the French police.  Another 3 were killed crossing the street, while fleeing from the French police.  And as we were walking with Simone, a director of Diaconia Valdese, he received a phone call about a Nigerian who had drowned that day as he fell from the boat, and he could not swim. 

The "Death Pass" in Ventimiglia, Italy, where refugees may try to pass into France,

and where Jews similarly tried to leave Italy and escape from the Nazis in WW II

·      The image of the “Death Pass,” rising abruptly above the road at the border of Italy/France at Ventimiglia.  Refugees trying to continue into France without being turned back by the French border guard often try to cross using this dangerous and rugged “Death Pass.”  Some fall to their death, or are shot at by the French police. It is the same Death Pass used by Jews during WW II, who tried to escape Italy as they fled from the Nazis. 

·        The image of refugees waiting for food and with no belongings, yet still smiling and happy to greet us.  We took the time to talk with some of them, shake their hands, and to let them know there is hope, that we love them, and that God loves them.

            Becky, Bryan, & Cesare Salanitro, who travels 2+ hours to church each Sunday, from his                                                        small apartment on the Swiss border, to our ward in Lecco. Taken 4.23.22 

·       The image of Cesare Salanitro, an 82-yr. old man that we visited in Tirano, on the Swiss border, who lives alone in a very small and simple apartment.  Cesare walks to the train station very early every Sunday morning, then travels 2 hours by train to attend Church in our ward in Lecco, and never missing a Sunday’s attendance

These are some of the potent images that are burned into my mind, and are life changing experiences.  Yes, so much of the world and of life is marvelously beautiful.  It is good to note those images, and enjoy them over and over again, and store them in our minds and computers.  But the other images, often occurring at or near the same places, are also ones to hold dear, and remember forever.  I hope that our children, grandchildren, and friends can read of these things and form a mental image, which may touch their lives as well.

 

 New Refugee Members from Ukraine in our Ward:

                Becky & Bryan, with Natalia, & her daughter Skilar, who are refugees from Ukraine. They                                     attend our ward in Lecco, as does another women from Ukraine and her daughter. Taken 5.1.22

Both of these women and their daughters had no other clothes other than what they were wearing when they fled from Ukraine.  Normally, most ward’s members would flood them with help, including clothes, food, and offers for help.  Since our congregation are also refugees, but from Nigeria, they are generally more poor than the 2 sisters and their daughters.  We are hoping to give them some help this week.  A couple coming to Italy this week who contacted us out of the blue, and whom we don’t know, told us they want to donate some clothes.   Also, fast offerings may help.  We have become friends with these 2 wonderful young mothers.  I asked both of the women, Natalia and Ohlia, to say the opening and closing prayers in church last Sunday, which they did.  It was touching as they asked for the Lord’s help for their husbands and other loved ones still in Ukraine.