October 28, 2022

               Becky & Bryan, at Santa Maddalena in northern Italy, with the Dolomite Mtns., Sep. 16, 2022

October has flown by quickly.  We have made visits for Humanitarian projects in Tarvisio/Ugovizza, Como, and Milano.  The need for help with refugees never slows down.  On October 10-11 we visited with refugees from Ukraine at the Italian border near Slovenia and Austria, with an organization we have partnered with, Terre des Hommes (TDH). Because of increased bombings in Ukraine by Putin, refugees from Ukraine have increased once again.  At this one Welcome Center in Ugovizza, 1 or 2 busloads of refugees from Ukraine arrive daily, along with others who have traveled by car.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributed an additional 1150 hygiene kits to TDH for Ukrainian women and children refugees in late August.  Within one month, they had distributed over half of them to the Ukrainian refugees.  Those who received the kits were so grateful to have received such a humble gift, and expressed that it meant a lot.  

This week we met with a wonderful organization called Banco Solidarieta di Como.  This organization is comprised of all volunteers.  They feed 100-120 refugees from Ukraine each month, along with others in need.  We hope to help provide fresh fruits and vegetables for them, along with hygiene kits. One of their founders, Daniele, told us a moving story.  Several years ago, he was asked to hold the book (likely the Bible) for a priest, as he was reading his sermon.  It involved Jesus providing for the hungry who had heard his sermon, from 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread.  As the priest concluded, he said, "Go and do likewise."  The man said that he felt the priest was looking directly at him, and speaking directly to him, as he held the Bible for the priest.  He decided to do just that, and began efforts to feed the poor and those in need.  He got 3 other men to help him start, and since have added many, many others--all as volunteers.  Their logo, as shown in the picture below, is of 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread.  

               Left: Daniele, Sonia, & Paolo, at Banco Solidarieta, in Como.  Note logo above them.  10.25.22

              Right: Bryan, Becky & Marianne Occhiuto from ASCS, in Milan.  10.25.22

Another organization we have worked with is centered in Milan.  This organization, ASCS (Agenzia Scalabriniana Per la Coopperazione allo Sviluppo) serves refugees, helping with food, housing, psychological support for women,  language classes, and social integration into the community.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has contributed food to them for refugees from Ukraine since June.  Young Single Adults have also helped provide service.   

    

    Left: Becky, in Manarola, one of the "Cinque Terra" cities on the west coast of Italy, 7.15.22                                   Right:  Bryan, at  a center for the poor in Milan, a joint project with the Church and Progetta Arca, 7.20.22

Refugees and migrants often have many challenges and a hard path.  Their travel here from Africa, Ukraine, Pakistan, or elsewhere can be harrowing.  Legal documents from the government have to be in order in order to have a place to live, as well as to work.  This past week we were asked to help find housing for a family who came from Nigeria by way of Germany, then France.  To find a place to live is no easy matter.  One of the greatest challenges for refugees is a place to live.  All of the agencies we work with must follow the government regulations in order to help these good people seeking a better way of life.  So, to find housing for someone just coming into the country can be a very challenging task.

 

      Left: Becky & Bryan, in Isola Bella, at Lake Maggiore, 10.15.22

      Right:  Becky & Bryan, in Lugano, Switzerland (part of our mission), there to do apartment inspections, 8.11.22

We have found that it is a challenge to receive legal documents as well.  We started the process when we first arrived in Italy, going to the Post Office, filling out forms, and paying fees to get our "Permisso," which is required to stay in Italy.  We waited six months for the papers to be ready.  In August we went to the Questura in Bergamo for a 3 hour process, where we were fingerprinted, photographed, and did more paper work.  They then told us to come back in 2-3 weeks to pick up our completed Permisso cards.  After we picked them up, we realized that Becky's was only good until February (2023).  At that time, she would need to start the process all over again.  So, we went back to the Questura, stood in line again for a very long time, and showed them the mistake.  They were kind, but told us to come back, have her get fingerprinted again, and then it would be ready in another 2-3 weeks.  We went back this week to finally pick up the corrected Permisso, and after waiting for 1.5 hours, we were told it won't be ready for another month.  We will return in a month to hopefully get Becky's corrected card, so that she can remain in Italy until next August.  

  

The Seiser Alm, in northern Italy.  Taken 9.17.22, one day after the picture at the top of this blog post.  Note the

new snow (in September) from the night before. 

The beauty of Italy never ceases to amaze us.  We are grateful to be here, trying in some small way to assist refugees, the poor, and those in need. The generosity of the people we meet is amazing.  They have pure and loving hearts.  We are grateful to work alongside these great people.  We send our love and best wishes.

Bryan and Becky Gerritsen