February 8, 2023

One of our projects we have been working on since November finally came to fruition.  An organization in Como, on the south side of Lake Como, called Banco Solidarietà di Como, helps Ukrainian refugees by providing food and essentials to them.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was able to partner with them in purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables for 4 months for the Ukrainians, to supplement the canned goods they receive.  We also assisted with hygiene kits, toilet paper, diapers, and school supplies for the Ukrainian children. On  January 26, 11 missionaries assisted in assembling the hygiene kits into bags, so that they can be distributed to the Ukrainian individuals over the next 4+ months.

                                Missionaries help with hygiene kits for refugees from Ukraine, in Como, 1.26.23

On Saturday, January 28, four Humanitarian Services leaders from Frankfurt and one from Salt Lake City came to Milan to visit some of the organizations with whom we are working.  We were able to visit the 3 organizations on Saturday. The first, La Rotonda, is preparing 10 apartments to house refugee families, with the refugees helping to pay their rent and commit to serving in the community where they live in Milan.  Another project we visited was Terre des Hommes, who help Ukrainian refugee children and women at the border in NW Italy.  They have a number of different services, some of which are: greeting the refugees as they enter the border in Ugovizza, just south of the Italy/Austrian border, providing medical help as needed, psychological counseling, Italian language classes, and hygiene kits.  We have helped with over 5,000 hygiene kits and Phrasebooks to Terre des Hommes in the past year. With funding from the Church, Terre des Hommes published Phrasebooks for both adults and children in Italian, English and Ukrainian, to help the Ukrainians communicate more easily in Italy.  The third organization we visited was Progetto Arca, who helps refugees and the poor.  We are assisting them by providing 150 mattresses and sturdy bed frames, that are fireproof and meet the standards issued by the government.  This project assists 150 women and children, most whom are from Africa, in the housing by Progetto Arca.  Support is also given by Progetto Arca with food, in helping the refugees learn Italian, get their documents in order, and receive counseling as needed.

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Left: At Progetto Arca, with a refugee family, where the Church is helping with housing, 1.28.23

Right: At Caritas Ambrosiana, where the Church helped with a kitchen to feed the poor and migrants, 1.29.23

                                                                            

On Sunday our 5 guests met us in Lecco to attend Church and meet the wonderful people we have come to love there.  Afterwards we visited an organization called Caritas Ambrosiana, with whom the Church partnered to renovate a building into a "House of Charity" in Lecco.  It will help 40-50 persons per night, many homeless or refugees, with overnight housing and food.  The kitchen, with stoves, refrigerators, dishwasher, prep tables, and plumbing was funded by the Church. Caritas Ambrosiana provides breakfast and dinner for about 90 persons per meal for those in need, as well as other helpful services, including medical care, clothing, and counseling.

   

                                       Left: Bryan & Becky, in Lecco, at Lake Como, 1.29.23                                                 

           Right: Bryan & Becky, in Lecco, at Lake Como, with Humanitarian Leaders from Frankfurt, 1.29.23

That Sunday evening, January 29, we took the train to Rome, where we met with 150 Humanitarian and Welfare Service Missionaries to receive instruction in our callings.  While there we were given some time to tour the ruins of Rome, enjoy their amazing 4 course meals, and to our delight, attend our Temple in the northern part of the city.  The Temple was our highlight, along with making some great friends who, until now, we have just seen on zoom calls.  Many of these selfless missionaries will remain friends for many years to come.  How the world survived Covid-19 with seeing people only from across a computer is amazing.  Seeing people in person is truly a blessing and a need to really understand and come to love others. 

Left: Becky & Bryan in the Rome Visitor's Center, with the Statue of Christ and the Twelve Apostles, 1.31.23

Right: Becky at the Rome Temple, 2.3.23

Rome is a beautiful city.  It is very different from the north where we live in Alzano Lombardo, yet so unique and filled with history.  We were blessed with hearing from Elder Ruben V. Alliaud of the Europe Central Area Presidency, and Elder and Sister Whiting from the Europe North Area Presidency.  They both added to the spirit of the conference and enriched us in many ways.  This conference will long be remembered by all of us who were fortunate to attend. 

At the statue, Angels Unawares, in Rome--a tribute to refugees, who are often angels among us.  It comes from the belief that sacredness is to be found from among the refugees and migrants who arrive as strangers in our midst.

As we serve, we are reminded daily of King Benjamin's sermon in the Book of Mormon, where he said: "...I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom: that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."  King Benjamin speaks of service in depth in Chapters 2, 3, and 4.  They are a great guide for us to live by as they teach of what the Savior would have us do.

We close with a story.  Amidst the incomprehensible tragedy and staggering number of deaths (over 11,000) this week in Turkey and Syria, comes a story we’d like to share.  As we mentioned, last week we were in Rome for a conference with over 150 Humanitarian missionaries from throughout Europe.  On Friday we went to the Rome Temple.  Our Humanitarian Services leader in Europe, Gilles Francois, told us a story yesterday of him re-connecting with the new Rome Temple President, James Toronto.  They had met at BYU, where Pres. Toronto had taught, and had then communicated a few times in subsequent years, but it had been a long time since they had conversed.  Gilles asked Pres. Toronto about his activities over the last number of years.  Pres. Toronto, whose great-grandfather was one of the first 3 missionaries to Italy in 1849-1852, told Gilles that he had been the mission president of Turkey.  Two days later, after Gilles had returned to Frankfurt, the earthquakes hit.  Gilles remembered his “chance” meeting with Pres. Toronto, and their conversations about Turkey.  Gilles called our counterparts Elder and Sister Guymon, the Humanitarian Services couple serving in Southern Italy, and asked them to contact Pres. Toronto.  President Toronto then provided Gilles with some top contacts in Turkey, which provided him with the best contacts and ways for the Humanitarian Services department to immediately help with relief efforts.  With these important contacts and connections, the Church’s response was immediate and effective.  Gilles said, “There are no coincidences.  The Lord’s hand is in everything.”

        Incomprehensible devastation in Turkey and Syria, which has killed over 11,000 persons, as of 2,8.23

We send our love and appreciation for the support you have given to us this past year. We look forward to the next 6 months as we continue to serve the refugees, migrants, and poor here in northern Italy.

Love,

Bryan and Becky