July 17, 2023

The last few weeks have flown by.  We learned yesterday that we will be coming home late at night on July 28, 2023.  Our time is so short, and we still have a lot of Humanitarian Services work to do.  And unfortunately, another senior couple is not scheduled yet to replace us here.

Left: Becky & Bryan, with our leaders from Frankfurt, and leaders from Banco Farmaceutico, July 4, 2023

Right: Becky, with Barbara Spezini & Mary, from Colori Vivi in Torino, & Karen Ward from Frankfurt, 7.5.23

The first part of the month we had the opportunity to take our leaders from Frankfurt, Elder Ward and Sister Karen Anderson, to 5 organizations for a few of our projects, and acquaint them with the projects we are and have been doing.  They were pleased to meet the people we work with.  The Andersons will have the opportunity to take our replacement couple, when they arrive later this year or early next year, around to meet the various organizations and to continue on with the work. Since our last blog entry, we have completed and closed six Humanitarian projects, begun one new one, and have worked on several others.  The new project was with an organization called Banco Farmaceutico, who helps other charitable organizations obtain medicines needed by refugees or the poor.  They are a great organization, helping many in need.  

Becky & Bryan, with Giovanni & Floriana Battastini, and Eugenio & Veronique Mazzini, the Bishopric of the Lecco Ward, along with wives.  Sunday, July 16, 2023.

A "For the Strength of Youth (FSY) Conference for youth 14-18 years old in Italy is happening  this week in Assisi, Italy.  We were asked to help order the items they needed for a large service project in providing various school supplies and backpacks for the poor and for refugees.  It took quite a bit of work to process all of the items ordered, with the help of the FSY leader, Marco Dal Zatto.  The days following the orders, we received confirmations for the 28-30 separate orders, and processed the receipts into the Church's financial system, "CARDS," and also entered them into the Humanitarian Services online system for projects, "CHaS."  We also are helping with a project from the Milan East Stake in providing food for an organization that assists with food for the needy and indigent. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will purchase about 1,000 Euos of food and deliver it to the charitable organization.  

 

    Left: Becky & Bryan, in Lecco, on Lake Como.  We attend Church in Lecco each Sunday.  Taken 6.14.23 

    Right: Becky and Bryan, in Lovere, on Lake Iseo. July 8, 2023

This past week we have been involved with the work of the Mission in checking apartments for the young missionaries.  We enjoy being around these young people who are dedicating 18 to 2 years of their life in serving the Lord here in Italy.  They are amazing youth who spread the love of the Lord to all whom they meet.  Being with them is a blessing for us.

                Becky & Bryan, in Lecco (where we attend Church each week.  Taken June 14, 2023.

On Saturday, July 15, we attended a baptism for a wonderful man, Sylvester, whom the Sisters in Brescia have been teaching.  He had been an assistant pastor for a church of about 2,000 people for the last 3+ years.  He had been a heavy smoker and had other habits to break.  Yet he was so humble and willing to change, and to be baptized.  He was one of the most spiritual and humble man we have ever met.  We were thrilled to be able to attend his baptism before we conclude our mission in Italy and journey home.

Becky & Bryan, next to Sylvester, from Nigeria, with Sisters Bacon, Taylor & Williams, & Pres. & Sister Wood, in Brescia, July 5, 2023

We have come to love Italy with all of our hearts.  The people we have met, worked with, and come to know are choice people.  They love their fellow men and want to be part of the solution in helping others.  We have worked with refugees and organizations in Pistoia (near Florence), Ventimiglia (near the French border), Torino, Torre Pellice, and Oulx in the Piedmonts, Milan, Como, Udine, Tarvisio, Gorizia, Trieste, Trento, Emilia Romagna (for the flood clean-up), and many other cities, with great people we will never forget.  The experiences and this work has been life changing for us, and a blessing in our lives. And we are so grateful for the support and love we have received from family and friends at home.

Becky, in Stresa, on Lake Maggiore.  Stresa has thousands of beautiful hydrangeas, and tour boats that go to 3 islands.  Cape Verde, where we served our last mission, had a motto, "No Stress."  Italy has the city, "Stresa." but it is also really "No Stress."

 We send your our love and best wishes.  

 Becky & Bryan Gerritsen,                                                                                                  

 Alzano Lombardo, Italy