Week 2 of Camp...Well it feels like we've been here an eternity all ready after last week. This week we get to be actual campers and enjoy a little more relaxed time. On Sunday afternoon, I moved out of my sweet Bungalow on the hill and back down to civilization. Lunch was a fun time but sad in that I had to say goodbye to all my girls. Though the week started out rocky it ended on a super high. I was really sad to leave them. But we remain in contact on messenger.
So onto the second week. The theme for this week was
Passione per La Nazione...Passion for the Nation.
Isaiah 12:2 says "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
The week started out with a little timidity as I knew no one coming and we're were now just one of the campers. It was up to us to meet new people and makes friends. The excitement of meeting young Italian believers pushed me to overcome my fears of feeling inadequate in language and awkward in entering into existing friend groups. I'll admit it was hard, at times my feelings were hurt and I considered pulling away from trying. I continued to pray and ask God to create bridges for me into the lives of these Italian students. After a few days, I began to meet people and develop friendships with people from all over South Italy. I loved it! The environment was such a change from life in Pisa where we have little to no Italian believing community. Each morning began with a praise and worship time under the big oak tree followed by a time of teaching from the Bible. We heard talks on true worship, discipleship, Christian relationships, and the importance of having a believing community in your life. Just before lunch everyone split into small groups to discuss several questions on the talk from that morning. This was one of my favorite times. Normally in this setting I almost panic at having to talk in front of a group of strangers in Italian and express my thoughts/ideas. But the Lord heard my request and granted me boldness in speaking. I felt like there was a real breakthrough in my language and in my ability to enter into ongoing discussions.
Lunch was crazy to say the least. Picture a small room with rows of long picnic tables stuffed with people age 18-27. Now create the sound of pounding on tables and chanting in your head. I Barese primo nemico....Siamo noi siamo noi. Add in some serious clapping and you've got lunch time as well as dinner. Complete chaos but none the less fun!
Afternoons were spent playing soccer, volleyball, and other games on the beach. This was a time to build relationships with the students. Many of them were growing Christians but there were just as many non-believers or those whose lives hadn't really experienced a change. I got to meet several girls Roberta, Anna, Antoinetta, Manu, etc. and talk with them about their faith. Many of the students from the Caserta church we are working with were there so I got to spend good time with them. I feel like were able to connect more with Caserta and strengthen our friendship with them.
Dinner was around 7 each night followed by a time of amazing praise and worship lead by Paolo. It was one of the first times I felt like I could connect with God and truly worship Him in a second language. It wasn't just singing Italian words anymore. A heart connection developed and I even began to pray more in Italian. If you've never tried to be fully immersed in a second language it's hard to understand these struggles but trust me they are huge hurdles God has allowed me to cross over time. I felt renewed and refreshed each night.
Salvatore, from the Caserta church, gave a talk after the praise time. He spoke on several topics and shared the Gospel each night. Many students gave their lives to Christ or decided to allow Christ to take control rather than them. It was so encouraging to see God working so visibly in Italy. Over time I've noticed my vision and passion for Italy starting to shrink. I know the enemy is at work trying to discourage me and the rest of us laboring here in Italy. He tells us lies that we are wasting our time, nothing will ever happen here, you'll never see Italians lives changed, and you'll never learn the language. Daily we fight these lies because we have a greater hope in Christ. He says His Word will not go out in vain. Through his power alone we are able to resist the enemy and his lies to discourage us. This camp was just the encouragement I needed. I saw Italians get on their knees before God and offer up their lives to Him. A challenge was given to each of them to develop a passion for the nation of Italy. Many committed their lives to spreading the good news of Christ's love and salvation in Italy. I have a picture in my mind from this day that will remain there for eternity as an encouragement. God is at work in Italy in bigger ways than we can see or imagine. It's about faith in the One that is bigger than us.
I always go back to Habakkuk :
1:5 "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. "
2:3" For still the vision awaits it's appointed time; it hastens to the end-it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
