Will you model for me???

It was mid afternoon in Florence and I was doing a little Christmas shopping after a meeting. As I walked out of a store an older man in his sixties quickly came walking up to me and asked "Will you model for me?". I was so caught off guard that I said "what??". He launched into a discourse about how I had the perfect form for a marble sculpture, my eyes were beautiful and I had a great face. He said "I'm an artist and I just look at the form so will you model for me?". I told him I didn't live here and I wasn't really interested. He insisted that he was a professor of art at the university and that he paid very well hourly. He asked if I lived in Florence and when I said no he asked if I came there often. I said not really. It was becoming awkward at this point. I said once again that I wasn't interested and that yes I too was an artist so I know what your talking about but still not interested. The next line was priceless..."Well I'm gay so you don't really have to worry about that". I tried to hold back the laughter. He asked what my job was in Italy and I told him I was a missionary that works with univeristy students. His reply was well Jesus was naked wasn't he so it shouldn't be a problem for you. You can do that too can't you. I have a gallery on the Ponte Vecchio that you can come and see my work was his next line. I said maybe next time I'm around I'll stop by. Not! He just couldn't believe that I wasn't up for modeling nude for a marble sculpture of me that may or may not be displayed for a bazillion tourists to see everyday on Ponte Vecchio. Lastly has asked for my number and well... I panicked. I had no way out without being super rude. So yes I lied, the Lord forgive me, that I didn't have a cell phone. I said Pisa was a small place and well you just see everyone all the time. He couldn't believe that. So I said you just give me yours and Lorenzo is his name for those interested. Before we parted ways he said you're not going to call are you because you have too much else to do. I kindly said Ciao and hurried away still in disbelief at what just took place. Oh the every day life of living in a foreign country.

To the ends of Italy- Irsina and Matera

The morning started early for us as the rest of the Salerno team slept in. Walking the silent, empty streets of Italy in the morning is one of my favorite things. You can soak it all in uninterrupted; the architecture, vintage signs, and one or two elderly early risers going for a walk. We arrive to the station just in time and quickly grab some breakfast before jumping on the train. Our trip wasn't super planned which is how I like it. This provides a little more adventure or in some cases trouble. An hour and a half past and soon we were at the Potenza Centrale station. Since we couldn't locate a bus schedule on the internet we figured we'd just ask when we got there. Well, seems there are no buses on Sunday. Haha. I sheepishly call our friends and they laugh and inform us also there are no buses. They tells us they will findd us a ride nad calls us back. 30 mins or so go byand I get a call from our friend's son, Pietro. He's coming to get us but it's a 40 min. drive. We are now regulars at the train station cafe that is filled with men constantly. They can't seem to figure out why foreigners would be here of all places. Time goes by and a sweet Italian guy walks in and asks if I'm Martina. It's Pietro. yeah! We grab our bags and we're off for a speedy drive through Basilicata to Irsina with Pietro and his brother, Saverio. We arrive just in time to all sit down for lunch then the boys rush off to the soccer match. Later that night Rosetta took us for a walk through town and into the old city of Irsina. The streets were filled with groups of cute old Italian men taking their 3rd walk of the day. You must know that the population of Irsina is about 3,000 and they all know each other. So immediately we are spotted and the whispering and questions begin. Our other feature that draws attention to our being foreigners is that we are seriously a foot or more taller than every single person in town. We were quite the talk of the town that night and for the days to come. Rosetta took us to see Rafaelle's mom while we were out as well as to eat panzerotti with her.We wrapped up the night with a trip to the pizzeria for dinner at about 10:30, which is totally normal here.

Monday-

We slept in a little then headed up for breakfast with Rosetta and her mother who also lives downstairs. She made us delicious cappuccinos and gave us sweets. Apparently cappuccino is not really considered you morning cafe, too much milk maybe not sure. So it was followed by a simple cafe. Amanda and I headed out for a walk through the historic old town and to take some pics. The low lying fog was rising though the valleys as we looked down from the city wall and it was beautifully breathtaking. Words cannot do it justice nor can pictures. We walked back to the house for lunch then hang out time speaking Italian with grandma, this was a language immersion trip for us. Some friends came over to visit then we ventured out again before a late night dinner and visit with some of their friends.

Tuesday-

After breakfast with the family and a stroll through town and lunch Amanda and I headed out to Matera. We made a split second decision to go and I'm glad we did. We'll definitely have to go back when there are more daylight hours. Teh bus was crazy curvy getting there so Amanda was sick most of the time. Once we arrived we asked hte bus guys how to get where we wanted nad he gave us a free ride to the panorama of the Sassi, which is where the Passion of the Christ was filmed. It was so beautiful. It looked just like it did in the movie. Afterwards we walked around town then grab a bus home in time for dinner.

The Sassi at night

The Sassi in Matera

Wednesday-

Up bright and early as we were going to tour the town today. Raffaele returned just after breakfast to take us to the local bakery where they make sweets specific to Irsina. Every region in Italy has different food plates and sweets as well as bread. We saw the works and then tasted most every cookie there. After the bakery, Raffaelo took us for a private tour of the cathedral built in the 1400s and to see the famous statue of St. Eufemia that will go to the Louvre next year. It was very simple but pretty inside. Filled with marble design work and beautifully carved statues. They even have a painnting of Christ from the 300s. The curent church is built on top of the old church, which you can still go see. We were unable to find the keys to get down there but upon leaving we ran into the priest. He told us to come back later and he would open it for us. The next stop was out to the country where we saw the family's country house, olive trees, and small patch of farm. We rushed back to the house for a full lunch then a quick cafe nad rest before more tours. Just after lunch Rafaelle took us and nonna to see the crypt at the church. It was quite amazing to stand under the current church were mass was held in the 1400s. I can only imagine the things those walls have seen. The next stop was just at the edge of the city where you will find water fountains that were once the clothes washing area for the entire town. Last on the tour stop was a trip down the hill from Irsina to see a few more archeological finds and to get a view of the city sittinng up on the hill just as sun was setting. Back to town and then dinner with the family. We enjoyed lamb rolls filled with chopped heart, liver, intestines, etc and lamb chops. It was quite the dinner. Off to bed

us at the cookie/bread factory

Thanksgiving Hilarity

So you haven't really lived until you experience a Thanksgiving outreach in Italy. This year Amanda and I went to Salerno to help them with their student outreach. The Wednesday before Turkey day Mario and I spent the day making 14 pumpkin and pecan pies. Ricky made all the crusts from scratch. During the baking times, we passed the time by seeing what would explode the best off a 4th floor balcony. Tina, Amanda and I made the team dinner that night as well. Grilled cheese with cheddar straight from America accompanied by some warm tomatoe soup.

Turkey day arrived and I woke to the sound of green bean casseroles and sweeet potatoe pie being made. Yum! 5 of us us girls set off for the butchers to pick up the turkeys, of which they ordered 3. Our mouths dropped as the first bird or small dinosaur is hauled out. Yes, a whopping 17 kilos or 37lbs if you will. We're scared at this point! Birds 2 and 3 arrive and though slightly smaller weigh in at 32-33lbs. each. The butcher, with a straight face, asks " so who's going to carry these?". To which we replied us of course and then he broke out in laughter. We called in the guys for reinforcement. The question also was asked so who's cooking these and where. To which again we replied us and at home....laughter continues. We hike uphill for 5 mins with these birds until we meet 2 of the guys. Mario, Rick and I carried the birds about 10-15 mins uphill through Salerno drawing many stares. Once we arrived, we surveyed the insanity. Local pizzeria friends agreed to cook one of the turkeys in their big oven while we would cook one at home and the third we would have to carry about 30-40 mins. across town to our friends hotel. The cleaning, de-feathering, and seasoning began. DUring this time Tina, Katherine and I went on a potatoe peeling spree. I think we went through 5 bags. This provided hours of entertainment and laughter for us all.

Turkey 1 Nina- Katherine and I locate a pan and drop this big bird wrapped in foil on it. We're praying it fits in the guys oven. Well.... we try to shove it in and the sides of the oven that hold the racks start to fall off. Panic erupts as the bird begins to fall. The the bird drops. Ah!!! Plan B- yell for Mario and he takes out the side racks with a screwdriver then we find something to raise the bird up just off the oven coils. After about 10 mins and several attempts, the bird is in. I think it was touching every side and the top of the oven.

Turkey 2 Santa Maria- Piece of cake. Amanda and Mario put all 37lbs. of it in a bag then drop it in a rolling suitcase and head across town to the restaurant. Yes, turkey in a suitcase, we're very creative.

Turkey 3 Pinta-my favorite. Katherine and I threw the bird in a giant black garbage bag then layed it in the guys laundry basket. It looks like a corpse at this point. We started out for a good 15 min. slow walk down to the bus stop. The laundry basket hurt so bad that we each had to wear one winter glove. We looked like completed weirdos. We arrived just in time to catch the bus. We each grabbed a handle and load the bird onto the bus. At this point, we are drawing some serious stares. Finally, we arrived to the port where we needed to change buses but sadly our new bus was packed full, no room for 2 girls and a raw bird. There was some discussion then a crazy rash decision to just walk down the ocean boardwalk to the hotel carrying this bird. It was a serious 20 min walk and we had to keep switching sides because of the basket cutting the circulation to our hands off. Yes, we see it, the hotel. Our friend's dad meets us outside and he is very happy to help. He calls his wife, who is not quite all there, and she refuses at first but dad insists. She accompanies us into the kitchen where she takes one look at the bird and says it's too big and gives it a big slap. She then points wildly and says "but I can give you the microwave". Katherine and I exchange looks of sheer laughter inside and are you freakin kidding me, a microwave! We kindly refuse, as the bird is 4 times the size of the microwave and who cooks a turkey in a microwave?? She keeps saying their oven is only for delicate things like croissants not turkeys and continues to slap the bird. A distress call was made back to the guys apartment. We didn't know where to cook the bird and we refused to carry it another 40 mins back across town. After much awkwardness, we left with the bird and stood on the curb by the main street wonderinng what to do. All of a sudden, I look at Katherine and say TAXI. hahaha. sheer laughter at this point erupts. We make the needed calls and get a taxi. While we're waiting we decided to talk about what we were thankful for in hopes that it would cover over our frustrations. In conclusion, we load the turkey in the taxi, never telling the driver just what's in the basket. We arrive at home and within an hour our restaurant friends tell us to bring it over. They ended up cooking one in the normal oven then they put this one in the wood burning pizza oven.

All ended well. We came out with 105l bs. of yummy turkey and 80 students attended the outreach adn were able to hear about God's free invitation to salvation through Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with God. It was a success!

Caserta and Language Learning

I left Pisa on Nov. 15th after another brief ER visit. Amanda and I headed for Caserta to spend a few days with friends and do a language immersion. From the moment we arrived I felt at home. I absolutel ylove the community of believers there. They have become like family to me. On that Friday night, we went to prayer at the church then a whole group of the college students and adults went out for pizza. I had such a great time getting to build deeper relationships with the girls over dinner. I love getting to live part of my life with them. I desire for each of these youth to really walk with God for a lifetime and to learn what the true life of a believer looks like. It's not just about knowledge of the Bible or going to church but about being a light for Christ in a country that has strayed far from Christ.

This is me and Mena. She is a single mom with a great son Antonio.

On Saturday we spent time with Mena, one of our many Italian moms. She took us shopping then afterwards we headed back to the church to prepare dinner for after the ministry meeting. This night we learned about all the ministries in the church adn how you could be a part of them. I am amazed at all the things they are involved in. This is very rare in Italy. i had a long talk with the pastor about our work and how much they appreciate us. I thank God for htis partnership withthe church here. Afterwards we enjoyed some yummy pasta fagiolo and then headed out to town with some of the college kids. Once again more time to really invest and live life with these kids who have no one to look to in following Christ. It was a fun but cold night of taking a walk and drinking hot chocolate.

Sunday we went to church where we got to see everyone else we hadn't yet seen. I just love going to church here. Lunch was in typical Italian style. We went to a local rustic restaurant where we proceeded to have a 4 course and 3 hour lunch. I enjoyed getting to meet new people at the church. They are such a blessing in my life. A couple hour nap followed lunch then we headed off to Naples. SO much fun!!! I love Naples. We got a great tour of the city and played games in one of the piazzas. We ate sfoglias just baked and pizza slices later followed by croissants with nutella. Yes we're geting fat. Then we headed back to Caserta at midnight. I thank God every day for the provision of the believers in Caserta.