Italian Report - November, 2008
Italian Report - November, 2008
Last month, I told you about our first trip to Italy. This month I want to tell you about some of the first experiences we had when we moved to this new world.
Foreigners
The first thing that struck me when we pulled into the port at Palermo was the number of foreigners that were gathered at the port. I hadn’t even realized that actually, we were the foreigners and they were in their own home land. If we wanted to do an effective work among them, we had to learn to know them, their ways, their language and their customs. We had to learn to be one of them. That doesn’t mean that we had to accept their evil ways, but it does mean that we had to become Italians in our hearts.
A Dilemma
Imagine finding yourselves in a new land that is completely strange to you. The houses are different, the cars are different, their food is different, they dress differently, they even walk different than we do and besides this and along with many other things, they speak another language. We couldn’t understand a word they said. We couldn’t speak a word they could understand. We could speak good English, with an Oklahoma accent, but no Italian. How many languages do you speak? What would you do if you found yourself in such a situation? However, we were determined to “become all things to all men.” Many through the Fyears never became good missionaries because they couldn’t adapt to the people.
Italians or Christians
Let me tell you a funny story. When we first moved to Rome, Carolyn had to have surgery. All of our children and I took her to the hospital on Sunday afternoon. Naturally the children were upset to leave their mother. On the way home I took them to the Coliseum to distract them a little. I told them the story of the early Christians suffering persecution, even unto death. We were walking out of this great sight. It was a dark and rainy day. Our youngest son, Ronnie, was just a little boy. He was thinking about all the things I had told them about the death and persecution of the early Christians, All at once Ronnie said in all seriousness: “Daddy, we are Italians aren’t we, not Christians.” This is what I mean about becoming all things to all men. To be good missionaries, we had to become Italians. Always Christians, but Italian Christians.
The First Day in Italy
The first day after we arrived in this new land, we were up early, anxious for our breakfast and ready for the day’s activities. The girls stayed home with the children while Don and I went to the church building. Don went up into the office to work on a book he was translating into Italian, while I walked all over the building checking it out. He worked about two hours, and then we went down town to do the things I wanted to do. I had made a list of fourteen things I thought I needed to, and wanted to do. Don laughed. He said, “If we are able to do two or three of these things before lunch, we will be lucky. We are in Italy, not America.” The first thing I learned in Italy was, “It takes forever and a day to get anything done.” Don was right. I got only two things done before we went home for lunch. I bought some post cards and some stamps. We did do some daily shopping for the girls before we went home which was an experience in and of it.
Don did find time to pull another trick on me. He said, “let’s get a cup of coffee.” I said, GREAT. We had spent lots of time in the coffee shops while we were in college in the states. We walked into the coffee bar and Don ordered each of us a cup of coffee. I had never had a cup of Italian coffee before. They sat two tiny cups in front of us. Don asked me if I wanted some sugar. I said, “Don you know I like my coffee black.” He grinned. I picked up that tiny cup and slugged the coffee down. I almost choked. Don laughed again. It took me a while but I am hooked on Italian coffee now. We keep it in the freezer all of the time and have to get a fix ever now and then.
This will be all for now. More thoughts about our experiences in Italy next month.
Sowing the Seed
The Lord tells us to SOW THE SEED. The kind of hearts it reaches determines the kind of fruit it produces. Of course God gives the increase. We never know the far reaching effect of the work we do.
I received an E-mail the other day from Doc. Vittorio Vitalone in Rome. He told me he was standing in front of the meeting place recently. A rather young man walked up to him and asked, “is there a chance that Mr. Moore is around?’’ Vittorio replied, ‘’No, he is in the United States. He has been gone for a long time.” He said, I knew him about thirty years ago. In fact we studied the Bible together. I will never forget those studies. I even attended the services of the church here. I live close by. I saw him a few years ago. Maybe he was just visiting. If you see him or write to him tell him hello. Vittorio asked him for his name but he left without sharing it with him.
Vittorio said, “I hope he comes back some time so I can talk to him some more.” Then he said, “Carlo, we never know how much good we do when we sow the seed, nor do we know when that seed will bear fruit. We thank you for all the good work you have done through the years.”
I racked my mind and I think I know who it was. In fact, I baptized him into Christ but he fell away later. Pray for Armando Trapani. I also baptized his uncle and he was faithful until the day he died.
What has happened in Italy this month?
I guess the biggest event in Italy this month was the yearly lectures in Florence. I haven’t received any news about it yet but I know they usually have a big group of people.
A relatively new missionary in Padova, Jeremy Korodaj, reports that they had a baptism in September. Her name is Linda and she is from Ghana but lives in Padova. Pray for her. Write her a card if you like. Send it AIR MAIL 94 cents postage. Here is her address.
Linda
presso Chiesa di Cristo
Via Stefano Breda, 2
35139 Padova, Italy
E-mail: chiesadicristopadova@virgilo.it
Best wishes to Linda.
I guess that is all for now. Keep your brethren in Italy in your prayers. Pray for us too.
Until next month - God Bless,
Charles & Carolyn Moore
11471 Balcones Drive
Frisco, Texas 75034
Tel. 972-731-8526
E-mail address: cwmoorefrisco@tx.rr.com