One Day at a Time...

While living in Italy in the 18th century, German poet and philosopher Goethe exclaimed:

"Rome, thou art a world!"

This is still true today. It does seem like we have fallen into another world! We are indeed strangers in a strange world. But after all, Scripture reminds us that as Christ-followers we are just sojourners and aliens; Brian and I are only more aware of this reality in this sort of situation. We want to testify to the Lord's kindness to us in these days! We could not have gotten this far without the help of others in the process. Everyone tells us that PATIENCE is required to get anything accomplished in Italy, especially in Rome. And we have been treated so graciously as we move step by step towards settling here.

Last Saturday, our landlady took us to the furniture store to design and order a kitchen in Italian. Monday, she took us to the bank to introduce us in order to open an account. One can't just walk into a bank without a recommendation! At the bank, it took 3 employees (including the manager and one to translate), our landlady, us two, plus the former manager of FIAT on the phone (a friend) to put in a good word on our behalf. Over 2 hours later we had finally jumped through the right hoops and met with their approval! PATIENCE. Friday night, over a glass of bubbly, we signed the contract with our landlords and they passed us the keys. Saturday, we headed into the center to our apartment to check it out. We can't move in yet because the electric company won't open our account till the former renter pays her overdue bill! PATIENCE. In Italy, renters take everything they can manage to wrench out of the walls with them. Literally, the water pipes are uncapped, left to drip. PATIENCE. And we discovered that Brian's brand new tax code registration, which is the necessary document to get anything legal done here, has the wrong birthdate - they misunderstood the month in French on his Belgian ID card. So, we can't proceed till that error is corrected. PATIENCE.

We arrived in the neighborhood, stopped for an espresso at the corner bar (aka café) and introduced ourselves to the barista and 2 locals in the bar. We said we were from Belgium, and he warmly welcomed us, complimenting us on "our" excellent trappist beers! We asked him where the nearest grocery store is, and all the men wanted to point us to the best one. Brian is sure to be a regular fixture at that bar - uhh, café! Then we got into our apartment, and immediately had to ring the neighbor to ask where the building's fusebox is. He kindly left the family dinner table to show us and explain, and heartily welcomed us to the building. We have already begun to make friends! We're excited to go around and introduce ourselves once we move in, and we're sure that others will be just as friendly and helpful. Italians are famous for it!

This week: Monday, movers deliver our stuff that's been in storage since we left Brussels last June. Tuesday, our kitchen will be installed. Wednesday, IF we have electricity, we can move in ourselves. Thursday, we go to Hungary for meetings with our Mission till Oct 17. For the moment we are taking a break from Italian class, till we move in. From here, the commute to class has been 2 hours every morning each way! Hopefully, we can jump back in at the school later in October. From the apartment it's a hop, skip, and a jump (masterfully navigating the sea of Vatican tourists on the way!).

God has shown His goodness to us! Know that He is answering your prayers. We are so eager to "dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" (Psalm 37) as His ambassadors in this district of Rome.

Thanks to all who have been accompanying us in the spirit on this transitional part of the journey. God has opened doors so far. It's just the beginning! Blessings.