And just like that, I'm 2/3 of the way done with this trip. It's been eight weeks to the day since I left home, and I have only four to go. That's so crazy to me. For the first month of this trip, it felt this journey would last for what felt like forever. Now, things are going by so fast I can hardly believe it. I'm so excited to see what this final month will hold.
This week has been completely different than all previous weeks, and I've enjoyed it so much.
The Short Version:
After one more amazing hike in the Dolomites, I made my way by train to the town of Vicenza, where I met up with some missionaries from the U.S. have planted and led GLACE Community Church, a church that serves U.S. Army members who work on base here and Vicenza.
This week, my job has been to work on several different photo and video projects, telling the story of how God is moving in Vicenza. I've spent many hours behind the camera, and it's been super fun working with the people here. It's also been extremely refreshing to be with people who are native English speakers, and to eat some American food! (I had a subway footlong, two pieces of Popeye's chicken and loaded fries in one sitting. I absolutely regretted it but wow did it taste good).
Mentally, I've felt pretty good overall this week. I have really started to miss my friends back home, but I've been able to talk to them, and that's helped. It's gonna be one heck of a reunion, I know it.
So first, a little background. Before I left the states, I really felt like God was calling me to do something missions related during my time in Italy. I had no idea what, and when I left, I still had no plans. But about halfway through my time in Iceland, I was put into contact with a missionary named Leland Stephens, whose family had planted a church in Vicenza, Italy. We made arrangements for me to come help with some video work! God totally opened the door for me to be here, and his hand is definitely at work.
Wednesday:
I relaxed for most of the day, not doing much aside from working on an intro video for my church back home. I did enjoy another family lunch with everybody, and that was super fun. I really enjoy those meals. There's always lots of laughter and great conversation, and I really feel like part of the family.
Thursday:
It was time for me to get ready to leave. And for the first time on this trip, I was genuinely sad to move on. The Cassisi family had made me so welcome, and my time there was a treasure. I was feeling pretty stressed about yet another step into the unknown, and got in my head a little bit. The train ride was somewhat stressful, as I BARELY made my connection, but thankfully, I did make it, and was picked up by Chris Hendrix, my local contact and Pastor of GLACE. We headed back to his house, joined the whole Hendrix family for dinner, and then I crashed for the night.
Friday:
I spent the morning planning the week's projects, and then took the afternoon to R&R a little bit.
Super exciting stuff, right?
Saturday:
This day was slightly more eventful! In the morning, I went into downtown Vicenza with the Hendrix family and took their family photos. We also ate some croissants that were unreaaaaaal. So so good. We came home, I took a nap, and then it was time to get into the first bigger project. I'm creating a video for the family talking about who they are, and what they're doing over here. So I was tasked with recording interviews for the first time ever. I honestly didn't know how it was going to go. But as I was filming and questioning, it all came so naturally. I felt like I'd done it 100 times. It's like God gave me all the right words to make it exactly how it was supposed to be. It was so, so cool.
Sunday:
For the first time in two months, I got to go to church! It felt so good to be among other Christians, and worship together. For most of the service I was behind the camera, but for me even that's a form of worship. I'm so thankful for that opportunity. We got some lunch on the Army base, and I ate more than was healthy. After a subway footlong, two pieces of Popeye's chicken and loaded fries in one sitting, I was more than stuffed, and very happy. I took a nap in the afternoon, and then went to dinner at the Stephens' house.
Monday:
It was the second big day of shooting, and I spent most of the day behind the camera interviewing people for the project. This is a totally new realm of work for me, but I'm really enjoying it. Last night, I was back with the Stephens for dinner, and we had Mexican food! It was soooo good. Finished the evening off by watching Spider-man Far From Home. Dang, Mexican food and a movie night. Talk about feeling at home.
Tuesday:
Forgot my laptop charger at my apartment here, so was unable to accomplish much of anything work related. So instead, I had some good conversations and took some time to chill, eat pizza, and write this blog post once my computer had battery.
Conclusion:
This week has certainly been different, but in all good ways. It's been so refreshing to be back with people who share my language and faith. Don't get me wrong, I love Italy, and I love the chance to experience different culture. But after two months of solo immersion into cultures I knew almost nothing about, it has felt so good to be back in the somewhat familiar.
It's crazy how well the timing of my visit here aligned with their needs as a church. There's no doubt in my mind that God had this planned from the very beginning, and that he's equipped me to help fill the needs here. That being said, I've never done anything quite like this before, so there's been a fair amount of improvising and figuring things out as I go. But, I trust that things will come together exactly as they are supposed to.
Mentally, the only struggle this week has been missing my friends. I am so blessed to have the friends that I do. People who support me, adventure with me, and enrich my life as a whole. During these three months alone, I've really realized how valuable those people truly are. Of course I valued them before, but in their current absence, I'm more thankful than ever before. I can't wait til the day I get to see everyone again.
For you this week:
1) How do you feel you've been uniquely equipped by God to serve the world? If you don't know, I'd encourage you to pray about it, and talk to other people in your life about your gifting.
2) Are there people in your life you take for granted? What can you do to make them feel loved and appreciated?
Song for the week:
Solid Rock - The City Harmonic
As always, chase your passions, stay stoked, love first and remember that fulfillment lies on the far side of discomfort.
Until next week,
- Zwiegs
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