Italy: I Lift My Eyes Up to the Mountains
On the morning I woke up preparing to teach my first English class to thirteen energetic eight and nine-year-old Italian students, I walked out of my cabin room, looked up at the massive, blue-gray tinted mountains nestling the Isola Evangelical Center, tugged my sweater a bit tighter and prayed, “I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Creator of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2) The Psalmist was not looking at the mountains in the first verse as the source of his help, but as the source of his fears—fears of danger, death, and the unknown. Yet he recognized that this symbol of his fears, these majestic mountains, their every crack and crevice, was shaped into existence by the Almighty fingertips of God.
Like the Psalmist, from the outset of this trip, fears concerning my own weaknesses and the unknown threatened to weigh me down. I wondered how I would ever be effective at preparing and delivering three hour daily English lessons with only one week’s notice. Or how would I manage a classroom of energy balls without knowing more than two phrases in Italian. Even little concerns like how I was to find any private, re-charging personal space while sharing a small one-bathroom cabin with four other women I barely knew. I am thankful that in these two weeks, I was able to experience the power of God working so clearly through my inadequacies to overcome my selfishness so that I could learn to say more like Paul that I would rather boast in my weaknesses so that His power might work within me.
The Commission at Camp Isola
The beautiful Isola Evangelical Center carries a mission to spread the good news of Jesus throughout all of Italy, hosting various camps and conferences in order to invite the community to see the joy of the Lord displayed in the lives of those who willingly serve Him. Joe Hunziker, head of the camp, commissioned us, before the 100 students chaotically filtered in for the week, with this reminder: “The LORD is my strength and shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:7). Throughout the week, he consistently reminded us that we must display a joyful love to these children that they might not see regularly in their homes; he wanted all of us to prove there is something unique about those who choose to give themselves and follow Christ. Although the English camp was not primarily about evangelism in the traditional sense, at the end of the week, as guardians returned to pick up their children, Joe unashamedly preached the gospel at the closing ceremony, letting all who were in the captive audience know that our purpose and our joy is found in the saving work of Jesus Christ who died for our sins, rose again, and lives so that we may live in Him.
Daily Happenings
Maintaining joy was a daily commission. We hustled through ten busy days of English class and fun activities. After the nerves wore off the first day, I looked forward to the rally cries of “Simon Says!” and “Stickers” that greeted me from my students as they clearly determined their favorite parts of class time. My wonderful translator Fi was indispensable, literally. On our “food” lesson day, I had laboriously prepared one of my best craft projects, so I thought—paper pizza plates with yellow glue for cheese and meticulously cut out toppings for students to order and create individual pizzas. The craft snowballed into a disaster when Fi was called by another team and left my class thirty minutes early. It was the one day I lost complete control. Even my cries of “Ragazzi! Ragazzi!” and the “Catch a Bubble” trick I had learned back in the States to get children to close their mouths had no effect. It was only one frustrating day, but I never took Fi for granted. (The kids did end up loving the pizza project, though the ordering of toppings in English was not as successful as I had hoped.)
One of the highlights for the staff turned out to be the story of one of the oldest girls, who was returning for her third year at camp. At night, she would cry herself to sleep. Her counselors were concerned, not knowing if she was struggling with serious issues or typical teenage girl emotions. She finally confessed that she had begun to wonder if her family was saved and asked to know more about Jesus. Little did she know a large portion of the Isola staff was lifting her up in prayer the rest of the week, and her counselor believes there was a genuine change in her heart after reading the Scriptures and praying with her.
Sometimes, I wondered if I was making a difference at all in these little one’s lives. Ultimately, I was one vessel, one instrument of sharing joy, one small part, I pray, in God’s work among the Italian children. After directing them in their finale of “Five Little Monkeys” which they sang in perfect English, I passed them their little prize highlighters and hugged each one, praying the Lord might use the expressive Fabiano, the quiet Evelyn, the dramatic Ilaria, the creative Francesco, and the kind-hearted Clarissa (the only child to willingly share her colored pencils)–all for His glory.
A Global Perspective
Toward the end of this trip, God really impressed upon me the broader picture of the kingdom as made up of the body of Christ around the world. The teachers represented South Africa, England, Italy, and yes, Texas (ironically all the American teachers were from Texas). We also had fun team members and counselors from Germany, Denmark, and I’m sure a few other places as well. Yet, what beauty that the message of God’s grace is the same in each of our Bibles. During lunches and dinners, as courses were served one at a time (the Italian way), I recognized the importance of actually sitting down face to face with different people and fellowshipping over meals rather than selfishly eating at my own pace and using the time to catch up on my “alone time.” One night, several of us sat around a campfire lifting English and Italian voices in praise to the “King of Kings” (al Rei de Rei). The two languages created a beautiful harmony; I can only imagine the day when there are many more intertwined in worship. During lesson planning or walks around Rome, as we teachers discussed world events from the aftermath of the apartheid in South Africa, to the economic struggles in Italy, to the very immediate issue of Brexit, I was able to see real people with real fears and questions, rather than abstractions across the globe. It is exciting that we can meet together, pray for one another, and serve on the same mission with one another, reminding each other that the Lord is our strength.
Thank You
I’m so grateful, too, for the generosity within the body of Christ back home in the U.S. Your financial gifts, texts, facebook messages, cards, and especially prayers helped sustain and encourage me during my short stay in Italy. Please, pray that I will be able to return next year if the Lord wills.
I can say with the Psalmist:
“I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good besides You. As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.’” Psalm 16:1-2
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