tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59108722661543299462024-03-12T18:11:09.836-07:00A day in the life of us in Italy.The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-4252076973416893902008-03-06T07:48:00.000-08:002008-03-06T07:49:43.175-08:00An update from BrandonHere we are in the month of march and its hard to believe its already here. It seems that the cold winter weather in Sicily has already stated to hibernate and spring feels right around the corner. Life in general has been busy.<br /> <br />I have been working on translating biblical materials for the church and our website and that has kept me busy enough. We are trying to build up an online library of material on the church, what a Christian is and should be, and how to truly follow God in our daily lives. People seem to check a “church” out online and find out who they are from the comfort of their own home and so we are really trying to build this site up. It is currently under construction but can be accessed and we have already had a few inquiries and contacts from this.<br /> <br />We also started doing distribution for the free English courses using the Bible that I’m offering at the church building. We distributed for about 3 hours and gave out about 500 flyers. From this one time distribution, I have two new students who are studying weekly with me. Both are mainly here for the English but I’ve found them both open to talking about anything.<br /> <br />Salvatore is one of my new students. He comes from San Cono, Sicily which is a small mountain village about an hour outside of Catania. He is 25 years old and doesn’t actually look anything like what most think an Italian should look like. He is about 5’8 and has red hair and a red beard. He is a student at the Linguistics school here in Catania and is studying to get degrees in both English and Spanish. His English is already pretty good so he comes to me mainly just to talk and practice his oral English. This is perfect for me because since he wants to talk, I feel free to talk about anything. Politics is his current favorite topic and he knows quite a bit about world politics and US politics. I have learned quite a bit from him about the Italian political system in comparison to the American one. He is very critical of most governments and loves to talk about all of the injustices that happen worldwide and how he would fix them. Using his since of injustice, I got him talking about religion and TRUTH. Not just any truth, but TRUTH. He is catholic by tradition but is not a practicing catholic. He is VERY open to discussion and so I’m hoping that we can push forth and see where things go. Please pray for Salvatore and his everyday life and for his walk towards faith. Pray that I may be a guide to the TRUTH that is Christ Jesus.<br /> <br />I have also been doing a weekly study with a woman in her 50’s named Lydia. Stefano Scibiglia, a member of the church here in Catania and a great biblical scholar, has been going with me and we have enjoyed our discussions with Lydia. Lydia is a Jehovah’s Witness and has been for about 30 years. Our first study with her she brought a young Jehovah’s Witness who was around 25. This other lady was a new convert to JW and she came along to listen to our Bible study. We really tried to focus on scripture alone in these studies. The first encounter went well with us agreeing to meet again as long as we would stick solely to scripture and not outside sources or man made documents. The second time we met, Lydia brought a different sister who had also been a JW for over 30 years. (My impression was that she felt she needed reinforcements because we actually knew more about scripture than most catholics that she has studied with before). This study went well but we ran into a wall on the issue of Who the faithful servant is in the Book of Luke. From this passage, the JW get their concept of the “directors” and the slaves and the reason behind the publications of the “WATCHTOWER” magazine and the regional directors and more. However, she agreed to meet with us again. (side note-- this is funny to me because JW are usually the ones who hound people about doing studies but this time it was US). This last time we studied, she brought in the big guns. She brought their “Preacher”. So we began an in depth study on the issue and we came to a crossroad. I’m not sure if they are planning on meeting with us again but it was a great learning experience for me. I hope and pray that God may open Lydia’s heart to the words of scripture and not simply follow after man. I hope and pray to see her again.<br /> <br />Our weekly schedule has filled up nicely in the past month or so. On Monday, I’m at the building from 9 am to 12 working on translating materials, keeping the doors open for walk ins, and working on English materials. At 6, Salvatore comes and we do our study for about an hour. In the early afternoon, I’m either back at the building or doing the shopping for Kristin (since we live on the tenth floor and she’s pregnant).<br /> <br />On Tuesday, I’m at the building in the morning until lunch. At 4, Kristin and I usually head in for one of our longer nights. We prepare our English lesson for the church members and print out copies for everyone. At 530 we have an English lesson with Giorgia D’Agostino. She is 16 and her family are members of the church and she is studying to become a Christian. She’s a wonderful girl who has a passion for Highschool Musical and the “Sister Act” movies. She has a younger brother named Fabio and a younger sister named Elisa. Fabio is 13 and Elisa is 6. They both hang around during our lessons and have picked up quite a bit of English. There parents are wonderful people who really take care of their kids. They aren’t smothered but you can tell these kids are loved. After the lesson with Giorgia ends, we have about 30 minutes before other members arrive for our weekly English/singing lessons. We spend about 15 minutes doing tongue twisters and reading verses in English while translating them into Italian. After this, we spend about 45 to an hour trying to teach them the four part harmonies. This is really quite difficult! However, we have a lot of fun and have really enjoyed each others company during this time. We laugh a lot and generally spend time together doing fun games and singing songs together. We have been averaging 10 to 15 each week which is more than I thought would come. It’s a great fun night!<br /> <br />On Wednesday my day is a lot like Monday as I work at the building until Salvatore comes. (Once more students sign-up, instead of translating, I will be doing more lessons). Thursday night is our weekly bible study at 730 pm. We have been doing a study on Revelation and its now coming to an end. After Stefano finishes teaching this study on revelation, I will be starting a new series on called “How to talk to others about your faith”. This study will be about how to begin conversations at work, play, school and more. It will also encompass how to study one on one with someone and a more in depth knowledge of scripture. I’m very excited about this opportunity. Please begin to pray for this class that it may help the brother and sisters here to become more evangelistic and open to sharing their faith.<br /> <br />Friday and Saturday change constantly. Saturday night is usually the night we go and visit the shut-ins and the sick. I’ve come to really enjoy this weekly time with the brothers here and its always encouraged me so much to visit some of these brothers and sisters who have lived full lives for Christ. It gives me great joy to hear them say that they cant wait to be home with Christ.<br /> <br />So, as you can see a lot has happened and a lot is happening! We are hitting the full stride of our work and we feel God is opening a lot of doors here in Catania. Please continue to pray for us, our unborn child, and the work that is developing here in Catania. God bless!<br /><br />BrandonThe Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-5583420386323715712008-02-12T01:48:00.000-08:002008-02-12T02:21:55.483-08:00An italian singing to me outside my window.This morning we awoke to the usual sound of the workers working outside on our apartment walls. For the past couple of weeks they have been striping off all of the concrete stucco on the outside wall where our terrace is. We've had a problem with leaks (resulting in mold growing on our walls) in our bedroom and bathroom. They finally have all the stucco off (thankfully, no more jackhammers and drilling) and due to no insulation our house has been really cold the past 2 weeks. But thankfully they're getting this all done before the baby arrives. They will hopefully repaint our bedroom and bathroom for us as well. Yesterday they put a new exterior door leading to the terrace. When we have a downpour, water leaks through the 2 sets of doors and down our hallway. Our landlord was thinking about building a large sunroom off of the door or even an awning, but our terrace isn't level enough for that (bummer, I was really hoping for a sunroom). But as the alarm went off this morning and Brandon and I laid in bed trying to convince each other to get up when I heard one of the workers call a man "pinocchio"! They really do have people here with the name pinochio! Brandon said it has to be a nickname, but I heard what was said! Also, since the scaffolding, they use to lift materials from the ground floor, is infront of our window I awoke to one of them singing to me. Our blinds are closed, but it was funny hearing him sing some type of english pop song while working. It was like he was in his own little world.<br /><br />Moving on, we have a new sister in christ, Valerie! It was a private baptism. She's a very shy girl and she only wanted her parents and boyfriend. Her parents are members of the church and her dad is a carabinieri (special police force) that deals with the mafia.<br /><br />Brandon and Stephano met yesterday with 2 ladies (and a son) of the Jehovah's witnesses. One lady has been a member for 20 years and the other for about 6 months. They came together to discuss the book of Matthew. Brandon said the discussion went very well and I'll see if he can write more about it on here. He is out this morning with Stephano distributing flyers around several colleges for english lessons.<br /><br />Tonight we have an english lesson with Georgia and later on this evening we are getting the congregation together play some english learning games and to start teaching them the 4 part harmonies of hymns as many of them didn't grow up hearing 4 part harmonies like we have in the states.The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-22083824004568022952008-02-07T00:29:00.000-08:002008-02-08T10:58:22.340-08:00a crazy weekWell, Brandon did a good job explaining the history behind St. Agatha's day, but let me explain to you what it's really like on the grounds. There has been a week of non-stop fireworks. And we thought New Year's was bad, oh no, this is much worst. Around 6:00 pm fireworks start going off on the hour, every hour, till about midnight. If you've ever seen a firework show at Disney World or Washington D.C., times that show by 50 and you get a Catania firework show. This lasted about a week. It was nice a first because we can watch the whole show from inside through our living room windows, but at the end of every show they shoot off a type of "onion bomb". All you see is a small blink of light, about a size of a star, but then out of nowhere comes this great sounding "BOOM" like a loud cannon being shot off. It's so loud that the glass in our windows shake. This happens at the end of every firework show for the last 5 minutes. Then as it got closer to St. Agatha's shining day, they would shoot off fireworks at 2am on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday!!! Not only that, but those lovely "onion bombs" that seem to be their favorite, went off at 4am those 4 days!! 4AM!!!! Then at 6am the church bells start going off like it's a war zone and telling everyone to run for shelter but really it's "rejoicing for St. Agatha" and calling everyone to Mass for Tuesday morning. Thankfully, now, we have had much quiet mornings.<br /><br />On a side note, Brandon has been a wonderful husband with getting all of our insurance and doctor's appointments straightened out. After several visits to many offices and waiting in lines for hours, we now have everything taken care of. The baby is doing good. Momma is "feeling" the first signs of morning sickness but no actions have been partaken...."yet".The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-89055179780518581702008-02-05T09:23:00.000-08:002008-02-05T09:29:18.010-08:00<p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />T</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">hree days of cult, devotion, folklore, and tradition, that stand almost alone in the world. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b>O</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">nly the Holy Week in Seville, and the corpus Domini ceremony in Cuzco, Peru, may be compared in terms of popularity, to the festivities that since five centuries bave immutably been held in St. Agatha's honour. For three days, Catanians and tourists swarm in the streets, numbering to almost a million. During those intense days, Catania turns into one and only crowd marching behind the Patron.</span></p> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">(</span> Three incredible days <span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">)</span></b></span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/agata2.jpg" align="left" border="1" height="294" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="214" /></b></span><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></b>he 4th and 5th of February stand out among the three days of festivities, when St. Agatha passes through then eigh bourhoods on her silver carriage (Catanians call it, specifically, "fercolo" or, more commonly, "vara"). </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">he first day of celebration, the 3th of February, develops itself into three distinct moments: the long and solemn Midday procession for "the offering of wax" to which civil, religious and militar authorities all attend bearing the standards of the City, the Province, and the University. Leaving St. Agatha' s (the Church of St. Agata alla Fornace ) to the Cathedral, the procession cuts through two lines of a huge crowd. Eleven "candelore" (large candleshaped structures), symbolizing the guilds, and two carriages belonging to the old Catanian Senate, bring up the rear. In the afternoon, at 3.00 PM, St. Agatha's international cross-country race takes place through the old and new streets of the town-centre. Finally, in the evening, later than 8.00 PM, grandious fireworks are on display in piazza Duomo. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-size:180%;"><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/ct1.jpg" align="right" border="1" height="164" hspace="10" width="250" /></span></b><span style="font-size:180%;"><b>T</b></span>he following night is spent sleepless by tbousands of Catanians, who crowd the Cathedral at dawn in a strongly emotional atmosphere, for a first meeting with "their" Saint. St. Agatha's image, waving amidst the crowd, is firstly brought to the high altar, than on the "vara" by devotees wearing the "sacco" (a white alb): its bust, covered up with jewels bestowed by sovereigns and celebrities (there also is a cross wbich was donated by composer Vincenzo Bellini), rises and falls amidst a cheering crowd. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/agata4.jpg" align="left" border="1" height="264" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="180" /><b><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></b>he carriage carrying the reliquary-bust and the finely wrought silver casket containing other relics, starts covering the route crossing through Porta Uzeda, then passing through via Dusmet, the distinctive feature of which are the arches holding up the railway: beneath them, once there was the sea, just close to via Biscari, where St. Agatha supposedly was born. The route from piazza Carlo Alberto to piazza Stesicoro is eagerly awaited: we are now in places tbat are extremely dear to Catanians; in these ancient sites, Agatha men with imprisonment and martyrdom, dying in atrocious sufferings. There, it is anotber spectacular moment: thousands of devotes run and drag the heavy carriage along a slope (salita dei Cappuccini), stopping once halfway to pay homage to the Sacred Gaol. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/ct2.jpg" align="right" border="1" height="163" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="250" /></b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span></b>n the evening, the run takes place downtown: via Plebiscito, Fortino, S. Cristoforo. There the festivities are felt in a different way: all private houses are open and well-lit, coffee-houses are crowded all night long. Music is heard coming from everywhere, Streets are crowded with stalls and booths where all sorts of sweets are sold, and mobile grids where horse meat is roasted. Balconies are well-lit, kiosks are strewn with flowers and embellisbed with St. Agatha's effigy, while shop-windows display artistic reproductions of the "candelore". Almost at dawn, magnificent fireworks welcome the Saint on her way back to the Cathedral passing through Porta Uzeda again.</span></p> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">(</span> Spectacle and devotion <span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">)</span></b></span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b>J</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">ust few hours of sleep: in the late morning of the 5th. of February (the climax of the festivity), a Pontifical Mass is celebrated by a specially invited prelate. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/ct3.jpg" align="left" border="1" height="279" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="180" />T</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">he Saint's image travels along another route, through the old town centre: the carriage proceeds slowly along the elegant via Etnea. The eleven, richly adorned "candelore" lead the procession, being followed by 700 devotees holding torches: then the white river of devotees follows. They all drag the "vara" and sing the praises of the Patron ("We are all, all devotees. Citizens, long live St. Agatha!"). The City bell tolls, announcing the Mayor's homage to the Saint. The stream of people puts on a protracted and fascinating tableau vivant. In the evening, people crowd together again in piazza Borgo, in order to attend further fireworks (also known as "the fireworks of the evening of three"); soon after the crowd follows and escorts the "candelore" in an "endurance race" along the slope of "salita di San Giuliano". Time goes by, and the setting sun gives way to the night: St. Agatha patiently awaits for the end of the contest, at the crossing of via Etnea and via di San Giuliano: it's the "final pull", that should bring the festivity to an end, with an enthusiastic applause of relief. The race is an event mostly reserved to young people: strong arms and sturdy legs are needed to drag the several tons of the "vara". Partaking to the race is a mark of love and devotion that should non be underrated: doing it in "one go" allows to draw favorable auspicies for the year, since the real New Years Day in Catania falls on the 5th of February; once, contracts and deeds were actually started or delivered on such a date.</span></p> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">(</span> Martyrdom and the old town <span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">)</span></b></span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/ct4.jpg" align="left" border="1" height="130" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="200" /></b></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;">C</span></b>atania, brought back to life after every eruption of the Etna volcano, has bestowed some of the most beautiful churches and monuments to the Patron. On the inside of "S. Agata al Carcere", the III century remains of the gaol, where St. Agatha faced her martyrdom and death, are still to be seen. The Church of "S. Agata alla Fornace" (in piazza stesicoro) and "S. Agata la Vetere" (the first Cathedral of Catania, and supposedly the first burial-place of the Saint) are non far. Many other places in Catania keep alive the memory of St. Agatha: "Badia S. Agata", the "stele" in piazza dei Martiri, the fountain in via Dusmet, the Norman-baroque Cathedral. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b>P</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">recious relics, as such as the bust and the casket bearing the signature of Di Bartolo, are preserved in the Basilica, but the real centre of the cult of St. Agatha is the Church of the Sacred Gaol. On the inside, besides the dark cell where the Saint was imprisoned, a lavic slabbearing St. Agatha's footprints can be seen. The prison, an embankment, was part of the buildings of the Roman praetorium, close to the residence of Quintianus, Agatha's persecutor. Upon the high altar, a large panel dating back to 1588 and bearing Bernardino Niger's signature, portras St. Agatha at the stake. Next to the Gaol, a highly revered lavic stone bears St. Agatha's footprints. A plaque of the XV century and portraying St. Agatha can be seen in the sacristy, besides memorial stones, bas-reliefs and an old epigraph: "Noli offendere patriam Aghatae, quia ultrix iniuratum est" (Do not offend Agatha's nation, "cause she will avenge all offence). </span></p> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">(</span> Candlemas, a baroque feast <span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">)</span></b></span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/agata6.jpg" align="left" border="1" height="271" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="180" /></span></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">"<b><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span></b>lmost all Sicilian feasts are baroque" says historian Giovanni Lanzafame. Writing about the eleven "candelore", he defines the so called "annacata " as "baroque on the move ". Baroque moving through a baroque city as devised by Vaccarini after the 1693 earthquake. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">en huge "candelore" and a smaller one, now lead the procession. A candelabrum in memory of cardinal Ventimiglia comes first, being followed by the "candelora" (decorated with four griffins at the basement) offered by the inhabitants of San Giuseppe La Rena. Then the candelabrum of the Floriculturists follows, in Gothic style, portraying statues of Catanian martyrs and bishops: once it was tooped with a bouquet of flowers, now replaced by a bow. </span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><b><img src="http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/img/agata5.jpg" align="right" border="1" height="260" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="180" />T</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">he "candelora " representing Fishmongers comes next: it is in rococo style and bears votive offerings and a statue of St. Francis of Paola, </span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">patron of fisbermen and sailors. The other "candelore" represent Greengrocers (it bears a bust of St. Agatha), Butchers (it displays a small bouquet of flowers), Makers of Pasta (an eighteenth-century candlestick), Grocers (in liberty style, decorated with characteristic caryatids at the basement), Bakers (the heaviest, carried by twelve people, instead of eight, and displaying human-heigbt statues of angels), Vintners (carried by ten people and displaying four lions and griffins at the basement). </span></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">(</span> An international cult <span style="font-size:6;color:#ff0000;">)</span></b></span></p> <p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></b>he cult of St. Agatha is non strictly Catanian: the Saint is venerated all over the world. St. Agatha is the Patron of 44 italian municipalities, and 14 of them bear her name. Besides, St. Agatha is among the Patrons of Malta and S. Marino. In Spain, she is worshipped in Andalucia and in Jèria (Valencia). The chapel in Barcelona where the Catholic sovereigns welcomed Christopher Columbus back from his first trip to America, is dedicated to St. Agatha. A peculiar tradition takes place in Zamarramal (Segovia): on the 5th of February, women are the masters of the city. In Portugal, St. Agatha is the Patron of Agueda. In Germany Agatha is the Patron of Aschaffemburg. In France, St. Agatha is venerated in Le Fournet (Normandy). The cult was grandiosely celebrated in Costantinople, while in Greece the Saint is extremely popular, specially in the Aetolian region. Even in India, in Viayawala, a cult of St. Agatha exists, and in Argentina, where sbe is the Patron of firemen. The cult is widely spread in Italy, specially in Lombardia, but also in Rome, Florence and Naples.</span></p><p align="justify"><br /></p>http://www.ragusaonline.com/santagata/_index.htmThe Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-8274226188145647752008-01-31T07:34:00.000-08:002008-01-31T07:55:43.625-08:00You would think it would be simple.....I recently have spent a lot of time in three different places around our little neighborhood in Catania. I've spent a lot of time at the grocery store, the post office, and the USL medical center. Since my new found need to go to these places has put me there a lot, I've started to notice some things about these places. They all have one major thing in common. Old ladies. There are cute ones that make you want to help them carry their bags, smug ones that look as if they have run a farm their entire life and don't need your help, and lost ones who seem to not really understand whats going on at all in life at that moment in time. I'll explain.<br /> I was in the grocery store yesterday at the WORST time one can go there. 1130 am. BAD time. This is when all the old ladies come out to get lunch materials for their families. We dont have big Wallmart's with 50 check out lines. We have one small little grocery store called SMA and it has exactly 8. Of course, they don't have enough employees to have all 8 open so I can comfortably say there are only 3. After figuring out that this was a bad time to be here I proceeded to only get the very basic of what Kristin needed for lunch instead of getting food for the whole week. I tried to quickly get in line. I was still behind at least 6 people. Some old, some younger. ALL seemed to be in a terrible hurry UNTIL they got to the cashier lady. It is a bit of an Italian custom to know EVERYONE you see and the grocery store is no different. So they stop and talk while the person behind them gets annoyed.<br /> Heres where the old ladies come in. They always try to cut ahead of everyone else! I was standing in line and I put my basket down on the floor so as to not have to hold it the whole time in line. I started talking with a lady in line about the upcoming St. Agatha festival in town. The next thing I new, a sweet old lady, I use this term loosely right now, pushed my basket with her leg and slid in front of me. There was no room so she proceeded to lean against me and make me go back. She even turned around and asked if I didn't mind not crowding her. I was amused. I chuckled to myself and let it go.<br /> Then I saw another old lady looking at the candy that you always find strategically placed on either side of you once you get close to the conveyor belt. She was looking intently at the candy and was acting like she was going to buy something. My turn had finally come and so I reach down and grab my basket to lift it up on the conveyor belt and when I look back up, this sweet old lady had put her things on the conveyor belt and smiled at me saying, "Devo andare a casa a preparare la cena.Tu capisci, vero?" Translated this means, "I need to go home and prepare lunch. You understand right?" The problem was it wasn't just me she was jumping ahead of. It was about 10 people behind me which included OTHER old ladies. They did not like this at all.<br /> Needless to say, I now watch everyone like a hawk in the grocery store lines. If someone has only one thing to buy, or less than me, I try to let them go ahead. It has become a game for me to watch and see how many old ladies will try to cut ahead of others. It really is a fun game. I now do my best to just let them go ahead. I give in. It seems they would have gotten ahead of me either way.<br /><br /><br />On the happiest note of my life, Kristin is pregnant!! We are really excited and cant wait for this little blessing from God. Please pray for us in our continued work here and all that we do and become. God bless!The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-79790683287503983442008-01-21T14:09:00.000-08:002008-01-21T14:51:14.658-08:00We off to FlorenceTomorrow we leave for Florence for the next 3 days. We have an appointment for our permesso di soggiorno. Let's hope this is it so we don't have to fly up there again. It is basically a type of green card. It will also be nice to visit with David and Debbie Woodroof who are the new directors of Avanti Italia. David was my boss for 7 years as I worked for the Media Center on Harding's campus and is also a close family friend. When I was studying abroad in Florence of summer 2004, I had the great blessing of having them as our faculty for the following 3 months. So we all shared our first italian experiences together. HUF was what ignited that fire in me to come back to Italy, maybe it did the same for them too. But before we go, I just wanted to post some pictures and video of our brothers and sisters here in Itlay.<br /><br />Here are some members of the Catania Church:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTkp20KterAvrJc8ZqY1O4z-kugkP7Ezv-ZPsaRj3GOmq6QVlj2pzFkzwb8zrbDPiYFLgl31q-eO0RHZmX5Merth4uTE1NMtnMPKceUreIhtqehroYOhTOxRbBITZIUxAw32LL9tfC8Q/s1600-h/223+The+Catania+crowd,+including+those+that+live+in+Taranto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTkp20KterAvrJc8ZqY1O4z-kugkP7Ezv-ZPsaRj3GOmq6QVlj2pzFkzwb8zrbDPiYFLgl31q-eO0RHZmX5Merth4uTE1NMtnMPKceUreIhtqehroYOhTOxRbBITZIUxAw32LL9tfC8Q/s400/223+The+Catania+crowd,+including+those+that+live+in+Taranto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158058633221823746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fiorentina fans vs. Catania fans :<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3HhAsDV34JZpujG_H0PrsrVmWlP1_Kp5Dv2MHyaoeeGWo_58eCm00iT_OSlnyfbGAN5odQbRXNxTSx10_NA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Our new brother:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine2ta34tqENvGZAA0qDcFReaqLZOeaUAT9n40XYtJ1XLKRwMQf1jSZ16K33GieteBd15P0FnhVkKFzMuJznUmJLaag8uTj8bT-fxV51VYfJcR_OyGYDcs52Oh_X7uqa2cZbMO-5LaZic/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine2ta34tqENvGZAA0qDcFReaqLZOeaUAT9n40XYtJ1XLKRwMQf1jSZ16K33GieteBd15P0FnhVkKFzMuJznUmJLaag8uTj8bT-fxV51VYfJcR_OyGYDcs52Oh_X7uqa2cZbMO-5LaZic/s400/048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158065006953291026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkZaIJOq57IRi8PXwN0GvRVz_Tc0kNXrDbgTV_VlQVHjioLr_Cm_Cw1gMTizeWX7QyoFrwrC4EH-5TH5tW29w8ka8-G95vpU3Oxpxuhm8A6r05j03inw2oG2S6HN0ru4FBeu5rY4RQ4g/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkZaIJOq57IRi8PXwN0GvRVz_Tc0kNXrDbgTV_VlQVHjioLr_Cm_Cw1gMTizeWX7QyoFrwrC4EH-5TH5tW29w8ka8-G95vpU3Oxpxuhm8A6r05j03inw2oG2S6HN0ru4FBeu5rY4RQ4g/s400/049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158065616838647074" border="0" /></a>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-55075999701951995542008-01-16T01:49:00.000-08:002008-01-16T02:50:11.903-08:00English/Bible studiesHow many Italian men does it take to install an air conditioner/heater wall unit? Apparently 5. That has been our morning so far. It's been entertaining watching them argue and repeating "aspetta! aspetta!" which means "wait!" while a couple recline on our couch making orders to the other workers. As you just read, our gracious land lord is installing an air condition/ heater wall unit in our living room for us. It can get pretty hot here in Catania and he's doing it well in advance before the blistering summer heat strikes us (which will probably be in a few weeks).<br /> Last night we had a bible/english lesson which was scheduled with one girl, Georgia, but then it turned into a lesson for 3: Georgia's father and Stefano Scibiglia. Georgia is a 16 year old brilliant girl. She is almost fluent in french, and knows a little bit of japanese, chinese, german, and russian. She has had 11 years of english (since kindergarten) and is in need of practice in pronunciation, understanding, and writing. She has weekly bible studies with Stefano, a wonderful evangelist, as she is studying to become a christian. Her parents are members of the church and right now she is studying to, Lord willing, make the greatest decision in her life. At the same time, our new sister, Nicoletta, who was just baptized a month ago, is continuing her studies with a fellow member of the church AND brought along her boyfriend whom she is hoping will become a brother in Christ! Last sunday we spoke to Nicoletta about it and she is praying diligently that her boyfriend will have an open heart and accept the Message that has changed her life for the good.<br /> After Georgia's study with Stefano, her father decided to sit in on her lessons with us as well as Stefano. Our english lessons went very smoothly. We took the first 8 verses of Mark and had them read out loud, one verse at a time, while correcting their pronunciation and explaining certain words to them. Georgia's dad just listened in and followed along in his italian bible while Stefano decided to surprise us with his knowledge of english. We also gave a little historical background about the writer, Mark, which they were fascinated with. We then had them re-read the english verse in italian and vice versa to practice their translating skills. For homework they are to read out loud the verses again as well as writing it and then to translate a passage in James 1:2-6. <br /> As we were telling the history of Mark, I realized how blessed I was to have had the opportunity of studying at a christian university as well as a christian highschool. The new testament and old testament surveys, as well as studies on individual books such as James and Hebrews, and the Gospels, have enriched my mind with the historical knowledge (as well as knowledge for "the way" to live life that leads to our eternal life with HIM). In our study last night, it was their first time to hear that Mark was actually a surname and that John was his first name. We will continue to share historical background of the books with them and Brandon is doing the best he can in his time between students to translate historical biblical material for them.The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-75001677602213004502008-01-09T12:29:00.000-08:002008-01-09T13:23:14.337-08:00Happy New Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg09ykTGmwkxh-hMougUGBSqIWoqSwNahunVsAl7qVHp5cR9H1nOp5TIrEfrFIX9CWm3IL6C3IrGcGO_GSdXMA4QRzjEbZyQrhHt8sqy1jt16J908Q6LCo6ZQkG1km_-B3G4v00KxJqUI/s1600-h/084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg09ykTGmwkxh-hMougUGBSqIWoqSwNahunVsAl7qVHp5cR9H1nOp5TIrEfrFIX9CWm3IL6C3IrGcGO_GSdXMA4QRzjEbZyQrhHt8sqy1jt16J908Q6LCo6ZQkG1km_-B3G4v00KxJqUI/s400/084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153589290253606098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjQCxBEmRdLaHH1NDT6p1x3RGmrzsjd3nZPu1O1qEs7gTSBpqpjNbAhxm2JIEX6kWa02iszRyByal0Xd3o0fzoX24NmL-DqCOVknCK_SpYo_ajoVUqeRtB7PcVBqageaFM1NH6KCPXTI/s1600-h/123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjQCxBEmRdLaHH1NDT6p1x3RGmrzsjd3nZPu1O1qEs7gTSBpqpjNbAhxm2JIEX6kWa02iszRyByal0Xd3o0fzoX24NmL-DqCOVknCK_SpYo_ajoVUqeRtB7PcVBqageaFM1NH6KCPXTI/s400/123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153589298843540706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QXl_NWBH5QBOZUvcdWe5VPMt9Lmss5196b8q95UaC1T_DLeup7L_eMknF3d7XGcoDRhkXpgTNVMs9dE6vsfAc4VBSy2lvzX_4Gga4jVIh-FEfKbwXfv31KvJMIugY2W2mRa3arL1S9Y/s1600-h/124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QXl_NWBH5QBOZUvcdWe5VPMt9Lmss5196b8q95UaC1T_DLeup7L_eMknF3d7XGcoDRhkXpgTNVMs9dE6vsfAc4VBSy2lvzX_4Gga4jVIh-FEfKbwXfv31KvJMIugY2W2mRa3arL1S9Y/s400/124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153589303138508018" border="0" /></a><br /> Buon Anno Nuovo! It is officially 2008 and Brandon and I are thrilled to what this year may bring. We had a great christmas. We celebrated with our italian brothers and sisters till 3 in the morning on christmas eve and then the next day we continued with the celebrations with a long lunch. I crashed at 7pm that night. I have never eaten so much food in my life within a 24 hour period.<br /> New Years was the best in my opinion. We had about 15 people over at our house to bring in the new year together. We had all sorts of anti-pasta, primi, meats, and breads. We are so thankful that we have the space to host our friends. We set up 2 long tables in our living room and everyone was able to fellowship around one make-shift table. We enjoyed our dinner with a backdrop of fireworks through our large windows. When it got closer to midnight, all of us went outside onto our terrace and had the most magnificent firework show we have ever seen. We live in one of the tallest buildings in catania, on the 10th floor, so we had a 360 degree view of what seemed like millions of fireworks shooting up in the air all around us. I think it was a first for everyone there to see that many fireworks. *Check out the video below.* There were times though, where we couldn't leave our apartment due to some pyros who like to shoot fireworks and firecrackers in the streets and off the balconies. On the first of january, the evening news reported several injuries due to fireworks. There were a couple of deaths from people shooting their guns up in the air at midnight.<br /> After the firework show, we ran back in to warm up and some sat around watching a new year entertainment show while I taught a few how to play the game "uno". They got a kick out of drawing a card one after another and ending up with a mini deck in their hand after finding the right card for the stack. We then all gathered around the living room to teach them how to play the game "mafia". They found this very amusing considering they live in the mafia city headquarters. All of this and other various activities continued through 4:30 am. Even our sweet elderly Graziella was one of the last to leave.<br /> As you can tell, we finally have internet in our home. We applied the first week we arrived in Catania, but due to the special christmas package, it was a little backed up. Slowly but surely we're are getting settled into making a house a home. I am getting better in my italian language. And I am grateful the italians are so patient with me. We are setting up english lessons and making curriculum, language level tests, and distribution. Brandon is translating some biblical studies material from a request from some of the men in the church which he is excited to be doing. Continue to pray for our work.<br /><br />God bless,<br />Brandon and Kristin Edwards<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzFuKLgAPm_3-kAlvFx8DE6skAR4-Ci_QtrsYrsvG0gqOU2fDXyP_6JeJQ62V9qtaUYoNYdtwqtXWMBuWLLMw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-44286558682878610722007-12-05T08:26:00.000-08:002008-01-09T13:35:14.542-08:00Finally in Catania!Well we are finally here! We arrive about a week ago in this beautiful little (600,000) city on the island of Sicily. We have been really busy! We had previuosly found an apartment and moved in to our new home only to find that we lacked quite a few things. You never really think much about forks and pots until you go to cook and you dont have any. Its been a fun and exciting week all the same. Alot has happened. We have been spending alot of time with the brothers and sisters here in Catania and it has been intereting to say the least. Quite a few (surprisingly) speak english and so its been great for Kristin to get to talk and relate to quite a few of them. On a GREAT note, weve had two baptisms since weve arrived! We are obviously are excited for these new brother and sister. Both have been studying for a while and just happened to make the decision during our first week here so that we could share in it with them. Last night we were out until 1 am with the new brother eating pizza and simply enjoying our new life here in Catania. There is so much work to be done! Im sorry if this post is a little short but we still dont have internet in our house. Still trying to work out all of the bugs. On a side note, 70 men where arrested across our city last night in a Mafia sting. Hopefully this will continue to cripple the Mafia and its work here in Sicily. I never really new how alive it still was until i moved here. Hope all is well. God bless!<br />Brandon and KristinThe Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-85523215835996893812007-11-03T06:48:00.000-07:002008-01-21T12:47:07.036-08:00DESTINATION: CATANIA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY0Tf2S3u5mqCO8fldQvKEalgo6ROYpVK5WogR_n8s6iNL54grSrSiJcsCQ_RrF6iKU_CMeQ94gq12OaZ_98DNVNwrdmcPyGT1YnC5WAl7Tz-jhBuI3BXgNJfsu2ouO0Z-rk5eb7EsyU/s1600-h/214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128613765305943842" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY0Tf2S3u5mqCO8fldQvKEalgo6ROYpVK5WogR_n8s6iNL54grSrSiJcsCQ_RrF6iKU_CMeQ94gq12OaZ_98DNVNwrdmcPyGT1YnC5WAl7Tz-jhBuI3BXgNJfsu2ouO0Z-rk5eb7EsyU/s400/214.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4emiHd6OTwX86KuC8BgZsYfaCHIBlNZx9WSmBakf0Kc6cyXPWalnfsaPcjXrJFyzRFeLPHMboA-vcl3Omvg2Mpvb8oJ0rTiZdk-Gg5Hp2XXk6VVwu_7udhJS9q0zT7Z6vWoCUfGf_Mw/s1600-h/437.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div>On October 23rd Brandon and I headed down to Catania, Italy, a city on the island of Sicily. Our mission was to do a survey trip to visit the church there and meet the rest of the people that couldn’t make it to the August Convegno in Florence. See, the August Convegno is what opened us up to the possibility of working in Catania. In just a matter of a few days during the convegno we developed a special connection with the Catanians. We knew we had to get to know them more. At the time we were juggling what church to commit to at the end of November: Rome, Palermo, Milan, or Catania. After viewing all possibilities, we decided to go to Catania (they haven’t had anyone help them in 20 years) and if the Lord opened the doors for us to find a place then we knew it was meant for us to be there. The second day we were there we found an apartment. Our friend, Georigo Cammarata, was helping us by driving us around and having an appearance as a Sicilian (so we wouldn’t get ripped off) has been looking for an apartment for him and his fiancé for 2 years! He couldn’t believe we found that nice of an apartment for a good price, a great location/zone, and that fast! God was definitely wanting us there. The apartment is a gated community and has a doorman that won’t let anyone in until he has contacted the residence and the general surroundings make me feel really safe. Catania is about the same size as Florence. There is a large grocery store right next door and a fire department two doors down. There’s a hospital across the street and a main post office two doors down from that. We’re in an university zone too. There is a college right across the street from us and we’re just a 10 minute walk from the historic downtown and the coastline. There is also a nunnery behind our building and the best part is the church building is a 3 minute walk from our apartment! We don’t have to invest in any public transportation or worry about not having a car! We were down there for a total of 7 days and twice a day we were at a different church member’s house visiting and eating home cooked meals till our buttons burst. During the times when we weren’t eating (very rare) we were being driven around and seeing the city that they’re so proud of. Thursday was bible study night (similar to our Wednesday church nights) and welcomed us with cheers of hip-hip-hooray and tossing Brandon in the air a few times!! Luckily I was hiding in a pack of girls! Saturday night we went out on the town with 10 other brothers and sisters (it felt just like being back at home) and that following Sunday we had an agape (potluck) and literally stayed all day at the church building just fellowshipping and eating for what seemed like 6 hours! Monday night ended with a celebration dinner at the home of Massimo and Luisa and Tuesday morning we flew back to Citerna where we are now in the process of packing and looking forward to our future home and new journey that lies ahead of us.</div></div>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-90530540412733691432007-08-18T06:21:00.000-07:002007-08-18T06:25:07.808-07:00Ferie D'Agosto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAL6S9JDt20Qmh_eFGMJj-le13RBqTLJromFxVcKm5hi_8Mlc2ubde9icY2fb_6HA_LsAc34a6o6uzewr3mgcyVvuW14CZnVchQtwldZnoMeOpE970wUFTKt7gfKCnAL4AGT4MIFhyphenhyphenhc/s1600-h/060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100030743567432898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAL6S9JDt20Qmh_eFGMJj-le13RBqTLJromFxVcKm5hi_8Mlc2ubde9icY2fb_6HA_LsAc34a6o6uzewr3mgcyVvuW14CZnVchQtwldZnoMeOpE970wUFTKt7gfKCnAL4AGT4MIFhyphenhyphenhc/s400/060.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Dear friends and family,<br />Its officially AUGUST! Kristin and I cant believe how fast these first three months have flown by. It seems like yesterday that we were stepping off the airplane in Rome getting ready to catch the train up to Florence to begin our work. Now, as we look back, its been a very busy three months. Between Kristin’s language school, a few different students, a couple of day trips, visitors from the states, church potlucks, and more, we have been sometimes overwhelmed. It has been a rollercoaster ride so far! All in all, we are happy and now enjoying a bit of a lull before we begin the next phase of our lives here in Italy.<br />For those of you who don’t know, Italy literally shuts down in the month of August. Its called Ferie D'Agosto and it basically means "we all go on vacation to the beach for a month". My three students that I have been studying with are all gone. Luigi is on his way to India to see about starting a pizzeria in Bombay. Carlo is on his way to Santo Domingo for business before he heads to Ethiopia on a business trip. Roberto is away with his parents at the beach. I’ve given them some different books to read while away and I hope that it will continue to help them in their spiritual journey. Pray for these men.<br />Every August in Florence, the church organizes a nation wide get together for study, prayer, encouragement, and fellowship up at the Harding villa. Its called the "convegno" and its quite a bit of planning! It’s basically a miniature Lectureship. Its coming up on August 22-25 and it will be attended by about 100 different Italian Christians. We are really looking forward to making new friends and learning more about the individuals who are keeping THE church alive in Italy. This will provide Kristin and I a GREAT opportunity to get to know two different church groups in particular. This leads me to the next phase of our work.<br />We will be moving to a little town called Citerna for the fall months to work along side my father with his new overseas program. From August 30th until December 1st, we will be living and working out of this little city on the hillsides of Tuscany. We are really excited about this transition! It will provide us with two great opportunities. The first is to be able to work alongside my family as they have a TON of experience with the work in Italy and with living in a different culture. It will be wonderful for Kristin to be able to spend time with my mother as they both have a lot in common. My mother was also dragged (only kidding) to Italy as a newlywed (close enough)! Its also just good to be around a Godly couple that will give us, I'm sure, a ton of good advice on how to live and how to work in a foreign land. We will continue to attend with the Florence church and we will simply take the train in on Sunday or Saturday nights and spend some time with the brothers and sisters.<br />The second reason is the main one. We will spend the next three months researching two different churches in Italy who have invited us to come and work with them for the next year and a half (time remaining after December). The two churches are the church in Rome and the church in Catania, on the island of Sicily. Two VERY different opportunities.<br />Rome is one of only two churches in Italy that have Elders (that I know of). They have two part time preachers and have known me my entire life. They are a wonderful congregation that loves God and finds themselves literally in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. With the constant flow of tourists and immigrants looking for work, there is a massive need for workers. We would be able to do a lot of work involving foreigners in Rome and it would be a wonderful experience. It would not be easy work at all. Rome is the capitol of Catholicism. The Vatican City is around every corner and it will be a work that needs more than just the two of us (this is my plug for those of you who feel the need to do something great with your lives!). It would also be very expensive! Rome is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.<br />Catania couldn’t be more different if it tried from Rome. Catania is a city of about 350,000 people with a surrounding area of about 1,000,000 inhabitants. It has the largest Church of Christ in Italy with about 100 members. It used to be about 150-200 but numbers have dropped in recent years. They have asked for the past two years for some Avanti workers to come down and we have finally accepted the invitation to go and check it out (along with the Rome work). Its a totally different culture! Southern Italy is a bit like living in the south in America compared to living in the North. Not even close to the same as living in Florence. Catania is on the beach and is a very family friendly culture. The church at Catania has ALOT of youth. Youth in Italy is defined as anyone younger than 30. They have a lot of young couples, young singles, and a lot of kids! There is something about the south that just seems to be a little bit less apathetic to spiritual needs compared to the north. This opportunity is wonderful. Again, a city of 1 million inhabitants. We need more workers!<br />So over the next 3 months we will spend at least a week or two in each of these cities checking out the possibilities and seeing were we feel God is pushing us towards. We ask for your prayers in our decision making. We are deciding the next two years of our lives and were we will be spending them. We hope that this email finds you all doing well. God bless you all! We hope and pray that the work for the Lord in America is going well. Keep up the faith. Teach the Truth. God will guide. We love and miss you all!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Brandon and Kristin Edwards</div>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-11371226045193024882007-07-13T05:50:00.000-07:002007-07-13T06:06:14.927-07:00July update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A3L0a5NHaDLN5564O5zwp3WM21etS_CdNXzoYcMezxExkNnchtloNeVwt5rgKXUnzVDCmjs3HEv7oIHhxvZiHLGz6uANgXPyXvaMS2WZrH5D6fmjoLFirtJeqvAYrCrU_lrwR3Bka2I/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086667050866230466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A3L0a5NHaDLN5564O5zwp3WM21etS_CdNXzoYcMezxExkNnchtloNeVwt5rgKXUnzVDCmjs3HEv7oIHhxvZiHLGz6uANgXPyXvaMS2WZrH5D6fmjoLFirtJeqvAYrCrU_lrwR3Bka2I/s400/013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><blockquote><br /><p><br />Well, its officially a time for an update! I know its been a while but life happens. Its been an extremely busy month of June and early July. I guess I need to start off by explaining a little bit of our living arrangements. We live at the SCUOLA BIBLICA DI FIRENZE (Florence Bible School Building) in a one-room back bedroom. The building itself was an actual Bible school for Italians in the late 60's, 70's and early 80's. My grandfather helped buy this building in 65' and its been interesting to find old books, pictures, and more of my grandparents throughout the building. The building itself is three stories with the bottom floor about half underground so that it stays really cool in the summer. We do not have any airconditioning (or heating) so we use alot of fans, open windows for breezes, and lots of cold drinks to stay cool during the summer. During the winter we use space heaters and big conforters! All in all, quite enjoyable. The bottom floor is our dining room, kitchen, and classroom. The second floor is divided in two parts. On the left side is Gary and Jennifer Williams, the directors, apartment. They have a living room, kitchen, bedroom, guest room, and bathroom, with two balconies. The other side of the hall is a bit different. There is a library, (which i'm currently renovating) Gary Williams office, a computer room, Kyle Thompson's room (HUF's assistant), Kristin and I's room, and the bathroom that we share with Kyle. A little crowded would you say? The right side is an exact mirror opposite of the Williams apartment just divided a bit differently. The third floor is a whole other story. The third floor is mirror exact on both sides except the right is for girls and the left is for guys. There is a big open room which houses 8 beds. We call it either the "guys side dorm" or girls side dorm". So thats 16 beds that we have. (i'll explain these a few seconds). We also have two matrimonial rooms. (one on guys side and one on the girls side) There is one bathroom on each side for these "guest rooms". The rest of the two sides is divided up into single rooms for "single" Avanti Italia workers. </p><br /><p>All in all, one huge crowded building! It gets crowded because of our constant flow of guests. Since we arrived in May, (13th) we have had a total of 75 guests who have come and stayed with us. We have had a total of 9 days without a guest here at our home. We have had a group of 29 for three days from Freed-Hardeman. Right now, we have a group of 15 from Falkner University who are staying with us for three weeks. Honestly, it sometimes feels like we are running a hotel. Thankfully, I have already worked at a hotel so I know a bit about what I'm doing (thanks Mrs. Walton!) In all seriousness, we really do run a hotel here. A Christian hotel based off of the principal of hospitality. Some days are harder than others but we make it and try to always do it with a smile. On a normal day (as if there was one) we have eight of us living here. Kristin and I, Greg Seiders (harding grad), Kelly Fann (harding Grad), Katy Cross (Freed Grad), David Hopper (harding grad), and the Williams. All of them are wonderful and its been a blessing having them here to help us in our transition. God has been good to us. </p><br /><p>In my last big email, I mentioned some people that we were trying to help out at the point in time. To recap, Nancy and Rodger Bednar were on vacation here in Florence, Italy. They were enjoying Italy when Mr. Bednar began to have trouble with kidney stones which caused a reoccurance of his pneumonia that he had had before he came to Italy. He was rushed to the main hospital in the center or Florence as he was having problems breathing. We (Avanti Italia) received an email from some of their friends (in dallas) in America telling us of their situation. Greg and I went on a search to find them. He had been moved to a hospital on the ourskirts of Florence that specialized in Pulmonary surgeries. By the time we arrived Mr. Bednar was heading into surgery to literaly save his life. We met and talked with Mrs. Bednar and her son, Paul, and invited them to come and stay with us at the Bible school so as to save them some money on their now prolonged stay. They came and we began an intersting two weeks. Mrs. Bednar and her son traveled back and forth to the hospital spending most of the days with the now recovering Mr. Bednar. One evening, as we sat watching a movie with some of our students, Mrs. Bednar came in to our living room and she didnt look good. She was crying and so we asked if she was ok. She said that she wasnt. We were worried that something had happened to Mr. Bednar! As it turns out, she was suffering from a lower intestinal problem that she had had before which is called divriticulytus (sp?). We rushed her over to the closest hospital, which is literally across the street from us (Thank God), and got her admitted to the E.R. We were there until 1 am waiting to see how it would go. Now we had a married couple in two different hospitals. Paul Bednar, the son, had already flown home to Dallas because of work. So we drove out to visit Mr. Bednar to fill him in on why his wife was not there to visit him on that day. We talked to the doctors and they promised to do whatever they could to transfer him over close to us so they could at least be at the same hospital. They did and it was such a blessing! At that time, Mrs. Bednar ended up having life saving surgery! So now both of them had to have surgery in Italy while on vacation. God took care of them and they both were such wonderfully positive people. Im glad to say that they made it home back to the states safe and sound. God has blessed us with new friends and a WHOLE LOT of memories. </p><br /><p>On a different note, Ive had two students that come just about everyday to study Bible. Mario Luigi Donatello (yes, thats his REAL name, stereotypical I know) is a 47 year old resteraunt owner. He owns a BEAUTIFUL resteraunt called "La Taverna di Castruccio". We spend most mornings from 930 to 11 talking about any questions that he might have about life, Bible, scripture, history, and more. He is truly seeking and is needing your prayers. Pray for Luigi! Well, Kristin and I are enjoying our work filled summer and know that God is blessing our lives as we serve HIM. I pray that all of you may find peace and strength in your work, homes, and any place that God may lead you. Stand firm in THE faith. Search the SCRIPTURES. God will guide. Love and Peace from Florence. The church in Florence sends their greeting. IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.<br />Brandon and Kristin Edwards</p></blockquote>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-91566192541133984602007-06-05T12:56:00.000-07:002007-06-05T13:14:14.592-07:00encouragement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnh_ypSuGfLUEgFcp3B5RnNxNqO1u-KCKuWWdwY3-DZR-9ZMdw6YkcWVMbnmtgHGXKwBVLSXQ3ngJcKPser-2Oa90x1Kznw-JESGwNvywxEVUzWfMwYJpjAmnu94pY6WzVcwofWMGVIk/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072676063620684130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnh_ypSuGfLUEgFcp3B5RnNxNqO1u-KCKuWWdwY3-DZR-9ZMdw6YkcWVMbnmtgHGXKwBVLSXQ3ngJcKPser-2Oa90x1Kznw-JESGwNvywxEVUzWfMwYJpjAmnu94pY6WzVcwofWMGVIk/s400/006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The picture you see here is a group of girls from church. One of them is from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">albania</span>, 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">italian</span>, and the other 3 (including myself) are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">american</span>. They are new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">christians</span> and it gives me great joy to see them here. What also brings me joy is seeing a father and his 2 sons (9 and 7) and how they are growing up in the church. Their father takes them to church every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sunday</span> not to mention having to deal with his ex-wife for custody and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">italians</span> refer to her as the "holy terror" but yet he still does it. He even comes to our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tuesday</span> night bible studies every time at 9pm after along day of hard work and a long day at school for the boys (not to mention getting close to their bedtime). And the tired face on the father still smiles and smiles on those boys faces as they enter, and how they always bring their own bibles and look through the scriptures with us and participate. Pray for that family. He's trying to get custody and at the same time, the mother is fighting b/c she doesn't like the idea of her ex-husband or sons becoming "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">christians</span>". It's seeing a man, Marion, who has a condition with his spine and is crippled, but still makes it every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sunday</span> with a bright attitude that makes you smile when you see him. It's seeing a business man, on the way to work, stop at a local bar (coffee shop) and buys bottled water for the construction workers outside to show him that he appreciates them and their hard work. These are just a few of the many people that encourage me without words, but through appearance and just being themselves.</div>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-74294280358691017972007-05-28T08:15:00.000-07:002007-05-28T08:29:27.717-07:00Arrival in Italy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQzJcXULZlaiCmrn6tvyykOeEFkgVfcEDbB9lybW7E-Y7Q2asRPz48HvGSkthU_yBVE4ik8pPqntg_8pbpYhszBc_DWLbogdtvo4f3PTykw55pqkjffphCPy5e_ADn7PMRjSbXftVtEM/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069633900493357346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQzJcXULZlaiCmrn6tvyykOeEFkgVfcEDbB9lybW7E-Y7Q2asRPz48HvGSkthU_yBVE4ik8pPqntg_8pbpYhszBc_DWLbogdtvo4f3PTykw55pqkjffphCPy5e_ADn7PMRjSbXftVtEM/s400/028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We have arrived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">italy</span>. Orientation with smoothly and Kristin is enrolled full time in language school. Last week she was in a class with 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">russian</span>, 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">german</span> and 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">spaniards</span>. It was a tough time for her since the teachers don't explain anything in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">english</span> to you. They do gestures and simple <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">italian</span> to make you figure out what the words mean. This week the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">german</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">russian</span> left the school to go home and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">spaniards</span> moved up a level. So she has 3 new classmates which are 2 welsh and 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">english</span>. Now she can freely talk to her classmates! They are now all on the same level of learning and the teacher explains more of what she's teaching now that there's only 2 different languages in the room rather than 5. Brandon has been busy with students already since he has the advantage of being fluent in the native tongue. Please continue to pray for his work. All of his students not only want to learn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">english</span>, but are searching as well and want to know more about the Bible. Please continue to pray for the church of Florence. May the people continue to be encouraged and find their peace and joy in this church family. </div>The Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910872266154329946.post-45275064357119594282007-04-11T11:24:00.000-07:002007-04-11T11:31:22.478-07:00Our first post....prior to leaving.Well, its about three weeks until we get married and four weeks until we begin our journey to Italy. Its an exciting time! Between wedding plans, teaching class, visa's (prayers), and life in general, we are a bit tired come every evening. However, God has been good to us and has given us so much to be thankful for. We have great families that support us, great church families that support us, and wonderful Christian brothers and sisters literally around the world who are praying for the both of us 24/7. Its good to be alive and working for HIM. So as we embark on this journey of marriage and service to HIM, we ask for your continued prayers and support in all that we do. God bless you all!<br /><br />Brandon and KristinThe Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01536603580795525566noreply@blogger.com0