Driving

An Irish girl from the DTS has her car in Italy and left it for people to make use of, so I ended up driving into Varese, about 15km from here, to go to church yesterday. I had three passengers: an Italian, a Canadian and a Norwegian girl. Very international.
Was a bit wet yesterday, had quite an impressive thunder storm. Better weather today. Trying to find out prices and train times to Rome, possibly going tomorrow evening on an overnight train.

Mission

Interesting last few days. Since the Discipleship Training School students have returned I have had a lot of company! I have gone to Switzerland 3 times in the last three days, including accompanying the DTS students on outreach into a Swiss town. I even stood in a street and, through an interpreter, told how I had become a Christian! Opportunities abound!
Still not sure when I'm going to move on again. The students are going elsewhere in Italy on Saturday, so it will be quiet again here! I'm still thinking about going to Rome next (maybe via Florence).
It's been very hot here today. My skin is picking up some colour! I also found a really nice park near here. Maybe go and take some photos soon.

Cadegliano

I have now been in Cadegliano, north Italy for about 5 days. It's a nice
place and the people are very nice too. It is close to the Swiss border - a
few days ago I walked to Ponte Tresa which straddles the two countries,
although I forgot to take my passport! Ponte Tresa is on a lake and looks
very pretty when approaching it from the mountain (the YWAM base in
Cadegliano is up the hill from it).
I have spent a lot of time reading - I was given a book on Hudson Taylor
(missionary to China) before leaving England and there is also a bookshelf
that is well stocked with Christian books in English. I have also spent lots
of time resting.

To give an impression of what it is like here: A couple of days ago I was
sat in the grounds on a chair looking out over the mountains. In front of me
was a lizard traversing a wall, then it too stopped and seemed to be
watching me. Birds were singing loudly from the various trees, while I
enjoyed the shade of one of those trees. In the distance a dog barked, but
still it was very peaceful. Then some of my newly acquired Italian friends
appeared with food. One carried a large pot, containing the ubiquitous
pasta. We sat down at the table, the sun glinting through the cherry tree
above us. The conversation meandered around, mainly in Italian. Occasionally
I could understand some of what was said, and aided by the expressive
gestures, was able to share in one of the rounds of laughter. It all helped
to make me feel part of the family.

It's still rather quiet (peaceful) here as the Discipleship Training School
(DTS) students have not yet returned from their mission placements. Some are
due back on Tuesday evening from Sicily, others are not back from Africa
until later in the month.
I am very much enjoying the time resting, reading and praying. It feels like
what I really needed to have. I don't know when I am going to move on yet
and continue travelling, maybe Wednesday/Thursday, or maybe later. I have
been made to feel very welcome.

Yesterday (Sunday) I went with the base leaders (who are Norwegian) and one
of the Italian staff members to a church in Varese, led by a Dutch pastor.
Tonight I am going to the house of the base leaders to watch the football
(Italy v Denmark), have pizza and even join them in their staff meeting to
worship God and pray. We have joked that I should come and do a DTS here.
Who knows!

Arrived

I have got to Italy OK. My last day in England was pretty busy, getting the
house ready etc and packing. Was just about ready on time when I was picked
up and taken to the airport. Flight was fine. Very hot in Milan - I saw a
temperature read-out at about 6pm saying it was 35°C. From the airport
(Linate) I took a bus, then two trains, then two more buses and then walked
the last little bit. It took about 4 hours from the airport, but cost less
than 10 euros.
The YWAM base I'm staying at is beautiful - up in the mountains near the
Swiss border. There aren't many people here at the moment, but they're all
very friendly which is great. Spent my first evening watching Ocean's Eleven
on DVD!
Most of them speak excellent English. I heard a couple of Italians speaking
together - one was speaking in Italian and the other one answering in
English, and I don't think they even realised what they were doing! It meant
I understood only half of the conversation.
This is a nice place to relax with beautiful mountain vistas. I expect to
unwind and spend time with God as well.

More Preparations

I am still make preparations for the trip. Not a lot exciting to report,
just packing things, preparing house for renting out etc. It will be more
interesting when I'm actually travelling. I just wanted to write something
in the log to show I hadn't forgotten it! :o)