Teaching English in Bocchignano

The classes have been exciting to do - we are learning Italian as we teach advanced English. "Advanced" is defined a the ability of a native Italian speaker to understand some English and be able to compose simple sentences. Our teaching consists of having the students read an Italian sentence (chosen by us), then doing his/her best in translating it into English. The text is normally out of the Liahona or other uplifting publication. Another method is the ask a person what they want to do in life, or describe their family or their favorite pass-time.  The pics below are one of village where we and the missionaries are teaching.

How do you describe a typical senior Missionary's week?

                          

The real answer is - you don't. Every day is different. We have taught some lessons with the help of the Elders. We are certainly not fluent yet in Italian but we understand quite a bit and we can bear our testimonies. Fortunately, many people understand English. We taught two different doctors yesterday and the day before. One said he had his happiest days when he was active in the church 30 years ago and knows the church is true. We told him outright that the church in Rome needs him and he will be blessed when he comes back. We bought new clothes washers (Lavatrice) yesterday to replace junkers in two Elders' apartments.

Anziano Marcucci has repaired doors, gates, windows - whatever - as we make our rounds of apartment visits.

One man we visited also bore a strong testimony and is agonizing over joining the church because his family has Catholic bishops and cardinals who are pressuring him not to do so. He states that he knows the church is true and has read the Book of Mormon twice. His wife is a Catholic missionary. He is afraid that joining the church will break up his family. Anziano Marcucci promised him that his family will eventually understand and he will be blessed if he gets baptized. He has gone to all three hours of church for many weeks. He spoke a little English and we spoke a little Italian. The spirit was there and the lesson went seamlessly. It was almost hard to know who was speaking which language The Sisters were with us, but they let us do much of the discussion because the investigator was responding. Tonight we are going to a dinner to welcome four new missionaries. We have driven many missionaries to and from the airport. Tomorrow we will say good bye to six "old" missionaries and it is transfer day and misionaries will be coming and going at the train station, bus depot and airport. The next day we will have 3 English classes to teach. That will be a 12 hour day.

Put it this way - we are never bored and always blessed.

                             Missionaries Marcucci, Peschi. Burt & Mack

                                            A.P. Herrick going home!

                              Ready to serve the Missionaries potatoes




 

Ostia Antica Visit

Last weekend we took a trip about 40 miles south of Rome and explored the ruins of the 1st Colony of Rome, the very ancient city of Ostia. It was a port established at the mouth of the Tiber about 400bc. By 100 AD there were over 100,000 inhabitants. These are better ruins found in this town than in Pompeii and there are more of them. We spent the whole day there. It is a delightful day trip away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots in Rome. It would be a perfect place for children as they can run their legs off and there is lot for them to see and they can do everything even climb the ruins.

Ostia Antica

Life is good

Part of our responsibility is visiting all of the Sorella’s and Anziano’s  apartments. They give a spiritual thought and a prayer. There are no words to describe these great missionaries. They are the finest of the finest. We never cease to be amazed at their depth of dedication and their optimism. They show great respect and love for each other.The custom here is to give great "abbracios” or hugs. When they get together it like a big party. They are so glad to see each other.I am sure there are probably some problems but I honestly have yet to meet anyone who is not of the highest quality.They are from all cultures,economic groups and countries. So far we have become acquainted with native Italians, Ethiopians,Canadians Peruvians and ofcourse many from the United States. Last week we visited with Elder Tinoco born in Peru but living in Genoa and Elder Cooper from Tooele, Utah    It was obvious that they were great friends. Elder Cooper is the senior companion and training elderTinoco. Two days later ElderTinoco had appendicitis and had his appendix removed the day before yesterday. Elder Cooper sat by his side all night and cared for him. I have enclosed a picture of these good young men.