Monday, January 23, 2012

Italy- Introduction to Bolonga

Woohoo! Alright, I've finally gotten internet. Now I can update some pictures and such easily. I'm not sure about how dependable it is, so we'll see. Anyway, Let me catch you up on some of the things that have been going on lately. I'll do it in sections so you can have an idea of where we stand.

Introductions to Bologna


When I first arrived, everything went fine. A brother picked me up from the airport, and brought me to his house where I met his family. From there, we spent a few hours resting and getting cleaned up. Then we had the meeting that night, so I got my first few glimpses of the Kingdom Hall. I'll tell you more about that later. Moving on. After meeting, they brought me to what would become my new home for three months.
It turns out that I never told my bank that I was leaving the country. That was a very bad idea, everyone. Don't neglect to do that. Why? Because if you don't tell your bank that you're leaving America, then there is a chance that they will shut your card down the moment that you try to make a withdraw, and then you'll not be able to withdraw any money. Without the ability to withdraw some money, you become dependent on many, many things and people. In the end, we figured it out and I have my money now. *whew*
Stetson
Joseph Pantano and Kimmy

The other brothers that had planned to go on the trip with me showed up the next day. Zech (who was here for 3 months from before), Cooper, Mica, and Stetson. We moved the apartment room around to suit our likes. Now there are 5 guys sleeping in a room. Two beds are put together to make enough room for 3 guys, and the other two have their own bed. Then we have a kitchen and a bathroom, with a very cold shower. The water is cold, then warm, then frigid, then blazing, then warm, then cold, then blazing, then frigid, etc etc. Getting the idea? Moving on. There are many need greaters coming and going, and a family that has moved here from the states to serve in the English congregation. You might hear more about them later, like the Pantanos.

The Congregation/Territory
Bologna English Congregation


The Kingdom Hall is comprised of two levels, and 9 congregations. I forget all of the languages, but they include English (obviously), Chinese, Tagolog, Italian (no surprise), and French. Our territory is the English field. Service is comprised of moving through the city looking for Africans. The hall is nice, with tile and a wonderfully painted background for the speaker. They have some features I've never seen before, like a screen telling you the name of the talk, the song, what the study is, etc etc. Like, "Bearing Thorough Witness, Chapter 8, par 8-14" or whatever it is. The seats have tables that fold up and stow away. They have a front gate where a brother can buzz you in when you hit the button. Very nice. The congregation has about 38 publishers, with over 100 studies(!), all Africans. The fields are white, brothers and sisters, the fields are white.

As I mentioned, going around for the field is wonderfully interesting. We focus on Africans due to the huge influx Italy has been experiencing. You see, many Africans left their countries to seek work for their families and such, and headed for Libya. Due to the war, they were then forced to flee from Libya. When the Libyan Army captured them, however, they sent them away on boats towards Italy (with horrid conditions on board). Since Libya would not bomb and attack Italy, it was a way of using war refugees as a weapon of sorts. Italy could thus not refuse war refugees, and established camps to care for their needs. This is what brought us to Italy, to help preach to these new ones. The Bethel in Rome works very hard to keep up to date on the status of these ones in order to provide what is needed to preach.
I was on a few studies so far, so I've had a chance to hear a number of different stories of the ones that have come to Italy. One man, named Kindness, told me his story. I'll recount it to the best of my ability, so I apologize if it isn't 100% factual. From my understanding, it is, but whatever. He (the man Kindness) was put on a boat and sent towards Italy because he wasn't allowed to be in Libya anymore. The boat hit something right off the coast of Italy, and the people on board fell into the sea as the boat began to sink. Kindness fell into the sea. I believe he said he prayed to God to save him, and that he was sorry he abandoned Him. After a long, hard life of loss and tragedy, he began to feel like God never cared. Now, though, at this desperate time, he reached out to him one last time. A rescue crew ended up finding him and saving him. From the many Nigerians that were mercilessly cramed into the boat, there were less than 30 survivors. Then he was brought to Italy, where he was put into a Refugee Camp in Bologna, where he was found by Oscar, a brother in our congregation. Kindness was raised as a witness by his parents, but left the Truth when his father died. His reasoning was that since there was so much suffering around the world, God couldn't possibly care about Humans. Now, though, through studying the bible with Jehovah's Orginization, he knows more about Jehovah than he ever did. I almost started crying as he told me his story, because he mentioned how his mother would beg him to come back so he could be with his father again, and so that she could have her family back, whole. A little while after he began his study again, he became so excited and happy about what he was learning, he started telling everyone else in the camp what he was learning. Then, he decided that even though he didn't meet the qualifications to be baptized just yet, he considered himself a brother. So finally, he called his mother and told him that he was a witness again, and that he would get to be with his whole family in paradise. His mother, he said, was "very, very happy." I cried hearing it, but I think he was too busy speaking to see. Thankfully.



When these ones leave their families to try to work and earn money for them, they go to Libya, where no one wants them. They are driven out of Libya, forced by threat of death to go to Italy, where once again no one wants them. They have lost everything, family, friends, culture, homes, their whole lives. Forced to live in a country where everyone nearly hates them, where they don't want to be away from family, and many times they have no idea if their families are alive or dead. Now imagine with me, if you can, how you would feel living like that? You have lost everything you've ever known through a dramatic, emotionally distressing, and painful time period.
Then someone approaches you in the city where you're a stranger, an outcast. They show you interest, smiling and laughing with you. These people ask about your home, flooding you with memories of your dear ones. They are interested in learning about you, and helping you to learn about a God who does indeed see your pain, and eagerly wants to sooth the pain you've sustained. This God, they tell you, stores all of the tears you've shed through the years, and wants to give you a chance to set it all right in the near future. They call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses, and invite you to learn with them about Jehovah and the wonderful aspects of his personality and his will for Earth. They show the same love that you see in Jehovah's personality, and you feel cared for, for the first time in years. You go to their place of worship, and are invited and welcomed as family. Finally, you've found a place you belong.
This is the territory that we experience here in Bolonga, Italy. A people broken from hardships, depressed from losing everything they've had, and lost without any hope, but with a deep respect and love for the Bible.
*Whew* That was a fingertip full! I better go for now, but rest assured, friends. As soon as I learn more, I'll tell you what I can.

Thank you for your patience, and for reading. Until my next post, take care!

~T

19 comments:

  1. This is awesome. In Trini we have many, many Chinese immigrants. One day I went for Chinese food, and the guy does not smile, so i smile and place my order, also I ask him how are things, so he relaxes, that day another customer comes in and says, "Chinee ah want ah combo!" And the guy gets serious again. I used to feel upset, but not any more, these folks leaves their families behind to live in a country where we say things to them. What the Society did, is for some time now, they have started a chinese congregation which is in full flight! Also, Guyana is part of our territory, so many brothers from Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados are "Need Greaters". Will I be one? No, I don't really like forests and lots of bush and rivers, much of what Guyana has. You would quicker find me in the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea where there are no sharks!

    So keep writing, and take lots of pictures!!

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  2. LMB- Nice to hear that, thanks for sharing! Blue waters do sound nice, don't they?
    Btw, you wouldn't happen to be Lydia, would you?

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  3. Trevor, I'm going to put a link to your blog on mine. This is very encouraging and heart warming! Glad to hear you're settling in and enjoying it already!
    Jenna

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  4. sorry about above. @ Aniki. Nope I am not Lydia, but the L is close lol. My sis who is an RP asked me if I would ever serve where the need is greater. I said maybe. But it needs to be an Island...in the Caribbean...and i could see beaches all around.

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  5. Firstly, it's "Baby Joseph and Kimmie" ;)

    I am glad you are enjoying the ministry in Bologna as much as I did. It is very humbling work. Every study has a story and most of them are heart breaking. My one study who lost her parents when she was a young girl asked me if they will recognize her when they are resurrected. Her hope is very real, even after only studying for a short time. You will have to hear Kennedy's story too. My mom cried after I told her about Kindness and Kennedy. Also, the conditions in the lower camp are pretty terrible. One study named Terry told me that another refugee was outside begging one day and an Italian woman stopped him to ask him why he was begging. He proceeded to tell her about the terrible conditions like very little heat, cold outdoor showers, and food that makes them sick daily. He brought her into the camp and when she stepped inside she started crying and said she wouldn't let her DOG live there. The privilege of sharing the Kingdom hope with people who have seen more suffering than we can even imagine is immeasureable.

    Sorry if I blogged on your blog. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and please keep me updated on all the studies!! I love and miss them all.

    Kimmie

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  6. Jenna Bean- Please do, I would appreciate that! Email me the link to yours, would you?
    Kimmie- Heh, heh, sorry about that Kimmie. I was wondering the proper spelling of that name of yours. Could you ever forgive me?
    For real though, I will of course update you on the studies, as I can tell already that they have a huge impact on a conductor's life. I was on a study with Andrea for 3 hours recently, and there were 8 other guys in the apartment that we could most likely study with.

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  7. I can feel nostalgia coming back... wait... no... it was something in my eye... stupid mascara! ;-) Anyway, so glad you like it there Trev. The kingdom hall reminds me a lot of the one where we served in Verona. And in Italy it's not uncommon to find beautiful painting behind the platform (a bit difficult to concentrate on the speaker to be honest). So, did you have your first real pizza yet? What about a glass of good wine? Or spaghetti alla bolognese? The stories from this Africans people are very similar to the one we found in Verona. Majority were from Ghana and Nigeria, but same goal, same fate. When they become brothers (or they're near to advance) they either go back to their own country or they will have the whole family come to Italy. You'll see... amazing blessings... Looking forward to hear more from my home country!

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    1. So far, Italy is wonderful. I love the pizza, people, and service! I'll send you an email soon!

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  8. Ah you studied with Clement didn't you? He is a handful but i think once he is convinced he will be a missionary!

    Have fun-I will be living vicariously through you for the next three months!!

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    1. Hey, Kim! We're glad to be able to pick up where you left off, but we're hoping you can come back as well!

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  9. Ditto. Thank you for sharing the heart touching experience and encouraging post. It is good to know you are getting settled in and keeping busy by jumping right into the work. That in itself helps the adjustment move along a little more smoothly.

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    1. Thanks, Nautica. I appreciate your comment, and I'm sure you're right about the adjustment. It takes a little time to settle, but when you do, it is even more enjoyable!

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  10. What a wonderful experience! I am soooo thrilled for you. You are truly ring blessed and used by Jehovah. Lv u. Gran

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  11. You know I had the same credit card problem even though I told them about it, they just didn't read the notes. Looking forward to your usual great stories and pics :)

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    1. Hey, Bradley! I love the blog so far, keep it up!

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  12. I am glad the trip is starting with the good and the bad. Whenever going to a new place it only seems right to have some problems. Anyway I am excited to hear all your great experiences that I am sure you will have.

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    1. Blaine! Its true, problems exist everywhere, right? Attitude, though, is something totally different!

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  13. Hello, Br. Aniki!! Will be joining Bologna English congregation mid this year..i`m trying to reach you..kindly, advise..

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