I spent a month of my summer in Rome, Italy. It was nothing like I expected it to be but I believe that it was everything that God had intended for me to experience. I was exposed to a new way of ministry that may not appear like much at the surface but the impact and purpose run deep. God allowed me to create beautiful new friendships that helped me to experience His love and provision in a foreign and unexpected way. Above all, my time in Italy allowed me to strengthen my relationship with God. I have gained so much in the past month and I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for what God has done in my life during my time in Italy but He has moved in mighty ways.
My time in Italy opened me up to a new world of ministry. In my previous experiences with mission work, the results of the work were evident and I left feeling as if I had accomplished something. This experience has been completely different. My mission work experience in the past has consisted of a short amount of time completely filled with service. I was surprised at the small amount of mission opportunities abroad. For the first whole week, I was not aware of any ways to serve. The ministry options were twice a week and only for a few hours. This was not what I had in mind when I signed up for the program. I intended on going to class and spending every spare moment serving the community in any way that I could.
I came to realize that in cities like Rome the ministry work is a gradual process. The people in charge of the ministries have been working there for years and intend to work there for years to come. These people are interested in making a lasting impact in the lives of refugees and not simply helping them for a week and leaving. Although I was not initially open or happy with the fact that the ministry opportunities were limited, I know now that it was God’s plan. He wanted to show me that serving others can be as simple as sitting down and helping someone practice English or handing them a meal. Ministry, particularly missions, does not have to be an intensive process. The people that I came into contact with through the refugee ministries have created a lasting impact on me and how I view mission work. In comparison to previous mission trips, many would say my time in Rome was ineffective from a y perspective. I did not lead anyone to salvation or rebuild a home but I did have conversations. I had conversations with refugee men who had left their home countries with the hope of helping their families. One man in particular studies the dictionary to improve his English with the hope that he can one day travel to America. The hope and work ethic that is evident in these men gives me hope and I pray that through the ministry services in Rome that they may come to know Christ and find their strength in Him.
My missions mentor was Valeria De Chirico. Valera is one of the most kind hearted and Godly women I have ever come into contact with. She spends her days as a travel nurse and in her free time she helps run a refugee center and helps her husband with their church plant. She has spent the majority of her life serving God in whatever manner He calls her too and she is an inspiration to me. Even though I was only able to spend a month with her, she has created a lasting impact on my life. In our meetings, she would talk to us about the importance of being a global Christian and being aware of the world around us. Valeria and her husband, Leonardo, are creating a visible impact on the Christian community in Rome and around the world. They are fighting for the rights of other Christians and are truly making a difference. I have always had the mindset that I could only help in little ways but Valeria and Leonardo have helped me to realize that any person can make a huge impact on the world for the kingdom of God.
Studying abroad with Veritas in Rome, Italy has been one of the most life changing and enriching experiences of my life. This program has pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed me that no matter how far I travel God will always be there. I am naturally a very introverted person and I do not go out on a limb very often. Choosing to study abroad was one of the most terrifying and challenging experiences of my twenty years on this earth. Throughout the entire process I knew God was teaching me to trust Him. He was teaching me to trust that no matter what I do or where I go, He is in control. God continually showed me in my time abroad His vast love and His provision. I was nervous about living with eight other girls who I had never met before and God provided me with eight beautiful Christ centered friendships. These girls have truly touched my heart and I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity to not only meet them but to become friends with these amazing young women. Through these ladies, God showered me with His never ending love and compassion. When I was sad about being away from family or nervous about classes, these eight people were there to encourage and lift me up in a Christ like way. I have gained so much personally from my time in Italy but above all I have gained eight incredible friendships. The friendships that I would have never had the chance to form without my time in Italy and Veritas are my greatest treasure from the past month. I know without a doubt that God’s hand was on these relationships from the very beginning and I know He will allow these relationships to grow beyond my time in Italy.
My time in Italy has strengthened my faith beyond what I could have anticipated. I expected my relationship with God to grow while I was abroad but I did not know to what extent. God has used this past month to truly teach me what His unconditional love feels like. He poured out His love on me daily through friends and through strangers. My trust in God has grown and I have learned to thank Him for every situation. At times when I was tired and frustrated, I would thank God for this opportunity. At times when I was upset, hurt, and scared, I would thank God for my health and safety. I know God has a plan and a reason for everything that occurs on Earth. I have learned to trust in his sovereignty and to lean on Him when I cannot do it on my own. I cannot even begin to cover all that God has taught and showed me in my time in Italy but I am immensely grateful that God granted me this opportunity to grow in Him.
In a predominately Roman Catholic culture I learned to rely on, trust, and love God more. I was surrounded by a small community of Christian believers in a sea of Catholicism and I am so grateful for it. This small community has taught me to love and serve in new ways. They have showed me love and friendship beyond what I deserve. Through my time with them and in Italy, I have grown closer to God and I know my faith has been remarkably shaped by my time abroad. God’s hand was on my time in Italy and I cannot wait to see how He uses what He taught me abroad in the future.
