Six days have already passed on our mission trip here in Italy, and what an incredible experience it has been so far!
We came ready to serve, and we have certainly had plenty of opportunities to do just that. Over the past six days, we have put in some hard work — working through the sweat, the mud, and the long days. We have carried more rocks and concrete than we ever thought we could, and there have definitely been moments when we have wondered just how much more our backs could take!
But as tiring as the work has been, it has also been incredibly rewarding to know that we are here for a purpose bigger than ourselves. Every rock moved, every load of concrete carried, and every job completed is a small part of something that will have an impact long after we leave.
One thing that has really stood out to us is the incredible support we have received from the team here at Colli de San Fermo — the Camp.
They have gone above and beyond to take care of us while we are here. After long days of working outside, sitting down at the table and being welcomed with an incredible meal has been such a blessing. We have been fed some absolutely amazing food, and whenever we need a little extra boost, there always seems to be an espresso waiting for us!
It is easy to focus on the work we are doing, but this trip has reminded us that missions is about so much more than the physical work. It is about people. It is about serving alongside others, building relationships, encouraging one another, and being willing to step outside of our comfort zones to serve God wherever He has called us.
We feel it is important to recognize everyone who has worked alongside us, supported us, fed us, and made us feel at home here at the Camp.
Raney
Raney was born in Toronto. She felt God’s call on her life at the age of six and, from that time, wanted to be a missionary.
Raney left home at seventeen and lived in Vancouver and then Didsbury, where she attended Oriole Park Missionary Church. Between 1979 and 1980, she smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain.
Raney moved to Italy in 1985 at the age of twenty-six. She came to a northern Italian town with a population of approximately 120,000. During her first five-year term, the number of believers tripled.
Raney is now the host and lead chef at the Camp, and we have certainly been blessed by her hospitality and incredible cooking!
Gary
Gary was born in Bolivia. He began evangelizing on the streets of his hometown at the age of fifteen and later obtained Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) training in Switzerland.
He came to Italy approximately twenty years ago and is currently the owner and operator of a maintenance and renovation company that works with low-income rental housing. He has approximately sixteen employees, including Adair, Angelo, and Stalin.
Gary purchased the Camp property in December 2019. He believes God called him to purchase the property for the purpose of developing a children's ministry in the area.
Gary is single with no children of his own. However, he has become a father figure to five children who tragically lost their father approximately three years ago.
Roberto (“Robbie”)
Robbie is a Bergamasco, which literally means “from Bergamo.” He is married with two children.
He was formerly a specialized textile worker and served as a volunteer pastor and elder at the Bergamo Church. Robbie medically retired approximately two years ago and now volunteers as a dishwasher and cook at the Camp.
He also continues to be an active street evangelist, sharing his faith while giving out handmade paracord bracelets.
Adair (“Ada”)
Ada was born in Brazil. He is a believer, is married, and has two children.
Ada is the foreman overseeing the work currently underway at the Camp.
Angelo
Angelo is a Bergamasco. He is not yet a believer and is married with two children.
Angelo is the cement worker at the Camp.
Stalin
Stalin was born in Ecuador. He is not yet a believer. He has a companion and no children.
Stalin works as a labourer at the Camp.
Our Fellow Christian Youth Volunteers
It is also important to recognize some of our fellow Christian youth volunteers at the Camp. We have been blessed to work alongside them and get to know them during our time here.
(From left to right: Gabriele, Davide, Sebastian, Oriana)
Gabriele
Gabriele is nineteen years old. He is from southern Italy and is the oldest of three siblings.
He is a very talented musician, loves Mariah Carey, and hopes to become a graphic designer.
Davide
Davide is eighteen years old and was born in Bolivia. He has one older brother and one younger brother.
Davide is currently studying commerce.
Sebastian
Sebastian is eighteen years old and was also born in Bolivia. He has two older brothers and one younger sister.
Sebastian is currently studying to become an electrician.
Oriana
Oriana is seventeen years old. She was born in Bolivia and is Sebastian’s sister.
Oriana hopes to become a pastry chef.
Six days down, and we are excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this mission trip!
Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we serve here in Italy. Your prayers, encouragement, and support mean so much to us.
We would also invite you to pray for each of the people we have introduced here — for those who are believers, that God would continue to strengthen and encourage them in their service, and for those who do not yet know Christ, that God would open their hearts to Him.
We are grateful for every opportunity God has given us to serve, work, build relationships, and be blessed by the people here at the Camp.
- Jeremy and Jeremy
