Today was one of those days where we knew going in that we weren’t going to get anything finished - and for some of us, that was a challenge. Missions work is often less about checking every box and more about faithfully doing the work that God has placed in front of us, one step at a time.
And we made some great progress!
We were able to build the wall and fill it with fill rock, completing an important part of the work. In the recreation room, we got about two-thirds of the ceiling completed. We also installed the door frames and were able to get the ceilings prepped in two of the upstairs rooms.
By the afternoon, much of our attention shifted to something that may not be as exciting to photograph but was just as important — cleaning. We spent a good portion of the afternoon cleaning the space and getting all of our tools cleaned and put away so everything would be ready for church on Sunday. It was a great reminder that serving isn’t always about the big, visible accomplishments. Sometimes it’s simply leaving a place better and more ready for the people who will use it next.
And then came the reward for a long day of work: dinner in Bergamo!
We were treated to a beautiful meal at Ristorante Dalla Padella Alla Brace, a friend of Gary’s restaurant. And if there’s one thing we’re learning about Italy, it’s that dinner is not simply something you eat — it’s an event!
Italian dinners come in many courses, and by the time we made it through the first course, most of us were already wondering how we were going to possibly eat anything else. Yet somehow, course after course kept appearing! It was a wonderful evening of delicious food, laughter, conversation, and fellowship.
As we look back on the day, we’re thankful for what was accomplished, thankful for the people we get to serve alongside, and thankful for the opportunity to be here. The project may not be finished yet, but step by step, room by room, progress is being made.
And perhaps most importantly, relationships are being built along the way.
Thank you for praying for us and supporting this mission. We’re grateful to be here and excited to see what God continues to do!
Sam Loranger
