Jenna’s Insomnia

12/22/09

Beautiful places
Smiles on their faces
If you would just ask their names
Can you help but feel broken
For those with whome you’ve spoken
Will you ever feel the same

All of the colors
Don’t listen to rumors
All of them want a friend
So, try out your accent
Hope to make a dent
Prepare for a heart on the mend

Really must I leave
A place so serene
Despite the noise all around me
I find peace, love, and joy
Like wonderful toys
That fall into my lap so nicely

Turn this plane around
Me let them surround
Where I lost my heart once again
Let the Spirit move freely
Share the Gospel quite simply
Take me back to family and friends

12/21/09

We are on the tren to the Roma airport, and I cannot help but sit alone and go over the past several days. Although I cannot wait to see my family and friends, whom I have missed since my last visits, i am leaving what seems to be my heart in its entirety in Napoli. Yesterday was amazing in Roma, and we saw so many incredible things, such as the Coliseum, the Spanish steps, the ancient Roman forum ruins, the Pantheon, and Vatican City. The sights were awesome, but I still missed the culture and people of Napoli. I miss the lack of tourism in that you are completely submersed in the culture. I even miss the ostello with its small rooms, smelly pipes, and missing toilet seats. I would gladly return as I write this entry! The more I pray and think, the more I believe I should begin planning my return to Italia this summer. As I go through my last semester of college, I will keep the people of Italia with me and they will have my heart. I even met some people in Roma. We were eating lunch on the benches at a tren stazione, and three officers walked by and stopped to talk about ten feet away. Two of them had camouflage uniforms, Bart and Roberto, and one had the police uniform, Piero. I noticed their glances at our group when they heard our English, and I was curiouse about the difference in uniforms, so I went up to them, offering a Kinder bar. They did not take it, but they let me talk to them for a good twenty minutes. They were really cool and spoke English very well. I got their Facebook information and they have mine, so I can keep in touch. All in all, it was a good but tiring day. Now, i will get on a plane and leave my heart in the ostello and shops and homes of the people we met, waiting for the chance to go back.

amen.

12/20/09

They finally arrived at 1:00am and included Brando, Roberto, Claudia, her friend, Vittorio, and Stefano. They had come from a birthday party, and I am sure they were having fun, so I was so happy that they did come to the ostello. I know that they could have called and cancelled because it was late, but they chose to come anyways! Oh, I love them all so much! We stayed up talking and eating snacks. Anna Jenks had given me some Reeses to pass out to them, and they loved them because they do not have them here. We talked about everything from college to Obama, architecture to music, seminary and tattoos and private vs. public health care. It was insane! Then, Claudia’s friend had to be home by 3:00am, so Vittorio took them home, and instead of going home to sleep, he came back! I really was stunned. Then, Roberto had to take Martina home, so he left and I said goodbye to them as if he was not coming back, but thirty minutes later…there he was! So, Robert, Brando, Vittorio, and Stefano all stayed with me in the lobby of the ostello until 5:00am! We talked the entire time, and I feel like that was when I became good friends with Vittorio and Stefano and even better friends with Brando and Roberto. They are truly amazing guys, and I will be praying non-stop for them during the next few months. At this point, I am hoping to go back this summer for the internship! I still need to pray some more about it to make sure that it is where I need to be, but if it was up to me, that is what I would be doing this summer. Daddy, thank you so much for a wonderful trip go Napoli. The people here have touched my heart in ways that I did not even think were possible! Show me what You would have me do about it…where You would have me go. I am assured that wherever You take me, I will be sustained.

amen.

12/19/09

The rest of the day went well, and it is not over yet! After I wrote my last entry, we went to the National Museum in Napoli at Piazza Museo. The statues and artwork were truly amazing! What was really incredible was that I was able to recognize the majority of the names I saw on the statues due to my Church History course this past semester. I was so cool! i took several pictures while we were there. After Museo, we took the tren to Dante and went to the Galleria, a beautiful shopping center in the heart of the shopping district. We spent some time there to eat lunch, gellato, and do last-minute present shopping for some of the others. Then, we took the tren to Pozzuoli and saw the place where Paul landed in Acts 28.13. We then went to a home belonging to a wonderful, loud, crazy Italian family. They fed us so much food, and we laughed and took pictures until late into the night. I am now waiting with Brett,Emily, and Mickie for the college students, who should be here at any time. We have to be ready to leave for Roma at 5:30am, so it should be interesting waiting for them and then hanging out with them for a while (by the way, it is already midnight here). To be honest, they will probably be late…that seems to be the Italian way.

amen.

12/18/09
My spirits have definitely been lifted! Yesterday was a very long day, but it was extremely rewarding. We did the historic/church tour yesterday morning, and I was completely renewed in my brokenness. I would like to say, at this point, that I do not hold anything against Catholicism, and I consider my Catholic friends fellow believers whether they think the same of me or not. With that said, the Catholicism that is being practiced in Napoli cannot be biblical. I respect the Tradition, although I do not necessarily agree with the idea of it. Yet, most Catholics pray to everyone but Jesus in order to save them and heal them. It seems so sad that we ran into one man who has prayed to Saint Moscatti everyday for the past twenty years for healing rather than to God for spiritual and physical healing. The only reason most people call themselves Christians there in Napoli is because their parents were Catholic. However, this year, I saw a few people (older women mostly) enter the churches we were walking through and head straight for a replica of Christ on the cross. It was a small encouragement to the statistics. In Napoli, the top five “prayed to” saints include Peter, St. Moscatti, Mary, St. Genaro, and coming in last, Jesus. How heartbreaking. Yet, I have faith that there are those who have a real relationship like some of my Catholic friends back home. I have to believe that. Once we were done seeing the churches, Charlie took us down the shopping district in Dante and gave us more history of the city of Napoli. Then, we ate at Gino Sorbillo, the same amazing pizzeria as last year that is so packed, you have to get there right when they open the doors at noon to get a table (especially a table for twelves). We were given a couple of hours to shop for Christmas presents, then we went back to the ostello for the rest period. Afterwards, we had planned to say goodbye to some of the people we met this week, so we went to VanVitelli and prayer-walked to Megaglie D’Oro. I went with Mickie, Nicole, and Anna B., and they said goodbye to Rosi and Francessco at a dry cleaners/jersey store. They were so cute and sweet! After we left them, the group went with me to the Dragon Cafe to say goodbye to Alessandra and Enzo; however, they were not there because we got there around 7:15pm. Alessandra’s mother was at the cash register and understood who I was from what “Ale” had told her! We talked to her, Maria, and a family friend, Toni, for several minutes, and she even called Alessandra on her phone and let me talk to her. I said goodbye and promised to stay in touch via Facebook. Grace found out that she is a university student at the school they are focusing on during their time here in the Journeyman program. She will be an excellent person to know! We ate at Charlie’s and got to hang out for a little bit before going back to the ostello to meet with the students from WEdnesday night. And, Brando and Roberto from last year were supposed to be there! While I was waiting, I got on Facebook to post some journal entries, and I saw on my home page that Antonio from the Mexico bar had created a Facebook account and added me as one of his very first friends! I almost started crying again, I was so happy! Anyways, I confirmed him as a friend and was able to write on his wall in Italian via Google Translator. Hopefully, I can continue to talk to him, even after this trip. The high school students from the language exchange cam over and we talked and played cards together for a while. We bonded over language miscommunications often. For example, Marcello was trying to tell me that hi was going to stay in my bag on the plane back to America, but instead of ‘bag,’ he said ‘bed.’ So, all of us Americans started dying with laughter, and he was so embarrassed when we explained to him what he had said. But it was definitely a bonding moment for me and him. Then, the university students arrived and the high school students left soon after, except for Ivan and Caroline’s sister, Claudia. We met some new people that Ivan, Caroline, Brando,Vittorio, and Roberto brought over, including Mercol, Stefano, and Martina. I was so good to see Roberto and Brando again! Roberto’s English has always been very good, and Brando has gotten so good since I last saw him! They are both studying law. Caroline’s English has always been good too, and Ivan can actually say more than just “Victoria, I love you.” Haha! It was so good to connect, and I hope we will be able to see them again today before we leave for Roma tomorrow. I think i love moments like last night more than any building I enter or shopping market I go to. It is better than any historic site there is to see here! Ivan asked me what was the one thing that I did not want to forget about Italia (besides him of course – his words). I told him that I do not want to forget all of the people that I have met while here last year and this year. It could not be more true! I love this place, and I am already hoping to come back during the summer! I know that these past few days have not been in vain.

amen.

12/18/09

“Let us not become weary doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if do not give up.” Galatians 6.9
My quiet time this morning was spent reading and committing to memory Galatians 6:9, which Lydia Alexanders gave me in a note last night. I cannot let my burden for the people take away the joy I have when amongst them. There is a time for weeping, but we are called to live our lives exemplifying the love and joy that we have to share. Happiness is only temporary and lasts just long enough for you to get disappointed again. Yet, eternal joy will never diminish though you might be unable to show it physically at times. Today is a new day, and God has given me a clear view of the Bay of Napoli and a gorgeous sunrise this morning just to say “I love you and I love Antonio, and I love all of my creation.” Today will be good, and I will be watching for opportunities.

amen.

12\179
Today has been the biggest challenge I have had this trip and last year here. I think I have lost several pounds from crying today. So, I have mentioned the guys at the Mexico bar these past few days. Well, Antonio has been heavy on my heart since Tuesday morning when I met him and tried to ask whether I pay or oder first. Whenever I saw him, he was smiling, laughing, or looking for another reason to smile or laugh. He seemed so happy all of the time. Qhen I walked in each day, it was not as if he was always frowning and brightened up at the sight of me, rather he would just smile even wider than he already was and let out a loud, sincere “Ciao!” Anyways, I wrote a card for him, thanking him for his kindness and constant happiness, hoping that he would have the eternal joy of Christ. Although I made that type of lead in to Christ in my note, I was hoping to talk to him personally about it. When we walked in this morning, I said hey, smile at the four guys there, and laughed when they automatically made me a tea! Then, after a minute at the counter, a girl came up next to me and stuck up a conversation in English, which she spoke very well. She spent a couple of years in the states and is a music journalist here in Italia and other parts of Europe. She said that her and her brother manage a big music festival every year in Napoli, and she promised to call me once she learned that I could sing and play the piano! How cool is that!? When she left, I turned, hoping for a chance to talk to Antonio, but the bar became crowded and he was on the phone behind the counter. Since I was done with my tea, it would have been extremely inconsiderate to continue standing at the counter. So, I asked when I could come back and talk to him and planned to return in thirty minutes when it would not be as busy. When I came back later, it was just him and Salvatore there, so I was optimistic and hoping for an opportunity to mention Christ. I told him (which took a good ten minutes to communicate= that I would not be able to come back to the bar for a morning visit when they would be working. I wanted to say good bue personally. He finally understood what I was trying to say, and he smiled and said good bye and good luck. And that was it! No coherent opportunity to share why I am always joyful, no side track that led to the mention of God…nothing! Was there something I missed? Did I not say something or do something that would have brought him closer to the throne? I left the bar and fell down on a bench in the Piazza and simply cried. I knew that I could not breakdown in the middle of the crowded piazza, and I still needed to visit the Dragon Cafe. So, after shedding a few tears, I got up and ignored the looks I got from those around me. As I stepped into the Dragon Cafe to see Alessandra and Enzo, I realized that I can be broken over Antonio, but I must also be a witness to others, meaning I need to demonstrate the joy of Christ outwardly. This was not hard to do since these two at the cafe are amazing and fun. I walked in and they began to talk and laugh and dance. Anna J., Emily, and Anna G. came in a bit later. I gave them the pictures that we took of them yesterday. They loved them and put them on display in the bar! Actually, by the time I got back to the ostello, I checked my email and Alessandra had already tagged me in the two photos I had given her. How did she even get the photos on Facebook!? I do not know, but I love that she did! Anyways, we went to Courtney and Grace’s apartment again during rest period today, and thankfully Grace let me sit in their room, prayed with me, then let me weep for Antonio. It was a good time for me to just weep and pray. I just want so much for someone, whether it is me or someone else, to talk to him about Jesus and unconditional love and obedience. To everyone who reads this, please say a prayer that Antonio will be encompassed by God’s loving arms and realize this. I will be in touch through letters and email, so also pray that I can continue to show him Christ’s love.

amen.

12\169
The second entry of the day is for today’s events. This morning we were ready by 8:15am and had some specific time for prayer and scripture reading. I was drawn to 1 John, and I found myself outside, chanting over the city, “God is love. Those who live in love, live in God and God in them. In this way, love is made complete among us…” We did the same thing as yesterday morning with the task of reconnecting with our precious contacts and having new significant interactions. My group was Anna Jenks, Anna Gagnon, Emily Courtnay, and me (and Jason for an hour). We connected with everyone from the day before (and gave them photos) while meeting some new people. The other three girls discovered their Italian mom in a sweet shop this morning. I hung outside to give them a chance to make some contacts without them having to worry about me taking control of the conversation (I am so bad about that, and I have been praying for a holy meekness when it comes to stuff like that). We also went into a little jewelry store that was absolutely ‘bella’! The name is GA.TIN, which stands for the owners, who make everything, Gaycano and Tina. Gaycano was an older man, excited about having Americani in his store, and Tina was a beautiful, middle-aged woman who was very sweet and kind to us. We left, also promising to return, and went to eat at the Dragon Cafe again to see Alessandra and Enzo. When we walked up, she recognized us right away! Then, I asked her where the music was, and they turned on the radio. We joked about dancing and singing. We ate, and all of a sudden, Alessandra is motioning for us to dance with her. How many times will you git a chance to dance with the people in an Italian bar!? Once in a lifetime chance!!! So, I made a complete idiot of myself and danced with both of them while Anna G. got all of it on video! I am going to be so embarrassed when that comes out! Haha! We took pictures, paid, and exchanged Facebook and address information, also with a promise to return. It was an amazing morning! Then, after rest period, we went back out for a little over an hour, and I went back to the photo place to print the pictures from today and last night with Valerio. I saw Mima again, and a man there (while I was waiting for the photos) asked me if I wanted a coffee because he was on the phone with a bar that delivers coffee. I declined because I hate coffee, but I was so touched, I almost cried in front of him and the grandmother. When I left them, profusely thanking them, I met the rest of the group (Grace, Emily, and Anna J.) at a bar a few shops down, where they had made friends with Antonia, a young eighteen-year-old barist. She talked to us and took a picture with us before she had to go deliver coffee. By that time, we had to hurry to get back to Charlie’s for a language exchange (when some Italian college and high school students came over to chat and hang out for a little bit). We prayed before they came, and welcomed them in with open arms. To my amazement, in walked Caroline, Victorio, and Ivan, who we had met and hung out with several times last year! Emily, Brett, and I met with the three of them when we split into small groups, and it was awesome!!! We were able to show them photos of home and information on those from last year’s trip with them, and they shared their lives with us. The whole time I was ready to break down out of sheer joy and awe over God’s sovereignty and awesomeness! The group, as a whole, connected so well, you would have thought us all good friends for several years. We bonded, at first, over the Black’eyed Peas and Lady Gaga songs because that is the type of music they listen to. I think our group had a really amazing time! We promised to contact Caroline, Victorio, and Ivan so they could come to the ostello and hang out again, like last year. I am so amazed by God right now, and there is an immense joy, mingled with a great amount of brokeness for the people of Napoli. God has completely blessed me by making it possible to come this year, despite the continued lack of funds! I hope to have opportunities to share Christ with our new friends now that we have built up their trust and respect.

amen.

12\169
So, I decided to wait until today to finish writing about last night and today. After the rest period, we went back out into the same neighborhood (Piazza Medaglie D’Oro), and this time my group was Sarah, Anna Jenks, Grace Kelso (an awesome journeyman person here), and me. We walked around and went into a bar (coffee!), hoping to be able to talk to the people working there. There was only one customer, so we tried to talk to the guy at the cash register, Salvatore, and the barist, Francesco. We laughed with them several times, and Grace helped us translate a few times just so we understood them. We took pictures and promised to return in the morning, when they were working again. Then, as I was looking for a place to develop some pictures (they love it when you bring the pictures you take of them back as gifts), we came across a Kodak place. I went in, and after telling them in Italiano that I only spoke Inglese, the main lady there, Mima, asked a man in the shop to help translate. His name was Valerio (we are now Facebook friends!), and he’s a photographer for weddings in Napoli and a graphic design professor. He helped me get a few pictures developed to take back to the people we met tomorrow morning. While we were waiting for the pictures, he talked about his photography. He spoke English very well, though he did not think so. I asked him if he had a studio nearby, and he said it was only ten minutes away. I got my photos, and we all walked with him to his studio. We talked the entire time! When we got there, we could not go in because his uncle (zio) was working with a client, but several of his shots were displayed outside, and they were absolutely gorgeous (so much so that I told him I would hire him to come to America to take pictures of my wedding some day…haha!).We stood there and talked for about thirty minutes until we decided that we needed to start walking back. I mentioned that I needed to stop by a bar for a hot tea (some caffeive to keep me going) and if he had any suggestions. He took us to a nice place, and payed for our coffees/tea! He told us that wedding photographers made very good money in Napoli. Then, he walked us back to where we would split (we had spent about an hour total with him, talking the whole time), and took picutres and exchanged Facebook account information. Later, we ate a wonderful dinner of chicken and potatoes at Charlie and Shannon’s house, which really means “apartment” in Napoli. I added Valerio on Facebook later and sent him a message about talking more and seeing more pictures, so that’s in the making. I am so excited about what God is planning in all of our meetings!

amen

12\159
This is my second entry for today. The last entry was devoted to yesterday, and I might write again tonight, but so much has happened in the past several hours that I simply need to write it all down. This morning, after devotion, we met Charlie and Emily, a relatively new missionary to Napoli with her husband Jason. We went to the Piazza di Medagle d’ Oro. We split into groups and went around the neighborhood, searching for contacts and relationships. Sarah and Anna Gagnon were in my group, and we started out walking among the markets. I think Sarah and Anna G. did not know what to expect, so, knowing that feeling from last year, I prayed that God would just do something amazing during the next few hours. After walkin and buying a few things from vendors, we did not really know where to go, we decided to go into a bar (every reference to ‘a bar’ means a COFFEE bar, not the American term ‘bar’). I went first into a Mexico bar because the man behind the counter was smiling when I peeked in. I entered, and there was only one customer, which is a really good thing because they are more apt to talk with you then. I had gone into a bar named ‘Mexico’ somewhere else with the group, where you had to pay first, so I tried to ask the two men there whether I had to pay or order first. After a whole three minutes of gestures, they finally understood and told me to order first. We laughed a lot during that time while we were trying to communicate. The guy behind the counter was Antonio and spoke very little English. The guy at the cash register was Salvatore. Then, a lady, who was listening to me try to explain myself, began to talk to me in Italian, with a few English words thrown in for good luck. Her name was Dina, and she was the sweetest old Italian lady ever! I talked to her and Antonio about the trip, the group, Napoli, and America. Antonio was so happy that I was trying communicate, he kept smiling and laughing the entire time. I was about to walk out with Dina, when I saw Sarah and Anna outside the bar. I introduced then to Dina, and invited them into the bar. After introducing them to Antonio and Salvatore, Sara got a cafe, and we stayed and talked some more. We tipped them, and they did not make us pay fr anything. Then, we asked to take a picture, and they told us to come stand with them behind the counter!!! That almost never happens! Sarah and I went back there and took a picture with Antonio and Salvatore. We left, promising that we would try to go back tomorrow (domani), and we plan to take them little gifts. After that, we kept walking toward a market where I saw some jackets. I was looking for one, but I was also trying to find a place where I could talk to the vendors. When I looked at this one place, one of the guys there asked if I spoke English. I said yes, and he motioned for a guy, Diego, to come over and talk to me. He spoke English well and took me back to where they had more sizes of the jacket I wanted. After hi tried to tell me I needed an extra small (haha!), I got him to give me a large. He even helped me into it…the Italian way or the fact that I am an American girl? Anyways, while we were dealing with the jacket, more the people who worked there and their friends came over to talk to the three of us. All in all, we met Diego, Lina, Fabio, Luca, and Genni. After Diego and Genni told me that I was ‘bella’ and Luca stared at Sarah and Anna’s blue eyes, we started to go. Genni gave me the cheek kisses and even warned me that he was going to do so, just so I would not think he was going in for a real kiss! As we were leaving, I realized that we had not gotten a picture, so we turned around and asked for a photo. Genni had already left, but we got pictures with Diego and Luca. I saw Genni later in the metro where I gave him my Facebook information. We will wee if we get to see him again in the market tomorrow. We got something to eat at the Dragon Cafe, and the girl at the cash register, Alessandra, spoke a little bit of English and helped us get something to eat. She was dancing and singing the whole time! It was great! Sarah and Anna G. had amazing times trying to go to the bathroom there. We met the group back at the piazza, and now we are resting at Charlie’s during the siesta time. We will be going back to the piazza in about an hour to do more of the same. I pray that I will have more things to write about tonight. It seems like God is doing some cool things for us here!!!

amen