We have now officially hit the halfway point in our time here in Florence. It is a sad thought to think that we only have a few more weeks here in Italy. Even though I miss air conditioning, our comfy couch, the English language, friends and family, and a toilet that isn’t in the shower, I have to admit 5 weeks here is not long enough. Sure the heat, not knowing the language and riding public transportation got old real fast. It’s the love in the air, the slower pace of life, the centuries of history and the burden of a culture that has completely turned its back to spiritual things that drives me to think that 5 weeks is not enough.

Even though ministry is tough here, there have been some really good discussions about the Gospel. As I type this, my belly is stretched to the max from the sausage tomato and potato pizza from a little restaurant owned by Leonardo’s dad. Leonardo is a student here at the University of Florence, he is a product of our evangelistic efforts here. He was approached by 2 Americans that are here with us on project. After long conversations about life and religion, their time ended with Leonardo inviting us to his father’s restaurant. Tonight we ate with Leonardo and had great conversation. He said the he was searching for truth, and that is was hard to find because he felt like he was searching alone. Leonardo said he was looking for how to have a personal relationship with God, but has no one to talk about it with.

It is conversations like this that make me feel like 5 weeks is not long enough. I believe that there are other people, even if only a few, like Leonardo. People that are on the verge of choosing to follow Jesus. It is the thought of those people never getting to talk about Jesus that makes me want to stay longer. It is people like Leonardo that give me hope that one day Italians will talk freely about the redemptive nature of the one we call Christ.
- Toby