Teary-eyed Goodbyes/ Addii con le lacrime agli occhi (italiano sotto)

Although I will always want to be back in Bologna, where time moves as slow as your pace of step during a passeggiata, but also so quickly that 5.5 months came and went with a blink of an eye- it was time for me to come home. Currently, my spirit is quite torn between three places: the fresh memories of Bologna, the comfort of home, and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I am anxious to return for senior year.

Looking back on my time in Bologna, I have realized that although I traveled to places I never thought were in reach and accomplished goals through the language and culture learning process I never thought I would comprehend… it was the people who inspired me.

Before my arrival in Bologna, I researched gospel-centered churches in Italy. You can find a Catholic Basilica on almost every corner, but the evangelical churches are rare. However, in such grace, I found Nuova Vita Chiesa Evangelica, just one bus ride away from my apartment in Bologna. I attended my first Sunday in Bologna, and while it was all in Italian, the pastor immediately made me feel welcome and scurried me over to an English speaking family: not just Americans, but fellow southerners from Nashville, Tennessee, who had dropped everything to move to Italy 5 years ago and do ministry on Bologna’s college campus with 100,000 students.

They are the Hannah’s: David and Nicole, and precious Ruby-Love. Immediately they offered me hospitality and coffee (sold!); their flat turned into my home away from home. They hosted small group at their home on Wednesday night, where we talked over Efesini (Ephesians) with 10 other Italians who were in college or were young pros. Nicole discipled me on Friday’s (in English, which was quite restful!) in the most soothing, open way. We would find a nook in their home- the kitchen would always smell like freshly ground espresso beans or the balcony looked out at all the terracotta red roofs. We would talk freely- about who we missed back home, how we are adjusting to the culture, and what we are learning in the Word. And on the best Fridays, I would go with Nicole to pick up Ruby-Love from pre-school. I will forever play back the memory of spotting her first, the darling girl who was always in a different sundress with a huge bow in her hair, as if her lighter skin and blue eyes didn’t already distinguish her against the other Italians. And then the second she saw that both Nicole and I were there, she would full-out sprint to me, hands full of crafts that she had made that day, and jump in my arms, letting me give her a million kisses.

I can’t explain how this family has touched me. They shared everything they had with me. They would open their house up to me for an unlimited period of time, they showed me love, gave me precise attention, encouraged every person before goodbye’s were said, cared about my response when they asked me how I was. They are the most open people I have ever met: not just transparent, and definitely not loose-tongued, but absolutely open about what was going on in their lives, the good and the bad. They let me into their lives, to see how they loved each other as a family, how they loved the city and community of Bologna, and how they received grace.

Some of the things I learned after time with them:

  • to always put myself in the position where I am most desperate for God, which is usually an uncomfortable, challenging place.
  • to make the decision for “the next best thing” (copyright Mack).
  • going to Jesus and hearing from him in the Word everyday is not an option or a choice, but it is crucial for my essential survival; it is life.
  • fearing the Lord and fearing to not obey leads you into walking in the will of the Lord.
  • accepting grace needs to be partnered with forgiving yourself and believing that Christ already has.

Oh, I could continue. Know that I am eternally grateful for each of you, David, Nicole, and Ruby-Love.

The Italians that I met were also amazing. My favorites were by roommates: Carlotta, with whom I shared a double room, Sebastian, another (south) “american” from Colombia, and Enrico, a great cook and the guy who made me love tea by making the best chamomile (probably because of how much sugar he would add- not complainin!). You three are the most patient and understanding people I have ever met. The reason I can now speak Italian to natives that I meet in the gardens, or get sassy at gross Italians who try to hit on me on the bus is because of you. Enrico stayed up so late with me to correct my grammar worksheets and long final papers for sociology. Just as important, Carlotta taught me every cuss word that made me culturally relevant. Sebastian followed everything with a “tranquillo, dai” or “stai calmo” and elevated me to one of my most serene elements, no matter the conditions. I seriously had the most fun with the three of you. Thanks for letting me be different, not judging me, and letting me into your lives. I love y’all so much, vi voglio bene!

My prayer: that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19).