Hello!
Last week after we got off the train coming back to Crotone we were hit by that cyclone I mentioned. It did not just rain on us, IT POURED. And the wind was crazy. I was the coldest and wetest I have probably ever been. The whole city was flooding and cars were driving by super fast splashing us ever few seconds. We were already drenched so that just made it all the more fun! Then it continued to rain on us every day this week. It's been good because I get to wear my rainboots and scarfs and sweaters and all that good stuff. The other plus is that no one leaves their house when it rains so when we pass by people they're a lot more likely to be home!
Despite the crazy weather, we still made our way to visit the africans like we do every monday night. We were wet and cold and exhausted, and to be honest, all I wanted to do was take a nice hot shower rather than venturing back out into the storm. But because we went, the biggest miracle happened! I don't know if you guys remember Salvatore, that guy that I talked about 2 weeks ago that we met on the bus ride home from Taranto? Well, the saddest thing happened when we tried to refer him to our elders. Somehow our phone deleted a bunch of numbers and his was one of them. We had no way of contacting him and were pretty bummed about it. The only thing we could do was pray for him to call us or stop by our church. So monday night, as we were walking to Juliet's house I heard someone yell out, "Taylor!" (my companion's last name) I turned to see Salvatore standing across the street! He came over and told us that he was actually just thinking about texting us to tell us that he was sorry he wasn't able to stop by our church but he'd be leaving to Bari early the next morning. He told us that because of the weather they didn't leave the house much, but he had to go out that night to pick up a few things before he left. It was an absolute miracle that we happened to be in that spot at the same time and that he saw us! He told us that he's been reading the Book of Mormon that we gave him too! He said that he won't be back in Crotone until the end of February so we told him that there are missionaries in Bari and asked if we could send them him number, he said "of course! I'd love to meet with them!" And like that we were able to get his number again and refer him to the elders in Bari! How crazy is that?! I really hope that all goes well for him! There's definitely a reason that we met on that bus 3 weeks ago, then ran into each other again a week ago!
We ate fufu again with the africans. It was good, she just made sooo much. Juliet told us, "you must eat all of it sorella's, I know you can do it." (did you catch that? she calls us sorellas it's so cute. she also calls us her church people haha) I got halfway through and thought that my stomach would burst (not to mention there was also chicken and fish meat that we ate) so when Juliet left for a few minutes to close go close down her shop we hurried and stuffed most of it in our bags so that we didn't have to eat it all hahaha. The things you do as a missionary...
We have been teaching one of Juliet's friends named Precious. And she really is so precious. She's 19 and got to Crotone like 2 weeks before I did. She is very quiet but so sweet. She has been coming to church every week without fail since she got here (even when none of the other africans who are members come!) She told us that she really wants to get baptized and was so grateful when we gave her a Book of Mormon. She is moving to Holland as soon as she can though, so we plan to just teach her until she leaves then pass her to the sisters so that she can be baptized up there.
We had a Worldwide Missionary Broacast this week that involved the church missionary council which consists of Elder Oaks, Elder Bednar, Elder Andersen, Sister Oascarson, Elder Allen, and Bishop Waddell. It was broadcast live to all of the missionaries in the world! A lot of it was devoted to reviewing and discussing things that were taught in the previous year's conference, and at the end they made some announcements regarding some changes to the missionary schedule and key indicators. I'm so grateful to know that we are directed by inspired leaders. The entire meeting was filled with wise counsel directed specifically to us as missionaries.
This week we went out to a little town that is in our area called Cutro. We have some potentials out there as well as a less-active family that we got to visit. It's a cute little town that's known for their famous bread. We had to buy a loaf of course. In the words of Sorella Taylor, "it was about as big as 3 smashed footballs"..so really big, it was fresh, and it only cost £2! This town is only about a 30 min bus ride out of Crotone but it was like a different world. Everyone's accents were soo thick and they all just stared at us. We say hi to every we walk by and usually people will greet us back but here they all just looked at us like we were crazies. But it was still fun and a successful day.
highlight of the week: we found a pizza place by our investigator Rosa's house called Ninja Turtle's Pizza so we had to stop in and get a slice. We planned to stop by again on Saturday night after our lesson with Rosa but she decided to randomly make us dinner instead. She doesn't have much, like she doesn't even have money to heat her house, so it made it all the more special. It breaks my heart when people sacrifice like that for us, but to them, since we're servants of the Lord, they tell us that it's like sacrificing that for Him.
I can't remember if I told you guys about our investigator Silvana, but if not, I want to because she's great. We call her "la regina" because she really is the queen of Crotone. The first time that we met up with her she's like, "let's walk, alright girls, talk to me about Jesus." As we were on our stroll she had to stop and talk to almost every single person that we passed because she literally knows everyone. She is very particular and likes things a certain way, but she's also one of the most strong and caring people I've ever met. She works all night caring for an older lady then she comes straight from that to meet up with us at a bar (they're more like coffee shops here in italy--not like the bars in america) for a half an hour, then goes back to be with this lady because this lady is lonely. Anyway, I just love her and I'll keep you updated on her progress. We're convinced that if we baptize her, we'll baptize the whole city of Crotone because everytime we're together she's not ashamed to tell everyone around us that we're "the mormons" and that we're good people who are helping her learn more about her savior.
Well, that about sums up my week. It's been a good one. Rina's still progressing well! I love her!
She still hasn't made it to church. She was so close this week, we
organized a ride for her and everything! But yesterday morning she
called saying that she got the flu and wouldn't be able to come. She
promised us that she'll be there for sure next week though. It has
been such a cool experience walking with Rina as we help her learn how
to walk with God. We have seen the change in her countenance as she's
learned how to repent and change. She's much happier and more in tune
to spiritual promptings. We have faith that she will still make her
baptismal date because her desire is there.
With love,
Sorella Bonzo
We took district pictures in our matching outfits (never mind the fact
that my companion and I look like conjoined twins..)
This describes our companionship perfectly
Pieces of our Cutro bread (aka lunch)
Dinner with Rosa
After living 4 months without a toilet seat, the elders went with a member to a warehouse store and bought one for us!! It was pretty exciting news. We were also super grateful for the space heater that they got us for our freezing house.
