Meetings

Caserta Ward near Naples.  Meeting with the Senior missionary couple Williams.  They have become attached to the refugees in their ward, as any of us would, and they want to help.  We had a meeting to determine if there was anything that LDS Charities could help with, which is yet to be determined.   We collected their histories.  Osagie has the red tie.  From  Nigeria and he has his legal papers.  He has a certificate from a Kitchen school if anybody knows of a job for him.  The other guy is Osifo.  He is still working for papers.  In his words, "All this  is not in my power, I need the grace of God upon my life."

The power of the priesthood in the Naples ward and represented at our meeting with the refugees.  You can almost feel the power emanating....really.

The meeting with the ward leaders of the Naples ward prior to meeting with the refugees.  The Senior Couple Hyde arranged this meeting because again, they want to help the refugees in their ward if possible.  The couple Hyde are now on their second mission, and both times it has been to Italy.  They both served in Italy during their youth years. (Only Anziano Hyde in the photo, far right.  Wife off getting some food prepared)  So you want to hear their retirement plans?  Go home and visit kids for 6 months, serve another mission, repeat!   That is 100% their plan.

These guys came from two camps that are within walking distance of the chapel.  Only two are members, the rest are their friends.  Most have been in Italy just under a year.  They all spoke English.  They asked us if they would get into trouble with their camp authorities if they opened up about their feelings.  "No, we can't help you individually and we can't hurt you individually."  So boy oh boy, they opened up!

Update on this project:  Here are the purchased drums and everybody at drum class!

Their number one need is for documents.  "Can't help you there, that is for the government"  Here is their list of 'wants' in order of priority:  medical/dental attention, better food, classes and education, something to do during the day.  

Have you seen our cool name tags?  We have the 'regular' kind that all the missionaries wear.  We wear them on Sundays.  But during the week and when we meet with organizations we get to wear our 'cool' tags.  The LDS Charities badge.   Really, all the missionaries are jealous of them.  

Also we have business cards.  So if you need to get in touch with us and you have misplaced our information, let me know and I'll send you our card!  But in all seriousness, we do use our cards on a regular basis.  

On the way between Caserta and Naples you get to drive under this cool aquaduct:  The Carolino Aquaduct.  

This aqueduct was built from 1753 to 1762.  So it's fairly new.  It's 38km long, most of it is underground.  It provides water to the Caserta Castle.

Also just off the highway, we took the opportunity to stop at the Capua Ampitheater.  Built in the 1st century for the gladiator games.  Not as preserved as the Colosseum in Rome but truly a marvel.