Last post for 2017

Baobab has become one of our favorites.  They are open and welcoming to anybody who wants to help.  The Rome Institute group proposed a project where LDS Charities bought backpacks filled with supplies for each resident of the camp.  The project was approved and the Institute kids assembled the backpacks one evening and then on a Saturday afternoon we delivered them to the camp.

I was sitting at the entrance of the camp with Sorella Whiting waiting for the Institute kids, when I noticed a variety of people coming to the camp with their arms full of prepared food....Then I realized I was witnessing a most lovely scene.  Each of these groups of people had volunteered to provide food for the Christmas meal, and our Institute backpacks were the gifts at the end of the meal.  Here is a mom with her kids bringing their donation.

There were all sorts of people....here were two young professional women...

The lady in this rented car, jumped out and asked me to watch her food donation while she tried to return the car....it was a car sharing rental car and she didn't want to be paying for the car while she was at the camp. 

Old people....

Families with kids....

Singles, couples.....

All came together to provide this gargantuan meal to be served to the refugees.....all volunteers, all local people from the community coming together to serve.  Marvelous.

Here is the party!!!

LDS Charities provided the tent.  At first there was only one section but they added a 2nd b/c there was enough funds.   With winter cold and rain (but luckily not today) this tent has become a God-send.  Literally.  They are so grateful for this small protection.  I just got a text from Rosaria "I think of you when it rains and I am so thankful for the tent!"

One of the issues with the camp is no running water, another is no electricity, another is no sanitary facilities.  A humanitarian group called Legambiente has installed these showers.  Toilets are next.

Laundry out to dry

It's been so cold and this is their source of heat:   Fire!  (Where do they get the wood?)  Anyway, Rosaria said it's too cold to sleep at night, so they sleep during the day when it's warmer and then sit by the fire all night to stay warm.

This is Muhammed from Egypt.  He actually has his permesso (document to stay and work in Italy).  He can't find work.  He was a journalist in Egypt but he can't stay in Egypt b/c of a government problem.  This is his 'home' for now.  

He received his backpack from the Institute kids:  it had a phone charger, a flashlight, warm gloves, socks, scarf, and a bar of chocolate!

Our Elders that are assigned to the Institute as well as Claudia (middle) who is one of the main 'forces' at the Institute.  She is in our ward and does all of the translation.  Very talented lady.

We moved into our new apartment on Dec 22nd.   We are now downtown and closer to the areas where we do most of our work.

Christmas Day on our balcony with a typical panettone cake.  

Christmas in Rome

Christmas at the Vatican

Christmas at Bagnoreggio.(an hour and 1/2 North of Rome)...it's a beautiful city on a hill and they turn the entire city into 'Jerusalem' with the entire village coming together, dressing up and playing a part to make the town alive.  There is a foot bridge to the city.  It was magical.

The most exciting news from the homefront is the birth of our new granddaughter:  Penny Glo Herway here with her family.

Of course she is beautiful!