Humanitarian Work and Missionary Work Mesh Together Well

These guys from MEDU got a kick out of the Church News article.  Everybody likes to see themselves quoted in print!

Our 'good-bye' lunch with MEDU.  Can you believe I teared up while saying good-bye!  You get attached to these people with big hearts.  I think I'm going to miss them.  Sitting from left:  Alberto, Tom, Francesa, Federica.  Top row from left:  Abdul, Vicenzo, me, Gulia.

This district has also stolen our heart.  Semi circle from left:  Parker (he reminds Tom of his brother Kent) then Sanchez, me, Valardi, Melling, Tom, Sister Woods, Sister Silva.

Took them to Trapizzino's for dinner.  

Then to Alice's for nutella pizza!

At the baptism of Jessica, the wife of this once inactive young man....but activated now!  The district sang a song....and Sanchez and Parker have fabulous voices.  Sounded so good.

Now we are in Ventimiglia introducing the new couple (Canfields)to our partners.  This is at the Red Cross camp and we are hosted by our TDH partner, Elena Prestt.  These families are being transferred to private housing today, thanks in part to TDH, who works in behalf of children and families.

Now at the Info point in Ventimiglia where LDS Charities paid the rent space for this group to provide a space for the refugees to have access to Internet, a place to charge their phones, a place for clothes distribution, and a place for legal assistance.  Ventimiglia is a new town.  The refugees have been 'cleared out' and now only a few are living under the bridge.  Tom and I could hardly recognize the place.

In Como we met up with the Canfields grandson and his companion.  We took them out to dinner.  

How cool is that?  The Canfields are serving their mission in Rome but had missionary business in Como where their grandson is serving!  I bet that is a very rare occurrence.  The Elder next to Tom is Anziano Llereno who just left Rome 1, which is our ward....and this is his first city!  What a coincidence!

Another connection.  The Canfields grandson is the nephew of Craig and Susan Christensen....the Christensens that lived in Brussels.  Amazing!  The Elders went with us to the Parish in Como where we did a few projects.  We hope the more Mormons that the Parish meet the more solid will be their partnerships.

And another meeting, this time in Milano with MVI, an organization of 100 VOLUNTEER doctors!  We gave funding to help with their mobile medical unit.

And another meeting, this time with AVSI....one of our partners that specializes in integration and job placement.  We did a whirlwind trip to Ventimiglia, Como, Milan and Torino is just 4 days.  Exhausting!  But it's done.  The Canfields have met everybody and now they are in charge and everything is now in their ballpark.  (See the smile on my face!)
We have 2 weeks to pack up and finish up and close up and toss out and give away, etc, etc.  You would think our calendar would be pretty clear but oh no!  It's packed and I hope we get it all done and tied up nicely.  This won't be the last missionary post b/c there are still a few more big events on the horizon that I will want to report about.  Hints:  Temple assignment, Farewell and final interview at the Mission Home, a visit with Kathleen Bluth with a perk.....