Saturday began with sleep. What a great start right? It was the first time most of us could sleep in and we took advantage of it. After our late breakfast at 11:30, we headed down to a help distribute lunch to Afghan refugees. It was a very surprising experience. I had never just gone on the street and handed out food. But there they were, a mass of Afghani men, arranged in two quasi lines down a sidewalk off of a road. I was looking for a shelter building, and then realized this was it. I didn't question it though because the lady in charge was a pro - she's been doing this for 10 years and has a great heart and knows how to handle herself around them. We gave them a simple meal and something to drink, which may not seem like much, but these men are a needy, forgotten part of the city. I would have never known about them or their situation had I not been exposed to them in this manner. I think that serving, in what little way that we did, was a form of justice, and it was one of the first times that I have explicitly gone to meet the poor where they are. The language barrier made it tough to communicate at all, but I think the men know that we served out of love, not obligation or duty. We are broken people that God uses together to show others His loving face, and this was a great way for me to put faces to remember a forgotten population...
The rest of Saturday was uneventful, except, at night, there was a celebration for the Chinese New Year. I'm pretty sure it's the year of the water snake for those of you keeping track at home. We missed some of the festivities and dancing, but caught a fireworks show right over the Colosseum. Not too shabby...I couldn't help but think all night of my friend who is on an extended mission in East Asia. She went on her own, by faith, and left behind a comfortable college life. She trusted God and totally gave herself over to God's plan for her. He's moving in mysterious ways through her over there, and I know that she's shining the light of Jesus over there (along with her great smile).
Sunday was quiet, both on the town and in the convent. At church, I met a girl from Athletes in Action, and we are supposed to meet up to play soccer soon, which is sweet...I did some homework, but had spaced out my time so I didn't have much left for Sunday, so I went for a walk. The Italians seem to understand Sabbath better than Americans. Maybe they rejoice at having an excuse for a day off, but they at least understand the concept of rest. Nothing was open. Okay, I passed maybe 2 or 3 random stores that were open, but the streets were quiet, and I appreciated that. With all of our days filled with travel or activity, I have realized that I need to slow down and have rest. I've learned about rest before, but I still always need reminding. As C.S. Lewis said:"We need to be reminded more than instructed." In slowing down, I want to appreciate more of the small, pure gifts and intricacies of what is around me.
In talking with Kristen today, she said that everyone wants to know and be known. I think she's right. So, I am going to take the time to investigate this in my relationships. As for me, I want to know and be known by others too, but I want to know and learn from my surroundings too. I want to know Rome feels and sounds like when I take a step back; I want to know the pleasure of reading a book on a quiet afternoon; I want to know my classmates; I want to know the joy of spending time with good friends; I want to know what it means to love God with all of my heart...The great thing is that I am already known by God:
Psalm 139:1-14
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
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