And so it begins
Our week of orientation is over, and this morning my dad took the Hamptons to the airport. Today we had a planning meeting to figure out the meals for the week and finalize our schedule. There are some great people that know how things work at the Hospitality House (HH) and they are happy to help us if we have questions. So we are ready to get started! This week we are completing various odd jobs around the house and will continue in the regular events: Bible study and dinner on Tues, worship and potluck on Fri (largest event of the week), some sightseeing on Sat, and the Singles luncheon and chapel on Sun.
We had a busy but wonderful first weekend! We had a great time of fellowship at the Friday night potluck. There was lots of laughter and, of course, great food! That is one perk of this ministry, you never stop eating! Claire couldn't take it any more so she hit the treadmill this morning.
On Saturday, Claire and I were invited over to have lunch at Julie's house. Julie is a soldier who regularly attends the HH. We had some great discussions and started to get to know more about her.
That same afternoon, we met an Italian couple, Mario and Chiara, who are friends of Rob and Karen and run their own leather business. They had brought some merchandise to the House a couple weeks ago for soldiers to buy, and were coming to pick it all up. We planned to help take their stuff back to their house and then go out to dinner together. Little did we know that we were in for quite a night!
Neither of them speak English, so Rob was our official translator. We also used lots of smiles, hand gestures and head nodding. So there we are, our 3 car caravan, driving along these pretty country roads not realizing it would take us over an hour to get to our unknown destination.
I ended up having two kids (guess who) sleeping on my lap as we finally drove up to an old farmhouse. Mario and Chiara have renovated the hundred year old house, and it is beautiful!
As we unloaded we heard all these dogs howling. Turns out that Chiara and Mario are avid rabbit hunters and have 11 beagles! They have competed in and won many competitions, and their dogs are little celebrities to the hunters in the area.
Mary and Julie
Showing us pictures of their competitions
Dad enjoyed the guns. (Mario, Brian, Rob)
They were very excited to show us around their home and workshop, and gave us many beautiful gifts (I now have three custom-made Italian leather dog collars!).
Leather workshop, Mario making the collars
Chiara sharing the local wines and juices
After 2 hours of visiting, we went to dinner at an elegant "ristorante" and had a delicious dinner. It was nice to have something other that pizza and pasta!
Mario and Chiara are not Christians, and we were able to share a little bit about our relationship with God over the course of our 3 hour meal. Mario gave us his impressive rendition of Pavarotti, he has an amazing voice!. We hope that we will be able to see them again before we leave. It is wonderful when God brings you those unexpected adventures and opportunities! Being able to share a day with wonderful people that come from such a different life is very neat when you connect in such a close way.
On Sunday we went to chapel. It was a bittersweet service since a few of the families are leaving. They spent time in celebration of the blessing these people were to the community and gave them a send off. That's life in the military, always filled with hellos and goodbyes. I think they get accustomed to it, but it doesn't get easier. We're already getting to know the chapel community, they have a sincere spirit and are very welcoming. Military life has a way doing this.
Prayer Requests:
* For Rob and Karen Hampton, that they are blessed with travel mercies and are able to relax and renew as they visit and family and friends in the States.
*That our first week goes smoothly! That we we have confidence and wisdom in continuing the ministry here at the HH.
* The deployed troops from here in Vicenza (Camp Ederle)
*For a continued relationship with Mario and Chiara.
* That we take good care of little Zack and the plants! :)
Thank you!
In Him, Katie
We had a busy but wonderful first weekend! We had a great time of fellowship at the Friday night potluck. There was lots of laughter and, of course, great food! That is one perk of this ministry, you never stop eating! Claire couldn't take it any more so she hit the treadmill this morning.
On Saturday, Claire and I were invited over to have lunch at Julie's house. Julie is a soldier who regularly attends the HH. We had some great discussions and started to get to know more about her.
That same afternoon, we met an Italian couple, Mario and Chiara, who are friends of Rob and Karen and run their own leather business. They had brought some merchandise to the House a couple weeks ago for soldiers to buy, and were coming to pick it all up. We planned to help take their stuff back to their house and then go out to dinner together. Little did we know that we were in for quite a night!
Neither of them speak English, so Rob was our official translator. We also used lots of smiles, hand gestures and head nodding. So there we are, our 3 car caravan, driving along these pretty country roads not realizing it would take us over an hour to get to our unknown destination.
I ended up having two kids (guess who) sleeping on my lap as we finally drove up to an old farmhouse. Mario and Chiara have renovated the hundred year old house, and it is beautiful!
As we unloaded we heard all these dogs howling. Turns out that Chiara and Mario are avid rabbit hunters and have 11 beagles! They have competed in and won many competitions, and their dogs are little celebrities to the hunters in the area.
Mary and Julie
Showing us pictures of their competitions
Dad enjoyed the guns. (Mario, Brian, Rob)
They were very excited to show us around their home and workshop, and gave us many beautiful gifts (I now have three custom-made Italian leather dog collars!).
Leather workshop, Mario making the collars
Chiara sharing the local wines and juices
After 2 hours of visiting, we went to dinner at an elegant "ristorante" and had a delicious dinner. It was nice to have something other that pizza and pasta!
Mario and Chiara are not Christians, and we were able to share a little bit about our relationship with God over the course of our 3 hour meal. Mario gave us his impressive rendition of Pavarotti, he has an amazing voice!. We hope that we will be able to see them again before we leave. It is wonderful when God brings you those unexpected adventures and opportunities! Being able to share a day with wonderful people that come from such a different life is very neat when you connect in such a close way.
On Sunday we went to chapel. It was a bittersweet service since a few of the families are leaving. They spent time in celebration of the blessing these people were to the community and gave them a send off. That's life in the military, always filled with hellos and goodbyes. I think they get accustomed to it, but it doesn't get easier. We're already getting to know the chapel community, they have a sincere spirit and are very welcoming. Military life has a way doing this.
Prayer Requests:
* For Rob and Karen Hampton, that they are blessed with travel mercies and are able to relax and renew as they visit and family and friends in the States.
*That our first week goes smoothly! That we we have confidence and wisdom in continuing the ministry here at the HH.
* The deployed troops from here in Vicenza (Camp Ederle)
*For a continued relationship with Mario and Chiara.
* That we take good care of little Zack and the plants! :)
Thank you!
In Him, Katie
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Hey There! We are excited to follow your journey and to keep you all in prayer! The photos that you guys posted are terrific!
You did a great job with the blog Katie!!
Love,
The Wrights
Posted by
jennie |
11:36 PM
Thanks for the update and we are praying for you! Brian, you look good holding a gun! and claire...where are the shoes on the treadmill (ouch!)!?
The Armstrongs
Posted by
Scott |
9:29 AM
Hi Guys! We are praying for you! It's great to see our Lord already using you in people's lives. I know you made an impact on Mario and Chiara even with the language barrier. We pray that Jesus shows up in mighty ways! Take care.
In Christ's Love
The Nooes
Posted by
Unknown |
10:35 AM
Hey to the Beer Family,
Wow, so wonderful to hear your good reports from Italy.
Reading about the HH makes me miss you guys even more.
It sounds like the whole family is really having a good time.
Tell Claire we'll be in Kentucky in less than 9 months, so she needs to hold that weight so she can be my exercise rider. haha
Seriously, we look forward to seeing you all soon.
Keep the faith and we are praying for your ministry. Tracy
Posted by
Tracy Hersman |
4:50 PM
i LOVE THESE POSTS!! How's it been now that you are ovr a week experienced??
I too love those little blossom trails along the path... just follow them and who know where the Lord will lead and to whom!! lOVEIT.
Posted by
Unknown |
7:46 PM
Thanks for all your love and prayers everyone!
Posted by
katiebeer |
6:19 PM
The tree line picture (above)looks like the one from "Sound of Music" where all the kids are up in the trees, having a great 'ol time, when the Captain drives by.
What a wonderful memory you will have with this family. I will pray that this connection will stay open with your family.
I can see your Mom's eyes touring this house and landscape. (Smiles)
Still prayin, Aunt Wendy
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6:02 PM
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Posted by
Unknown |
12:49 PM