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ITALY.....Dire Addio!

This is it! This blog series has been so much fun! I learned some cool things about Italy and I really enjoyed envisioning where you were each day. You make my life so much fun...as a matter of fact you always have!



Funny most of our memories involve performance, ministry, music in one way or the other! My goodness in a matter of 6 days you saw John Mayer live and Italy too!








Here are some things I learned about Italy in the last couple of weeks:

~Don't try to outrun the police in Lazio, they drive Lamborghini's!

~Italians eat on average, 66 pounds of pasta and 60 liters of wine per year and a half a pound of bread per day!

~Opera is an Italian creation.

~Italy is slightly larger than Arizona.

~Italy borders Austria, France, Slovenia and Switzerland.

~The famous children's story, Pinocchio, was written by an Italian!

~The piano hails from Italy.

~Cologne came from Italy (in the region of Campania) Roses were a main ingredient.

~Eyeglasses are an Italian invention.

~The colors of the Italian flag represent hope, faith, and love,green, white and red.


Well my wonderful first born, so ends the Italy blogs. It has been fun!
You bless me so much. When you cross the ocean be prepared to tell me everything! I can't wait to see your photos and hear your experience.



Now I think I will go take a nap before I go looking for some more "boot" images of Italy! I am beat. I figured it out the other day. When I am going to sleep, you are waking up so I would pray for your new day. When I am going through my day, I am praying for your evening and your rest. When I go to bed at midnight, it was already 6 a.m in Italy so my mind couldn't rest, then I would wake at 3 a.m and it is already 9:00 where you are so I couldn't let time fly by and not pray, so the rest of my night I was awake! So you see, when you are on another time zone I am praying night and day!

At this moment you are crossing the ocean! I am praying for safe travel, protected bags, renewed strength, God speed, and memories to last a lifetime.

Arrivederci.....or maybe I'll just say g'nite!

ITALY....endomingado!

Today is Sunday and the caption above says...in your Sunday best!



You have been in your Sunday best for over a week! You are giving concerts in two churches today, the International Christian Fellowship and the Alpha Omega Church. I am praying that your day brings eternal reward and fruit. Things that you don't even know about till we get to heaven! May God anoint and send His word today through you and the music!



Europe's introduction to Christianity is found in Acts 16. Paul's trip to Macedonia(Greece) and then they traveled to Philippi where they established the church. I feel like writing about my Prison Epistle's class about now! 19 centuries later Azusa Street Revival took place and the Europeans that were being filled with the Spirit took their new anointing back to their homeland. They were on fire to evangelize and win their communities for Christ.

World War II significantly impacted the church and at that time the United States Assemblies of God contributed to relief efforts and by 1950 twenty missionaries were ministering in Europe.

Assemblee di Dio in Italia was formed then and their Bible College began in 1954.





Bible Schools, Good News Crusades, Teen Challenge, International Correspondence Institute (today Global University) and International Media Ministries have all made a difference in the evangelization of Europe. Today the United States A/G team consists of 355 missionaries and 123 missionary associates in 36 European countries including the one you are in....Italy! More than 2.5 million people worship in a Pentecostal Church in Europe. Here is one more "boot" image showing where the Assemblies of God have impact.




Today our prayer must be for the Holy Spirit to continue to give guidance to the church in evangelization and compassion for the lost in Italy. He started the work and He will finish the work. Our prayer is that the missionaries and pastors will be encouraged today by the VFCC concert choir and burdens will be lifted at Calvary...

Be encouraged today son, He is your song. He is your strength. He is your portion. He is everything you need for life and Godliness today!

ITALY....Il Canto Degli Italiani

Il Canto Degli Italiani, the Italian National Anthem, was written in 1847 by Goffredo Mameli. Interestingly, Mameli was only 20 years old when he wrote the words. You can see from the lyrics that he was quite a patriot. Click above and take a listen.




Mameli didn't put the words to music, Michele Novaro did. The music is beautiful and majestic. The first manuscript of the poem reveals anxiety and inspiration at the same time. The original copy is preserved in Genoa at the Instituto Mazziniano.

The hymn was publicly sung for the first time on December 10, 1847. It was an historical day for Italy where it also waved the tricolor flag.



When the Italians sing their anthem, they sing the first stanza twice, then the chorus. They always end it with a loud shout,"SI!" Much discussion has been made to replace the National Anthem. Some think that the music is poor, when compared to classical Italian pieces, while others think that the lyrics refer to some very specific episodes in Italian history that has less meaning to Italians today.

Here are the lyrics to the first verse and chorus, tell me what you think! When I listen to the music, it reminds me of one of our favorite movies, Princess Diaries! Remember at the end where the distinguished cast sings Genovia!

Brothers of Italy
Italy has awoken,
with Scipio's helmet
binding her head
Where is Victory?
Let her bow down
For God has made her
Rome's slave.

Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die
We are ready to die
Italy has called!
Si!


Italy became a republic in 1946. This hymn was chosen as the country's national anthem on October 12, 1946, however, it wasn't made official in law until November 17, 2005!

Today is Saturday and the evening concert is at the Hotel Eurostar Roma Congress.I am trusting that you are going to have a great night! I can't wait to hear all about it. You are nearing the end of your Italy tour. Six months ago you thought it wouldn't be able to happen for you and look! Now you are almost at the end.



I am praying for your energy level. Let the last couple concerts be as great as the first ones!Stay full of energy! Give the Lord praise! He is good!

ITALY....che c'é di nuovo?

Hey Ry, it's Friday!! You have been in Italy now for over a week! What memories! What experience! What ministry! I am so happy for you. God provided the finances. He provided the strength. He provided everything you needed to be an able minister of the gospel through music. Our God is so great!

You are still in Rome and I suppose there is no way to exhaust the city's beauty and historical attractions. I pray that you have a great day, taking everything in that your eyes see!

Here are some facts about Rome that you may find interesting.

1. Rome celebrates its birth every April 21. Celebrations include fireworks, gladiator shows, traditional Roman banquets and parades. I can imagine that it is a grand holiday with no school! Wouldn't you love to be there April 21?

2. The Pantheon, which was built in 27 BC, is the only monument that remains intact that belongs to ancient Rome. It is also where King Vittorio Emanuele II and his successor, Umberto I is entombed.





3. There is a park in Rome, named the "Park of the Monsters"! I'm scared...no it is not haunted. It is just full of weird creatures!



4. The "Baths of Caracalla" were built in the third century. Today they are in disrepair but at one time they could handle 1600 bathers at a time! I wonder if that counted all the rubber duckies as well! That, you could say, is a full house!





5. Rome has a museum dedicated to pasta! That would probably be daddy's first stop! Besides paintings and art, it has machines related to pasta making. I wonder if there are cooking lessons and a cafe!




6. You learned this fact a long time ago but I will put it in the blog for a reminder. Rome's Coliseum seating 50,000 people is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.





7. The Monumental Cemetery of the Capuchin Brothers has used the bones of over four thousand Capuchin monks to create symbolic works of art! Now that sounds kind of spooky to me!



8. St. Peter's Basilica inside Vatican City is the largest church ever constructed. It is a dream of mine to see this. It stood for one thousand years until it collapsed and was then rebuilt.




I have learned so many things about Italy. Thank you for the research adventure that I have been on this week! As I see the pictures I imagine you standing there chatting, taking pictures, observing, seeing history books come to life! What a great time!

As you move through your day today, walk uprightly, show mercy and love God with all your heart, mind and soul! We love you so much and there are many people praying for you!

ITALY.....Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini....

Did you know that March 9th was a holiday! You were in Italy for the Santa Francesca Romana holiday! This is "the blessing of the cars!" Romans elected Francesca as a patron saint of all the vehicles. The powers that be felt it necessary because of the danger of cars. The gathering and blessing of the cars takes place March 9 in front of the church devoted to Santa Francesca Romana!

Today I am going to touch on something very dear to your heart...cars! When you were leaving the states and we were talking about little souvenirs to purchase in Italy, daddy said he just wanted a ferrari!

Here is a little history for you! Enzo Ferrari is the founder of Scuderia Ferrari. The company was located in Modena Italy (in the north)and it was founded in 1929. It was founded with the purpose of helping members compete in motor races. Scuderia was the Alfa Romeo part. After two years, Enzo split from Alfa Romeo and founded Auto Avio Costruzion Ferrari. Essentially, this was a machine tool shop. Ferrari then went on to study and design racing cars.

The first racing car was an eight cylinder 1500cc open car known as the 815. World War II then put an end to racing activities. In 1943 the plant moved from Moderna to Maranello.

After the war, the company changed its name to Ferrari and the company designed the 125 Sport, a twelve cylinder 1500cc car. Since then Ferraris have been driven by the best drivers and it is now a racing legend. In 1969, Enzo Ferrari sold fifty percent of the company to Fiat.

In 1972, Ferrari built a track called the Fiorano adjacent to the plant. The track is equipped with closed circuit tv, electronic timing and telemetry. It is used for tests and trials on Formula I and GT cars. Now this is something you know alot about! Wouldn't you love to go try it out!





Besides all the monuments and the Sistine Chapel where you will see Michael Angelo's masterpiece I am sure that you will visit a market. In Rome alone there is the Porta Portese Market, the Campo de' Fiori Market, the Via Sannio Market, the Artists Club Market, Antique Markets and such. I wonder if it would be possible for you to get to the Ferrari Market for your daddy!!





Tonight your concert is at the Chiesa (the italian word for church) Cristian Evangelica at Torraccia. I am praying for you son, and for the choir. By now, your bodies are getting weary, your voices are feeling tired, the newness has worn off and you are on the countdown. Tomorrow will give you a lift as it is your full free day off with shopping and fun with more sights to see. Come Saturday you will only have 3 concerts left and you will soon be saying arrivederci!

Enjoy the journey and take in every moment. May your health be blessed, your travels be blessed, may your ministry (both public and private) be blessed, and may your friends be blessed! Love you so much honey!

ROME, ITALY...Caput Mundi!

You are in the ETERNAL CITY. I don't like the sound of that! There is only one eternal city and we want to go there in the rapture not right now! However, Rome is called the Eternal City because it has always played a significant role in the history of Europe. It is also called the Eternal City because it is one of the world's richest in history and art, and one of the great cultural, religious, and intellectual centers.

Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus. Romulus wanted the city built on the Palatine Hill, Remus wanted it built on the Aventine Hill. The question was to be decided by an augury (divination). Remus was the first to see 6 vultures and Romulus saw 12. Each claimed the augury (the foretelling of future events by occult or supernatural means)in his favor and Remus was killed.

Romulus created the Roman Senate and the Roman Legions. He abducted women from the neighboring Sabine tribes. Romulus was one of ancient Rome's greatest conquerors, adding large amounts of territory and people to the dominion of Rome.

So there you have it, if Remus had been the victor, you today would be in Reme instead of Rome!

There is so much to see in Rome, I suppose you will see different sights everyday! There is the colosseum, the Roman Forum,the Pantheon, Roman Temples, the catacombs, cathedrals and castles, and the Sistine Chapels. There is also the Trevi Fountain. Tourists throw coins into the fountain to guarantee their return to Rome. If that is all it takes, throw in a bunch!






Today you will meet up with Missionary Mike Hopkins. I can't wait till you tell me about him. Missionaries are special people! From your itinerary, it looks like you will be hosted by him the entire time you are in Rome. On Sunday morning you are singing at the International Church. Does Mike pastor that church? You are going to have so much fun being with a missionary. I hope you get to go to his house and hang out, like the students and teams come to our house here in Jamaica!





This evening the concert is at the Evangelical Church of San Paolo. The itinerary says you are walking to the church. Won't that be so much fun! Can you imagine all the attention you will garner. Beautiful college students walking in their tuxedos and gowns! The townspeople will think there is a really large wedding happening on a Wednesday night!! They may follow you to the service and meet the Bridegroom himself...Jesus!

Have a lovely day sweetheart in the Eternal City. One day we are going to the one not built by hands, where the Eternal Conqueror lives. But in the meantime enjoy this one!