A Better Understanding of the Mision Field

Yesterday afternoon I had a truly eye opening experience. Our team had just  performed one of our mimes on the street and we were getting ready to hand out tracts.  As Lacey finished her explanation of the mime I spotted a couple starting to leave. I chased after them holding up a tract shouting all the words I knew in Italian (which is like 5 words). They turned around and allowed me to speak. "No parlo italiano... Sono americano... Ah (grunt)... Parli inglese?" I was extremely excited when the men looked at me and said "go ahead." Yes! they spoke English.

As we began to talk back and forth the man (named Alby) became interested in why I was in Italy. I told him that I was part mission trip from Oregon spreading the gospel through mime. He thought the idea was cool. It was at this time that Jesse came over (one of the areas long term missionaries). He jumped right into the conversation. The the girl (Julia) also became more active in the conversation. For awhile we carried on a with a little small talk and friendly joking. Then Jesse asked about the tract. He also asked about Jesus and and his message. This is when I stopped talking and just listened. Of the few short days I have been in Italy I can honestly say I learned more in that 15 minute conversation then all the rest of the time here put together, and that is saying a lot. 

First the Alby and Julia talked about how they liked Jesus "He is a cool guy ... I am a fan of Jesus and his message" said Alby. But when it came to talking about church and religion both Alby and Julia scowled a little bit. Julia began to talk about all the hypocrisy in the Catholic church and how they have caused so much damage over the years and hurt so many people. This bothered Julia so much that she finally said "I hate God and do not believe in Him." To Julia and Alby there was no other church beyond the Catholic church, sure they knew others existed, but the Catholic Church was the only one they knew.

The conversation moved on to the message of Jesus, Alby said "the message of Jesus is love." He repeated this thought many times. He went on to talk about how Christians today block out that message and focus only on themselves. They do not help the  beggar on the street right outside the church.  "church should be a celebration" he said. He then talked about how whenever he went to church it was always sad and harmful the the message of Jesus' love. "In church Christians put up barriers" said Alby. But Jesse was persistent and talked about what his church was doing. Alby liked this idea and the two exchanged numbers. Julia also opened up. The whole experience is one I will never forget.  There was so much more to the conversation I wish I could write out, but alas I am running out of time. I hope this blesses you as much as it does me. There is such a need in this country that until now I have not been able to fully recognize. Pray us that we may be able to fulfill the task that Christ has laid out for us.


God Bless,

Caleb Ringhand