Buona Pasqua!
As I make my way to Arrone today will be much more on the flat that the ups and downs of yesterday..I'll be walking beside the Nera river so looking forward to that and the weather again looks nice so relieved about that.
One lovely thing last night was sharing a meal with some fellow pilgrims.
Giancarlo (Italian) is on the left just peeking in, then Elizabeth from Austria. Mario (Italian) is next and then Ernest (also from Austria. He and Elizabeth are great friends who have walked many pilgrimages together. She is 81 and he is 78!!) Finally next to me is Massimo, also Italian.
They were all intrigued to find out about what I do and why I was walking the Via Di Francesco. Whilst we had to make use of Google translate a lot - we used a mix of English, German and Italian to communicate. Massimo had the best English and very sweetly had a chat with me about his wife who died 2 years ago. He clearly was still grieving a lot. I think what I shared with him was a comfort and said I'd pray for him
When I got back to my room I wrote him a prayer and translated it into Italian (yay for Mr Google) and I shall give it to him today. I didn't expect this as part of my journey but it is a real privilege that despite not having a great grasp of Italian God has called me to minister to this man at this particular time!
I'm also realising that a lot of people think the Baptist denomination is American! I have had to explain several times it was founded by two English men who had to flee to the Netherlands to do so. Am now finally grateful for studying Baptist History and Principles at college 😂
Right - now to pray the pilgrims prayer for the road awaits - see you in Arrone!
Easter blessings to you all!
