I just got back from lunch with Bruno. He is one of my elderly neighbors and over my time here in Perugia, we have become good friends. His first words to me (which had to be translated) were: ‘I don’t like America, and I really don’t like Americans.’ the fact that I was a non-catholic and from a quasi-Irish decent, really didn’t sit well with him either. I thought this was for sure going to be a rough go at it. But over time, many nights spent this summer out in the garden listening to him speak really fast, catching a word or two here and there, through his cigarette smoke and laughter, I have been able to establish a good relationship with him.

Since winter has come, we haven’t gotten to hang out much. But during our conversations this summer, he had mentioned that he has always wanted some baseball gear. I filed that away, and this Christmas, had my mom ship over 2 baseball gloves, a bat, and a ball. Christmas eve, I took him the gloves and ball. Yesterday, I took him the bat, which finally showed up. This morning, he buzzed my door (rousting me outta bed) and invited me to lunch.

So, I went over there and his maid and wife joined us for a typical Umbrian lunch. It was great! I wasn’t sure of all the kinds of pastas/lasagna’s I ate, but it didn’t matter because they were delicious! Our conversations mostly centered on the differences between American and Italian culture, politics, and a little religious talk–mainly how the ‘god we trust’ is really the dollar and capitalism. We laughed and had a good time. I found out he used to work for the chocolate factory here in Perugia for 36 years. He told me that my Italian was way better since this summer. That meant a lot, because he isn’t one to dish out a ton of compliments. But I did feel comfortable enough to make a few jokes about some different things, and they laughed. It’s a real good feeling to have a handle on something just enough to tell jokes about it.

On my way out, Bruno told me to ring him in a few days and we would do it again. This looks like it is the beginning of a beautiful relationship…

Please keep praying for our team to keep developing our friendships to the glory of God.