It’s been a great shock for me to spend a whole week with the a group of Italians that too teenagers........ In the midst of strange Italians that too with their fast strange Italian accent..........O God, I even asked myself “why me?”
First 2 days were literally strange and days of mystery for me! Not even a single word I could understand. My eyes even became red because of my strenuous effort to concentrate much on the Italian language of the boys. I was really REALLY sick of being there. But everything happens according to HIS will. And that is exactly true!
Slowly slowly I could come down to the world of reality!I could find many teachers for my Italian lessons. Maria Francesca, Rosa Maria, Maurizio... and also many other vibrant youngsters. The funniest part I was playing a dual person there. I had to respond in Italian while they speak English to me. In a way, the role of a teacher for them and at the same time to be a student to learn Italian from them. Give and take process. But I enjoyed that a lot! Playing the dual role!
With Fr.Serge, Sr.Roberta, Bro.Enzo and with other animators my world was changing. I was accepting Italians, Italiano everything as a part of myself !
In the camp, different aspects of ‘LOVE’ were discussed on each day. ‘Loving yourself’, ‘Loving your family’, ‘Loving each other’, ‘Love in friendship’ & ‘Loving the world’. To my surprise different but strange & weird opinions came up in the group.But as usual, everything has to go on well and it happened here also.
But...........
The importance of sacraments were not dealt in much detail.In the whole 7 days , only3 days we had Holy Mass. Also the sacrament of Penance could have been dealt in a more interesting way and in a more fruitful way.
And about Adoration. Even though there was only little time for adoration, it was the most wonderful time for me. And even a girl responded during evaluation that she was greatly touched by Jesus during adoration. This wa really a reminder for me to believe that only Jesus can make a change in persons. Whatever we try to do, whatever we plan, only He can bring change in persons.what we can do is only to show the true way to others, we can only lead others to him never can change persons. Transformation is HIS job!
I even had a lot of discussions informally and formally with the youngsters during the camp. With my little Italian I was able to communicate Indian culture, my mission works and even the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Even that could help in witnessing/ giving Jesus to others.One boy responded during the evaluation that he was happy to meet me- a person who could feel the presence of the Lord always. Praise you Jesus!
If he has chosen you, he will give you the grace to move forward. Exactly true ! Now I could feel the progression in my Italian. I could speak well, I can understand better than before and I do speak with confidence, but of course with lot of errors. Let all glory and honour be Yours !
And I still believe and I proclaim that ‘ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
Phil 4: 13. Amen.
