Festa di San Matteo

Posted by Drew | Filed under General

In the main cathedral here in Salerno is buried the arm of Matthew, the disciple, Saint Matthew, or San Matteo. Each city in Italy has a patron saint and Matteo is that for Salerno and tonight there was a big parade and festival all over the city center celebrating his commemorative day. To celebrate there’s a big parade around the city beginning and ending at the cathedral. And everyone prepares the traditional dish for this day, milza. This morning I found out what that means. It’s spleen. They didn’t specify what animal. I didn’t ask.

Please continue to pray for an apartment for the guys. We made an offer the other day on a place that is literally 100 yards from the girls place, and it’s above a restaurant on the main strip of pubs and restaurants that students frequent on the weekends. It’s a little more than we’d like to pay, but we offered a little lower than they’re asking. So we’re praying that it will work out. We should know something soon.

We started language school on Tuesday. Our team is spread between three classes. In my class we haven’t worked on any grammar, we just talk. I’m the only guy in a class of 10. The first day we talked about sewing and pregnancy. I learned a few words I’m confident I’ll never use. But yesterday we moved on to ethics, and today we covered movies. Mostly I just sit and listen.

Our team also began our strategic planning process this week. The hard part was putting into words our vision statement and team covenant. I think it was the first time some of our team started to not like each other. But no significant conflict yet. When that happens, we’ll know that stint has become a reality, and is no longer a dream world. Until then, we’re too inammored with the food and gelato. Reality will set in soon enough. I think we’ll be ready. One more week of language, and the next week classes begin for the Italian students.

I was thinking today that it can be a strange concept to need someone. I think I often don’t realize what that means. Or maybe more accurately, I don’t want to know what it means. For the past two weeks I haven’t grasped what it means to need my team. I’m the expert, right? I’ve done this twice already, once following a great leader, and once attempting to lead myself. I know the language well enough to get by and serve as team translator in most situations. I even own some Italian jeans and some shoes that look Italian. It’s also easy for me to feel confidence in my spiritual leadership. I am on staff, after all. And I’m nearly 30, compared to most of my team who are fresh out of college. It just seems so much simpler to not depend on anyone else. But I really need my team. Sadly, I don’t recognize that as I should. And it just occurred to me that some of them might be reading this. I know the truth from Scripture that we were created to live in community, as a body, each part dependent on another, rejoicing and suffering with each part in turn. I just feel so accustomed to everything being centered around an individual. It’s hard to make that truth stick. But I have really enjoyed this team. Although at times I haven’t wanted to because it’s not like either team I was on before, or my staff team in Auburn. And maybe I enjoy them so much now, because the excitement of being in Italy is still fresh for all of them and that makes them more enjoyable to be with, but I think it’s more than that. We put in our team covenant that we recognize that each member of this team is God’s unique provision for me this year. I don’t have to understand that now, but I have no doubt it is true. I need them. And I’m thankful that I need them. Trying to do everything alone has never really worked out for me. Please continue to pray for our team unity, and for protection against division and spiritual attacks.

Permalink | September 21st, 2006

One Response to “Festa di San Matteo”

  1. Kat Says:
    September 23rd, 2006 at 7:52 am

    yes Driu, we read your blog :)

    we still like each other, we just apparently use words to express the same things differently :)

    and good thoughts on our team…..inspirational, if I do say so myself ;)

    love!

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